RWD mag Dec 10

EDITOR’S LETTER

RwD team image by Andres Reynaga

I know it’s a cliché to say, but I can’t believe it’s nearly Christmas again – 2010 has gone by so darned quick. I’ve barely got over last year’s seasonal shenanigans, and now we have to prepare for this year’s so soon? Luckily, we’ve all been given a helping hand from this very issue you hold in your hands; from the Style Pages to Grooming and Games, we’ve looked at some of the best presents you can either ask for, or pick up for others this year. We also ask some of our featured stars for their ideas on what - and what not - to buy for Christmas 20-10.

We’ve got a lot of A-listers in this issue; from everyone’s favourite talent show turned top of the pops quartet JLS, to the kids that have conquered both the underground and the mainstream, N-Dubz. Another ‘No.1’ artist is old friend Tinchy Stryder, who teams up with his management mate Giggs for a Def Jam Rapstar battle special. Towards the back we meet Mr. F.U, Cee Lo Green, while petrol heads need to read Jerry’s chat with former Top Gear guru, The Stig.

There is a lot of amazing new talent in this issue too; we think producer turned artist James Blake is going to be massive, as are those RD girls. We already featured the Ruff Diamondz over on RWDmag.com, and now it looks like Radio 1 and MTV are big fans of the trio, meaning they’ve got a great shot of going all the way to the top. Dubstep is represented in the form of Kito, we’ve got an amazing guide to parring Christmas presents from Tempa T (#seewhatwedidthere), while we also check out new hotness from Chasing Pluto and G Money. For fashion fiends, check features on Reset, Crepe City and Undefeated.

Catch you juuuust before Christmas next month – talking of which, I need to get my Santa on... Don’t forget to head over to our new and improved RWDmag.com that is being updated about 8 million times a day (approx) by our amazing online guru, Tego Sigel.

Editor Hattie Collins Deputy Editor Danny Walker Staff Writers Raj Kathwadia, Nardene Scott, Jerry Gadiano, Hayley Joyes Contributing Editor Chantelle Fiddy Online Editor Tego Sigel Contributors Alex Johnson, Liam Tootill, Joseph Patterson, Phoebe Lovatt, Labrinth, Rachel Gold Art Director Dacre J. Bracey Fashion Editors Nasrin Jean-Baptiste, Denise Brown, Luke Miley, Neesha Sharma Illustrators Art Jaz, Jiro Bevis Style Pages Editor Irene Asanji Jnr. Designer Chidi Ubani Photographers James Pearson-Howes, Andres Reynega, Kevin Joseph & Jake Green @ Response, Carnegie & Conway, Sara Nouman, Adrian Nettleship, Ekua King, Verena Stefanie Grotto Publisher Sales Manager Snr. Sales Exec Thanks

Nigel Wells Matthew Richards Paul Le Fevre, AMCK, amckmodels.com Shoreditch

RWD HAS MOVED AGAIN!!!

W107 Holywell Centre, 1, Phipps Street, London EC2A 4PS Tel: 0203 176 4299 Email: staff@rwdmag.com

Hattie strolls down a winter wonderland...

Contributor of the month: VerENa

Italian born photographer Verena Stefanie Grotto, 24, now lives in north London and shoots for everyone from DIESEL Italy, to Vice Spain, Black Book (Australia) and of course lil old RWD. As well as Roll Deep, and Wretch32, Verena has also snapped Griminal and this month’s G Money.

“For Christmas, I hope that my dream projects come true, and also I’d like a boyfriend, but only for Christmas because after that I won’t have time anymore! Check Verena at Kidsoftheunderground. wordpress.com and Twitter.com/KidsOfGrime 4 / rwdmag.com

RWD Magazine is published monthly All material copyright (c). All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of the publishers.

RWD Magazine: 25p where sold Disclaimer: While every effort is made to ensure the information in this magazine is correct, changes can occur which affect the accuracy of copy, for which RWD holds no responsibility. The opinions of the contributors do not necessarily bear a relation to those of RWD Magazine or it’s staff and we disclaims liability for those impressions.

Distributed nationally RWD is a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations

CONTENTS: 01/12/2010 regulars

8-10 Inbox 12-15 news 16 enough Already: CORRECTIONAL CREPS 18-20 ckin2u presents one to Watch: JAMES BLAKE, G Money, FAQ 22-25 RWD & COME AGAIN: XMAS PAR-SENTS WITH TEMPA t 26-27 about to blow: RUFF DIAMONDZ 28-29 GADGET GUIDE: shavers & Razors 30-31 REFRESHED 32-39 STYLE guide: HOODIES 40 style guide: LTD WATCH 42 style guide: BENCH 44 style guide: STREETWEAR FESTIVALS 46-53 fashion: THE STREETS 82 gig guide: URBAN NERDS 84 COMPS 86-93 unwind: BASHY 94-96 charts & reviews 98 FINAL word: CEE LO GREEN

features

54-57 def jam rapstar 58-63 JLS 64-67 N-Dubz 68-70 diplo 72-73 unDefeated x adidas 74-75 alice levine 76-77 AEROPLANE 78-79 BEN COLLINS AKA he stig 80-81 trolley snatcha 6 / rwdmag.com

inbox

Thanks for your emails, lego-based logos and complaints this month (we know, the whole Gamu situation is killing us too). Anyway, Paul Allimadi is a legend and has earned himself a pair of these rather ace Panasonic DJ Street S400 headphones. Get yours from Panasonic.co.uk...

rolls off the tongue doesn’t it) and keep us informed of any projects you’ve got going on in the future.

Send all your letters to: Attn. Editor, W107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipps Street, London, EC2A 4PS or staff@rwdmag.com

letter of the month

Hey RWD, Just wanna congratulate you guys on a massive last

issue, you do a lot for your readers with giveaways and competitions so thought I’d be the one to return the favour and give YOU guys something. So here’s the RWD logo made from Lego to display in your office! Early Xmas present if you like!

Follow the LEGO brick road!

Regards Paul ‘Bwoywonder’ Allimadi Thanks Paul and good work on your Lego-based business, in fact good work on your whole entrepreneurial enterprise.

Music, fashion, jewellery, blogging, (insert your latest venture here because we can’t even keep up). Anyway, thanks for the Lego logo (just 8 / rwdmag.com

RWD...

I wonder how Gamu is paying for her University education; does she have a Student Loan, probably with a non repayable grant because her mother is a single parent? So in effect I am paying for her education, through the tax I have paid since I was 16 years-old. If she does not have permission to be in this country she should be deported regardless of whether she can sing! This rule needs to be black and

white with no exceptions, our Government needs to toughen up our immigration laws and sob stories should not make any difference!

Lynne Erm, thanks Lynne.

Commenting there on what we call in the RWD office, ‘GamuGate’, the UK certainly has mixed opinions on this one and we can easily see which side you’re on. It’s a good thing people didn’t have such a strong view in George Frederick Handel and Michael Marks’s day (Google ‘em) otherwise the world would be such a dreary place.

RWD... I think Gamu is an amazing singer and doesn’t deserve to be deported. What is disgusting is the way it has been not a problem up until now, the poor girl has been raised in a westernised culture and now is being told she’s not welcome to stay because of something her mother has or has not done. It’s disgusting that people get treated in this way; I understand immigration is a big problem which needs addressing but what about those that give back to the community??? Lastly what about all the MPs who stole millions of our money... I know who I would rather my tax went to.

Husayn Thanks Husayn, as you can see this debate will go on until we’re blue orange in the face.

And by the looks of Cheryl Cole’s chops, she’s already reached her peak. Fake tan aside, Gamu Nhengu is a great singer if she stays in the country or not. Let’s just let the Government do their thing and we’ll do ours. #GamuGamu Hi, This is a silly question, but you interviewed Marvell in your October magazine, and two of them are wearing like a sleeveless Barbourstyle jacket. Could you tell me the make of them?

Cheers Olli The brand Double S and Shocka are wearing is called Mishka (mishkanyc.com) good luck in looking marvellous (see what we did there???)

have your say: Labrinth

It’s no wonder the creator of Pass Out and Let The Sunshine is so successful. While we all stuff our faces with mince pies and sherry on 25 December, Labrinth will be hard at work... as usual.

“I’m going to go to the studio this Christmas cos I do that every year, I lock myself in there. That said, at some point, one of my family will ring and I’ll go home to my mum’s for Christmas dinner, but I’ll be straight back to the studio afterwards.

The album will be next year. I’ve just got back from Nashville, which was amazing, and I’m working with Kings Of Leon, and loads of other artists, to learn some stuff and bring it back to my album because I want to make an experience, not just an album. For 2011, I would like to have a No.1 album and to establish my reord label as a fully functioning label.”

Twitter.com/labrinthda1st

RWDmag.com/mag inbox

Quick Question:

RWDmag.com Users Cast Their Vote Each month we give you the chance to answer our Quick Question. This month:

Who is the best on Tinchy Stryder’s Game Over?

Tinchy Stryder, ends the track nicely, flee – 11%

Giggs, starts the track ‘ard – 11%

Example, didn’t know he could spit like that – 44%

Conor Wilson says: “Example, - it had to be between Devlin and Example, but the latter just seals the track off and edges it for me.”

Aaron Kalirai says: “Devlin, Dev’s goes hard!! Went to see him at Underworld, Camden Last Night! All I can say is, wow”.

Chipmunk, Chippy goes in – 6% Tinie Tempah, fits the tune well – 6%

Devlin, deep bars Professor Green, sick descriptive – 17% lyrics – 6%

top 5’s NEWS

> Kid Cudi Man On The Moon 2 – The Legend Of Mr Rager > Lil Wayne’s I Am Not A Human Being Album Cover and Tracklist Revealed > J Cole Joining Drake on European Tour > Gorillaz and Internet Explorer 9 Beta > Issue 105 November 2010 Read Online Now

AUDIO

> Tinchy Stryder – Game Over Ft. Giggs, Professor Green, Tinie Tempah, Devlin, Example and Chipmunk > Wiley Will Your Name Remain > Cheryl Cole Everyone Ft. Dizzee Rascal > Jodie Connor Now or Never Ft. Wiley > Willow Whip My Hair Remix Ft. Nicki Minaj

VIDEOS

> Tinchy Stryder Game Over Ft. Giggs, Professor Green, Tinie Tempah, Devlin, Example and Chipmunk > Dirty Money Hello Good Morning Remix Ft. Skepta > Tinie Tempah vs. Swedish House Mafia Miami to Ibiza > Sony Ericsson UK B-Boy Championship > Willow Smith – Whip My Hair

RWD TV REVIEW: Rachel Gold reviews Kanye West Runaway

“I’m still trying to work out whether Kanye is a cute genius or an ugly lunatic. Every time he comes out with a musical project he produces something very creative and with this latest venture, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, the 33 year-old has gone down the Steven Spielberg route. Directing the video for his second single from this fifth studio album himself, Runaway is the mini movie West has always wanted to make. Although it’s not quite as good as Power what it lacks in catchiness it makes up in quality. The movie is beautifully shot, as weird as it is addictive and when the Phoenix falls I actually feel for her. It’s official, Kanye is a cute genius.”

TOP TWEETS BY @RWDmag:

1.@rarebreedmusic The Source Magazine is dead. Used to be a decent read. XXL has taken over. And of course @RWDmag has been better for years.

2.@unclefumin: What happened 2 rewind magazine? They still about?

3.@coldfirepace @RWDmag WOW lethal must be short of P.......<< 10 / rwdmag.com

TOP TWEETS @RWDmag:

1.Thanks again to @tinchystryder and @sn1giggs today’s shoot was jokes 2.The worst Christmas present for Chewy “other than nothing” was... every present from his dad...!!! Deep 3.#RWDsTwitterTuesdays... holla

NEWS

FIDDY’s world of whatever...

Seeking some self-improvement in her life, journo, consultant, blogger and mentor, Chantelle Fiddy (tries to) find a life. This month: A novel idea

One thing I really struggle with in life is watching films. Or anything long. Give me a Casualty special and I’m there, albeit while playing solitaire and snorting coffee simultaneously. I’ve come to realise that my only real form of escapism is in reading books. A two-week holiday can see 10 get demolished like it’s nothing. So, while people tend to be aghast at my lack of cinematic knowledge, I’m equally dismayed by the shortage of avid literati’s on road.

What makes a good book is of course relative. My current penchant for adult fairytales may not be replicated amongst the many. But one man is going to do his best to capture your attention - Nikesh Shukla, a London-based author, filmmaker and poet. Beat that.

Well he has, with his debut novel, Coconut Unlimited, the story of three hapless Asian kids in an all-white private school. “Their white peers think they’re stereotypical Asians, their brown peers outside of school think they’re rich toffs. Their version of keeping it real and true to themselves is to set up a band, called Coconut Unlimited,” Nikesh explained to me over email. “Except the DJ doesn’t own any decks and the main rapper can’t rap. Only the hypeman is sorted, all he has to do is shout ‘YEAH’ at the end of each bar. We follow the boys through adventures in procuring vinyl, chasing girls, battling rival rappers, and then the streets actually coming knocking. It’s a funny affectionate and warm read about boys and their obsessions. You will laugh.”

And, luckily, I have been. “I just wanted to write a book about hip-hop,” Nikesh continues. “A book about coming of age in suburbia in London during the mid-‘90s, and a book for ethnic males... We’re not catered for that much with fiction and I wanted to write something that would say something to all of us... I liked the idea of the boys from The Inbetweeners being in a band that never got any tunes done.”

Thankfully, so do we.

Coconut Unlimited by Nikesh Shukla from Amazon, £9.

Twitter.com/chantellefiddy and Chantellefiddy.blogspot.com

Nikesh Shukla’s Top 3 CHRISTMAS BUYS

Colson Whitehead Sag Harbor (Harvill Secker) “It’s the funniest book I’ve ever read...”

Simon Pegg Nerd Do Well (Century) “I’m a massive fan and his memoir is a great insight.”

Jeff Chang Can’t Stop Won’t Stop (Ebury Press) “An amazing history of hip hop...”

12 / rwdmag.com

NEWS

Drunknmunky launches new webstore…

Drunknmunky knows how to mix and blend fashion and culture; the ethos of their brand draws from the philosophy of Martial Arts whilst also being inspired by street culture to create timeless collections for all you stylish urban trailblazers out there.

In order to celebrate the webstore launch Drunknmunky have teamed up with us to offer you lucky RWD readers 10% off; all you need to do is type in RWD001 at the checkout.

The Drunknmunky webstore has been eagerly anticipated, the special featured products section allows you to surf exclusive pieces with ease including men’s and ladies tees, sweats, jeans, polo shirts and more.

We’ll give you a heads up on what we’ve got our eye on, the tee with the DJ spinning etched out in some crazy psychedelic graphic design, it’s basically sick.

Then there’s the slick padded biker jacket with quilted sleeve detail sure to set off the average jeans and tee combo; not forgetting a signature Drunknmunky hoody because its blitz out here, thankfully Drunknmunky hook up a free beanie with the first purchase too.

So what exactly are you waiting for???

Check out drunknmunky.co.uk to turn your swag on! Don’t forget to quote RWD001

HATS OFF

Imagine being a whole, big, massive 90 years-old. Well, our favourite fitted baseball cap makers hit those digits this year, yet they remain as fresh, youthful and relevant as ever.

Favoured by everyone from Fabolous to Dizzee Rascal, to celebrate hitting the big 9-0, New Era hooked up with 90 prestigious Design Schools across Europe - including our own Central St Martins - to give students the opportunity to create a customised New Era 59FIFTY. The winner, Craig Green, 24, from London, got a lovely £10,000 bursary for his sheet bronze and kebab skewers creation, as well as a starring role in a series of exhibitions across Europe, featuring the 90 designs. For those that didn’t make the UK show at London’s Dray Walk, you missed out. Celebrating the true definition of self expression - designs included a Gaga/ African mask/ Miro inspired piece and one representing a cup cake - New Era continues to position itself not only as a maker of amazing lids, but as a brand that continues to be authentic, original and at the forefront of cutting edge creativity.

Check out all 90 submissions over at Neweracap.co.uk

14 / rwdmag.com

Diesel Turbodenim

When Diesel and ISKO™ – the world’s biggest denim manufacturer – joined forces to create Turbotech™, who’d have thought it would be RWD getting the call to try out their new range of Turbodenim. That’s right, early this month RWD’s Deputy Editor Danny Walker and Junior Designer Chidi Ubani took part in Diesel’s 30 Day Challenge. Basically we had to crawl, stretch, skid, tumble, climb, surf, lift, dive and skank in our Regular Fit jeans to see if we could age them in a month.

It’s not just us feeling the jeans though, President and founder of Diesel, Renzo Rosso, also spoke highly of the new collab. “This incredible, innovative fabric, developed in collaboration with ISKO™, allows denim to live and change according to the wearer’s lifestyle. It’s a real second skin – enjoy it!” And so far we have, Chidi’s jeans look like they’ve starring in a Western and mine… I’ve tried to keep them as raw as possible.

Check RWDmag.com to find out how we’re getting on with our pairs of Turbodenim. Remember when you get yours, those who photograph their best efforts and upload them to facebook.com or diesel.com the most innovative and imaginative methods will be in the draw for one of Diesel’s amazing prizes. Brilliant

Join the Puma Social Club

When did sports become so serious? When did being an athlete require you to sacrifice your life? Shouldn’t playing a sport actually involve playing? Thank goodness for PUMA, who are bringing back the lolz to the ideology of sport.

We can’t all be Olympic sprinters and Premier League footballers, but we can grab a few mates, a bottle of beer and head to the local pool hall for a few frames of fun. Just recently, RWD went to the All Stars Bowling Lanes on London’s Brick Lane for a PUMA bowl-fest (we narrowly missed out to MixMag, damn it!), and we had a ‘ball’! Wear the freshest threads while playing everything from ping pong, to darts, bowling and foosball, you can join up to the Puma Social Club and become part of the network of other players in the league. Make friends and create memories, become the master of the bank shot, the chip shot and the drop shot, all on a warped table. To us victory doesn’t always come in the form of a trophy, sometimes it’s a phone number. So let others have their 5am run, we’ll take the 5am cab. If life is a sport, we want to be its champion!!!

