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23 | THE VOICE JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2012

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SLIM Taking the funny route

youngvoicesmagazine

@youngvoicesmag

www.voice-online.co.uk/entertainment

JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 5, 2014 THE VOICE 24

UK comedian Slim talks to YV’s Dionne Grant about his bus driving past, fatherhood and a possible future in film

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HEN SLIM steps onto the stage at London's Hackney Empire next month, it will mark 20 years since he took his first tentative steps into the world of comedy.

Though inexperienced, the south London-born star recalls being 'forced' onto the stage by fellow comic Curtis Walker during his one-man show at the same famous theatre in 1993.

“At the interval, Curtis turned to me and said, 'I'm gonna put you on'. I looked at him blankly, but he was insistent,” Slim explains. “We're both from Brixton and we used to hang out so he knew my personality and was like, 'I think you could do it, just do a little something.'”

Despite his early hesitation, Slim, real name Danny Gray, says his first experience on

stage confirmed that this would be the career for him. “[My set] went wicked. It was only four or five minutes, but the audience laughed. When you do get that laugh it's like an acceptance and you get the bug after that.”

A full-time bus driver at the time, Slim had visions of packing up his job behind the wheel long before he was propositioned by Walker, but by his own admission, didn't think it would come packaged like this.

“One of the bus routes I used to drive took me along the Kings Road in Chelsea. As I would drive, I'd look at people going to brunch and they just seemed like they weren't forced to have this slave existence. I used to envy them and think, 'I want to do that one day.' I don't want to be stuck behind this wheel for the whole of my life. I didn't know where this road would lead me.”

Fast forward 20 years and the comic is the proud recipient of a number of comedy awards, further solidifying his place as one of the top black comedians to come out of the UK. “The years have gone fast,” he says. “It doesn't seem like 20 years. There's still much more left in Slim. It's been a good journey. I've managed to travel the world and meet people in my job that if I was bus driving on my normal day-today job, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet.

Among those people he has come into contact with throughout his enviable journey, who range from early influences such as US comics Dave Chappelle and Eddie Griffin, the award-winning star draws particular reference to US comedian and actor Kevin Hart, who he describes as a “friend”.

“In my teenage years, I used

to watch a lot of American comedy movies - they were the movies of the nineties and if you know anything about black movies of the nineties, they were the best. Films like Boys In The Hood and Jungle Fever are just some of the titles to come out of that era.

“I would get my inspiration from those films as we didn't have anyone over here like that. Now, for me to be in an industry where I meet a lot of these people and can call a lot of them friends is surreal.”

Two other friends in the industry, albeit a little closer to home, are fellow funnymen Richard Blackwood and Eddie Kadi who Slim describes as “more like brothers”.

“We get on so well. That's so important in this industry,” he says.

The last time the trio performed together was at the sold-out Kings of Comedy show last year, which had fans asking each of the comics when the next instalment would be. After months of responding with the proverbial “soon,” the boys will reunite once more for Comics Unchained next month.

“Myself, Richard and Eddie are big comics in our own right.

We sell out theatres by ourselves, so it's great when we can come together.”

Taking place at The Hackney Empire, which he dubs his “second home”, Slim promises the comics will, like the show's name suggests, be “unchained”.

“We'll be talking about everything, nothing will be off bounds,” he says excitedly.

“We'll venture into love,

life, whatever we feel like. That's the beauty of this job.”

Though evidently happy with his career at present, how would the father-of-four feel if one of his children (two boys and two girls) said they wanted to follow in his footsteps?

“We're in an age where you can support your kids in careers that were probably not considered life-long back in the day. I would definitely back them if they wanted to pursue a career in comedy.

“My little boy, who is 13, I think he has it. He reminds me of myself badly at that age with the quips and that. If he goes into comedy, he'll put me out of a job!”

But Slim needn't worry about his son stealing his comedy crown after forging out a career in acting too. Last year he appeared in UK comedy It's A

KHALI BEST:

The EastEnders actor won the ‘Best Newcomer’ gong at the recent National Television Awards

Lot as hilarious “head mechanic” Mo. His performance was described as one of the standout performances in the film, directed my Femi Oyeniran.

“I've been encouraged by a lot of people including Lenny Henry to pursue acting,” Slim explains. “[Lenny] said to me, 'have you ever thought of acting because you are very animated on stage?'

