january 2012
EDITOR’S LETTER
Editor Deputy Editor Senior Staff Writer Contributing Editor Online Editor Contributors
image by Andres Reynaga
It’s that time of year again; media idiots like us get all over-excited and try and tell everyone what they should be listening to next year. On one hand, it’s a great opportunity for past winners like Wretch, Jessie J, Adele etc., to win Polls and Critic Choice Awards and get some much needed exposure. On the other hand, it can put a lot of pressure on an artist to really show and prove; whoever wins the various polls and picks next year, be assured all eyes will be on you. Our tips last year, well, there were highs and lows. Wretch definitely won, Maverick Sabre and Yasmin are winning, but condolences go out to Soundgirl and RD. Damn, the music industry is a tough, lowdown, dirty, business! This year, we’re excited all over again about some incredible talent coming through from the underground; from Lady Leshurr to Azealia Banks, the female rap scene goes from strength to strength. Josh Kumra and Jessie Ware are our tips for vocal greatness, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is doing it on the pitch. We’ve also lined up creatives including tattooists, video producers, actors and comedians who we think will do well in 2012. One person we’ve kinda cheated on is our cover star, Emeli Sandé. Already blowing up all over the shop, it’s safe to say 2012 will be the Year of the Sandé. We know it’s an obvious pick, but talent does what talent does. We at RWD love the Scottish singer. Not only a fantastic vocal talent, this girl can write too; whether hits for others or her swoonsomely excellent debut album, Our Version Of Events, fans of Adele and Ed Sheeran will love the 24 year-old – and you will too! We predict 2012 will see Sandé not only smash the charts in the UK, but right across the Atlantic too. Good luck to her! Also this issue we catch up with TOWIE’S Mario, find out about the new Spiderman film and look at the finest in Christmas knits! What more could you need in life? We’d also like to send a MASSIVE congratulations to the CEO of Fun Danny Walker and his wifey Hannah on the arrival of their GORGEOUS son, Jake. We’re soooo happy for you guys! To everyone else, have an amazing Christmas and New Year – catch you in 2012!
RWD TEAM @hattiecollins @dannywalker1 @Nardenescott @chantellefiddy @tegosigel Alex Johnson, Ralph Hardy, Deena Sompura, Francesca Dunn, Jerry Gadiano, Emmanuel Ezugwu, Natasha Parris
Art Director Dacre J. Bracey Designer Chidi Ubani Fashion Stylists PC Williams, Neesha Sharma, Style Pages Editors Irene Asanji Sophie Robinson Style Assistant Cheyenne Davide Illustrators Art Jaz, Jiro Bevis, David Flanagan Photographers James Pearson-Howes, Andres Reynega, Response London, Adrian Nettleship, Verena Stefanie Grotto, Simeon Coates, James Carnegie, Ravi Sidhu, Kieran Pharoah Publisher Sales Director Senior Sales Opperations Mngr Thanks
Nigel Wells Paul LeFevre Matthew Richards Martin Ferguson Bob Austin
CONTACT RWD W107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipp Street, London EC2A 4PS Tel: 020 3176 4299 Email: staff@rwdmag.com
@hattiecollins
RWD Magazine is published monthly by Rewind Creative Media Ltd. 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
CONTRIBUTOR OF THE MONTH SAM BOND Wales born, east London living photographer Bond has shot for DIY, RWD and “countless numbers of bands and singers.” This issue, he travelled to west London to shoot super-producer Naughty Boy. “He’s a really cool guy to work with, and I can’t wait to hear what he’s been making in the studio,” says the man who’d choose to be a chef if he wasn’t cooking up magic with his lens. For 2012 Sam is tipping “Random Impulse. I really like what he’s doing,” while his hopes for the future include becoming an established photographer and music video director. “Ultimately, I’d love to be able to work all over the world!” Check Sam’s work over at Samjbond.com
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
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CONTENTS 01/01/2012
REGULARS
FEATURES