Check out Puma.com/social to become the ultimate after hours athlete...

PUMA Facts

> The founder of adidas and the founder of PUMA were brothers. > PUMA have collaborated with fashion legends Alexander McQueen, Sergio Rossi and Hussein Chalayhan. > PUMA employs more than 9000 people worldwide. > In 1962, Pele won the World Cup in Chile in PUMA boots and also copped Best Player Of The Tournament.

Puma FACTS

> A male puma is called a, well, puma, but the female is known as she-Puma. > Fully grown, they reach 7 to 8 ft. > They can jump up to 20ft in the air. > They eat big stuff like deer, but also little tiny birds and rabbits.

15

Enough Already: Correctional Creps

Why do business women (or any other trollop in a trouser suit) think wearing certain shoes, with soles thicker than the glasses on Roll Deep’s Manga, will improve their posture? We all know the only ‘Good Times’ these suit-clad simpletons ever have come once a year at the office Christmas party... words by Danny Walker image by Artjaz I first noticed people (apologies but it’s mainly witless women to be honest) doing their best Frankenstein’s monster impressions very late in 2008. At least I think it was 2008; fake tan was doing a serious number on the heavilybotoxed faces of D-list celebrities, T-Mobile had just mugged me off whilst charging for the pleasure and the England football team were nonexistent at another major competition - actually, that happens every couple of years so who knows when I laid my poor eyes on those trainer tragedies.

At the time though, what I do remember is spitting an onion ring across the room. They say you can fall in love at first sight, well the same goes for hate and my first hatred-fuelled glance, at what can only be described as an epic footwear fail, was reminiscent of the look Simon Cowell gives Louis Walsh every week (he wants to spit, but his mum has brought him up better than that).

Before Burger King’s finest (and greasiest) side order hit the deck I frantically thought two things, ‘Is it me or do those stilt-shoes look ridiculous?’ and ‘What the hell is wrong with her, she must have one leg shorter than the other, I hope I don’t catch it!’ It was as if I’d seen someone with a birthmark on their face and pondered, ‘Has a bird just desecrated on their forehead or is that a skin defect???’ You know when you’re not quite sure if you should laugh, take a photo and upload it to Twitter with the hashtag #wtf or – the 16 / rwdmag.com

slightly more sensitive option – give them all the change in your pocket in hope that it’ll go towards some kind of social-life-saving operation. You just don’t know. When that ring of grease finally landed on the restaurant floor (which, may I add, was surprisingly clean) everything became clear.

They’re just sh*t shoes.

These orthopaedic style-obstructions from the likes of MBT, Sketchers – and other brands also going for that nonsense niche in the market – claim to do so much as well; solve knee, neck, back, joint and relationship problems, tone the bum, the thighs and the mind AND maintain the temperature of the ovaries (I may have just made that last one up). The only claim that’s been scientifically proven in RWD’s laboratories is that they’ve claimed many fashion victims. Wearing aesthetically awful boyfriend repellents on your feet is the same as eating 12 cloves of rancid garlic and then brushing your teeth with a fresh cow pat, probably the same brand of toothpaste Didier Drogba uses. You might as well condemn yourself to singledom and move to Scotland. At least there they’ll appreciate a lass who knows how to look stupid. Every (cold) walk to and from work can be done with your head up, and every stinky crep change at your desk will be greeted with shortbread. It’s time to get down off your high horse and realise those boots weren’t made for walking. They were made to make you look like an idiot.

WERKE IT....

“I could do with a bathmat,” is not what you would expect on the Christmas list of the artist the industry has been buzzing about since his EP CMYK dropped in May this year and who was also recently featured in the Top 10 most blogged about artists alongside the likes of Kanye West. “Really? Wow that is mixing it up with the best of them, cool,” the down to earth dubstep producer/ singer/ songwriter James Blake responds. He is the 22-year old south east Londoner providing the scene with a much needed boost of bass, which is rich in its musicality and, more importantly, individuality.

Of course there’s been success for the dubstep scene, with Katy B and Magnetic Man all bursting into the charts this year, but how does James feel he fits into the Wamp Wamp world, as his music is slightly out of the box when compared to the above. “I still fit into the ethos of the dubstep, say, the Digital Mystikz, also, Skream and Benga individually are brilliant artists pushing things forward,“ he points out before adding, “I’d say what I’m doing is more of a pursuit of sounds, more of the pursuit of doing original things then it is to make the mainstream. I’m doing what’s natural and I don’t think that’s going to change for the time being, or anytime soon, or forever!”

This doesn’t take away from the fact that dubstep was undoubtedly a huge influence and much the reason for James to start producing, “I instantly loved it, I don’t know why I just thought it was fresh and exciting and dark,” as was growing up, he says, adding a love for blues to the list. “I listened to a lot of Muddy Waters and a lot of Sonny Boy Williamson and harmonica players, New Orleans jazz and I also listen to a lot of soul,” he explains when RWD wonders about the intensity in his voice on the cover of Feist’s Limit To Your Love. His refix is causing more than a stir right now; not just because of the eerie yet enchanting audio but the amazing visual courtesy of director Martin de Thurah who had a thorough email and telephone exchange with Blake to eventually create the video.

James’ big break came when Untold heard one of his tracks on Rinse FM. “He wanted to release the EP on Hemlock and that was it, it got me into writing and then everyone was asking for new tunes, so you just keep making them,” he says of his big break. Not bad considering he had only started producing a year earlier.

As well as his own productions, James is fond of the old remix, his version of Untold’s Stop What You’re Doing is on Diplo’s upcoming compilation and although he might not always take the conventional route, they always end up being bangers. “Remix is a word that is sort of loaded nowadays, well to me anyway,” he muses. “Some of them are mostly lazy and money driven basically... I love to do them, but I never really do commissioned remixes, I just get the parts and do my own.”

So what’s up next for Mr Blake? His new EP Klavierwerke translated to mean ‘Piano Works’, recorded using his Mac Book Pro microphone, is out now, while his debut untitled album due out late January is currently being created. “You can expect real vocals that aren’t always chopped up, adulterated and obscured.

You can expect hopefully feelings that don’t always exist in dance music, but should in my opinion.”

Klavierwerke EP is out now, check Myspace/jamesblakeproductions

Photography: Verena Stefanie Grotto

G MONEY

North London is a part of the capital that can call some of the biggest UK acts its own, namely Skepta, Chipmunk and N-Dubz. Well now you can add G Money to that growing list. A rapper from Wood Green, G represents the streets on its rawest level and although some of his lyrical content might scare the living daylights out of you, at least he’s being real to himself, something which many artists have forgotten all about.

“I’m from the hood and I make music for the hood,” says the Mobstarz representative. “I’m an artist on the come-up who is about to take the game over.” MySpace.comcoggmoney (JP)

photography by Tao Ruspoli

This pioneering producer is one of the dubstep scene’s most exciting new talents. Nardene Scott delves into the world of James Blake.

FAQ

Comprising of producer Mentat who earned his stripes building beats for Skinnyman and Roots Manuva, and singer ShezAr (also known as Sherelle, Labrinth’s sister) whose incredible vocals has fans in the form of The Guillemots and Natasha Bedingfield, this duo are currently the subject of a bidding war with a number of majors. The album Sunny Boy is out next year, and the first release will be the amazing throwback soul of Cold Cold Love, which features remixes from Durrty Goodz and David Kahne (Fugees). “This album was my attempt to produce music that not only made you dance but also made you feel,” Mentat tells us of the Cee Lo and Aretha influenced record. “I hope everyone enjoys listening to the album as much as I enjoyed making it.” The Cold Cold Love EP is released 6 Dec on Electric Relaxation. FAQ play yOyO, London on 9 December. (HC)

From the pure shores of Perth to the dirty dub infested streets of London, new dubstep producer Kito is really representing for the females. Hayley Joyes meets the Australian beat-creator...

photography by Chantelle Clarke-Medford

KITO

It was a perfect summers day when RWD hooked up with Kito on the banks of the Thames. New to the city, she wanted us to show her something combining her passion for food, talking and sightseeing, so where better than the gastronomic hub, Borough Market. Kito settled for a chicken wrap to talk about her work with Skream’s Disfigured Dubz label and how she is fast becoming one the scene’s freshest female talents. Her pilgrimage to the birthplace of dubstep came about when Skream picked up her first release What If/Cold in 2008. The Croydon native signed a four track EP that dropped this summer featuring the huge tune LFO and a remix of Vaccine’s Fever. After guest mixes for Rinse FM and Marie Anne Hobbs’s Experimental Show, the Australian auralist finally boarded the plane from Perth to discover and conquer the UK. Raised on a musical diet of bands like Tool, The Red Hot Chill Peppers, Alice in Chains and System of a Down by a Dutch father and Aussie mum, time at home on her dad’s honey wine farm was bliss. “My mum and Dad have always been very supportive,” she remembers, “even when I installed two Technic 1210’s in my bedroom to practice DJing at high volume.” As well as having a regular slot on a community station in Perth, she started out mixing D&B before crafting beats and meshing her passion for epic basslines, crunchy snares and fantastic vocals from long term friend Raija Lee, who features on LFO. With a record deal with Mad Decent, respect from the D&B heads and the backing of dubstep’s key players, Kito is now part of global network of female dubstep produces creating anything from bro-step to 2step, giving the boys a run for their money.

MySpace.com/thisisKito

Chasing Pluto

They might still be unsigned, but this London duo are creating a whole heap of hype right now. As producers, they’ve re-made beats for Labrinth (Let The Sunshine) and Jay Sean (Down), while their own compositions are best described as epic electro pop. Trinidad born Jamal and classically trained Corinne hit it off after meeting at a gig, were once managed by Reggie Yates of R1 fame, and have so far released the rather ace Hold On. Like Hurts, but with an urban sensibility, simply put, they’re out of this world... (sorry...!)

Twitter.com/chasingpluto (HC)

20 / rwdmag.com

RWD & COME AGAIN!

The Worst Xmas Par-sents With

Ladies and gentlemen, Christmas is coming – seriously, this year has gone so fast hasn’t it; one minute we’re setting our New Year’s Resolutions (Thou shalt always poke fun at Peter Andre, Thou shalt remember that it’s Katie Waissel and not Katie Weasel, Thou shalt not play computer games until your eyes bleed, again, etc.) and breaking them just days later. The next, we’re watching Tempa T destroy xmas prezzies with a baseball bat. Mums, dads, brothers, sisters, boyfriends, girlfriends, weird uncles who stink of gin, if you’re having trouble deciding which presents to steer clear of and which are the Hypest Hype, look no further than this guide... compiled by Danny Walker photography by Adrian Nettleship

W

hen it comes to giving Christmas presents you don’t want to come across like a crusty cheapskate, like one of those voucher-saving, discount-hunting, Primark primates that only spends money under duress and always finds themselves needing the toilet when it’s their round. On the other hand, you don’t want to pay a small fortune for something that you’ll ultimately be giving away, regardless of who it’s for. “Yeah babes,” he gulps over a grimace of regret. “I got you that car you’ve always wanted!!!” No one wants to be that guy.

So to compile the list of what NOT to buy, we’ve enlisted the only person who knows how to par a present perfectly, Tempa T. For years this east Londoner has been refining his par productivity and now he can show us his specialised skills in gift gratitude, so you don’t get it wrong. A confident Tempa T strolls up to the first present...

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boring board games

[These are obviously hit or miss] Are you a fan of board games?

I’m a fan of Snakes and Ladders.

What? So if someone got you a board game you wouldn’t be too annoyed? [We give Tempa T some board games]...

Nah, that would be ok you know [studies them].

Are you a fan of Monopoly because I’m a don on that game...

[Laughs hard as if I’m rubbish].

What would you say or do if someone gave you some board games for Christmas though?

Bruv, board games for Christmas are a myth. I’d dash it completely away from my face.

You wouldn’t even style it out?

Nah, nah... no styling it out. No, ‘Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah, this is what I wanted.’ NONE OF THAT. It would get thrown to the side and I’ll move to the next present [laughs].

Have you ever had to look straight into someone’s eyes and par them like that?

Yeah, you just remain in eye contact with them and give them the par.

That’s a deep par. >>

Books

[Is reading material (not including the instructions to a gadget or console) a suitable Christmas gift? Only time will tell...] Are you a big reader?

Yeah, I like reading.

What kind of books do you read? Are you into Harry Potter?

Nah... [laughs].

So if someone got you books, what would you be like?

I dunno man. I’d just think, ‘I CAN GO TO THE LIBRARY!!!’ [Room laughs].

How much do you think you’d get in eBay for these books?

Manga For Dummies... Booooy, who knows? Probably a £2 ting. Maybe £1.50.

Piano For Dummies... I dunno, I dunno...

And what about the big one. Turkish in Three Months...

[Laughs] That’s a big one but I don’t think you’ll get any money for it. [Tempz grabs the book and tears it top shreds].

So books are out of the question then...

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RWD & COME AGAIN!

crazy christmas jumpers

[We hand over the sweaty sweater and Tempa T is far from impressed] Imagine, someone has given you the nastiest jumper, ever. What would you say?

[Looks disgusted] Nah, it’s a myth!!! It’s a definite myth.

Deep!!! Would you even say ‘Thank you’ or just dash it?

I’d just look at it [does crazy look] and then go for the next present.

You wouldn’t even style it out? You’d go straight in for the par!

Nah, nah… no styling it out. No, ‘Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah, this is what I wanted.’ NONE OF THAT. It would get thrown to the side and I’ll move to the next present [laughs].

Have you ever had to look straight into someone’s eyes and par them like that?

Yeah, you just remain in eye contact with them and give them the par.

That’s a deep par.

Well don’t get me this jumper then!

What do you think this will get on eBay? Bruv, I’ll have to sell it to someone’s granddad or something. It’s not even an eBay ting.

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deadout pc

[Has anyone ever got a deadout PC for Crimbo? So it was just me then???] So if someone got you a PC for Christmas what would you do?

MYTH, MYTH... If you’re not getting me an Apple Mac, iMac any kind of Mac computer then you better go-long!!!

How much do you think you’ll get on eBay for this?

I’d give it to the same library so the kids can use it. [Tempz grabs the bat and smashes the monitor of the PC, after stamping on it, he seems content].

Mr. potato head

[Tempz grabs Mr. Potato Head, he also grabs the allocated baseball bat and soon the potential present was parred...] If someone gave you Mr. Potato Head for Christmas, what would you do?

[Shouts and swings the bat] Smaaaaaaaash!!! [With one swipe the toy was in 1000 pieces all over the floor].

What if it was a loved one that got you the gift?

[Shakes his head] Nah nah nah nah... it’s a par!!! No one that loves me would even bother to give me this.

How much would you get for Mr. Potato Head on eBay? I’ll have to glue it up and then shot it. Man might make £2.50.

playstation 2 games

Firstly what console have you got?

I’ve got a PS3.

So, pretend I’m a clueless auntie and I’ve just given you some PS2 games...

[Sad face] I’d just look her in the eyes and say, ‘I can’t play these on my console’.

You can’t or you refuse?

I’m not even going to try just in case I damage my tings.

But what if she says it was ‘cheaper’?

Nah nah nah. It’s a myth. I’ll have to dash it away. I’ll be on a Cash Converters Hype!

maybe this will work?

[There must be something out there that we can give for Christmas. We give Tempa T the final present. He rips the Penguinclad paper to reveal an iPhone 4]. Is that a good look?

Yeah man, it’s hype [laughs].

We noticed you’ve got three phones?

Yeah but this one is the proper one.

So you’ve got a BlackBerry there. The business phone, the iPhone 4... so what is that Nokia phone for?

[Laughs hard] the Nokia is just the Nokia.

What has been your best xmas present?

Scalextrix. What else would be my top present? Maybe a computer, like a PlayStation. I remember when the first one came out. That grey console. Compared to when I was young, you don’t really get presents when you’re old. You’re buying presents for people.

What would you like this year...?

I dunno, trainers and tracksuit. That is all I like, I remember always playing out on Boxing Day and all your mates are watching your fresh outfit.

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Tempa T Talks Hype…

Tell us about your year so far?

It’s been hectic.

Touring with Chase and Status; we had the summer tour; Glastonbury, V Festival, Wireless... maybe 25 festivals.

How did the link up happen?

It was just the hype, man.

Semtex hooked it up because he’s always looking out for man. They were in the process of producing their album and they just wanted someone to work with from the scene. Obviously they researched and found out I was hot stuff [laughs].

So what happened with your appendix?

It ruptured. I felt pain on the Bank Holiday Monday.

The next day I got up, I felt a bit of pain but I thought I could soldier it. I went to the hospital and then POW. I was screaming, ‘NURSE AND DOCTOR’. I don’t wish anyone to have a burst appendix. A lot of people have been through the same operation and haven’t survived so God bless those people; just thank the Lord that I’m here.

I see you rocking the Jesus Piece...

Yeah. I’m not a perfect man but I’m a believer and I’ll get there.

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Ruff Diamondz

All hail the trio who are bringing girl power back and kicking sandwiches to the kerb.

Chantelle Fiddy meet’s Ruff Diamondz, the hotly tipped saviors of UK R&B...

Finally there’s a girl group you can happily admit to being a fan of. Combining ‘90s R&B inspired vocals with a love of all things British and grime, Londoner’s Troy, 20, Martika, 18, and Chronz, 19, are Ruff Diamondz. And they’re kicking the pop game up the rear. Hard.

“The equation is simple; we’re individual but we fit together like a jigsaw,” explains vocalist Troy, who hooked up with fellow swing-loving Diamondz, (so named because it sums up what the girls feel they are), via MySpace. A trained dancer, fitness enthusiast and member of Supreme Skaters Elite, Troy has got a point. In comparison to her Brit School training, Chronz, who’s of mixed Italian and Engish heritage honed the art of the 16 bar while spitting lyrics outside her local east-end Costcutter with former crew, Doin’ Alot.

