The American voice who made a UK noise
Like many American soul singers, Peyton got his musical start in the church. Raised in the south of the US, Peyton was brought up in a family of Pentecostal preachers and was working as the minister of music for his father’s church by the time he was seventeen. After moving to the UK to study, Peyton went on to live in Colombia, South America and New York City, before finally settling in London.
In 2003 Peyton signed his first single to the Hed Kandi label, A Higher Place. Legendary House music producer Eric Kupper (Degrees of Motion) produced the first official mix that shot to No. 2 in the UK Upfront Club Top 40. Higher Place went on to top dance charts around the world and has become a staple of DJdom. It was also No. 11 in the UK Upfront Club Top 100 songs of 2004. More recently, the track has enjoyed more chart success with the 2008 remix package, including remixes by 7th Heaven, Bassmonkeys, Nik Denton and others. In 2004/5 Peyton began working on his debut album with Eric Kupper.
After spending the year traveling around the world, singing to tens of thousands of fans, Peyton was invited to be one of the five presenters on the UK version of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, commissioned by Living TV. Peyton was the food and drink adviser for all 20 episodes of the reality TV show, which saw considerable success in the UK and was syndicated to networks around the world, including the US. In 2005 the album was finished, and Hed Kandi released new Peyton vinyl with Celebrate, Keep the Faith, Find My Way and Higher Place.
The release went to No. 2 in the UK Upfront Club Top 40. Also that year, the ATFC and Mauve remixes of Higher Place, as well as the Kaskade and Kupper mixes of I’ll Rise were released on vinyl, and went straight back to No. 2. Peyton was also the only male nominated for Outstanding Vocalist of the Year at London’s 2005 House Music Awards. In addition to hosting a weekly radio show on London’s Passion 91.8 FM, Peyton has spent a great deal of time traversing the globe, bringing his spine-tingling performances to fans all the way from San Francisco to Shanghai, from Cairo to Sydney. In the last three years Peyton has performed in over 150 cities, in over 40 countries, across six continents. In 2007, Peyton collaborated with Audio Fraud to cover the classic ‘80s tune Ride Like The Wind.
The track was snapped up by All Around The World, and hit No. 1 in the UK Commercial Pop Top 30. Till You Come Back (Noferini feat. Peyton) was another big chart success for Peyton, with mixes by Jerry Ropero, Hernandez vs. DJ Tyo, and many more. Other notable 2007 releases include New Day (ATFC presents Peyton), Peyton’s collaboration with the Hoxton Whores, I Just Wanna Be Lonely, and Music in Me (AudioFraud vs Peyton).
He’s also worked with the Soul Avengerz, making some of the chunkiest funkiest gospel House tunes on the market, including Never Give Up. He has signed to Peppermint Jam, and Give Thanks was recently released on Soda Records. In 2007 Peyton also wrote and recorded One Night in Beijing, the first single for China’s very own superstar DJ/Producer, Chozie, as part of his album “Walking Backwards.” The video was shot on location in Beijing, and was directed by one of China’s hottest music video directors.
More recently Peyton has teamed up with Egypt’s beloved DJ Samba to write an original track called The Streets of Cairo, already getting massive radio play in Egypt and scheduled for release later this year. Peyton has continued working closely with Eric Kupper, writing and recording original tracks, many of which can be found on Fierce Angels compilations, amongst others. Other new releases to watch out for are In Love With My Life (Peyton vs. Arkoss on Funkinyou Records) and Joy Comes in the Morning (Peyton vs. Pete Doyle) on Ministry of Sound (Housexy).
Peyton will soon be releasing a three-CD collection of his music, which will include classic tracks as well as brand-new material. While his music continues to spread, his huge gospel-inspired House anthems are becoming recognized as “club classics” and Peyton’s worldwide reputation as a performer and writer has secured him the title of one of House music’s most soulful superstars.
Peyton will make a stop in the Philippines for the Biggest Hed Kandi Party, which will take place for the very first time in Cebu City on Jan 16. 2009. For more details visit www.bigfishmanila.com .
* * *
Comments and suggestions? Feel free to e-mail me at rickydaker@gmail.com.