6-7 8-9 10 12-14
INBOX CHECK IN/ CHECK OUT ENOUGH ALREADY: SELF SERVICE STATION SITUATION ASICS ONE TO WATCH: LIANNE LA HAVAS, MAHALIA, L MARSHALL, A$AP ROCKY, JAZZ LINTOTT 16-17 ABOUT TO BLOW SUPPORTED BY *ECKÕ: CLEMENT MARFO & THE FRONTLINE 18 ADISLAM 66 FINAL WORD: MARIO FALCONE
38-41 COVER STORY: 12 FOR 2012: #1 EMELI SANDÉ 42-53 12 FOR 2012: #2 - #12: NASIR MAZHAR, JESSIE WARE, JOSH KUMRA, ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, AZEALIA BANKS, LADY LESHURR, WOODKID, NAUGHTY BOY, FREYA MAVOR, FLIPBOX, VANESSA FERDINAND 54-55 MISTAJAM 56 WHITE POWDER GOLD
STYLE GUIDE
UNWIND
21-25 26 28-35 36-37
BOOTS PELÉ SPORTS FASHION STORY: WINTER WARMERS FASHION NEWS
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59-61 FILMS: SPIDERMAN PREVIEW 62 GAMES 64 GIG GUIDE: URBAN NERDS X RWD: CHRISTMAS PARTY
INBOX
This month we asked for your tips and advice for 2012. A few of the tips we’re already on (great minds and all that) and the others were just random. Thanks for the advice too, the best of which Em, who wins a years supply of adidas Touch shower gel AND an adidas £100 gift card. Send all your letters to: Attn. Editor, RWD Magazine, W107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipp Street, London, EC2A 4PS or staff@RWDmag.com still want people to hear our music. This is why we are writing to you. Maybe you will like one of the tracks. [Ervin inserted two links. One to a band called Candy Empire (“composed of a marine biologist-singer and soundguyfriends”)]. Have a good week, Ervin from Tartu Thanks for the heads-up on Estonia Ervin, we’ll check those links. BTW, we know where it is; we all got good marks at geography. – RWD Global Music Dept.
LETTER OF THE MONTH
Re: Tips For 2012 I am a menswear fashion student studying at UWE Bristol and I have noticed that distribution for RWD in Bristol is very limited. The hip hop, dubstep and grime scenes here are massive and you guys would definitely benefit from distributing the mag in Bristol more. We have a street called Park Street which is full of fresh established boutiques. I work with one and have contacts with the others and would be able to get your mags displayed in the doorways, if you’re game? Em Hey Em, We’re in talks with a few more boutiques around the country but yes, we’ll follow up those hot leads. Re: Tips For 2012 Dear Hattie, My tip for 2012 would be the music from Estonia – a place not usually known for new music. It is a country next to Finland and Russia. We don’t really have any music industry in our country and we 6 / RWDMAG.COM
Re: Tips For 2012 Delilah is gonna do great things, she just had a single out that was received well, of course Daley – he’s part of the camp – he’s gonna do incredible things. I’d like to see more rappers come through; I’d like to see Scorcher come through, Sincere, Krept and Konan, even someone like Devious. I just wanna see people that can rap good come through. Bigz, Sway, who was always just a bit short getting the complete backing he deserved... Wretch32 As always our boy Wretch comes through with a bag of artists to keep our eyes on. We have a feeling there’s a rap resurgence on the way. – RWD Rap Watch Re: Tips For 2012 Hi I’m an 18 year-old student at York University in Toronto. When I was living in the UK I read RWD magazine all the time and found the website really helpful with keeping me up to date with new music and news. So I was wondering, have you guys ever considered having a RWD Magazine branch in Canada? @officialOka Hey OfficialOka, Sounds like we’ve got ourselves a fan, thanks for the advice, I don’t think we’re ready to cross the Atlantic just yet but going pan-Europe looks doable, watch this space and check RWDmag. com/mag. – RWD Distribution Team
THE MONTH IN TWITPICS
Just when you thought posting a simple pic on the Internet was a private affair, Danny Walker, makes things mega public...
@Mario_Falcone: Mucking around on the Adi-slam shoot! The TOWIE star has been up to loads this month, have you seen his over head shot? adiSlam.co.uk is YOU!!!
@RWDmag: On set with the @skins cast, proper funny. We think you had to be there.