Martika, on the other hand, whose dad’s a producer and mum sung backing vocals for Sting, always expected to be a stylist but can now be found leading the girl’s fashion forward.

“We’ve all got something different going on – Troy’s got an amazing stomach so she’ll wear slashed tops,” Martika, who’s also a purple belt at kickboxing, tells RWD at our meet up over at their label home, Polydor Records.

“Chronz is more into baggy stuff and I’ll try a feminine edge. We know how to combine our looks though - we’re all wearing different length DM boots today, check, check...”

Having just followed up their street heater, Alright Still, which dropped in February, with the Dead Prez sampling Do It Like Me, they also recently dropped a free mixtape, starring some of their own UK favourites, like Wretch32, Marvell, Selah and Baby Blue.

Drawing influence from acts as varied as TLC, Xscape, D Double E, Ghetts, Sade and Alicia Keys, they’re now working with Al Shucks (Jay-Z), Ishi (Tinie Tempah) Naughty Boy (Wiley) and guests like Roll Deep as they prepare to drop their debut album. “We call it street pop, 26 / rwdmag.com

a mix up of grime, hip hop, R&B... The album’s gonna have hits on it. Lots of them. The only difference to the mixtape is it’s going to be more universal, more versatile...”

And there’s an impressive fan base building (that includes JLS, Olly Murs and Chipmunk), as witnessed by anybody who caught them on the recent MOBO tour.

“Dappy’s also like a mentor to us,” said Chronz. “We first met N-Dubz at Terminal in south London where we were having bootcamp style training. He liked our music and gave us loads of advice... “ It’s no wonder then that it was Ruff Diamondz who got to join N-Dubz on their coveted school tour. There have also been support slots for JLS. “Oh my God!” chips in Marika. “Do you know what the worst thing was, they kept offering us sandwiches...” Cue united screaming of; “Ahhhhhhhhh! We hate sandwiches!”

Yes along with a Caribbean food addiction and love of all things spicy, don’t go near these ladies with two slabs of bread and any filling. “We were in Wales and we got my auntie to drop by some jerk chicken,” elaborates Troy.

“But hear the joke, JLS’s bodyguard took it from us and gave it to the boys. He was too tall to argue with. Don’t even talk to us about these posh bbq’s either. About canapés! We went to one and when the lady came round with chicken, Olly Murs and us were chasing her, trust me.

Everyone else went to the pub after; we were just looking for Nando’s... We take our food seriously.” And that’s something definitely worth saluting.

“Our mantra is really about inspiring young women to be themselves. It’s alright to make mistakes you know. We do.” And their brand of new-age feminism, more likely to be played out on social networking sites than at a knickerwaving protest, has appeal, with supporters are already picking up on the group’s girl-power-esque catchphrases.

“You know what,” concludes Troy. “Our trademark saying is to the point; if you don’t know, get to know, later.” Exactly.

Do It Like Me is out now. Check rdoffical.com or follow them at Twitter.com/rdofficial

27

gadget guide

Shavers & Razors With two more full moons before Christmas we suggest the hairiest amongst you hit the shops before it’s too late... words by Danny Walker

Philips SensoTouch 3D

(Philips.com/grooming, £269.00) The whole world has gone 3D mad and electric shavers refuse to be left out. The SensoTouch 3D provides ‘The most advanced shave yet’ and with its three-dimensional GyroFlex they might just be right. Perfect for both dry and wet shaving, built-in Aquatec – the all important seal which allows such versatility – and UltraTrack as standard (for faster shaving) make this a definite bathroom contender.

Buyability: One hour quick charge gives this bad boy juice for up to 20 days, need we say more?

Longevity: A futuristic design and weighty features make longevity high on this one.

J Factor: Fix the lock on your bathroom and trust no one.

Gillette Fusion Power Phenom

(gillette.com, £9.99) With blade technology in each shaving cartridge, the Power Phenom provides a very close shave. The 5-blade business makes every bathroom experience a breeze and the ‘Power’ element gives melodic micro-pulses to help ease friction.

Buyability: If your face is a fan of the manual shave then look no further than Gillette.

Longevity: Low-battery indicator lights let you know when the AAA needs replacing.

That just screams longevity.

J Factor: Ok, it might not emit invisible ‘Want Me’ rays, but it does radiate ‘Quality’.

Remington Comfort 360 Foil Shaver

(remington.co.uk, £119.99) In a bid to bring us the ultimate shaving experience Remington have gone for the more is better approach. Packing a triple foil shaver into a very compact unit – which works 60 minutes off a single charge – the titanium and Teflon-tipped Flex and Pivot technology allows you to stay extremely close to your face. With an additional pop-up trimmer the Comfort 360 adds many different dimensions to your shave.

Buyability: You’ll be happy with your purchase after the LCD battery indicator gives you a heads up on when it’s time for a charge. Genius.

Longevity: Titanium and Teflon mean business, this should last until West Ham win the Premier League.

J Factor: It will stand in triumph in your bathroom as your old shaver sends waves of jealousy from the bin.

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Panasonic ES-LA93-K

(Panasonic.co.uk, £299.99) Whether your shave be wet or dry the ES-LA93-K (I know, they could have thought of a better name, what about ‘The Multicut’ or the ‘MEGAshave’ with ‘MEGA’ in capitals to signify importance) is the one for you. It has an ultra-thin vibrating outer foil and Nanotech Blades; basically this bit of face-fixing kit means business.

Buyability: 4-Blade action on the head gives a fast and furious (yet controlled) shave.

Longevity: The 14,000 CPM (cycles per minute) linear motor drive is the world’s fastest, so it will be a while before this little gem needs replacing.

J Factor: It’s a black gadget. Anything black will cast a shadow of jealousy over all who step in your bathroom.

Philips Bodygroom Pro

(Philips.com/grooming, £70.00) Is it just us or every time you see the name ‘Bodygroom’ you burst into song; “Make the body groom. You’ve got to let the body groom,” whilst doing your cheesiest old skool garage skank? Nope? Just us then... Made with hypo-allergenic materials the Bodygroom (leave it) uses its sleek ergonomic design to minimise skin irritation and provide the butchest of metrosexual males with the perfect mini makeover.

Buyability: One of the market leaders when it comes to male grooming and us men are never wrong.

Longevity: Duel-end design sees a pivoting shaver on one end and the most accurate of trimmers on the other end. Genius.

J Factor: Start looking for new friends.

The Good, the Swag and the Lovely:

To accompany sir’s shave…

Good: OXY Shave Repair Balm (oxy.co.uk, £4.99) Making sure you keep spots away, not girls!!!

Swag: Model Mirror (Firebox.com, £14.99) No Comment!!!

shaver of the Month Braun Series 3-380

(Braun.com/uk, £139.99 – but half price until xmas) Looks sick doesn’t it, but are you looking at the Triple Action Free Float System or the SmartFoil Technology. Either way, both leave your face looking fresh. With the THREE independently floating shaving elements of the aforementioned and the ability to use this 100% waterproof shaver in the shower, it will save you time and energy.

Buyability: The 3-380 is half price until 24 December, so visit Boots, Amazon, Argos and them places there.

Longevity: All Braun products are pretty sturdy and this is no exception.

J Factor: If the Monday morning shave is a problem, this de-stubbliser (yup, just made that word up) will make all your buddies green with envy.

Lovely: Gillette Series Shave Gel (gillette.com, £2.69 for 250ml can) Make razor bumps and your unsightly 3pm shadow a thing of the past.

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“I use moisturiser after I shave.”

RWD Recommends:

Bulldog Original Moisturiser

(meetthebulldog.com, £5.99 for 100ml) Keep your skin looking ReFreshed with Bulldog Natural Grooming’s Original Moisturiser. With eight essential oils and green tea – which is a powerful anti-oxidant – this 100ml tube of triumph will keep your skin looking 21 years-old forever. Let’s just hope you don’t try and drink it.

ReFreshed

Welcome to our new section, ReFreshed. Every issue we’ll be giving you the best advice on fixing up and looking sharp. Not only will we be selecting the hottest stuff on the shelves, we’ll also be handpicking readers to get the sprucing of lifetime. The world is a very harsh place, so don’t go and mingle with it until you’ve been ReFreshed... words by

Danny Walker directed by DJB photography by Kevin Joseph hair by Michael Damiano for Wahl makeup by Analisa Sarno shirt by Bench shop.bench.co.uk

James Cox (21) Reading RWD for... “A while and I also like the website too.”

During the day... “I’m at university studying Commercial Music Performance.”

I like to... “Skate a lot; I’ve done it for like 11 years. The other week I tried to kickflip down some stairs and ended doing the splits.”

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How long do you take to get ready before you go out? “Erm, not that long, I use a few things on my hair, then I blow dry my quiff up. I have these month-long phases, sometimes it’s up, sometimes it’s down.”

Worst hair cut? “[Laughs] Aghhhh man, I’ve had a few. I had a fringe that came down which was red and

blonde [RWD gasp].”

Reason for being ReFreshed? “I just like to look good; it’s not about looking like a scumbag.”

For your chance to feature, simply send us a pic of yourself and a short reason why you should be included. Email (subject: Refresh Me) to refreshed@rwdmag.com

“I use putty in my hair. It’s very simple to use and washes away easily.”

RWD Recommends:

Shockwaves Re-Create Styling Putty

(shockwaves.co.uk, £2.99) This premium range of Shockwaves allows hair to be re-styled all day long so if you’re on the move 24/7, going from lecture to lecture on a skateboard (like James), it’s definitely for you. Adding shine and definition to your style is always a good look - no one wants to look like a total douchebag, do they?

MUST HAVES:

“I shave in the mornings using my wet shave set.”

RWD Recommends:

The essential items that make you that little bit fresher…

Wilkinson Sword Moisturising Shave Gel

“My skin’s been pretty good over the years. I shave from time to time but that’s about it.”

(wilkinsonsword.co.uk, £3.49) Don’t worry James; we understand that the modern man needs all the help he can get in the face fixing department. Luckily Wilkinson Sword have hooked us up with Hydro Moisturising Shave Gel, enriched with all the goodness like Vitamin E and Pro B5 making your wet shave easier so you can get those girl’s number’s easier too.

RWD Recommends:

Lab Series Oil Control Daily Hydrator

(labseriesformen.co.uk, £26 for 50ml) Ok James, don’t start showing off, not everyone is blessed with eternal youth. For anyone who needs a little hydration in their facial station, Lab Series’ is the one. Their Treat range is perfect for that health look and this oil-free lotion is the lightweight solution that will fix up those pores and put a spring in your step.

AFTERSHAVE of the Month Marc Jacobs BANG

Eau De Toilette Spray (£39 for 50ml) As you know Marc Jacobs is your favourite style guru’s favourite style guru (designing for Louis Vuitton and of course his own brand), who uses his innovative eye to cast down inventive, creative and timeless classics on the worlds of both fashion and fragrance. This new scent is an explosion of flavour for the nostril and oozes confidence and elegance and packs a strong whiff of ‘Who’s the man!!!’ Whilst walking tall you’ll notice girls falling at your feet just to get a nose full. Add to that the brilliant bottle (in collaboration with designer Harry Allen) and you’ve got yourself a perfect product for Christmas merrymaking.

“Every morning and night before I go to bed I brush and use mouthwash.”

RWD Recommends:

HAIR: head&shoulders Hair Endurance (headandshoulders.co.uk £2.39 for 250ml) Shoulder flakes are NOT the one!!!

Aquafresh iso-active Foaming Gel

(aquafreshproducts.co.uk/ isoactive, £2.99 for 100ml) This is a great product for those who stay true to the tradition of brushing – and using mouthwash (and don’t just think a quick swig works either) – twice a day. Removes 25% more Nandos chicken than regular toothpaste.

SKIN: Nivea For Men Revitalising Moisturiser (niveaformen.co.uk, £10.89 for 50ml) After all those late night you need a little lift.

Luckily the Q10 range replenishes stressed skin so you can stop looking like your Granddad.

LIPS: ChapStick Classic Range (chapstick.co.uk, £1.19) If your lips are drier than the Mojave, this best seller is perfect for the winter months.

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STYLE GUIDE

rain or shine Keep your headtop warm this winter with our pick of the season’s hottest hoodies... concept

by DJB photography by Kevin Joseph

THE DUFFER OF ST. GEORGE jdsports.co.uk, £39.99

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marshaLl artist threadsaddiction.com, £90

bench shop.bench.co.uk, £60

luke luke1977.com, £95

king apparel king-apparel.com, £84.99

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STYLE GUIDE

ringspun ringspun.co.uk, ÂŁ60

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nike nikesportswear.com, £100

nickelson nickelson.co.uk, £60

billionaires boys club bbcicecream.com, £265

HL JEANS CO. HL-jeans.com, £80

35

STYLE GUIDE

fly53 fly53store.com, £55

puma puma.com, £60

gola gola.co.uk, £55

LRG 020 8993 1010, £69.95

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PXL PXLclothing.com, £55

trapstar iamatrapstar.com, £80

alpinestars alpinestars.com, £75

Amplified sugarbullets.co.uk, £40

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STYLE GUIDE

adidas www.adidas.com/originals, ÂŁ75

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lacoste lacoste.com , £155

BOXFRESH boxfresh.com

playdot apparel playdotapparel.com, £39.99

rip curl ripcurl.com, £65

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STYLE GUIDE

Black or White

The second instalment of the Ceramic Collection from LTD Watch is suitable for both men and women and screams craftsmanship. With just 50 pieces per style theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re rare as well as striking. Each part of the watch is crafted by hand and the classic sports diver silhouette is constructed from ceramic (hence the name). Meanwhile the scratchproof sapphire crystal lens adds the technical edge to easily warrant the ÂŁ250 price tag. Available at Selfridges or check LTDwatch.com

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STYLE GUIDE

Winter WARMERS

The temperature has well and truly changed for the worse, luckily Bench know exactly how to deal with the wintry weather. The autumn/ winter range of Bench accessories will have you feeling warm whilst effortlessly looking stylish. With classic shapes, popular fabrics and oversized branding, total warmth is just a shopping trip away. For that fresh look get down to your nearest JD or check online at jdsports.co.uk for more

Fansa Ear Bob Beanie, £14.99

Freedom Beanie Hat, £11.99

Demic Earwarmer Hat, £12.99

Fansa Ear Bob Beanie, £14.99

Freedom Scarf, £19.99

Fold Beanie, £11.99

Logo Scarf, £14.99

Freedom Gloves, £14.99

Freedom Beanie Hat, £11.99

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STYLE GUIDE

Turn Your Swag On

It’s not often that a light is shone on UK streetwear - simply because of the stereotypes attached to the name itself - but there are two events in particular who are flying the flag for homegrown fashion brands.

Nardene Scott caught up with their founders; Jude Afriyie of Reset and Ronal Raichura of Crepe City to get their insight into the UK market. image by Shawn Vent Fury

Describing Reset as a “back to basics, pop up store bringing in small independent brands giving them exposure”, Jude Afriyie has strong opinions about the UK market. “It’s not vibrant, it’s not even close, yet people think that streetwear is a dirty word, the streetwear umbrella upsets a whole load of things.”

He does however admit there is “massive potential” in the scene to take things regional, which he plans to do next year around all the major UK cities.

Meanwhile there is a completely different view when approaching the same issue with Ronal of Crepe City, the UK’s only sneaker festival organised by “A group of guys who are all passionate about trainers,” and “a sneaker freak’s answer to the perfect day out”. The idea behind the event, says Ronal, was to create a “Platform for anyone who is into their trainers to come along to buy, sell or swap trainers”. From his point of view, the UK streetwear scene is in a good position. “But the whole scene would become weaker if it tried to appeal to a mass market,” he points out. “It would be a shame if the UK scene went the way of US streetwear with played-out collaborations.”

Each of the two have different views when it comes to the current state of the market, but are most certainly moving in the same direction when it comes to progression for the scene overall. They both list brands like Benjart, Trapstar, Second Son, A.I.N.T, All, PXL, Pins and 360 Clothing as the brands they enjoy working with and respect in the scene. Jude also points out the need for more female brands - hailing Swanz Fly as his one to watch. It’s a hard market to crack, with the constant shift in trends in women’s fashion and the amount of cheap 44 / rwdmag.com

“the UK streetwear scene is in a good position... but It would be a shame if the UK scene went the way of US streetwear with played-out collaborations.” and fast clothing available, but Jude insists he’s constantly on the look out.

Crepe City are no strangers to research either, running an event which normally consists of about 20 sellers selling around 1000 pairs of sneaks with shoppers coming from as far as Germany. “We really try and work with trainer sellers and collectors who are passionate and have interesting items and we try to talk to as many collectors as possible,” he explains the selection process.

Although the recent Crepe City event has just passed, there are plans to open up a webstore by the end of the year so you can swap, buy and sell sneaks from behind the comfort of your lappy! Reset meanwhile have a night market event scheduled for December, influenced by Hong Kong’s night markets, and will be based at Nike’s 1948 trendy Shoreditch store. With DJ’s and live performances, it looks ‘set’ to be a good night. Make sure you support both of these events which are helping to push budding designers forward in the UK fashion scene.

