23 | THE VOICE JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2012
Pull-Out
POSTER BATTLE SCORCHER & SKEPTA
George The Poet By Royal appointment
Cashing In
Why is Drake all smiles?
Twitter Rant
Rita Ora breaks her silence
24 THE VOICE JANUARY 10 - 16, 2013
SET FOR SUCCESS! With every year, a new star is born. We list a selection.
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ANGEL HAZE: The US rapper has released four critically acclaimed mix tapes. Last month it was announced that she had been nominated for the Sound of 2013 poll, an annual list made up by music critics and industry figures to find the m o s t promising new music talent
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PARKER IGHILE:
2
KENDRICK LAMAR:
Kendrick Lamar was discovered by hiphop veteran Dr Dre so he’s already in the best hands for a long and illustrious career
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SHABBA THE COMEDIAN:
3
TRINIDAD JAMES:
All Gold Everything signalled the arrival of American (by way of Trinidad) rapper Trinidad James. He has signed a major record deal with Def Jam Recordings and is the CEO of his own record label Gold Gang Records
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JHENÉ AIKO:
4
K KOKE:
Having gained considerable critical acclaim within the UK scene, K Koke has signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, a place where singers Rihanna and Rita Ora call home
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ROCKIE FRESH:
5
MIC RIGHTEOUS:
UK rapper Mic Righteous, who we featured on the cover of YV last week, is just beginning to find mainstream applause. He will be releasing his debut LP Open Mic later this year
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LAURA MVULA:
London-based singer Parker Ighile is rapper Nicki Minaj’s first signing. Parker is one half of British production duo Parker and James who have worked with UK singers Jessie J and Angel
B r i t i s h comedian Shabba has been making g r e a t waves on the underground for the past year. His winning mix of stand up and celebrity impressions are sure to see his stock rise this year
The Def Jam American singer was formerly signed to T.U.G and Epic Records, but left to continue her education. Her debut album is set for release later this year
T h e Chicagoborn rapper was signed to Rick Ross’ M a y b a c h Music Group alongside stars such as Omarion and Meek Mill last year. He has been named one of the “25 hottest artists under 25” by Metromix.com
Laura is a British singer from Birmingham who is signed to Sony subsidiary RCA. In December, it was announced that she had been shortlisted for the 2013 Critics’ Choice BRIT Awards
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NATALIE DUNCAN:
The soul singer from Nottingham released the debut album Devil In Me last year to critical acclaim. She appeared on Later… With Jools Holland and supported British band Muse on their European tour
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KATARINA JOHNSONTHOMPSON:
The 19-year-old British heptathlete competed in the 2012 London Olympics. In September, Johnson-Thompson was nominated for the European Athletics Rising Star award.
LASHANA LYNCH:
Lashana made her silver screen debut in Brit flick Fast Girls last year. She is also a tale n t e d writer and s i n g e r, who we’re sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the coming months
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RAHEEM STERLING:
The Jamaican-born footballer, who plays for Liverpool and the English national team, signed to the Premier League team for an initial fee of £600,000 in 2010. He was rewarded for his excellent performances by being given a new contract in December
WILIFRED ZAHA:
Crystal Palace striker, Wilfred Zaha made his debut for the England national team last year. He is set for a big move to a Premier League club imminently.
ADELAYO ADEDAYO:
The 23-year-old actress is the lead character in the new BBC T h r e e comedy S o m e Girls. In 2013 she will appear in British film Gone Too Far
Kevin Ossie Akushie
WHEN THE CEO of the UK’s largest independent online fashion retailer was looking for new music for the ASOS website, he chose the sounds of Kevin Ossie Akushie. The 24-year-old Cambridge University student’s unique blend of intelligent lyrics and infectious rhythms can now be heard accompanying catwalk clips seen by millions of shoppers all over the world.
Ossie – or Zeeko Inc, as he is known on stage – has been writing and producing music since the age of 14. He
says his music is inspired by his parents “who met in a gospel group and always made sure there was an instrument around the house” He produces and works with websites such as Grime Daily – an online urban network for new artists – and still finds time to study for his Economics degree and engage in university life. Ossie has also managed to secure a Sales and Trading summer internship with investment bank UBS.
