Beautiful, smart, and talented, the UK superstar Jamelia is taking Europe by storm. With her new album already boasting three hit singles and a host of A list collaborators knocking at her door, the British bombshell seems poised to take over the US and world music charts. After a recent act in London, I got a chance to catch up with the busy 23 year old.

I've been looking at some of the reviews of your tour and they all say you're the British Beyonce - how do you feel about being labelled as that?
I love Beyonce. I think she's an amazing artist but I don't like being compared to people - I'd rather people see me for me. I think Beyonce is an original artist - there's never going to be another Beyonce. I'd like people to say there's never going to be another Jamelia. Obviously I can see that there are certain similarities, but I don't think we're the same or comparable. It's flattering though because she is an international superstar!

So you were signed at age of 15 and released your first single at 18
Yes, to be quite honest I was young but I was definitely ready for it. The label began preparing me from moment I signed my record deal. They literally groomed me for what was about to happen.

But then you had 4 Top 40 hits in the UK, got pregnant and left the music industry for 2 years?
To be honest, I see children as a gift from god. I'm not trying to sound poetic or anything but that's how I feel. I was taking precautions so as far as I am concerned this child was meant to be here. A lot of people looked down on me and thought I was absolutely crazy. But I'm so stubborn that no one can tell me I'm wrong.

So in the end you think you made the best decision?
My daughter is my everything. She motivates me. She's the reason why I'm so aggressive now, and why I'm so determined to make everything work. If it wasn't for her I don't think I'd be having the success I'm having today. I don't see myself as a ‘success' yet but I definitely see myself on the way there and I think I owe a lot of it to my daughter being here.

The new single, See It in a Boy's Eyes, describe it.
It's basically about a relationship where someone doesn't speak about having a problem and you can see that they're upset but they're just not talking. It's an irritating situation so I thought I'd write about it.

This single sees you working with an interesting writing partner.
Yes I collaborated with Chris Martin from Coldplay and it was so much fun. I'm always up for doing things that are different and collaborating with him was certainly something many people hadn't expected. But I'm glad I did and a lot of people like the song.

Chris Martin is not the only one featured on your new album. You've got appearances by Rah Digga and Bubba Sparxxx. What made you want to work with these artists?
I was very lucky because these were my first choices. I chose Rah Digga because I just love everything her. I love the Flipmode Squad but to be the only lady in the Flipmode Squad- that's just dope. And with Bubba Sparxxx, well I'm a big fan of his work. I had no idea when I was choosing his name from a list that 2 weeks later I would be in studio in Atlanta recording the song with him. I couldn't believe it.

How did you like Atlanta?
Oh Atlanta is my favourite place on earth! I've been back there about 5 times. And the next time I get a holiday I'll be back there again. The clubs, the people, the food, the weather, I want to get a house there! Actually my girls and I are organising our vacation to Atlanta already.

Do you want to do more collaboration? A lot of US artists seem to be doing it. Yeah exactly, and it does get a bit boring. There are some people I would love to collaborate with. I'm not sure if Justin would be one of them, I do think he's a fantastic artist but he wouldn't be at the top of my list. Mary J Blige would probably be at the top of my list. Missy, she'd be another one. There are people that I've admired for years that I'd like to collaborate with more.

I read somewhere that you love listening to Beyonce and 50 cent.
I like 50 cent but not for his work. I just love him because I think he's the sexist guy on earth! I never really used to fancy him but then I saw him at the MOBO awards (in the UK) and I was like ‘Wow he's hot!' I love men like Usher and Pharrell, but there's something about 50 cent.


What do you think of the UK R'n'B scene at the moment?
I think it's absolutely brilliant, I think it's really good that we've got so many UK Urban artists out at the moment. But I still think it could be better, if we got as much support as our American counterparts, but these things take time and I do believe that we can be up there with them very soon.

You recently stood in for Naomi Campbell at the Brit Awards an now you there are rumours you may be taking over the modelling world - is that something you want to do?
I'm just in the process of signing a modelling contract and there are so many amazing things being discussed! It's going to be yet another exciting year for Jamelia!

How important are your roots to you?
My roots are 100 important to me and I think it's important for all black people to know where they originated from especially when you're living in a place such as Britain where in schools we don't get taught black history. I think we had one lesson on Martin Luther King and that was our black history lesson. I think its important parents continue to educate, as mine did me and my brothers. We all know where we came from.

My mum specifically sent me to a Saturday school - and every black child I knew went to Saturday school, and that's where we learned our black history; about Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King and everybody else. I think it's very important just as important as it is for English people to know about their history.

Do the Rastafarian faith and traditions still impact on you now?
If I had to place myself in a religion it would have to be Rastafarianism. It's a very positive faith in my opinion - not that any other religion isn't. I don't have dreadlocks or anything - I'm not what they call a raving Rasta! I do still uphold certain beliefs definitely.