Crepe-city.co.uk and Facebook group: The Reset

the streets Photographer - Seye Iizsik @ LMC Worldwide Stylist - Luke Miley @ LMC Worldwide Stylist Assistant - Shawn Emanuel Grooming- Giselle Alie @LMC Worldwide Model - Brett Reeves @ Premier Models

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Shirt by Luke, cardigan by Ringspun, jeans by Luke, trainers by Lacoste

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This page: trapper hat

by New Era, jacKet

by Alpha, jacket and T shirt by Elivs Jesus Jacket, jeans by G Star Opp page: New Era fitted cap, puffer jacket by Wrangler, t-shirt by Leviâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, belt

by Alpha Industries, jeans by Luke, watch

by LTD

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This page: jacket by Boxfresh Jacket Levi’s Shirt (around waist) and jeans by Levi’s, trainers by Puma Opp page: New Era fitted cap, cardigan

by LRG at Chemical Records, polo shirt

by The Duffer of St. George

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This page: jacket by Ringspun, t-shirt by PXL, Icon Brand gold studded belt, trousers

by Peoples Market Opp page: beenie hat, belt and jacket

by Luke, jeans by Boxfresh, trainers by Asics

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53

Far From Game Over

It was 2003 when Def Jam Interactive first burst onto the console scene with Game Cube and PlayStation 2 classic Def Jam Vendetta. Back then, Tony Blair was still running the country, ‘Twitter’ was merely a form of insult and the only way hip hop manifested itself in a computer game was 0.3% of an indie, rock and pop-biased soundtrack. A few years later and Def Jam have linked up with 4mm Games and Konami to bring us the innovative Def Jam Rapstar. In the world of Rapstar, urban music gets more than just a ‘Mention’, they’ve dedicated the whole title to it. With their tracks on the game it was only right Tinchy Stryder and Giggs get first play... words by Danny Walker directed by DJB

Images by Andres Reynaga make-up by Analisa Sarno thanks McQueen, Shoreditch

As soon as you turn on the console – our weapon of choice being the 360 – the game loads, your ears meet the stern bass of the intro track and your HD screen is swallowed by the blinged-out ‘Rapstar’ logo. Game modes like Career, Battle, Duet and RWD favourite Freestyle are instantly available and so are a huge amount of songs. These range from old skool classics like Public Enemy’s Fight The Power and Busta Rhymes’ Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See to newer must-owns like Tinie Tempah’s Pass Out and Dizzee Rascal’s Fix Up Look Sharp, which was ever so poignant in my case. The first time I played – yeah, you know how I get down – I sheepishly mumbled through So Solid’s 21 Seconds. With a renewed confidence I was JUST, just, JUST about to let loose a sick, Grammy award-winning freestyle but my set was cancelled as Tinchy and Giggs were now ready to show me how it’s done... Thank God...

The Battle

“It was all a dream...” blares from the Samsung as Tinchy and Giggs start the battle. They were actually going for it too.

Entwined in a lyrical duel to the sound of Notorious B.I.G., the two went right to the wire. 41-31k (in favour of Hollowman), 59-70k (Stryderman) at 99-85k it was almost neck and neck before Giggs started adding to his score like he was doing a Def Jam Rapstar version of Muhammad Ali’s rope-a-dope. A rap-adope if you will. With 105,868 flashing in gold and 86,527 in silver, it was clear who today’s winner was. Giggs, who definitely rapped the ‘ardest...

A confident Giggs goes straight to the controller to search for a “hard” track... “Yeah, that one’s ‘ard...” the south Londoner smiles at Lil Wayne’s A Milli. Tinchy agrees but wants to cycle through the tracks. Always On Time, skipped. Drake’s Best I Ever Had, skipped. Get Low>, skipped. Lean Back... skipped...

Pass Out... skip...wait... they circle back and leave Tinie Tempah’s No.1 on for a while. Are they seriously going to battle?

“What, you can freestyle?” Giggs sees a mode he’s very happy with. One heavily-repeated Just Blaze beat later and Giggs is warmed up, “yeah, yeah”. Tinchy’s arms are soon waving about as he starts a vibe with Pass Out but moments later the challenge is set. “Yeah Juicy,” an eager Tinchy exclaims. “Just get them words up!” Giggs agrees and it’s on!!!

Whoa, that was an immense battle guys, we really thought Tinchy was going to come back then. How is it going today?

You both look all energetic and lively...

Tinchy: Yeah, I’m all good you know. To tell you the truth when I was holding the telly up. I feel like I’ve just pumped some weights or something.

Giggs: [In low, unapologetic Giggs tone] Yeah, I’m good. Just beat him on Rapstar [Laughs].

Tell us about the kind of year you’ve had...

G: Obviously the album came out this year. We’ve been touring all over the place, in America a lot, doing a lot of work out there, just putting in the work, man.

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T: My year has had some moments that I’ll never forget. Opening up at Glastonbury on the Pyramid stage. I’ve done a deal with Jay-Z and my third album, Third Strike... that is an achievement for me. It’s been a crazy year.

Def Jam Rapstar is all about showcasing your talent and telling the world about what you can do on the mic. Uploading your clips could lead to artist collaborations, online link-ups or even someone getting signed. Can you tell us how you got your first big break?

T: There have been a few stages but the main one was when Stryderman was made. When that got to Radio 1’s B List independently, I thought, ‘whoa’. Where I’ve come from, we don’t really listen to radio to check for our music so to get onto Radio 1 independently was such a big thing. After that, people started supporting it so thanks to everyone who supported. I’m grateful to everyone.

That is when I thought, ‘Yeah man, you have to just focus.’

And you, Giggs...

G: When that Talking The Hardest came out. That was when I done my first show and that. Everyone was on it and there was just bare chicks; everyone was going mad and that.

Chicks is always good...

G: Yeah, I was like, ‘What the f*ck? What is all this about?’ You know them one there? I wasn’t on TV, I wasn’t doing that much

promo, how comes everyone was on that sh*t. That’s when I thought, ‘Rah, I’ve got to push it right now’.

You guys looked like you had fun at the MOBOs the other night...

T: Yeah. Yeah that was cool. I did Game Over at the end. I done the single Second Chance Ft. Taio Cruz] and I thought let me do something special, let me create a moment. That track there is a moment alone so, you know, I brought out Giggs, Devlin...

Basically the whole scene...

T: Yeah, everyone man. It was cool. It was good fun.

G: Yeah, to be honest I just came out and done what I had to do. I went on stage done my thing and f*cked off.

It looked like you came in via the back door or something crazy like that...

G: [Laughs] Like I came in and stole a mic off someone [laughs].

Everyone is feeling Game Over, when we put it up it nearly crashed the RWD website. How did you get on that?

G: Yeah obviously, me and Stryder are cool and that. We’ve got the same management and sh*t, I was rolling with Jack and the beat was on. I was like, ‘I’ll f*ck this beat up.’

Giggs, everyone is feeling your bars and obviously Example stepped up on that track, Devlin kills it. Apart from you and Tinchy, who is your next best on there...?

G: [Under his breath] Yeah Devlin. >> 55

<< A lot of people are saying that was their best part of the MOBOs. T: Yeah, that’s a moment right there. I remember the year before I opened up for the MOBOs and they were telling me that was the best moment. So I thought, ‘The following year, what? Are we gonna close it for them now’ [laughs]. I enjoyed it.

Def Jam Rapstar promotes people’s mic skills, in fact in the actual game you can be a promoter too. Which is the best way to promote someone?

[Giggs cuts in]: By bringing Giggs on at the MOBOs [laughs].

T: [Laughs] I’ve tried to do loads of things to promote what I like and what I listen to. There are a lot of rules and regulations though, supposedly. [Quotes from imaginary rule book] ‘This guy raps like this or talks like that so we don’t want them here.’ I’m like, if I’m performing here, I’m doing this track and this is who I’m bringing. That’s how it is and that is the way it’s got to be. The way I’m trying to go on is we’ve got the publishing company, the clothing brand, everything. I’m trying to stay positive and expand.

Tinchy, when do you get time to do all of this stuff?

T: Ohhh... I have to ask myself that sometimes, it’s crazy. Crazy man. That’s why obviously music is the first thing; when I’m in the studio it’s my favourite place. With the other things you just have to juggle. I guess I can’t never complain cos this is what I wanted and now the opportunities are here I just have to take them. Yeah, I’ve just got to work it.

Giggs, tell us about the people you’ve been trying to bring through... Obviously, Joe Grind...

G: Well, the whole of SN1 really. Joe Grind, Gunna Dee and producers like Boomblast [aka Boom Productions], Pablo and Darkman and Bio. Really, I’m trying to bring through the whole rap scene. There is a lot of talent out there and fellas are just throwing it away.

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“they’re giving people the opportunity, for those who might not have the chance to freestyle, to be heard. I like the community situation because the Internet is crazy with new talent so it’s definitely a way where someone can get heard...” TINCHY What are you guys like at computer games? I know Tinchy was the football game guy...

T: [Laughs] I’m still the Pro guy you know.

G: I love playing those stealth games with my brother.

We can imagine you putting detonators on doors and things...

G: [Laughs] Yeah, you know all those little things.

What are you like when you playing with your friends? Are you like the loud one barging people out of the way?

G: Depends. If I’m winning I might be gassed and that [laughs].

What did you think of Def Jam Rapstar?

T: I think it was definitely a cool look. It’s like one of those things that it gives you the opportunity to jump on beats from producers that you’ll never have the chance to do. You get to freestyle over the likes of Just Blaze, Cool & Dre and people like that. They’re all on there. You can put the freestyles online so people can hear them and you can get heard from someone important. You never know.

G: Yeah, it’s cool. I’m just glad I’m on it. Look What The Cat Dragged In will be available to download in the near, near future. You know what I like about it as well is the fact that it’s got UK and US artists.

Yeah, the UK game has UK artists and the French game has French artists and so on...

4mm Games’ Chief Creative Officer Jamie King Talks RapSTAR

G: Yeah, that’s ‘ard.

Tinchy, what would your crew think of some of your singing...

T: [Laughs] Yeah, yeah... I had a go. I had a pop. I had a little pop man [laughs]. I had to cos I was losing.

[Laughs] So you got desperate???

T: Yeah, I had to come back. [Points at Giggs] I knew he wasn’t gonna sing. I tried to sneak it but I still lost.

Who would be the best out of all your crew, Ruff Sqwad?

T: Erm, I think Dirty Danger would be real good. Trust me...

I keep hearing stories about him. He’s like the computer guy!!!

T: [Laughs] Yeah, he’s all techy. Techy Dirt!!! [Laughs]. Techy Dave!!! He’s the guy at computers man.

We know you sang a little bit too Giggs, come on... what do you think your SN1 crew would think?

G: [Laughs] They’ll be like, ‘Yeah, man. You’re going in!!!’

Can you see people of all ages enjoying this?

T: Yeah, definitely... Even if it’s just reading the lyrics on some of the songs and singing along to it. You can do freestyles on there; yeah man... it’s fun man.

What was your favourite track on there?

G: That Just Blaze 8 Bit instrumental is ‘ard!!!

T: My favourite track had to be Biggie Smalls, Juicy.

But you didn’t win on Juicy? Giggs took you out!!! 105k to 86k?

T: I’ve lost every time I’ve played this game. I dunno what is wrong there.

You did a few combos towards the end though.

T: Yeah man, when I was coming back. I saw the score and I was hitting him up with the ‘Five carats in my baby girl’s ear’ [laughs].

Do you think Rapstar could find the next rapstar?

G: Yeah, cos you can record your sh*t and upload it. All that is good, that gives people a little dream there.

T: Yeah, that was what I was thinking because they’re giving people the opportunity, for those who might not have the chance to freestyle, to be heard. I like the community situation because the Internet is crazy with new talent so it’s definitely a way where someone can get heard.

And lastly Giggs, you know you beat Tinchy 105k to 86k on Def Jam Rapstar, you kind of deaded him...

G: Yeah, I dropped him. He beat me at table tennis the other day and I wasn’t happy. I’ve come back. 1-1 now... Mmmmmm.

Def Jam Rapstar is out now. Check out defjamrapstar.com and 4mmgames.com for more info on the downloadable content

4mm Games was established by co-founders of Rockstar Games Jamie King and Gary Foreman and a few other individuals of the right mindset.

Jamie tells RWD all about their first big title...

I know no one likes to refer to this game as a karaoke title, what are the key features that make it stand out as much more?

We’re using the console camera on the Xbox 360 and PS3 to allow players to record their performances, both to the licensed tracks as well as freestyle beats. We then have you select the best 30 seconds to which you can customise using our in-game editing tools (adding stickers, animations, motion effects, etc). You can then upload it to our community site at Defjamrapstar.com (where you can share it across your social networks like Facebook and Twitter).

You can also challenge other members of the community to ‘battles’, where the community votes on the winner.

Can you see this title as the new YouTube, an online shop window for labels?

Definitely! It’s interesting because over the last few years some major artists have really been broken via the Internet, namely Soulja Boy and Justin Bieber, so we absolutely feel our community could potentially act as a hub for A&R’s to come and check out people’s freestyles and who knows, maybe find the next Lil Wayne in Bromley!

Why was it important for some of the producers like DJ Khalil and Cool & Dre to get those instrumentals on there?

One of the unique features in Def Jam Rapstar is our freestyle mode, where we give you exclusive, never-beforeheard beats to kick your own original rhymes over, so for us, it was important to get credible, known producers to provide that music. We also have beats from DJ Premier, Just Blaze, 9th Wonder and more, really the cream of the crop when it comes to production...

Which is your favourite track?

I love Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s T.R.O.Y. Who have you battled with and were you any good?

Dipset’s Jim Jones came by our offices during the summer to check out the game, he has a track in it [We Fly High], and we did Dr. Dre’s Nuthin’ But A G Thang; you could say I was Snoop to his Dre. And lastly, in your eyes, let’s get down to the most important question of all, who was greater… 2Pac or Biggie?

Oh man, they were both such incredible artists, choosing one over the other is impossible.

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THE FANTASTIC FOUR

Oh, Jack The Lad Swing, we do love you. Who would have thought that those four former X Factor auditionees would one day become the UK’s biggest boy group? With a No.1 album, three No.1 singles, four MOBO’s, two BRIT’S, and 1.2 million albums sold to date, their career continues to go from strength to strength. Hattie Collins meets JLS over a Nando’s... directed by DJB photography by Andres Reynaga

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Hands down, the most polite, professional and down to earth stars you will meet on the planet of pop (and boy do they like a chat!), part of JLS’s success can be put down to having such nice manners, lovely personalities and a super-strong work ethic. With their new single Love You More set to be yet another smash for the foursome, we zipped to a studio in east London to talk to the boys about marriage, The X and STI’s...

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[They begin by asking RWD 8 billion questions about the necklace/ boots/ jacket we’re wearing] JB: Is that a wedding ring? Are you getting married?

Alas, no. Talking of getting hitched, who’s ready for marriage out of you lot [looking pointedly at Marvin of Marvin and Rochelle fame (this is before they split up, obvs)]?

JB: Yeah, I’m 23, so I’m definitely ready...!

[JLS Manager] I’m just going to the shop does anyone want anything?

Aston: Some freshly squeezed pomegranate juice (laughs).

Oritsé: I’ll be ready to get married in like 10 years probably.

Aston: Yeah I’m ready!

You’re a bit young though Aston– what are you like, 12?

Aston: 15 actually.

If you were to get married, would you want a big OK! style wedding?

JB: Nah, if I got married I wouldn’t want an OK! wedding, but it would be huge though.

I’d have to invite everybody.

Who would be best man?

JB: Hmmm, good question.

Marvin: [To JB] You’d have to pick all three of us.

JB: Nah, I wouldn’t know.

Aston: This is what we should do and we should do it next week; pick out of a hat who should do who, like Secret Santa.

Secret Best Man. Marvin: Why don’t we just do all three?

Oritsé: It would be funny to have all of us onstage at the same time talking about that person.

JB: Marvin would have the most; he’d have like 10 best men.

Marv, you haven’t answered...

“Obviously we’re very ambitious people and we want to better what we’ve done previously, however we’ve got fans supporting us who love our music, so, coming from the type of show that we’ve come from, is very special.

You wake up in the morning, ‘What have we got today? A photoshoot, then an interview with RWD, then a performance later on’ that’s what our days consist of. We’re very lucky guys.” Oritsé (All: Ohhhhh) JB: [Interrupting, possibly to save Marvin any embarrassing Rochelle based speculation] Aston would be good though; he’d be good at the speeches.

Aston: I’m not being funny, but I organised the other night.

What did you organise?

[All pause] JB: Thursday night, we went out...

[Pause] Aston: We went for dinner and before we even ordered, what happened? Before anyone could even ask for something, it was at the table.

Where did you take the boys to dinner?

Aston: Well it wasn’t me that took them to dinner, I just took control of the situation.

Marvin: Ok, to be real, it was a dating thing.

I was out with Rochelle and we took...

JB: [coughs] No bring-ins!

Marvin: What do you mean no bring-ins?

You were invited, you ducked us! [little argument ensues].

Marvin: So me and Rochelle, we’d always planned to go out for dinner that night and Aston was about, so we thought we’d try and set Aston up on a little date. But...

Aston: A blind date.

Marvin: She wasn’t his type...

Was it one of The Saturdays?

Marvin: No, no, someone else.

Aston: She was very stunning, but...

Marvin: But not Aston’s cup of tea.

Aston: She was lovely though.

So even though she was pretty...

Aston: It’s not all about the looks!

Marvin: Hattie, Hattie...

[All shout about liking a girl for her personality blah blah blah].

Aston: Don’t get me wrong, cute girls are where it’s at. But they don’t have to be striking and all that.

Before the interview JB, you told us you fancied Demi Moore?

JB: Demi Moore is the one.

Oritsé: She is hot.

Marvin: Is she a cougar or a jaguar?

[They talk for a while about her age and its relation to her wild cat status, deciding she’s a panther].

Why don’t you tweet her?

JB: What’s her twitter name? It’s not that deep though.

You’re dating someone also, no?

JB: Yeah, Chloe, she’s a dancer.

Aston: You better talk to her before you start tweeting at Demi Moore.

JB: No, it’s a celebrity crush, there’s nothing wrong with having a crush.

Marvin: Hmm. JB: Shut up, Chloe loves David Beckham!

Aston: [Changing the subject] Hey Oritsé, you got a licence for them guns? [Points to Oritsé’s admittedly rippling muscles].

Can’t drive, but you’ve got a licence for them guns?

JB: Oritsé needs a gun licence!

Aston: Go on, go on, tense them!

Oritsé: JB stop pricking me with that toothpick! [descends again into chaos].

JB: I’m just trying to deflate them...

How often are you working out?

Oritsé: Every day...!

Aston: We’d love to work out every day, if we had time. Oritsé likes to get up extra early to work out. I like my bed too much.

