Jahméne
Jahméne Douglas is a British soul/gospel singer who records under the mononym . ' He finished in second place on the ninth series of The X Factor in 2012.
In December 2012, he signed a record deal with Sony Music. In July 2013, he released his debut studio album, Love Never Fails, which peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart and included appearances from Nicole Scherzinger, in a duet of "The Greatest Love of All", and Stevie Wonder, who lent his harmonica skills on "Give Us This Day".
In September 2014, Jahméne signed his second deal with Independent Label Moonshot Music and released his second album, ', in September 2016.
Personal life
Jahméne Douglas was born in Birmingham in 1991 to Mandy Thomas and Eustace Douglas. He is of mixed heritage which includes St. Kitts, Welsh and English. He was the first youth ambassador of the UK charity Women's Aid, for children and young people.Jahméne, along with his mother Mandy Thomas, were subjected to prolonged and severe physical, emotional, and psychological abuse by his father. In 2008, Jahméne’s eldest brother, Daniel, tragically died by suicide following the early release of their father from prison.
In 2012, Jahméne Douglas emerged as a powerful voice in the fight against domestic violence, using his public platform to advocate for survivors and challenge the stigma surrounding abuse. Alongside his mother, Mandy Thomas, he has worked to bring the often-silenced issue into mainstream conversation, helping to shift public attitudes through television appearances, interviews, and campaigns. Their efforts have not only generated national media coverage but also sparked widespread engagement online, with Jahméne frequently using social media to amplify the message—at times driving domestic violence awareness to trend on platforms like Twitter. Jahméne has been the Ambassador and advocate for important causes such as: Women’s Aid, Childline, Peace One Day and NSPCC.
Jahméne is a Christian and speaks openly about how his faith has pulled him through many dark places. His debut album's title, Love Never Fails, is taken from the scripture, one of his favourite passages in the Bible. The idea of the album was to have spiritual twists on the chosen covers. Jahméne has been seen exercising his faith in public. He refused to sing "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" by Katy Perry, for an X Factor group ensemble performance, because of its graphic/unsuitable lyrical content. He opined that Ella Henderson, 16 at the time, should not be made to sing the song and that lyrically it was not suitable for the family show.
Mandy Thomas B.E.M.
On 8 October 2015, Mandy published her, You Can’t Run, through Ebury, an imprint of Penguin Random House. The publication offers a detailed and deeply personal account of her relationship with Jahméne’s father. The foreword was contributed by esteemed author and campaigner Katie Piper.Mandy is an accomplished author, poet, and an, as well as a skilled photographer. In addition to her creative work, she is a dedicated justice advocate and a recognised media commentator on issues relating to domestic abuse. Her efforts are focused on raising public awareness, influencing policy, and securing support for victims of domestic violence.
In October 2020, Mandy was awarded the British Empire Medal (B.E.M.) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to campaigning against domestic abuse.
Television
2012: ''The X Factor''
On 30 May 2012, Douglas auditioned in London for the ninth series of The X Factor. He sang Etta James' "At Last" with a powerful voice in what Louis had stated as a "revelation" and received a yes from each of the judges Louis Walsh, Tulisa, Gary Barlow and Nicole Scherzinger. Douglas managed to advance to judges' houses, where he impressed mentor Nicole Scherzinger with his rendition of David Guetta's "Titanium", thereby making it to the live shows.On 8 December, he was the first act to make it safely through to the second night of the live finals, along with Arthur.
He finished the competition in second place.
In August 2013, Douglas performed in Indonesia for RCTI's 24th anniversary television special, ''X Factor Around the World.''
Debut Album ''Love Never Fails''
On 19 December 2012, it was announced that Douglas had signed a record deal with Sony Music. On 25 January 2013, it was confirmed that he had signed with RCA Records and would be releasing his debut album in May.It was announced by RCA Records that Douglas' first album would be called Love Never Fails and would be released on 22 July. It debuted at number one in the UK. Douglas also donated all of his profits from the single "Titanium" to the domestic abuse campaigns of the charity Women's Aid. The album features appearances from his X Factor mentor Scherzinger and Stevie Wonder. He released a single from the album, a cover of David Guetta's "Titanium", onto his Vevo account on 12 June 2013.