LEWIS APPIAGYEI:
We predict even bigger things for this nine-year-old motor racing star, who was named Junior Rookie Cadet of 2012. Lewis is confident that he, too, can emulate the feats of his Formula One hero Lewis Hamilton
youngvoicesmagazine
@youngvoicesmag
JANUARY 10 - 16, 2013 THE VOICE 25
www.voice-online.co.uk/entertainment
UK wordsmith George The Poet talks to YV’s Dionne Grant about his whirlwind year, graduating from Cambridge and making a fan out of hip-hop legend Nas
F
OR HIS entire life, George The Poet has straddled two worlds: the estate and academia. Born on the notorious St Raphael’s Estate in north-west London, the 21-year-old, real name George Mpanga, has successfully battled preconceived notions about black men birthed from its high concrete walls to gain three A grade A-levels, a subsequent place at Cambridge University and positioned himself as one of London’s leading young wordsmiths. “It’s a bit of a myth when you’re told that kids from estates aren’t interested in school,” he says. “What is quite interesting about our area is that despite the low success rate among a lot of young men, we all want it. We’re all from a background that encourages it, I was just lucky
enough for everything to work out for me.” The poet’s Ugandan parents, who had witnessed many of George’s friends turn to a life of a crime, focused their energy on ensuring that their son was afforded the best education they could. He was schooled outside of his area and admits that this was a learning curve in itself. “My school ran a tight ship. You couldn’t really act up because it had a strong disciplinary system and clear ideology. I realised that the outside world saw little value in the estate experience. This made me angry. That anger grew with my awareness of our relegation to the peripheries of society and that’s when grime found me.” George found solace in the British genre and developed a unique style in which to tell his story. In probably one of his most
poignant pieces entitled Estate of Mind, he reflects: “I’m from a place where a lot of people die for nothing… We’re stuck in a ‘hood. Do you know what a hood does? It absorbs the rain and it blocks out the sun, it stores the pain and it knocks out the fun.” He says: “My poetry came from rap. It became poetry only when I wanted to communicate better with the audience.” George performed rap locally at youth clubs and other venues from the age of 15. At 18, after enrolling in university, he began concentrating on the art form, building up a strong following on YouTube where postings of his performances have collectively garnered over one million hits to date. It was these performances that caught the eye of senior broadcasting executives. Last year George was chosen as the face of BBC’s Hackney Weekend ad campaign, seen by
thousands who attended the sold out two-day festival in the east London borough. He recited My City, a poem which urges inner city youngsters to aspire to a life beyond crime and grinding poverty. Describing 2012 as “the defining year of my life,” he says that he realised just how far he could go. “I think that was a turning point for me. Before, I was open to suggestions, I didn’t have an agenda, but now I have and I owe that to 2012.” He also built up an impressive celeb fanbase throughout the trailblazing 365 days, one of the most notable being hip-hop legend Nas, whom he supported at a recent live show. At the mention of the US rapper’s name, George’s tone moves from laid back to jubilant in a matter of seconds. “It feels amazing, man. I will never be able to express that feeling in words. It’s very humbling but, at the same time, it gives you a sense of perspective so if this is what can happen out of a hobby, something I did in my spare time, imagine what could happen if I treated it as a career. Imagine all of the people I could get on side.” Already cheering him on is UK rapper Wretch 32 and singers Kyra and Jacob Banks with whom he shares the same management. “I’m so privileged to be working with these people. It’s not like I’m making the best out of whoever I get, this is the crème de la crème. These people are so good, these people are pioneers and it’s an honour. Whenever I hear them or they share new stuff with me,
that’s inspiration for me.” A culmination of the poet’s inspirations will make up the basis of his landmark one-man show at London’s Royal Albert Hall on January 14, an amazing feat for the poet, who admits it’s a career-defining event. On preparations for the show, which will take place on his 22nd birthday, he said: “Everything is going good. I’m just a bit nervous. Whenever you deliver a poem, you’re presenting your raw thoughts. You think ‘how are the audience going to receive it?’ I always want the best so I’m worried about anything less than the best.” Adding to the pressure is that within the audience, no doubt spiced with celebrity fans, will be two of his biggest. “My parents will be there, which makes me more nervous. One of the best things about performing is that you’re talking to people that you don’t know. “My mum is too real [when it
JLS:
Having performed 34 shows across Britain in 2012, the boyband has been named the country's ‘Hardest Working Band.’
comes to constructive criticism], she’ll be like, ‘don’t you think you should’ve got a haircut? Don’t you think that shirt is too tight?’” Currently running poetry workshops for underprivileged young people - using the £16,000 prize money from winning 2012 business-pitching competition, The Stake - George says his goal is to “force people to care more”. “I think in areas like where I’m from, kids just don’t have enough. If more people outside of the situation cared, it would do a lot for them. Young people are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. I thought one of the biggest battles would be convincing them that poetry is worthwhile, but from the first session, they were like, ‘Yep, I’m involved. Teach me how to do it.’” George The Poet will perform at the Royal Albert Hall on Jan 14. For tickets, visit www.royalalberthall.com
DRAKE:
It was revealed the hip-hop star made a cool £26.7million from world tours last year.
BUFF OR BUSTED? Dear Kat, There is a girl who is cyber-bullying me and the weird part is I don’t even know why. She is in my class at school and got angry when we both auditioned for a part in our end of year play and I got it. It’s easy to say ignore her because she is jealous and I’ve stopped checking her Twitter because looking at her irritates me. Although she has not said anything to me directly, she keeps hinting that the part belongs to her or is she plotting to take it from me? Yaya, 15
FRANK OCEAN:
LA police reportedly arrested the singer for possession of cannabis and speeding.
Hi Yaya Jealousy is an ugly trait and yes, although it’s ‘easy’ for me to tell you to ignore it, that’s exactly what you have to do. The unfortunate thing about someone else’s jealously is that you can’t do anything to stop them feeling that way, without sacrificing the person you are. That is not an option! You got the part fair and square. It may take her a while to get used to the idea, but she will eventually have to make peace with this reality. I know it’s painful for you right now, but please keep your head held high and stay as happy as you can, despite the situation. Draw closer to the positive people in your life and let their energy fuel your day rather than allowing the negative people to fill you up with their own hurt and insecurities.
BUSTED
BUFF SAMUEL L J
ACKSON:
Mismatched, messy, embarrassing
TWEET OF THE WEEK Rita Ora responded angrily to claims made by Geordie Shore star Holly Hagan that she is having an affair with label boss and rapper Jay-Z
KIM KARDA Elegant, refined, simpl e
KATT WILLIAMS:
The troubled comedian was allegedly charged with child endangerment following a search of his home.
SHIAN:
Rita Ora
“Neva eva will any1 includin a red head dum z listin attention seekin wh**e try talk s**t about me& my family holly wateva the f ur name is.”
AMBER ROSE
26 THE VOICE JANUARY 10 - 16, 2013
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