JB: And I like it even more. My bed, not yours...! Just to clarify he has a bed, I have a bed. We all have our own beds.

Aston: Well, there was that one time...

Oritsé: No, no, no, no, no! [All laugh].

You’re together a lot - how do you spend all that time together?

JB: Quite easily. That’s what you have to do if you want to be in the game.

Marvin: We do say the same things at the same time. [RWD can confirm this to be true. It happens about 8942* times during the interview].

Oritsé: It’s a group mentality.

Aston: Even on a day off, we’re together.

It’s like ‘Where’s the party tonight?’

Where do you party these days? And do you still party hard with Chipmunk?

Oritsé: Chipmunk loves to party with JLS and that’s real talk.

Aston: I don’t know if he’s ready for the new-skool JLS. Oritsé: No. What’s the new-skool JLS? JB: He’s just not ready for that yet.

Aston: Little story breakdown for you; we took a producer out we’d been working with on Outta This World and one of the engineers as well. He’s Usher’s main engineer, and we said ‘You’re going to have a killer night’. He said ‘Ok well I’ve partied with Usher and all these guys and they have a big night’. So we took him out and lets just say he texted Usher, while we there, in front of us, saying ‘Just been out with JLS; step up your game!’.

JB: Pow! Marvin: It was the day that The Club Is Alive went to No.1 and it was like...

Oritsé: The club, Mira, went off that night...

JB: The club was alive...

Oritsé: There were drinks galore, there were girls trying to get to the table where we were at and he was loving it, dancing on the table, everyone was going crazy...

So the new album, Outta This World; you’re writing on this album...

JB: We wrote on the first album too though. We wrote nine of the 13 tracks on JLS. It’s not a joke.

Marvin: It’s good you point it out though, cos not a lot of people know that we write.

This new single, Love You More, is the first single that we’ve written on, and this album we’ve written on all of the tracks except one - 13 out of the 14. Because of the success of the first album - it sold 1.2million copies, which is incredible - it opened the doors to a lot of producers around the world who saw we’d sold a lot of records. So the likes of Stargate, Jerry Wonder, Toby Gadd, it opened the doors to those kind of dudes. The quality has definitely stepped up. We did 60 songs and we’ve managed to get it down to 14 but the quality has definitely stepped up. * this is a slight guess >> 61

<< Is it delivering anything different to music though? There’s a lot of the same kind of sound around at the moment...

Oritsé: For us, the most important thing that we did on the second album is that musically we took risks. A lot of people might have thought we’d just repeat what we’d done before, but we’ve grown from the first album to the second album in terms of... we took house tracks and wrote to them, we took R&B tracks, pop tracks, acoustic tracks... We just went in on any type of music genre we could find and if something came out of that we thought was special, we went back and recorded it. I definitely think it’s going to bring in more music listeners that maybe weren’t listening to our music before.

There’s a couple of boybands coming through now – thoughts on The Wanted?

JB: All good, we were out with them on Max’s birthday actually.

[Aston starts singing All Time Low].

So you’re good pals?

JB: Well, we’re not tight like that cos we don’t really know them like that. We met them out at the same club one night and sent them over some drinks...

Aston: I said to Max, ‘When you’re ready to party, we’ll party properly...’

JB: We’ll treat them to that JLS night out and see how long they last.

Next up, you’re going head to head with the don’s of boybands, Take That...

JB: The album and the single is out on the same week. We’re not ‘taking them on’ their record speaks for itself, their career is their career. They’ve been doing it for 20 years and had success after success after success and we’re on the other end of the scale, we’re just starting out. We had reasonable success with the first album, but it’s not even a patch on their 40-odd million albums sold. You can’t compete with that, and we’re not trying to compete with that. It just so happens our albums and singles are out on the same week, and if we go to No.1, we go to No.1, if we don’t, we don’t. As Oritsé said, what we’re about is bettering what we’ve done before.

The first album sold 1.2million copies, so we want to try and do 1.3, 1.5. If we can do that, whether it goes in at No.10 or No.1, we’re happy.

Aston: Don’t get us wrong, we do want a No.1.

Marvin: However, it’s about the contribution, not the competition.

Talking of competition, who’s standing out for you on X Factor this year?

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“We took Usher’s engineer out, and we said ‘You’re going to have a killer night’. He said ‘I’ve partied with Usher...’.

Lets just say he texted Usher in front of us, saying ‘Just been out with JLS; step up your game!’.”

Oritsé: I like Paige you know.

JB: I like Mary, she smashes it.

Aston: What do you think of Wagner?

JB: He’s funny.

Aston: He scares me a little bit.

How about Cher?

Oritsé: Cher is a star; there’s no denying it.

If they get it right with her, she’ll be huge.

Cheryl is the best person for her. It could be a hat-trick for Cheryl.

What’s on your iPod? All: Tinie Tempah.

Aston: [In Tinie voice] Yeaaaaah.

Oritsé: Every time I go home, my little sister has Tinie Tempah on repeat. That’s all I hear when I go in the house.

JB: And The Script too; that album is deep.

Oritsé: Usher.

All: Willow Smith! [Aston starts singing] Oritsé: To me, her coming out is like when Michael Jackson came out. Nine years-old, tearing it up. To me, she’s like a female Michael Jackson.

JB: Her fashion, her swagger is incredible.

Aston: When your dad is Will Smith, it had better be.

Marvin: To me, she’s like the musical version of Dakota Fanning. Have you seen that girl do an interview? She sits there like she’s 25.

Oritsé: That’s the great thing; a lot of people might question if she’s too young, but mentally she’s very advanced. She’s a superstar.

What do you think of Jessie J? Oritsé: Oh my God, Jessie is sick.

JB: You know what, we performed with Jessie at the Soho Review Bar back in the day. Like, three years ago.

Oritsé: Jessie is one of my biggest inspirations in this country. She’s huge.

Who’s the best person on your BBM? [All: Tinie!] [Begin scrolling through BBM] JB: Labrinth.

Aston: Chipmunk, Tinchy Stryder.

Oritsé: Alexandra Burke JB: Danny Cipriani.

Marvin: Rio Ferdinand.

Aston: Some girls from The Saturdays.

JB: Brian Friedman [This continues for a long time]...

Lets talk about your condom. People have asked if they can get some?

JB: Get some of what.

Marvin: We don’t have any.

Aston: You gotta go to the shop!

JB: All the proceeds are gong to the JLS Foundation that is supporting the Brook Advisory Clinic. They help with sexual education and sexual health questions and the reason we put them out in the first place is to try and tackle some of the issues in this country around teenage pregnancy and STI’s. If we can reach just

one person in our core target audience, so to speak, which is ages 16 to 25, and help lower the statistics – which are staggering – 1 in 5 girls have been pregnant before the age of 18, we’ve got the highest STI rate in Europe.

What are your hopes for the album?

Oritsé: Obviously we’re very ambitious people and we want to better what we’ve done previously. However we’re at the stage now where we’ve got fans supporting us who love our music and love seeing us perform, so for us to have been able to keep that, coming from the type of show we’ve come from, is very special and an amazing thing.

We feel very privileged that we still get to do this for a living. We’re very, very lucky guys.

FACTS FROM THE SHOOT:

> Aston ate a Nando’s with his top off. As in, topless. This is an actual truefact. > Marvin, however did not, despite RWD’s (somewhat desperate) attempts to persuade him to. > From the aforementioned Nando’s, they ordered olives, chicken, fries but, we noted, no grilled halloumi #fail > Art director Dacre to Oritsé: “Er, I know you’re either Marvin or Oritsé (said incorrectly, like ‘Or-Teets’, obvs), but I’m not sure which. I’ll go... Marvin.” #fail > Marvin borrowed the studio’s Mac and played DJ during the shoot, with picks that included Justin Timberlake, Usher and Jay-Z. > They all crowded around said Mac to watch Usher, who had performed on X Factor the day before. “Oh my God,” said Oritsé, “he’s so sick.” > Aston danced around. A lot. > They drank water and lucozade and ate 1.5 packet of nuts. > They weren’t late. Not even a minute. In fact, they were early. #soprofesh > JB took one look at RWD’s boots and correctly guessed where they came from (Bench, FYI). > When we arrived, Marvin was on his phone but hung up immediately to say hello. We love you Marvin.

See exclusive interview footage, including the boys dropping an acapella, on RWDmag.com.

Outta This World is out 22 November. JLSofficial.com and Twitter.com/jlsofficial

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SKY’S THE LIMIT

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ounding off another epic year with the release of their third album, Love.Live.Life, RWD hooked up with Tulisa, Dappy and Fazer at a west London studio to get behind the tabloid rumours...

Things have changed a bit since we hung out in Nando’s a few years back.

Fazer: Damn right!

What’s the sound of the new album saying?

Tulisa: It’s still N-Dubz but we went to America and signed to Def Jam so this album was made (to be released) in America. At the time, we were going to take a year out and release in the UK after.

Dappy: But bun that!

T: We thought, well we’ve got an album here so let’s get the UK fans involved with our progress in America. Now we’re releasing it here first.

D: We’ve got something hectic this time; bare club bangers.

We’re trying to make sure we can shift over 500,00 every time, then we’re cool. Certain people think they can release an album in February, you’re a bitch if you release in February cos you’re scared of the big sellers. We want to come out when all the big boys –Robbie, Take That, X Factor – so then you see you’ve sold double of Alex Burke, more than Lil Wayne in this country. When you come out with the big boys and sell more than them you realise what a dedicated fanbase you have here. Some people make very narrow-minded, sh*t music, but you have to be outstanding in every genre. That’s what N-Dubz do, we kill every genre. I’ll beat bare MCs, bare rappers, bare singers. I’ll kill everyone’s performance. That’s how we’re going to carry on.

When were you last in America? Is it quite different being out there to here?

F: It was about three months ago.

T: I’m not going to lie - it was work for me and a lot of pressure. Normally you write because you’re inspired or have had an experience but this was like being forced to write. And I had no friends and family there, I was bored. It was studio everyday with a new producer – a track a day. It drove me up the wall.

D: We did 13 songs in two weeks; that was sick.

What do you say to people who think you’ve changed your sound to please America?

T: We don’t really give a sh*t, as long as there’s people out there who buy our records and understand it’s entertainment we don’t care. Being a musician and an entertainer means growing. The times are changing and songs like [new single] Girls are relevant right now. If Madonna had kept the same song her whole career, she wouldn’t have lasted.

Girls has got swagger...

D: Brappppp!

T: Exactly. America has a certain sound, every country has, so we’ve had to accommodate that. That’s what an entertainer is meant to be able to do – entertain any audience, anywhere. I heard the beat and I realised I couldn’t do my normal UK singing, I knew I’d have to try and flow on >>

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<< it. I’d never tried anything like that before.

The gay scene is going nuts for you now too, was that intentional?

T: Yeah I just wanted to wind everyone up.

I read you had a crush on Jessica Alba and hate men?

T: I do hate men but I’m not gay. I’m not looking for a girlfriend.

That tune was just fun and the video was spontaneous when I kissed NY. We were sat in the dressing room and I was trying to work out how to get her in the video. I was joking that we should have some lezza action but then I thought ‘Lets make her the card dealer’ then at the end you’ll find out she’s my chick... NY was on it straight away (laughs). You don’t see on the video fully but we actually kisssssed.

Tongues ‘n’ all?

T: No tongues... I was tempted... but that was a kisssssss. I’ve never lipsed NY before that though.

D: Allow it man!

T: It’s different with guys, it’s sexy seeing two girls.

F: I agree.

D: Stop it man!

Any collaborations on the new album?

D: There’s Skepta, Fearless, Tulisa’s done a track with NY...

T: It’s more about bringing in the UK artists.

F: You see like what Bad Boy and Def Jam do in the US, they’re all entrepreneurs and use others in the industry to make it a bigger product, that’s what we’re trying to do here. That’s why we’ll work with people like Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk, Taio Cruz, Tinie Tempah just to make sure we can build our scene in the UK that we’re in control of.

You’ve got a really loyal fanbase too. Is that hard to cope with?

T: It can be.

F: N-Dubz fans can be a bit psychotic, like possessive over us, it’s as if their whole life is N-Dubz...

D: But then our whole lives are them...

How about the lack of privacy?

F: That’s mad, especially when you’re in a towel, just got out the shower...

T: Yeah and your door’s knocking, it’s 3am, and it’s a fan.

F: That’s why Dappy is door-to-door, floor-to-floor...

D: Yeah I’m a ho, I’ll live anywhere. Seriously.

So you’ve not settled down? According to the papers it’s a different girl every week?

D: Who’s saying that? I’m with the mother of my children – when I say ‘ho’ I don’t mean it in that way I mean ‘ho’ like I’ve not got no home so I’ll sleep wherever.

Do the fans even track down where you live?

T: My house got broken into by fans who’d found out where I lived so I’ve had to move. I felt totally violated; I’ve not been back in there since.

We’ll try and shot it for you in RWD, how much is it on the market for?

T: It’s on the market for £550,000 if anyone’s looking to invest (laughs).

Is Joe McElderry really your celebrity friend?

T: No. D: Yes! He is. I met him in the airport, I speak to him.

T: Have you exchanged numbers?

D: Errrr no.

T: Well then, you’re not friends.

D: Ok, not friends but I’ll be like ‘Hey Joe’. Mr Hudson is our mate.

T: Yeah it’s a bit weird talking about celeb friends but defo Chippy. I have celebs on my BBM, Tinchy, Tinie and that...

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“We don’t really give a sh*t, as long as there’s people out there who buy our records and understand it’s entertainment we don’t care.

The times are changing and songs like Girls are relevant right now. If Madonna had kept the same song her whole career, she wouldn’t have lasted.” TULISA

There’s a lot of stuff about Tulisa and Fazer having a relationship, how do you as a band deal with that?

T: It’s just one of those things. We get on with it.

F: What can you do?

D: With us it’s just straight music, that’s all it is.

Do you ever get sick of each other?

T: We get along better now than ever.

F: You see Dappy, I’ve known him since I was seven years-old and Tulisa since I was 11, they’re like my brother and sister. I couldn’t go a week without seeing Dappy.

T, you’re looking really good, do you find you’re under more scrutiny now if you lose weight?

T: In the last few weeks all the fashion mags have started putting me in, I had the front cover of Heat and I was in the fashion pages and I thought ‘rah’. I’m getting papped now so there’s the pressure of everytime you step out the door having to be presentable, even if you’re just going to the studio.

D: That’s four hours make-up on your face... You must have woken up from 6am or something.

F: Tulisa eats like a fat beast too. She eats so much; she’s the skinniest fat person I know.

So since you’ve stopped eating your old fave, sausage

sandwiches, what’s your new thing?

T: I’m really into cooking at the moment, it makes me feel human.

What are the plans for Christmas?

F: I want to drive around a racetrack in a Ferrari.

T: A big family do. Everyone’s coming round to my house. The presents towards each other get more expensive but you never know how much the other person’s going to spend. This year I want jewellery - diamonds - and lots of them.

D: I’d spend about £100-200 on each of them.

F: What! I’ve spent about £350 on Dappy before.

D: Yeah and I got you earrings that were £350. Don’t chat sh*t to me. You bought me a PlayStation that year. I just want a healthy second baby or a flat. Maybe another chain or a Rolex. Last year I bought Fazer a sick black camera and he didn’t get me NOTHING. F: I feel ashamed bruv.

Best and worst thing about 2010?

T: Best thing defo being signed to Def Jam and going to America, the worst thing was having to move house after the break in.

D: Ooooh finding out we’d gone triple platinum, signing in America and seeing Tinie Tempah’s success were the best. The worst thing was that we never got to mix our own album, well not all of it, I didn’t get to give it the midas touch. I would have

gone through everything and me and Fazer woulda changed certain things.

F: For me the best things were headlining the 1Xtra show at Wembley, that’s always been a dream, and signing to Def Jam. I can’t complain about my life at all to be honest.

D: We’ve got this Arena tour next, which is our first and that’s a big thing for us. The first ever UK urban act to sell out arenas – that’s mad. Now we just want to go to America now and mess up the world!

Ndubz.com. Love.Live.Life is out now. Twitter.com/ndubz

Shoot Secrets

> Fazer was the last one out of the changing room > Tulisa has a new tattoo on her right shoulder. She’s getting another saying ‘female boss’ soon > The music on rotation included Plan B and B.O.B > Tulisa sat in the cold for 10 minutes waiting for Dappy and

Fazer to get ready > After the shoot N-Dubz had to stay in the studio and finish off tracks for the album > During the interview N-Dubz did an uncannily good Wagner impression > Tulisa is lined up to appear in a new film, Suicide Kids

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Nardene Scott talks to producer and DJ Diplo about everything from ridiculous riders to the rush to finish the new Major Lazer album, his ramblings on Twitter and why Christmas isn’t really a big deal...

Dip it Low “Everyone on [the mixtape] is someone that I really respect and rate, and I want people to know them; for me the whole movement has opened these people up to producing and being progressive...”

When we call up Thomas Wesley Pentz aka Diplo he’s just come back from a couple of meetings downtown, dropped his girlfriend’s parents to LAX and is now speaking to us. All this by 10am signals a busy morning for the DJ and producer who, just nights before, was driving dancefloors crazy on a diet of almonds and champagne (we’ll get to that later). The Philly born record player is just about to release the first of his Blow Your Head compilations through his label, Mad Decent, and it’s based on the genre everyone loves right now, dubstep. However, his blend of producers and remixes gives a much deeper look into the bass-heavy world of dub.

“Most of the artists I put in there are because those artists are really important to the scene, you know from Skream to James Blake to Rusko to Joker,” the Major Lazer maestro says of the first in the Blow Your Head series.

“Everyone on there is someone that I really respect and rate and I want people to know them because it’s such a producer and underground medium.

For me, the whole movement has opened these people up to producing and being progressive and that’s where people like James Blake come from.”

