A Paris-born singer-songwriter of Cameroonian heritage now living in Manchester, has been placed in the finals of a prestigious US-based songwriting competition named after a former Beatle.

Tiki Black was one of three finalists in the R&B section of the international John Lennon Songwriting contest for her song “Swollen”.

Judges of the contest include some of the greatest names in the music industry such as Fergie of the Black-Eyed Peas, Natasha Bedingfield, legendary Tamla Motown singer-songwriter Lamont-Dozier and industry veteran, Vice President of A&R for Sony Music, Ken Komisar.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have prestigious singer songwriters and music experts listening to my music and lending their experience in such a way. I am equally thankful for the chance to have my name in the same sentence as John Lennon, one of my favourite singer-songwriters. His name was actually the reason I entered the contest.”, she explained.

Tiki is now following her personal dream. When she is not working at the University of Manchester where she holds a day job as an e-learning analyst or looking after her eight-year-old daughter Eiman, she spends her remaining free time composing songs and performing to audiences at various events around Manchester and the North West.

Editors Notes

The US-founded John Lennon Songwriting contest, whose sponsors include high profile music organizations such as Apple, Roland and Sibelius, is an internationally renowned songwriting contest that began in 1997. The Contest is open to amateur and professional songwriters who submit song entries in any one of 12 musical categories: Rock, Country, Jazz, Pop, World, Rhythm & Blues, Hip Hop, Gospel/Inspirational, Latin, Electronic, Folk, and Children’s.

Entries are judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics; instrumental compositions are also encouraged. Neither performance nor production value will be considered during the adjudication process. That decision is made by an Executive Committee representing all musical genres, which includes such legendary talents as Bob Weir, Jesse Harris, Teairra Mari, The Black Eyed Peas, The Bacon Brothers, Ken Komisar, The Veronicas and many more. The JLSC is open year-round and features two Sessions -- with 72 Finalists, 24 Grand Prize Winners, 12 Lennon Award Winners and 1 Maxell Song of the Year.

The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is made possible by and agreement with Yoko Ono Lennon and the generosity of Apple, Roland, Edirol, Boss, Gibson Guitars and Epiphone, Ableton, Sonicbids, Full Sail, Disc Makers, Musician’s Friend, Audio-Technica, Propellerhead, GHS Strings, Creative Allies, Mackie, Ampeg, Blackheart and Digital Media Academy.

Click to see and listen to Tiki Black's finalist song, Swollen, on the John Lennon Songwriting Contest website.