Wearing a vibrant, multicolored onesie, London’s fourteen-year-old Gabz entered the Britain’s Got Talent stage with a young confidence. After just two years of piano playing, she promptly announced that she would be playing an original song called “The One,” which she had written herself. In response to a question concerning the song’s unexpectedly serious theme—losing the love of your life—Gabz lightened the mood by acknowledging that it was inspired by watching movies, showcasing her ability to create gripping stories using sources other than her own experiences. The judges were immediately captivated by her audacious decision to perform original music and her dynamic stage presence.
Gabz’s performance had a lovely fusion of rhythm and melody. Her flexibility as a performer and songwriter was demonstrated when she began by playing the piano and sang her popular tune before smoothly switching into a rap stanza. The chorus was immediately memorable and captivating, especially the lyric about tossing “lighters in the air if you’ve ever felt scared ’cause you’ve lost the one.” For a self-taught 14-year-old, the song’s polished pop hit-like structure and catchy melody were an incredible accomplishment. The crowd instantly moved and applauded in time with the music.
Her music’s potential obviously impressed the judges. Amanda Holden applauded the song’s immensely catchy chorus, while Alesha Dixon praised the rapping and piano mix, describing the performance as “cool and different.” The harshest judge, Simon Cowell, pointed out that although she wasn’t the finest pianist, her song had a “great chorus” and could “be something there” if “produced properly.” He predicted that the song would stick in their minds and highlighted her great likeability. Gabz received four unanimous “Yes” votes from the judges, who acknowledged her as a possible future celebrity due to her exceptional songwriting ability.