Bass producer L-Vis1990 is already lined up for Volume 2, which will also be based on UK music and is yet another sign of how much Diplo likes his British beats. “I’ve been checking out

the UK underground for years and the first person I met was Jammer because he used to do like grime parties back in the day,” he reveals. “I love Chase and Status too, I wanted to put them on the compilation to be honest but I had to select the songs like eight months ago,” he says of which tracks did – and didn’t – make the cut. “Tempa T is pretty cool and I like Tinie Tempah too, he’s got one of the biggest records ever.” Of course he’s backing a load of other newcomers, including Willow ‘Whip My Hair’ Smith; Fake Blood have been hounding him on Twitter to do a remix of the barnetbased hit. “Yeah, I would, I just need the acapella,” he insists. “I’ve tried to find it and it’s just not out there. If anybody has it, I would like them to send it to me.

Her song is amazing; it’s the perfect pop song.” Of course if this doesn’t happen he can always keep his fingers crossed for her debut album, for which he has submitted some tracks. “You’ll see if they use them, cos they’re kind of like siren-y, loud obnoxious, LA style jerk.”

Speaking of loud obnoxious kind of styles, Twitter seems to be to Diplo what it is for most entertainers; a double edged sword, When he posts his address on the 140 character creation for unknown producers to email their stuff to him, we can only imagine his crowded inbox. But the real controversy starts when he burnt bridges by calling out artists - including ex girlfriend M.I.A for releasing his material for >>

Mad Diplo Facts: Number of times his Blackberry Torch cut out during the interview: 2 Number of features on upcoming Major Lazer album: 20 + Number of other jobs he’s had: Quite a few, including school teacher and sandwich maker at Subway.

Number of artists he’s worked with: A lot. They include Robyn, Yasmin, Shakira, CuDi, Die Antwood, Kid Sister, Amanda Blank, Snoop, M.I.A. Number of genre’s he’s broken: One so far; the sound of Baile Funk.

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“I’ve been checking out the UK underground for years.

The first person I met was Jammer because he used to do like grime parties back in the day...”

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<< free. The day he’s named as one of the most annoying people on Twitter by music blog Pitchfork, is probably the ideal time to ask him about it all...! “I started doing it just for fun, like I had 400 followers, then I went to the Grammy’s and I was tweeting from there and it became a bigger deal,” he says dodging the whole M.I.A. furore (he also called her last album ‘a turd”) before giving an inkling into how he gets into Twitter trouble. “Sometimes I’m at a party and I just say something that’s stupid...I have to delete lot of stuff actually,” he laughs. “I don’t really care at the end of the day because it’s all for fun anyway. If anything is taken too seriously then I don’t really appreciate it.”

While Diplo is known in his own right as a disc spinner and hit creator, it’s his work with the UK’s own Switch as Major Lazer that has proven to be a lethal combination, creatively. The Lazer’s absolutely killed it last time around with their Guns Don’t Kill People... Lazer’s Do album, sprouting a whole mixtape of the back of club banger Pon The Floor. This time, they’re under pressure not just only to keep the music at the same level, but also to stick to a very imminent deadline. This may be why his Christmas list is as follows: ”I’m hoping God helps get the Major Lazer album finished

that would be perfect... and then you know world peace,” he says, breaking into another loud laugh.

With upcoming tour dates in Australia, plus Chicago and LA shows scheduled for New Years Eve, the 31 year-old needs to pray hard, especially when you consider the amount of artists set to feature on the upcoming album. “We’ve had collaborations with different producers on it, like Untold and we worked with some younger kids here in LA... We’ve still got a whole load of work to do but we’ve had features from Vybz Kartel, Lykke Li, Pharell Williams, Busy Signal, Sean Paul and Beenie Man so far.”

We’re looking forward to checking out the album due next spring (hopefully) when there will be another party here in the UK; be ready though, the RWD crew is sill recovering from the Red Bull Carnival mayhem the Majors created over the summer! Before he goes, we wonder what an international DJ of his standing expects from a rider. Erm, basically, everything and anything ridiculous. “A gorilla, an adopted orphan from Malawi, a framed picture of myself, a dartboard, a violinist, almonds and bottles of champagne, cereals with soya milk and a wading pool...”

Blow Your Head: Volume 1 Diplo presents Dubstep is out 19 November. Twitter.com/diplo

For Your Eyes Only

When James Bond, alongside his co-owners, started the Undefeated sneaker store a decade ago we’re pretty sure they had no idea it would turn into one of the most sought-after LA stores with another situated across the globe in Japan. Now with many a collaboration already under their belt, Dacre Bracey catches up with James Bond to find out what it was like collaborating with David Beckham on their ongoing adidas collections, his favourite sneakers and how he’s pushing the adidas brand stateside...

f

As the founder of an iconic retail outfit, do you have any advice because starting a store now is different to just having a passion for streetwear.

My advice would be 1) don’t do it...!

Because our market is so crazy right now. It’s more like, don’t emulate but just go and work for the person you’re really a big fan of and do the best you can to figure out getting your back end right first because you can have the greatest start in the world, but if you don’t have the invoices right, you can’t get the orders right. And the rest is just really do you, you can’t really chase them, you’re always going to be behind them, so I would just say be your own and do you.

Obviously you’ve just done this adidas collaboration campaign, did you work directly with Beckham?

Yeah, pretty much, not like on an every day basis because there’s so many other things that we both do but for the most part he’s in it every step of the way. Other than the fittings, the first initial fitting where we tailor everything, but he’s there everywhere else. It’s easy we’re both in Los Angeles so we can have a real quick conversation or a quick phone call.

Did you have a specific starting point for the adidas OBYO Beckham & Bond project or did you literally take a set of clothes and mould them from scratch?

There was no kind of market research or anything, so we just took a bunch of stuff from the line that we all liked. It’s hard because you have to cover all of your bases. The first two seasons there were more pieces and it was a bit more sporadic until we figured out what people were really buying, from what the sales

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people came back with. So after we did that we went back to a more methodical approach where it’s like, this is the focal of what people want and then two fashion pieces that are press pieces, and then the rest will be like everyday basics that feel comfortable.

When you first started Undefeated 10 years ago, did you envisage that you were a brand in your own right from day one?

It was so much easier then, 10 years ago all we did was got together and figured we only wanted one amazing sneaker store...

But it just went crazy - we sold 300/400 pairs on our first day - that was like, ‘Holy sh*t!’ Then all of sudden rappers were coming in, then there was a line down the street, I’m like ‘Woah that’s unheard of,’ kids were camping out for three days.

It sort of happened organically, it wasn’t until probably four or five months into the first store that we were getting a second location. At that point, we needed a whole lot more sneaker stores so it was a dash to get all of the regional stores.

You know it’s the course of nature; the strong survive. Sadly now you see a lot of those stores who didn’t take care of the important stuff in the business.

Since we’re here with adidas, what’s your iconic adidas shoe?

I like the ZX, it’s one of my favourite shoes and I’ve always thought ‘Wow Superstar Shell toes’, you know there’s such a good catalogue of really good simple shoes. I’m just a big fan of them so I’m just psyched and honoured that they asked me to do this, and I’ll try to do whatever I can to support.

The adidas OBYO Beckham & Bond collection is available now adidas.com

There was no kind of market research or anything, so we just took a bunch of stuff from the line that we all liked.

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New Kid On The Box

Not only does MTV’s latest presenter love east London, Bobby Brown Shimmer Brick and vintage clothes, she’s also a fan of Alan Carr, fancies Paul Walker and adores getting awkward touchy feely hugs from Flo Rida. Danny Walker speaks to a post-EMA Alice Levine about Bieber Fever, Slash’s naughty t-shirt and advances on Mike Posner...

“I

f you’re gonna do something you should just go for it,” laughs Alice Levine of her get up and go attitude as RWD pokes fun at her showreel. “There’s no point being shy. If you’re going to do something embarrassing like dance for Alesha Dixon, you have to just go with it.

Wear some high socks and get in some hot pants and do it.” That’s the spirit. We guess going for it was her motivation as her English degree from the University of Leeds soon transformed into a presenting career. Finding her place in the world as co-star of Bebo’s b-box in 2008, the Nottingham-bred former T4 On The Beach, The Brits and London Fashion Week presenter soon found herself interviewing the likes of N-Dubz, The Editors, Christian Bale and many, many more. It seems she’s turned into the girl next to the girl next door? “So what does the girl next to the girl next door get up to?” the recent iPhone 4 transferee ponders before laughing.

“What does that make me? Is that like a stranger on the street?” No. That makes her fun, pleasant, cheery... Alice reluctantly agrees, “I’m like the weird girl on your road that’s just moved in 74 / rwdmag.com

and you’re not sure if you trust her yet.

It’s nice to be noticed though; I’ll take girl next to the girl next door.”

So how is our new neighbour settling into life over at MTV, as the face of new celebrity exposing show, Celebrity Bites? “I had a really good time with the MTV lot this weekend actually,” Ms Levine explains of her time in Madrid, covering one of Europe’s biggest award shows. “It was my first EMAs so I had a fantastic time. It was pretty hectic to be honest, that was the worst thing. I’ve never done live TV before so that was a first [laughs]. A baptism of fire.” That franticness didn’t come through to camera though and whilst getting her red carpet interview on she even managed to flirt with Mike Posner. “Oh really?” she giggles. “Well, he does have a bit of a beard but he looks too much like Justin Timberlake doesn’t he?” We noticed many pouts at Posner, but when is she most content?

and all of those things then this is the TV equivalent.”) and an interview with Guns N’ Roses’ Slash that will never see the light of day (“I thought it was ok. He kept me on my toes with a bit of banter and then I was told it didn’t go out because when he opened his jacket half way through only to reveal a t-shirt with ‘c**t’ on it.”) Alice Levine can finally forget about that weird Flo Rida interview, “Let’s just say he’s a very virile man.”

So with a show that constantly barrages celebs, it’s time to find out who isn’t on that Christmas list. “I can’t actually think of anyone at the moment, there must be someone though because I’m quite a hateful character. I have a lot of venom.” She must hate someone? Surely... Justin Bieber? “I don’t hate him. Well, I don’t understand Beiber Fever but I don’t hate him. He’s so young. That’s why it’s too much to hate him, he’s only a child.

“Because I’m not a stick thin model I had a nightmare looking for a dress. I never want to do shopping ever again” “I think I’m most happy when I’m with someone who really makes me laugh.

You know when you get to that giddy point when you just can’t stop laughing.

I guess my best friend James – who I used to present with on b-box – he’s one of the few people who can actually make me hysterical.” So with an EMA under her (vintage) belt (“Because I’m not a stick thin model I had a nightmare looking for a dress. I never want to do shopping ever again”), a successful start to her new show (“Celebrity Bites is like a weekly round-up of celebrity goss. If you like Perez Hilton, D-Listed

That would be a bit harsh. That would just be bullying.”

Christmas Is Coming

Best Christmas present you’ve had?

Last year, I got a [push] bike. I used to use it all the time but unfortunately someone stole my seat last week.

What kind of area is this where your seat is being stolen?

[Laughs] I live in Hackney so do the math!!!

Check Alice on Celebrity Bites on MTV every Friday at 8pm

EMA GOSS From Madrid So tell us more about you and Mike Posner. Do you fancy him or is he like a poor man’s Justin Timberlake...

[Laughs] Yeah, he needs a beanie. Actually there was a bit of a flirt on, wasn’t there?

I interviewed him about three times that day so maybe he thought I was following him.

And, he’s on my show on Wednesday so... that will be kind of the third date and you KNOW what happens on a third date?

[Laughs] Wow... what happens?

I dunno actually... we’ll go to dinner?

Yeah, what is the third date?

I’ve not even got to holding hands on a third date so I think he’s getting a little bit ahead of his game there.

Be prepared anyway...

Ok, maybe a peck on the cheek?

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TAKING

Off

Despite recently reducing in size from duo DJ Stephen Fasano and musician/producer Vito De Luca, it’s now left to the latter of the electro-disco act Aeroplane to take the reigns. Thankfully, the funked up house vibes of current single We Can’t Fly have been driving dancefloors crazy from here to Ibiza. Nardene Scott phoned the Italian music man to talk learning production skills from scratch, Sky Ferreira’s cuteness, and remixing tracks for everyone from George Michael to Chromeo.

h

ey, how you doing?

Yeah, I’m good thanks!

I’ve just been busy in the studio; when I’m back at home, I just spend time here.

Your single We Can’t Fly got playlisted straight away on Radio 1. That must have been a great feeling, but why did you have to produce the single in so many places, from London to France to LA? We didn’t really go to all of those places but we recorded the record in Toulouse, mixed it in London but then some of the vocalists were recorded elsewhere, the drums had been recorded in Paris because to get everybody in

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one room would have been hard, because most of the time I was touring.

You definitely have your own unique take on Balearic house with influences from all over the place. What other DJs and producers in the scene do you think are doing something different like yourself?

There are a lot of people that have a different style. I like The Swiss, a band from Australia, they’ve been giving disco for 2010, and people like Deadsnake who are a part of the scene but in more of an art way. There’s this band from Finland that are called Hannelauri, they’ve just released an EP and a couple of remixes and are doing really great stuff.

You’re currently tipped as the remixer du jour, from Robbie Williams to Grace Jones and Friendly Fires.

Are there any more remixes in the works?

I did Chromeo for the single Don’t Turn The Lights On but next week I finish George Michael, I’ve done a remix for him... I think they’re really cool remixes to do. I like to do different stuff as well, I’m trying not to be stuck in the dance area and I really like mixing pop music with vocals and stuff like that.

As a classically trained musician, you must have put in some serious hours in the studio yet this is the first time you’ve used a studio, right?

I’m not a technician; I didn’t

really know how to use a studio. When I was at home and I wanted to record the piano I was turning on the plug in but when you have a real piano in front of you and these different types of microphones, I didn’t really know how to set that up. So that’s when the producer of the album came in and started working with us on that project and gave us all of the experiences in the studio.

Co-production on We Can’t Fly came from Bertrand Burgalat, known for his cool, breezy 1960s-style pop.

How was working with him?

The first people we were meant to produce the record with were Soulwax but they were really late on Tiga’s record so we had to give up

on that idea. Bertrand just did this song released on Domino and he came to Brussels a couple of weeks after that.

We didn’t know him before but he just accepted straight away to work with us. He was really a big, big help in the studio and I’ve learnt so many things from working with him.

Although it was amicable, you are no longer working with Stephen Fasano. How is that working out when it comes to touring and so on?

Through the years we’ve really grown because in the beginning we would play for like 200 people, and with the experience we managed to make it work for bigger audiences. I think the difference between me

and other acts is that I’m really trying to make people party and people have fun, I don’t play anything dark, I only play sunny and happy music, I make people sing during a DJ set.

Basically, what we decided was that I’m going to keep on carrying our brand because as the musician of the band I wrote most of the record. I played every instrument that’s in there. Of course, I can do a live show with a live band; we’re going to start the show in December.

Stephen has started something else a bit more dance-like; the only thing I know is that it’s called The Magician and they’ve released two mixtapes already.

Tell us about the eclectic

mix of singers on the album, from LA teen Sky Ferreira to an old favourite of yours, Merry Clayton.

Well to be honest the wish list was a lot bigger than that...I’m really happy with the vocalists; it’s not like just taking someone and

because my manager was in LA it was easier to get hold of her. Her voice was perfect for the song. Sky Ferreira was the same thing; we were looking for this young and sexy vocal and I’d been sent stuff she was doing from my management. She was also

I’m not a technician; I didn’t really know how to use a studio. When I was at home and I wanted to record the piano I was turning on the plug in... putting them over the track.

I matched each song with a certain type of vocal.

Some people we already knew, like Au Revoir Simone because they were on the Friendly Fire remix. With Merry Clayton, I knew her work with The Stones and

pretty so I was thinking, ‘Oh really, Sky Ferreira, yeah!’ I was a little bit lucky I have to say.

We Can’t Fly is out now.MySpace.com/ Aeroplanemusiclove 77

Switching Gears No longer confined to the infamous white helmet of Top Gear, Ben Collins aka The Stig’, is now promoting EA’s latest racing game Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit alongside Roll Deep. The petrol headed speed freak hit the emergency breaks to speak to Jerry Gadiano...

A

s RWD sat in the passenger seat of the Porsche, there was a niggling feeling inside, both of excitement and nerves. Excited by the fact that 1) I’m getting a ride in a freakin’ Porsche and 2) it’s being driven by Ben Collins aka ‘The Stig’. And the reasons for potentially soiling my birches? Well, I am in a high-powered sports vehicle doing speeds that would crush my Dad’s Ford Mondeo, blood is rushing from my head all the way down to my feet as Ben literally stamps on the accelerator, the donut turns are churning my stomach out (damn you free food courtesy of EA Games!!!) and there’s a video camera of my pretty face sporting a distinctly uncomfortable look. At the end of the run, Ben looks across to me and says, “We live to fight another day”.

So how’s today going?

It’s been an entertaining day with Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit.

It’s been two days of balls-out driving so it’s been good. We’ve been burning a lot of petrol and rubber and it’s been really cool hanging out with Roll Deep and launching this game. I hope the gamers enjoy it as much as we have.

How’s life been after Top Gear?

Mega; It’s been eight years and I had a great time driving these amazing cars and going on these wild challenges and trips, so it’s nice having the pressure taken off and doing other things.

I’ve gone onto Fifth Gear, which is a similar sort of job but without hiding behind the visor all the time.

How did you get stuck into professional racing?

I went to a racing school when I was 18 and started racing when I was 19. In the 16 years of racing you acquire these unique skills that are quite specialist that are really cool for doing film work, commercials and crazy car chases. I love my job.

Talk us through drama after you left Top Gear, what happened?

Well it’s pretty strange at the moment, there was the court case and I won that and I was allowed to publish my book, which was great. The BBC are continuing to pursue legal action which is really tedious and I think that it’s a real shame.

So how’s your relationship with Jeremy Clarkson, etc?

You’d have to ask them, I’ve only spoken to James and he’s very friendly. I hope that’s the case with all the guys cos I have a lot of friends that I still speak to on the show.

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How many times did you take your test?

First time, it only took three lessons.

Most people go back at least once!?

