Birmingham R&B star Jamelia has revealed she was due to attend the New Year's Day party where two city teenagers were shot dead - but dropped out at the last minute. The award-winning singer said she was preparing to set off for the event at a hair salon in Aston when she had a feeling and decided not to go. Letisha Shakespeare, 17, and Charlene Ellis, 18, were gunned down and killed outside the party just hours later on January 2, 2003. I was dressed and my friends were at the house, ready to go to the party, said Jamelia, 23. But I just got this feeling that I didnt fancy it. Because I was driving, none of us went in the end. It really did affect me. Jamelia, originally from Handsworth but who now lives in Wolverhampton, had two hit records four years ago and was hailed as the saviour of British R&B. But she fell pregnant and her career was put on hold for two years while she dedicated herself to bringing up baby daughter Teja, who is now aged three. Jamelia recently revealed in an interview that she was the victim of domestic violence, and her new hit song, Thank You, is about an abusive relationship with an ex-boyfriend. The resultant publicity has caused the star more problems with the un-named ex. Someone told him about the interview and he went mad, she revealed. Even though hes not allowed in my house, I was really scared. I felt more scared than I had in ages and then I thought Yeah, I cant wait for you to hear that song! But you know, its not really meant to be a vengeful song, its meant to be an uplifting song. For me, its from experience and some of it is quite literal. Theres a line for every bruise you gave me, but it doesnt have to be a physical bruise - it could be emotional. Its weird that the song seems to have had the most impact with friends of mine whove heard it. I still go to another place when I hear it. But the sentiment is that Im genuinely thankful because I will never go through that situation again, I will know the signs. Im glad I wrote it because of the awareness it creates. Im not the only person whos ever been through it. Thank You entered the charts at No 2 last Sunday and was only kept off the top spot by Peter Andres Mysterious Girl. It has also been adopted by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children for its campaigns. Writing it was very therapeutic for me because Im not good at talking about that kind of thing, said Jamelia. I feel that Im in a very fortunate position because I can reach a lot of people. By singing about my situation I could help other people realise that, no matter how bad it seems, you can come out the other side and be stronger. Five men have been charged with the murders of Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare and are due to stand trial later this year. | 