“I would love to do more acting,” he adds. “I think that's the path I would like to take. I wouldn't mind doing one or two theatre bits either. I'm not saying I could be as successful as Kevin Hart, who has successfully made the transition, but I've never been afraid of trying.”

Comics Unchained takes place at The Hackney Empire on February 8. For tickets, visit: www.hackneyempire.co.uk or call 020 8985 2424

TYRA BANKS:

The US supermodel has confirmed she will star in the sequel to hit television movie Life-Size

BUFF OR BUSTED? Dear Kat, I’ve only been seeing my boyfriend for two months and I just found out I’m pregnant.

I’m in love with him and he has said he’s in love with me too, but I don’t want this news to scare him away or make him think I trapped him.

I’m scared, embarrassed and confused about what I do next. Do I tell him? Do I not? Do I keep the baby? Do I not? As you can see, I’m lost.

Please help.

Anon

SOULJA BOY:

The rapper was arrested in Los Angeles after police found a loaded gun inside a vehicle he was travelling in

Hi Anon,

I understand your predicament and your confusion, but a good place to start is by telling your boyfriend. A problem (for want of a better word) shared is a problem halved after all.

You must remember that you are not solely responsible for the predicament you find yourself in, it takes two to tango and it is as much his problem as it is yours.

Sit down with your boyfriend and tell him that you’re pregnant. You both must decide what the next steps are. As you’re in a committed relationship, it’s a decision you must make together.

If his reaction is negative, don’t panic. Give him some time and space to digest the news. If he is a mature guy, he will come back and offer support.

You didn’t mention how old you were, but in any instance, you must visit your GP to ensure all is well. I would also advise in confiding in a responsible adult who too can offer further support and guidance.

BUFF

BUFF

MARY J BLIGE:

The singer’s father was rushed to hospital after his ex-lover stabbed him three times at his home

TWEET OF THE WEEK UK rapper Chip took to Twitter to announce his singing is getting as good as his rapping now as he puts the final touches on his new album. Exciting!

ROCHELLE H UMES: Stunning

“Taking singing as serious as I’m taking my raps now. It’s not time to play really.”

NAOMI CAM PBELL: Effortless Chip

THE VOICE JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 5, 2014 25

INSIDE THE WARDROBE OF LUPITA NYONG’O She’s been nominated for every top award going for her portrayal Patsey, a tragic slave in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave blockbuster. Here, we look at the stunning wardrobe choices of actress – and lady of the moment - Lupita Nyong’o 2

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LADY IN RED Lupita wows at the recent Golden Globes

SHINE BRIGHT The actress proves that yellow isn’t just for the summer

MONOCHROME DREAM Lupita shows off her gown on the red carpet

SO SOPHISTICATED Lupita proves she can rock almost any style

PURELY PERFECT Can Lupita put a foot wrong?

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GETS IT ALL-IN-ONE Lupita sizzles in this black figure-hugging jumpsuit

TANGERINE DREAM One word: stunning!

PRINCESS IN PINK Simply does it for the GQ party

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ANYTHING BUT BLUE The actress brightens up the red carpet in this chic piece

STUNNING Who knew beige could be so show-stopping?

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EYE-POPPING BEAUTY Lupita makes an entrance with this bright suede number

SPOT THE STAR Lupita opts for polka dot at the Mill Valley Film Festival

WOWING IN WHITE She does it again!

LADY OF THE NIGHT This dress made the ‘hit’ list on a number of blogs.

We know why!

STRAPLESS SENSATION Again, Lupita steals the limelight

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Osheane Chambers

EYE-POPPING BEAUTY She can even make a LBD look amazing!

FLOWER POWER Lupita opts for a cute, yet sexy number for another red carpet appearance

The call for greater number of students to start their own businesses came at a conference near the end of last year, and featured prominent entrepreneurs, including Dragons’ Den winner Levi Roots, Nathaniel Peat from BBC’s The Last Millionaire, and others.

The event, which aimed to spread success stories of black role models in the business world, was organised by Osheane Chambers, 20, who wanted to address the problem of high youth unemployment.

It took place on November 21, 2013, and Chambers, who studies at Greenwich University, has more

plans for this year to encourage his peers to take a closer look at running their own company.

The student, who grew up in southeast London, said: “I wanted to put on an event that would encourage students to think about business, many students graduate and are left jobless.

“Starting business is another option that has been proven to work.

When I was 16 I used to see Canary Wharf and the large corporate buildings. I always wanted to work in a prestigious company like Barclays, but I couldn’t find a way to get past the ground floor,” he said.