Well they shouldn’t, they should try to get it first time. The big thing with the driving test is that you never stop learning afterwards and that’s what people forget.

What’s the best car you’ve tested?

It’s impossible to say, I’d need to have a top five and in terms of price it really depends what you got in your budget. I think the most spectacular car recently is the Ferrari 458. I wouldn’t say it’s my number one but it’s up there with the Aston Martin DBS, Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, the old Dodge Challenger and the Audi R8 – that’s pretty special.

What’s the worst car you’ve driven?

That was a TVR and I’m really glad they’re out of business because I hated

“Humans have a really good sense of what a car can and can’t do and the TVR managed to lie to people really well.”

“It’s been two days of balls-out driving... we’ve been burning a lot of petrol and rubber and it’s been really cool hanging out with Roll Deep...”

those cars with a passion. All cars give drivers some kind of innate feeling for what’s going on. Humans have a really good sense of what a car can and can’t do and the TVR managed to lie to people really well. It gave you a very false impression of what grip there was and it made it really easy to skid into roundabouts and lose the tail.

What wouldn’t you be caught dead in?

I wouldn’t be caught dead in anything pink.

What do you do in your spare time?

I like video games. In fact I love shooting games more than I do racing games.

Do you fancy yourself on the online multiplayer arenas?

I did till I had my ass whipped by some teenager from America on Halo. I learnt to respect the people there.

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit is out now 79

snatch Have you heard the Trolley Snatcha remix of Kano’s Spaceship? It’s one of those tunes that everyone knows what they were doing when they heard it first. Danny Walker (who was on the bus, by the way) speaks to the producer and DJ about why he’s got more than just devastating dubstep in store...

When did you first start snatching trolleys?

[Laughs] My most frequently asked question...

Damn, just when we thought we were being original...!!!

This a long story but to cut it short, I was with my friend in his bedroom at his mum’s house, we heard a noise outside in the back garden, low and behold his little brother had stolen at least 20 trolleys from the Safeway down the road. I was the only person who found it funny (his mum didn’t). The dubstep thing was a natural progression for me; x-mas is I used to produce a lot of D&B and hip Coming... hop/ grime, etc. I’m a big fan of synthesis What would as well as live instruments and I found be your perfect at 140bpm there was more room for present? experimentation and so it just sort of My perfect happened really. present would Back in those early days of trolley be a life size snatching, did you take the pound out at Scalectrix, I the end or leave it in? don’t think I I left the pound! Maybe a lucky person would ever get bored of that. will find it one day and spend it on a What is the winning lottery ticket! worst present So tell us where have you been playing you’ve ever recently and what tunes have been given/ received? going off?

I gave my friend I’ve been all over the world it’s been an orange with crazy! I’ve gotta say a few of my newer about five two unfinished bits have been doing the job! pence coins and skewers Whenever we speak to the likes of stuck in for her Rusko, Caspa and the Magnetic Man 18th birthday, guys they say there is a lot more to I haven’t been come from dubstep; are you part of invited to one that wave? of her birthdays I’d like to think so, I guess it’s a matter parties since... of constantly changing your outlook on 80 / rwdmag.com

the scene as a whole and not conforming to what somebody else has already done otherwise it will go stale and people will lose interest.

We know you’ve had popular tracks like The Future and Slow Down, what’s been your biggest achievement so far?

I’m quite proud of my One Trick Pony EP. I think for me it took a bit of balls to write something that wasn’t completely what people expected.

How did you get involved in the Dub Police and how do those around you help you out?

This was due to the magical invention called ‘the Internet’, I sent a few tunes over and D-Code [part of The Others] got hold of them and started playing them out; as soon as Caspa heard The Future in a rave he got my number, rang me and the rest is history.

Tell us about that stupidly big Spaceship remix for Kano you’ve just finished...

It’s strange really as it was originally produced by Chase and Status, I was the one who made it a bit more rocky with the guitars and ‘80s synths. But it’s been going off in every club I play it, so keep your eyes peeled.

What else are you cooking up?

I’ve got all sorts of new bits on the way and some BIG remix work, as well as collaborating with different people; all I can say at the moment is that they’re sounding wicked.

If we set you a mission to see how many trolleys you could snatch in 30 minutes in the massive Morrisons in Northampton Town Centre, how many do you think you’d come back with?

I’d be able to get them all in one go! [Laughs]. I’ve devised this machine that shrinks them to miniature sizes and I can put them in my pocket for later on!

For more check Facebook.com/trolleysnatchadubstep

â&#x20AC;&#x153; low and behold his little brother had stolen at least 20 trolleys from the Safeway down the road. I was the only person who found it funnyâ&#x20AC;?

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listings

Gig Guide

Urban Nerds Halloween Special

@ XOYO, Shoreditch, London Urban Nerds are known for their top-notch lines-ups, and the Halloween special was no exception; Joker, Rattus Rattus and Klose One, Doctor P, Spooky, Terror Danjah, Marcus Nasty... basically all the best DJ’s from the world of dubstep, funky, grime and bass of any kind.

The Halloween theme was taken to new levels by many; we saw 6’ft ants whose antennas were getting on everyone’s nerves, whilst skeletons and other all-in-one fools failed, with the owners eventually stripping off; especially when Joker’s set in the basement of the newest club to hit Shoreditch, had people going nuts, as did Doctor P’s when he mixed and refixed his own dubstep anthem, Sweetshop.

Kozzie joined Spooky upstairs where grime was fully going off before Marcus Nasty hit the decks with his unique blend of new and old skool grime and funky which kept the crowds well and truly on their toes. Those Nerds smashed it hard once more... (NS)

December

1 Kano @XOYO, London

Pendulum @ Braehead Arena, Laura Marling @Cardiff Glee Club, Cardiff 2 Industry Takeover Rhymes to Riches @Rich Mix, London Pixie Lott @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth 3 JLS @ Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool

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Simian Mobile Disco @ Warehouse Project, Manchester

6 Melanie Fiona @ Scala, London

Fake Blood, Doorly @ Digital, Newcastle

8 Professor Green @ Middlesborough Empire, Middlesborough

Jakwob @ Vice, Swansea The Drums @ University of Northumbria, Newcastle 4 Faithless w/Example @ Manchester Evening News, Manchester

10 Sub Focus, MJ Cole + more @ Fabric, London 11 Deadmau5, Zane Lowe, Magnetic Man @ Ricoh Arena, Coventry

Biffy Clyro @ Wembley Arena, London

12 Pete Rock & CL Smooth @ HMV Forum, London

5 Janelle Monae @ 02 Shepherds Bush Empire, London

14 Scissor Sisters @ Nottingham Arena, Nottingham

15 Skream and Benga @ Warehouse Project, Manchester 16 Kings of Leon @ NIA, Birmingham 17 Soulwaxmas @ Brixton Academy, London Shakira @ Odyssey Arena, Belfast 18 Annie Mac with Labrinth @ Koko, London 19 Movado, Gyptian, Gappy Ranks @ Brixton Academy, London

26 FWD + Rinse Xmas Party @Fabric, London 31 Together New Years Eve @ 02 Brixton Academy Benji B @ William IV, London Warehouse Project NYE Party @ Warehouse Project, Manchester Urban Nerds x ATG New Years Eve Special @ Secret Shoreditch Warehouse, London

Competition Time [Said in an angry Denzel Washington voice] Santa Clause ain’t got NOTHING on us...!!!

Sonic Colours Sonic the Hedgehog is back, in brand new and exciting Sonic Colours, a high speed action adventure and the perfect gift for Sonic fans this Christmas! When the evil Dr Eggman takes over an extraordinary amusement park orbiting around the home planet of Sonic the Hedgehog, it’s up to you to help. To celebrate this we’re giving away a Nintendo Wii and a copy of the game to one lucky so and so.

All you have to do is email us [subject: Sonic Colours] via iwannawin@rwdmag.com and we’ll add you to the hat (there’s no actual hat but you know what we mean).

And remember, Sonic Colours is available on the Wii (£29.99) and the Nintendo DS (£24.99) right now from Play.com and other good game retailers. Sega.com/soniccolours.

SEGA, the SEGA logo and Sonic Colours are either registered trademarks or trademarks of SEGA corporation.

V-MODA We’ve linked up with the geniuses over at V-MODA (v-moda. com) to giveaway THREE pairs of luxury Crossfade LP headphones. These 280g mic-enabled, steel framed beauties took four years to develop after an extensive collaboration with the world’s biggest DJs, technology geeks and music know it alls and pack some whopping 50mm High-Definition Drivers with crystal clear sound and they don’t even need batteries!!! To be in the running to get yours drop us an email [subject: V-MODA] to iwannawin@rwdmag.com and pray to the headphone Gods that be that we pick you.

Drunknmunky To celebrate the launch of the new Drunknmunky webstore the bold brand linked up with yours truly to giveaway a massive £250 gift voucher. So if you’re after men’s and ladies tees, sweats, jeans, polo shirts, belts, hats bags and/ or footwear make sure you drop RWD a quick email [subject: Drunknmunky] to iwannawin@rwdmag.com and you could see out 2010 with a bang. Don’t worry; your wardrobe can thank us later. And remember if you don’t win you can always follow them on Twitter (@DrunknmunkyEU) or head on over to drunknmunky. co.uk anyway for info, photos, even better comps and a whole lot more.

Send all emails to iwannawin@rwdmag.com. Please leave the given subject title and your full contact details before 15 December 2010 (unless stated otherwise).

84 / rwdmag.com

UNWIND

Unwind With

BaSHY

Not only is Bashy a self-proclaimed don on FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 (don’t ask), he also stars in films, rocks his own garms and is pretty nifty in a music studio too. We catch him up with him Stateside, in the middle of touring with The Gorillaz, to find out how he unwinds... interview by Danny Walker

i

’m gonna have to shout because this is some long distance business...

That’s how it is innit.

So it’s all chilling with Damon Albarn now, is that how you’re going on? You’ve changed, you’ve really, really changed!!!

I’ve changed? So I’ve changed from the pirate radio days [laughs]. Do you know what? It’s kinda nuts to be honest. It shows growth and development. Right now, I’m in Houston in the like the tallest hotel ever. It’s crazy, it’s crazy.

Have you had any tips from Mr Albarn?

When we did Madison Square Garden, he was looking at me like, ‘Is he ready?’

I just laughed. I found it hilarious. He made me - he didn’t make me scared- he made me just, like, aware. It was like ‘Boom’. It’s like any other show; we went out and rocked it. We just ripped Madison Square Garden apart. I felt like I was in Fade To Black, like I was inside the DVD. You get to walk up the same corridors, you get to open the same doors, you pull in the same place where the Maybach pulls in, I felt like I was IN the DVD...

Tells us about Fantasy and Make My Day, your use of samples are excellent...

We can hear you don’t mind grabbing a sample and flipping a tune up...

[Gets loud and animated] I’ll grab ANY sample!!! If I like a song and want to make a spin on it, I’ll do it. I’ve always done that. If you look at UR Mum Vol.1, I’ve always taken old music that I’m into, whether it be from a film or from Oliver Twist. I’ve always done it.

Tell us about the Fantasy video, that was another big production...

D’you see every time I drop a video?

It’s a massive statement. I’m still an

86 / rwdmag.com

independent artist. One of the only ones out there that is operating at this sort of level. It’s not mainstream and it’s not underground. Fantasy was shot in Cancun and I’ve just shot the [Make My

ANY film!!!

ANY FILM?!?!

Actually, let me take that back. I don’t know how you’re going to write that. It will look funny.

The Sound Of Music?

The Sound Of Music is a BIG film. That was all over UR Mum Vol.1, Oliver Twist is a big film, Hook... big film. And I like serious films too like Braveheart, Scarface, The Prophet... Look out for that and look out for a film that I’m in next year called The Veteran. It stars Toby Kebbell – who was in RocknRolla and Brian Cox – who is in a million films.

I play a character called ‘Tyrone Jones’.

He is the local entrepreneur.

You look like a Tyrone...

Do I??? I thought I looked like an Ashley Thomas or possibly a Jason.

Have you ever played a Jason before?

Nah, but my mum was going to call me

“Look out for a film that I’m in next year called The Veteran. It stars Toby Kebbell – who was in RocknRolla - and Brian Cox – who is in a million films. I play a character called ‘Tyrone Jones’...”

Day] video in Brooklyn. We shot it in a warehouse with Rage, he shoots like P.Diddy’s videos, N-Dubz’s videos. We shot it on a roof with the Empire State Building in the background. I wasn’t purposely showing off the fact I was in New York, I just couldn’t shoot a video [anywhere else] because I’m not back properly until January.

Tell us about the album - who is on there? Who did you want to work with on there?

I’m still recording the album now to be honest. I’ve worked with Naughty Boy... he made my early songs as well. So it’s good to go back to him and get that energy again. I’ve also gone back and started to work with DaVinChe. I’m also working with some new producers; Craze and Hoax, Thundercatz... those are just the London based names, there are a few surprises that I’m going to drop on people. I like to do features with artists so I’ve done a big track with Wretch that is gonna flip on people’s heads.

How do you relax?

For me it’s about playing computer games like FIFA, watching movies, and going to the theatre.

When do you get the time?

I know, sleep is a problem, right now.

What films?

‘Jason’. Who knows maybe I would have had a different career...

Like been a football player or something perhaps?

I would have taken that career!

With your acting work, you don’t seem to be afraid to do everything...

Yeah, I’m just trying to do as much as I can... Someone blessed me to be able to act, someone blessed me with the ability to make music and perform so I’m going to do that.

You mentioned FIFA before, are you any good or are you one of those players that talks the talk?

FIFA [Laughs] Do you know what it is? I don’t even talk rubbish; I’m not even the football football gaming dude. I swear to God, I play FIFA... I beat people on FIFA 98 style.

That was the best FIFA ever...

I’m beating people using those skills.

So what is your game then?

Call of Duty, Street Fighter; I play as either Akuma or Ken. Ask JME about me? His excuse was it was on PlayStation and if it was on Xbox it would have never happened. I just take those victories wherever I can!!! [laughs].

For more check Bashy.com. Make My Day is out 6 December

CHRISTmas is COMING! What would you like for Christmas... (obviously we won’t be buying it for you)...

[Laughs] Deep. I actually thought RWD magazine were going to buy me a present there.

Nah! And your worst present?

Someone bought me a DEAD aftershave one year. It was like a wild brand as well.

What like a fake Ralph or something?

I wouldn’t have even minded a fake Ralph [laughs]. They bought me like an Umbro one or something.

That is a WILD aftershave. I could have done with fake Ralph or fake Gucci.

But Umbro? An official Umbro aftershave, that was crazy. For some reason I think it came with shower gel too. I should get RWD something for supporting me...

What would you get us?

Yeah, I’ll get you a signed copy of my album [laughs]. Nah, I buy the bang bang presents.

If you’re close to me or mean something to me, I’ll buy you a good present.

Mummy gets a good present.

Standard. Or if you’re the love interest of the moment you’ll get one.

87

UNWIND

films

Instead of watching the Queen drone on for 15 minutes on Christmas Day, have a look at these... words by Danny Walker

advanced preview

127 Hours Pathé Films Cert TBC

Based on a true story, Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours details the survival of Aron Ralston, a mountaineer whose climbing adventures take him one trek too far. After becoming trapped in-between a rock and a hard place (excuse the pun), things take a remarkable turn for the worse as he knows he has to do something drastic in order to survive. From what we’ve seen, this looks like 94 minutes of engrossing entertainment and many are saying this is James Franco’s best performance (although RWD are still clapping from the hilarious Pineapple Express). If you like overcoming adversity, then 7 January 2011 is you.

Katt Williams - It’s Pimpin’ Pimpin’

Unstoppable

Revolver/ Salient Media

20th Century Fox

Cert 15

Cert 12

As connoisseurs of the great tradition of American stand-up comedians, we can honestly say Katt Williams is officially jokes. As always with his shows this DVD highlights many energetic sides of Katt, and topics range from the Presidential election (‘Where did they get Barack Obama from?’), Oprah’s $9 billion and the usual variety of the explicit-yet-funny sexual content. Can we have more stand-ups please Mr Williams, we’re running out of new swear words.

Playing the Frank Lucas of the train yard, Denzel Washington oozes screen presence as he steps into the steel capped-toed shoes of humble rail company worker, Frank Barnes. Yes, he’s playing another character called ‘Frank’. This time he’s trying to save the people of Pennsylvania. Joined in his heroic quest to stop a runaway train by rookie Will Colson (Chris Pine) and the loveable Connie Hooper (Rosario Dawson), Tony Scott’s film is action-packed from the off.

88 / rwdmag.com

UNWIND

All Hail the Pimp

Win Win Win!!!!!

We’ve got a set of three DVD’s that we have to warn you may result in some unnecessary leaks from your nether region thus resulting in a case of damp pant syndrome; basically they’re hilarious check out the review of critically acclaimed It’s Pimpin’ Pimpin’!

To be in with a chance of scooping the Katt Williams DVD’s just answer the following question: What was the name of Katt Williams’s character in Friday after Next?

Considering comedian Katt Williams has neither height or looks on his side, his comedy has nonetheless resulted in RWD becoming loyal fans; his pimp persona has had us in stitches from day dot, so lets all reminisce together (you might well get the chance to win stuff too)...

A) Money Mike B) Cash Flow Freddy C) Pimplicious To be in with a chance of winning, drop us an email [Subject: Kat The Pimp] to iwannawin@ rwdmag.com before 15 December 2010.

He’s one of the most recognised comedians over the last decade, not just because he boasts a perm Snoop would be jealous of (as well as sharing other habits with the Dogg himself!), it’s Katt’s quick wit that has landed him roles in an endless list of films, TV shows, music videos and even behind the mic itself on a few occasions (Check out Mind Right featuring Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg).

It’s on Nick Cannon’s MTV improv show though, Wild N Out that everyone got to know all about the pint-sized pimp and his out of order jokes, which hover around those things you want to say but know you shouldn’t; at best you’d say in the privacy of your own home. No doubt it’s this tenacity to be so unrefined and downright crude which makes Kat everyone’s favourite comedian and why he’s constantly referred to as 90 / rwdmag.com

the next Richard Pryor by his peers.