When it became clear that a cover album was being strongly encouraged by the label, Jahméne proposed a concept that aligned with his artistic vision and spiritual values. His intention was to reinterpret classic songs through a spiritual lens, collaborating with renowned Gospel artists he deeply admired. The goal was to help bridge the gap between the UK and US Gospel scenes, and to further elevate the profile of Christian music within the UK. The label initially agreed to this creative direction, and Jahméne proceeded to sign the deal.
At the time, Jahméne had already secured high-profile collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Nicole Scherzinger, reinforcing the strength and reach of his concept.
Jahméne had also received positive responses from Gospel icon Kim Burrell and Missy Elliott, and had planned to approach other influential artists including Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, CeCe Winans, LaShun Pace, and The Clark Sisters.
However, nearing the end of Jahméne completing recording his contributions to the album, the label abandoned the original concept—likely to expedite the album’s release. This shift was a significant disappointment. In subsequent interviews, Jahméne has expressed that it became increasingly evident the label lacked belief in his artistry from the outset. Despite backing from the legendary Stevie Wonder and him waiving his fee in support of the project — the focus appeared to be more on commercial return than on artistic integrity.
In August 2013, Douglas performed in Indonesia for RCTI's 24th anniversary television special, X Factor Around the World, along with Samantha Jade, The Collective, Melanie Amaro, Novita Dewi and Fatin Shidqia. "Titanium" subsequently hit number 1 the following day in Indonesia.
Sophomore Album ''Unfathomable Phantasmagoria''
The album, , was released on 23 September 2016. This album features 16 tracks with Jahméne also writing several tracks. Samuel L. Jackson lent his voice to the project. Jahméne met Jackson in 2012 when he invited Jahméne to sing at a charity ball he was hosting. He lends his voice to the intro of the album opening the record with the Bible verse Jackson then goes on to read from, Galatians 5:22–23 as an interlude on the album, which also features in the lead single's video, "" Jahméne then went on to release "" from the album as the anthem for the charity . The song was written by Diane Warren.The album consists of his signature sound, including soul, R&B and gospel. Notable writers other than Diane Warren include Andrea Martin, Stanley Brown, Sacha Skarbek, Electric and Jim Beanz.
Jahméne stated that he had more control over the process of making the album in comparison to his first, from the sound, to his songwriting, down to the artwork and title. The sleeve inside the physical copy even includes one of Jahméne's poems entitled "Shadow Serpent".
Artwork
The album cover design, conceptualised by Jahméne, features a backdrop of an arrangement of peacock feathers symbolising a Seraph / Seraphim, encompassing Jahméne within a triangle, the strongest geometric shape, representing the powerful combination of the Father God, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.“And their whole body, with their back, their hands, their wings, and the wheels that the four had, were ''full of eyes all around''.” - Ezekiel 10:12
At the centre, Jahméne is depicted wearing a black hooded cape, conveying a sense of solemnity and introspection. The intention behind the imagery evokes the idea of being divinely surrounded and protected by God, even in one’s darkest moments. The photo was taken by
Poetry
On the 6th July in 2017, Jahméne released a book containing a collection of 75 poems entitled, ''.''Black History And Me
In September 2022 Jahméne Co-founded and launched ‘’ with UK Black Historian, Thought Leader & Theorist ''''Mission Statement
“At , we are committed to celebrating and amplifying the contributions of Black individuals throughout British history. Through our poster designs and community activations, we aim to increase visibility, foster understanding, and inspire a stronger connection to Black British identity.The erasure of Black stories from mainstream history is deeply dehumanising. While the history of enslavement must never be overlooked, it should not be the sole narrative that defines Black history. We believe in highlighting the rich legacy, achievements, and ongoing impact of the Black community in the UK as a way to combat ignorance and promote meaningful inclusion.
As Marcus Garvey said,
“A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”We believe that recognising one’s place in history fosters pride, accountability, and a stronger sense of identity.
