Retroset win Islington’s Got Talent by talkin’ about their smartphone generation

Published: 26th November, 2010
by TERRY MESSENGER

A WITTY and clever celebration of the smartphone in song and dance clinched victory for the group Retroset in Islington’s top talent contest.

The group were crowned winners at the final of Islington’s Got Talent after performing their tribute to the BlackBerry and the iPhone to a rapturous crowd.

They triumphed in the adult section of the show while 13-year-old balladeer Huseyin Govtepe came top in the youth section. Retroset and Huseyin now have the chance to further their showbiz careers with producer Dee Adam, who co-wrote and produced Diana Vickers’ hit single My Wicked Heart.

After receiving the award, Retroset singer Dress Code said:  “It was great – we’re very exci­ted about winning.”

Explaining the inspiration for the song, BlackBerry iPhone, he said: “It’s our generation and we talk about new things and most of the talking is done through those devices.”

The catchy rap number, was performed with a perfectly choreographed dance routine mimicking the use of mobile internet devices.

Huseyin triumphed with a powerful version of Falling to Pieces, originally by The Script.

He said of his triumph: “It means the world to me. I’m speechless. It’s given me a confidence boost and now I know I could do other things and have a chance of succeeding because I’ve won this.”

The winners were among 12 finalists who performed to a packed auditorium at the House on the Rock community centre, in Tufnell Park Road, Tufnell Park, on Saturday.

The five judges included record producer Dee Adam, from Islington, and Sony Music talent scout Pia Ashcroft. Mr Adam will give Retroset and Huseyin a day each in the studio to record songs to tout around record companies.

Ms Ashcroft commented:  “There’s a lot of talent there which can definitely be nurtured by Dee. So there’s a lot of potential. It’s dangerous to commit at this stage but there is potential.”

Islington’s Got Talent was started a year ago by community activist Katherine McInerney after a successful pilot venture on the Tufnell Park estate. She said: “It was absolutely phenomenal – fantastic.   Weren’t they great?   

“They’re all winners to get up there and do what they do. We’ve got talented kids in Islington, really talented kids.”

Retroset’s Dress Code is excited about a possible showbiz break through, but stressed: “Fame isn’t what it’s all about – it’s about people listening to our message.”