Let’s not forget his role in Friday After Next as Money Mike where he played the perfect pimp in distress after some shelves collapsed onto his tiny frame, his Boondocks and Cats and Dogs animated characters plus NYPD appearances saw him go mainstream, then there were others like Norbit and Epic Movie though the less said about them the better really – hey, everybody’s got bills to pay right?!?

Of course it would have been good to get some famous Katt Williams quotes in here but it would of just consisted mostly of blank outs, strike throughs, hash tags and asterix signs so instead we found the time to catch jokes by watching one of his stand up shows to review for you guys.

UNWIND

GAMES

Boxing Day is the best for sitting in your pants and playing your latest presents, isn’t it? Well make sure these are on your list... words by Danny Walker

advanced preview

LittleBigPlanet 2 Sony

PS3

So 2008’s inaugural LittleBigPlanet didn’t exactly set the world on fire nor did it make the type of money Simon Cowell would even get out of bed for. What it did do however was give us a great mascot/ friend in Sackboy. For those who loved the first game you’ll be pleased to know there is an all new storyline, amazing surroundings and the ability to Play, Create and Share like you’ve never been able to before. As well as changing the controller buttons so you can manipulate the level with ease, there are new gadgets and online modes; which include scoreboards so you’ll know who is the best and worst. Get ready to put trophies under your (stitched-belt).

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit

Super Scribblenauts

EA

Warner Bros.

PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii

DS

As you know trips out of the office are welcomed with open arms, ‘Hey RWD, do you want to come and play Hot Pursuit all morning?’ After we answered ‘Of course’ to that stupid question, the latest in the long line of NFS titles was played until we were asked to leave. Taking the great parts of Burnout, this really has moved the series forward. Brilliant graphics toppled with thrashing Bugatti Veyrons, Porsche 911 GT3s and McLarens – this is one of the best driving games of the year.

Everyone knows how much we loved trying to think of impossible things to create; insane, crazy items that you think the game isn’t going to conjure but it somehow actually does strategically working our way through the first set of missions with Maxwell.

Thankfully, the controls on version two are a little bit better making this the perfect present for every DS fan. Hey, why not treat yourself while you’re at it.

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monthly must TRy

Kinect Sports Microsoft Xbox 360

When you first setup Microsoft’s Kinect – and believe it takes some setting up, as well as calibrating your whole bedroom/ front room – you’ll be bemused at the company’s answer to the Wii. Once that’s all out of the way, Kinect is a joy to use. From the Minority Reportstyle navigation to the simplicity and addictiveness of the games, Microsoft are really onto something here as this game features a range of activities; most leave you breathless as you find yourself competing for records and scores against your friends. With Party Mode and superb mini games – Sprinting, Volleyball, Football are brilliant – this makes is a perfect Xmas present, even if just for yourself.

Get Fit Mel B

Appsolutely Fabulous: Trainyard

Black Bean PS3, Xbox 360, Wii

Matt Rix

This release marks a very dark day for the computer games industry.

iPhone, iPod Touch

Any game that messes with the dominance of Angry Birds, Angry Birds Halloween or Cut the Rope on the Top Paid Games App chart in iTunes is definitely one worth noting and Trainyard did just that. Not only is it catering for the dirty geek (ahem) but it’s also got that pick up and play factor that all mobile games require. Not for everyone but definitely powers my engine (insert your own cheesy remark here).

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reviews Starkey

Various Artists

Space Traitor Vol.1

Masterpiece: Fabio & Grooverider

Civil Music

Diplo Pres. Dubstep Blow Your Head: Volume 1 Mad Decent / Co-op

For those expecting a load of dubstep stonkers, it’s best to back away from this compilation as Diplo himself says he’s interested more in shining a light on the most progressive artists on the scene rather than solely filling dancefloors. Of course there are the obligatory bangers on there from Joker & Ginz, Doctor P, Caspa and Benga whilst other producers like our one to watch star, James Blake, reflect the more experimental side of the scene. If you’re interested in getting deeper into the ever-evolving genre of dubstep, this is for you. Track to Check: Hold The Line (Skream Remix) (NS)

Ok, I don’t know what the hell a ‘Space Traitor’ is nor do I know which part of America Philadelphia is in (that’s where Starkey aka Paul J. Geissinger resides by the way). What I can tell you is that Danny L. Walker is a fan of the abstract noise that he exports from across the pond. A brutal mix of dubstep, electro, funk and hip hop is waiting for those who dare to take on this EP. Robot Hands truly sets the tone while Paradise Ft. Anneka allows the ears to refresh before you’re submerging again with Lenses. Bring on Volume 2.

Track to check: Playing with Fire (DW)

Ministry Of Sound

Terror Danjah Undeniable Hyperdub

Undoubtedly one of grime’s best ever beatmakers, Terry reiterates his undeniable talents on his new album.

Opening with what sounds like a horror movie soundtrack, vocalled by Dream McClean, he quickly smashes into the BPM ballastic Pro Plus, which gets a facelift from Mz. Bratt and Griminal in the form of This Year. Let down a little by some of the lyricists, luckily D Double and Bruza do justice to this insanely talented composer’s incredible beats. Track To Check: Story Ending (HC)

The dons of D&B join the Ministry team for a seriously deep anthology of club classics old and new; Fabio kicks off CD1 with an oldskool set with tracks that still gets sampled today.

Grooverider continues with an acid house set from the likes of Orbital, before the pair reunite for the third disc, featuring hardcore heat from Dillinja, Un-Cut, Goldie, Zinc and Calibre.

You know what, Jungle still sounds massssive! Track To Check: Uncut Midnight (HC)

Swedish House Mafia

Ministry of Sound

Cee Lo Green

Faith Evans

Until One

Ayia Napa Reunion 2010 Mixed By DJ Cameo

The Lady Killer

Something About Faith

Elekta

Prolific

Ministry of Sound

He might be better known as one-half of Gnarls Barkley, but you’d have to be crazy not to recognise and appreciate Green’s back catalogue; one of hip hop’s finest singers, it appears like the ATL auralist’s popularity is finally catching up to his talent. This varied, rich, soulful and musically diverse album is a true triumph for the tubby tummied tale-teller. Once you’ve played it once, you’ll be straight back to the beginning for more. Track To Check: Bright lights Bigger City (HC)

It’s hard to admit, but I suppose many RWD readers have no idea who Faith Evans is; Fay was Biggie’s wifey and one of the ‘90s biggest R&B stars, with a string of hits as the ‘first lady of Bad Boy’. Today, she still sounds oh-sogreat vocally, but is sadly lacking in cutting edge compositions, despite input from Chucky Thompson (Big, Nas, Mary J) that could keep her current among contemporary stars like Ri-Ri. Nice background music, but far from electric.

Track To Check: Everyday Struggle Ft. Raekwon (HC)

Virgin Records

Kicking off with the Tinie chart crusher, Miami 2 Ibiza, this collection of dancefloor fillers goes from the conventional to the classic (and back again) in quick succession. Taking the rejuvenated raw energy from their recent success under the guise of The Mafia, Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso open the doors to a variety of house music. Your car stereo will be so grateful, especially when the track to check finally drops great mix!!! Track to check: Kidsos Vs. We Are Your Friends (Acapella) 94 / rwdmag.com

Caps off to DJ Cameo and Ministry for the tune selection on CD 1 of this TWO disc compilation. ‘The Street’ represents exactly that with anthems from Mr M, Lil Silva, Tempa T and Crazy Cousinz. Some real Napa classics on there and quite a few Cameo specials thrown in too. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for generic CD 2; you might as well tune into Luton FM. I can understand the inclusion of the club tracks but for now they can get Dash Down!!! Track to check: All of CD 1 (DW)

nelly 5.0 Island

Maverick Sabre The Travelling Man Mixtape

The amount of push backs this mixtape had is crazy, it’s like it was competing with Lupe Fiasco’s Lasers in a most release dates competition... but it was well worth the wait! Run To The Roof and Inside - produced by and featuring Footsie alongside Somebody with Wretch 32 and They Found Him A Gun, all show the multi-faceted musical style of the guitar strummer/ spitter/singer. This mixtape shows diversity and not the kind thought up by any A&R bore, just natural talent left free to do his thing. Did I mention it was free! Track To Check: Inside (NS)

Riko Dan

Oh Nelly, Nellstar, Nellos. We used to love you a bit, and you seem like a super-lovely guy, but the only 5.0 we can give this is a 5 out of 10. And that’s being generous. No long hot, herre, or anywhere, the St. Louis plaster wearer sounds so very dated and formulaic, with rap-bynumbers that include the ‘club track’, the ‘chick song’, the ‘sex tune’, ‘the single’ and the horrendous David Guetta rip-off Liv Tonight (shame on you Keri Hilson).

On the upside, Ashanti’s boo still got good guns though.

Track To Check: Long Gone Ft. Chris Brown & Plies (HC)

Sleeping Giant

Crissy Criss & Youngman

Mixtape

Give You The World

Let’s be the first to congratulate Riko on his return to music - where he went this time is still to be confirmed - still, it’s a welcome return nonetheless.

Blowing Up Again, May To September and Ganja Man hark back to when this bashment/ grime hybrid artist was at his peak, while innovative tracks like Demons reiterate the fact that he’s still a relevant MC. Unfortunately those moments of musical excellence are let down by repetitive concepts, dated flow and about 10 tracks that should have been canned before going to press. Nearly a four... so close. Track to check: Demons (DW)

Techniques

Linking up via the good ole’ interweb, the pairing of this DJ/ producer and MC is a surprisingly successful one.

Focusing mostly on fastpaced D&B, they also take in a little bit of hip hop and house along the way. It mat be far too long at 18 tracks to hold even the most ardent fan’s attention, yet quality isn’t dispensed for the sake of quality. This is stuffed full of huge, massive, excellently executed bangers. Track To Check: Give You The World (HC)

­ALBUM OF THE MONTH

Kid CuDi

Man On The Moon 2: The Legend of Mr Rager G.O.O.D

Not being an original fan of CuDi’s I was indifferent when I got the chance to listen to the album way back before the internet leaks went into overdrive, but I’m more than sure when I say I was seriously impressed. Features with Mary J Blige (REVOFEV), CeemLo, (Mojo So Dope) and Wylin’ Cuz I’m Young with Kanye, show CuDi at his best. At times his flow is questionable but who cares if he doesn’t follow hip hop conventions - that’s what makes him interesting and lyrically distinctive. Add this to the beats which take you on the journey of hip hop from its stripped down basics to today’s ever-changing amalgamation and I’m now a fully fledged CuDi campaigner telling you to just buy it and stop with the downloads - it’s worth it, trust! Track To Check: Mr. Rager (NS)

­RWD’s REWINDS

Gorillaz Doncamatic (All Played Out) (Joker Remix) (Parlophone) Riko Dan Demons (Mixtape) Nicki Minaj Ft. Kanye Blazin’ (Cash Money) Kano Spaceship (Trolley Snatcha Remix) (BPM) Tinie Tempah Wonderman Ft. Ellie Goulding (Parlophone) Katy B Ft. Ms Dynamite Lights Out (Columbia) Jodie Connor Ft. Wiley Now Or Never (Polydor) Jessie J Do It Like A Dude (Jakwob Remix) (Island) Kanye West All Of The Lights (G.O.O.D) MJ Cole & Wiley From The Drop (Prolific) Far East Movement Ft. Cataracs + Dev Like A G6 (Interscope) Chipmunk Follow My Lead (Sony) N-Dubz Scream My Name (Island) Skepta Amnesia (AATW) Jessie J Nobody’s Perfect (Island) Alice Gold Cry Cry Cry (Fiction) KOF Ft. Esco Williams All Good (One Hundred Global) Stylah Ft. Smiler Killa (London Global) Yasmin On My Own (Ministry) Lethal B Ft. Wiley, Ghetts, Kano... Pow (2011) (White) Random Impulse Overload (White)

95

ukg / grime / dubstep / bassline chart by dj chewy 01 Digital Mystikz Horrid Henry/ Education (DMZ Records) Comprising two very alternative tracks which include the very subtle but complex Education and the really gritty and menacing tune that is Horrid Henry this is potentially DMZ’s best release of 2010.

02 Gumnaam Meera Stringz/ Science Reality/ Adjuma (Riddim & Culture) What’s clear about these three gems is the amount of work the producers have put into making them. They’re all incredible, but it’s Meera Stringz that is the most gripping and brilliant.

03 Trolley Snatcha One Trick Pony (Dub Police) Without question the Trolley Snatcha is making his move for total domination with a flurry of EPs due out shortly. For now we can relish this banging four-track that really gets you shows the Snatcha’s ability to delve into a new dawn of dubstep.

04 Doctor P Big Boss (Circus Records) Like a sonic Tsunami of bass waves, this track is unrelenting. If you’re feeling in anyway queasy when this tune comes on, you might well do a little vom.

Sickeningly good.

05 Seven Siren/ Villain (Wheel & Deal) With one of the most electric introductions around, Siren opens strong and hard, fast becoming a most played on your iTunes playlist. Villain is slightly more minimal, but delivers some dirty bass chords and heavy bashment samples.

06 Unknown Deb Tribute/ War (White/ ST Holdings) These tracks are so deep with their reggae and bashment samples, Rodigan could quite easily draw for either riddim in a soundclash. Both are utterly merciless and provide well overdue vocals amongst the warp warp world of dubstep.

07 Ms Jae & Paleface Fall Outta Love (Promo) Hailing from South London Ms Jae has one of the sexiest voices in the underground scene currently. The absolute killer remix cooked up by our very own master chef and great producer Paleface who has been extremely busy.

08 Mistamen What Do You Do For Me (Green Money Recordings) Also known as Mella Dee, Woozee and Kid Kosy, Mistamen are an amazing group of producers that have rekindled the old skool production values. Touching on that soulful sound of yesteryear, they also implement a little touch of bassline sound for the end of 2010.

09 Benga Ho/ One & Only (Digital Sound Boy) Have I mentioned previously that we were the first magazine in the world to interview Benga and Artwork over six or seven years ago? If you still don’t know about this tune, Google is YOU. 10 Cyrus Underworld/ Minimal (Random Trio Productions) Aren’t you curious as to why certain tracks exist on the same piece of vinyl? It’s just my opinion, but one of these tracks is great, the other is not to my liking (to be polite).

Check Underworld, skip Minimal.

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 96 / rwdmag.com

Subscape Time To Escape (Dub Police) Superisk Find Your Way (Punch Drunk) Tunnidge 7 Breaths/ Fear (Chestplate) Airhead Paper Street (Brainmath) MJ Cole & Wiley From The Drop (Prolific Records) Magnetic Man Ft. Katy B Perfect Stranger (Columbia) Radikal Guru Kali, Champion Sound, This Applies (Moonshine Records) Von D ft Phephe Sunlight, C haha’s Leggings (Subbalicious Records) Boxcutter Moon Puplis EP (Kinnego) Phelah Afterglow (Afterglow)

final word: Cee Lo Green

From a member of seminal southern hip hop crew The Goodie Mobb, to one half of Gnarls Barkley, and now rolling solo again, Cee Lo Green and his F-You smash are more than deserving of this month’s Final Word, decides Hattie Collins...

Firstly, where have you been for the last few years?

It’s been four years, but I’ve been working on this album in its entirety. I’ve also been busy being a dad.

What type of father are you?

A damn good one. My kids are 20, 17 and 9. I think what makes a good dad is time management, a balance of stability, sternness and sensitivity. Communication, a sense of humour, opportunity, adventure, spontaneity, energy... A lot of it is trial and error and I want to figure it out; I desire to me the best father, individual, artist, entertainer, just everything.

You’re from Atlanta; do you love a strip club?

No, it’s never really been my thing, I don’t really have an interest in it. It’s good for showing someone around Atlanta, but...

You’ve been rapping for 17 years now; what do you think of hip hop in 2010?

98 / rwdmag.com

First of all I don’t even consider it hip hop, I consider it rap music; there’s a difference. Rap music can be boiled down to just talking sh*t. But it’s kinda cool, some guys who are very good at talking sh*t, so that’s not an insult, just an observation.

In the ‘golden era’ it was a lot more imaginative.

What do you think of 50’s F*ck You remix?

I was completely flattered.

I know 50 is a capitalist and an opportunist and an entertainer, a business man and an enigma of sorts – I could go on complimenting him – and so this is the second song that he’s welcomed himself to – F*ck You and I’ll Be Around – so that’s cool. At least I’m not on his bad side. We’re cool.

Last time someone said ‘F*ck You’ to you?

Probably in traffic, a little roadrage no doubt!

Your album is called Lady

Killer - have you got skills?

I’m a ladies man definitely but it doesn’t mean that I’m torn between too many people at one time. This is me showcasing a softer side to myself that had not been seen, I think I convinced people I was Gnarls Barkley 24 hours a day, that’s not true, I’m more this. I’m definitely into women and I’m a man’s man, a meat and potatoes guy and I feel like that should be represented today.

People have unrealistic expectations of me but because I’m alternative eccentric doesn’t mean I’m disadvantaged or unethical.

But sometimes you have to see it to believe it. I don’t want to be mysterious all the time because I’m not a liar, I have nothing to hide, I have everything I need. You just have to want what you need instead of needing what you want. Feel me? Well spoken

right? If we were in other terms this conversation could possibly turn you on?

Erm, uh, well...

I have what I need.

Right. Moving on, will we see Gnarls again?

I do miss it. See, me and Dangermouse had that chemistry where it was equal parts combatable and combustible. We’re indifferent but we’re endearing towards each other.

Theo from the Hurts described your vocal as ‘reassuringly tragic’...

Yeah, because I think no matter what I do, pain has been very provocative in my life. F*ck You is not meant to be aggressive; it’s urgent, but not aggressive. Lady Killer is a theme throughout the record but my life is not that simple – and of course nor is anyone’s.

The Lady Killer is out now.