We hope to see Black British history made a mandatory part of the National Curriculum across the UK. Currently, only Wales has taken this step. The absence of standardised Black history education in England and Scotland leads to inconsistent learning and reinforces divisions among young people, further entrenching systemic inequalities.
Addressing these gaps is essential for building a more united, informed, and equitable society.”
Poster Designs
Jahméne produced a series of thirteen, each featuring his original West African–inspired patterns and artistic portraits. These works highlight the contributions and legacies of significant Black historical figures, including: Harold Moody, Walter Tull, Mary Seacole, Fanny Eaton, Dido Elizabeth Belle, Phillis Wheatley, Ellen Craft, Ignatius Sancho, Ira Aldridge, Sara Forbes Bonetta, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and John Archer.The logo design incorporates the Adinkra symbol Nea Onnim, which represents knowledge, lifelong learning, and the continual pursuit of wisdom. The symbol is often interpreted as: ''“He who does not know can know from learning.”''
Notting Hill Carnival Billboard
In 2018, Jahméne conceptualised an idea which he shared with Kayne Kawasaki: to take over billboard spaces along the route of the Notting Hill Carnival with the purpose of displaying historical facts and statistics related to the event. The aim was to educate passersby and deepen public understanding of the Carnival’s rich cultural and political significance.This vision later came to life in the lead-up to 2025. During the planning process, it became increasingly clear to Kayne Kawasaki that many people were unaware of the Carnival’s origins. In response, he mobilised the Black community via social media, successfully raising the necessary funds for the billboard campaign in just 1.5 days. Notably, Kayne’s mother had initially secured a £2,000 deposit to hold the billboard space in advance, ensuring the opportunity was not lost.
The first billboard, designed by Jahméne, focused on Kelso Cochrane, a young Antiguan man whose racially motivated murder in 1959 became a pivotal moment in British civil rights history. The display featured a large portrait of Cochrane, alongside a powerful quote from the late political activist and broadcaster Darcus Howe:
“If there were not race riots in Notting Hill, I don’t believe that we would have had the Notting Hill Carnival. If it wasn’t for the murder of Kelso Cochrane, Carnival wouldn’t have happened.”The billboard was visually striking, with Antiguan flags adorning three of its corners. It stood as one of the largest and most prominent displays on the Carnival route along Ladbroke Grove.
To mark the of the initiative, a celebratory event was organised by Kayne Kawasaki, with support from the ', funded by Anthony Joshua. A.C.E covered the cost of a nearby venue just steps from the billboard, along with catering and live performances. The event brought together donors, community members, and long-time representatives of the Cochrane family. Guests were welcomed by the sounds of traditional steel pan music and treated to a special performance by ', a Trinidadian calypsonian singer and musician, who paid tribute to Kelso’s legacy through his music.
Inspired by the initiative, of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd. took further action by securing bus stop advertisement spaces across the area as part of their ‘R.E.S.P.E.C.T’ campaign, which aimed to highlight the core values that sustain and define Notting Hill Carnival.
During the Carnival, Kayne and Jahméne also conducted with attendees near the billboard. They asked the public if they recognised the individual featured and used the opportunity to educate those unfamiliar with Kelso Cochrane’s story.
Photography
Gabrielle
Jahméne first joined Gabrielle on her “Under My Skin” album launch tour in 2018, returning in 2019 to support her once again.Following this collaboration, Jahméne took on the responsibility of designing Gabrielle’s tour programmes and merchandise for subsequent tours.
Having recognised Jahméne’s photography, photo editing skills and having developed a personal friendship, Gabrielle’s manager, Lisa Bennington, arranged a photoshoot with Jahméne to capture promotional images for an upcoming Gabrielle tour. While the shoot was originally intended for promotional purposes, Gabrielle was so impressed by the photographs and their artistic direction that she selected one of the images to feature as the cover art for her next album, “A Place In Your Heart.”
As a tribute to Gabrielle, Jahméne recorded a of her song Rise, honouring her artistry and influence.