@TinchyStryder: Toblerone Gang in the building @edsheeran lol. Tinch and Ed are throwing up triangles, are they in some kind of chocolate illuminati? How can we join?
RWDMAG.COM QUICK QUESTION:
RWDMAG.COM USERS CAST THEIR VOTE Each month we give you the chance to answer our Quick Question. This month:
32% Little Mix
17%
Don’t Care
21%
Marcus Collins
Who will win X Factor 2011?
18%
Amelia Lily
12%
Jazz Lintott “Misha is def the most talented for sure!”
RWD POLLS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS?
iamKAQ “What’s more important is who’ll come 2nd. They’ll be more successful.”
Simon Cowell
HAS EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR BEEN THE SIGNING OF THE SEASON?
17%
79% 38% 21% 45% YES HE HAS
YES I AM ACTUALLY
NO, YOHAN CABAYE HAS
NO, SERGIO AGUERO, MIKEL ARTETA AND PHIL JONES HAVE
iamaflanagan.co.uk
NO, NOT REALLY
TOP TWEETS @RWDMAG: 1.@MoQazalbash: must say the #December issue of @RWDmag is looking pretty slick! 2.@KirstyDavide: @REPVDO @yeahitsshyy @RWDmag // what an amazing bunch of people!. You all deserve everything that comes your way! 3.@LittleDonatella: @Big shouts to @Nardenescott and @rwdmag their Renaissance Ecko feature is SICK. #Kudos 4.@AndrewOVO: Reading the new @RWDmag Chris Smalling on the cover, love that!
CHECK IN/ CHECK OUT
SPORT:
2012 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS Just before the Olympics kicks off, there’s another major event for sport fans to get fully involved with... Check out... an international sporting event in 2012 that doesn’t begin with the letter ‘O’ and ends in ‘lympics’. The finest in African Nations football will be gathered early next year for a fight to the (non-literal) death to prove who’s the best at the 4-4-2. Co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, will five-time winners (Egypt) prove victorious again, or will Cameroon or South Africa take it all the way to the top? The finals are from 21 January to the 12 February and will be broadcast on the BBC
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SHOPPING:
BOXPARK™ Take a break from the High Street in favour of a more innovative shopping experience. Check in... BOXPARK™ pop-up mall. Located in the heart of Shoreditch, this innovative set-up is adding a little oomph to the credit-card-crunching encounter. Utilising the concept of basic building blocks built on top of each other, the mall is due to stay in Shoreditch for the next five years. Rather than your average everyday stores, BOXPARK™ has gathered a creative group of fashion outlets, including (deep breath) 55DSL, Nike, Puma, Lacoste L!ve, Dockers, Luke, ONETrueSaxon, New Era, Evisu, Calvin Klein, Vans, Oakley, Urbanears, OnePiece, The North Face and Etnies. Add into the mix cafes, art galleries and concept stores from the likes of Amnesty and Penguin Books, and you’ll find it hard to return to return to the High Street ever again. Boxpark.co.uk
ART:
THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED Take a look at photos from artists since departed from planet earth. Check out... Some amazing photography. Do you still get a bit sniffley when Back To Black hits the radio waves (we do). Can’t apply your eyeliner without tearing up when you play Leave Me Alone (yeah, that too). Sounds like you’d better check out this exhibition of iconic photographs from deceased pop stars past and present. A series of images of influential musicians including Amy, alongside the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain and John Lennon. Head to Proud, Camden, NW1, from 14 December to 5 February 2012. Proudonline.co.uk (FD)
2011 TIPS IN NUMBERS How did our 2011 predictions work out?
GADGET:
DYSON HOT Alright you lavish loving luxury money lstudents (that last l is silent), Dyson have come up with some crazy idea of creating a fan heater... we know, we know. Check out... the beauty of Dyson engineering in the form of their new heater. Right now you may be thinking ‘Why am I going to let go of £269.99 of my hard earned (student loan) money?’ Here’s why... It’s a Dyson! Yet again, they haven’t come up short, with Air Multiplier technology that distributes the good bearable temperature throughout the room so you’re basking in a bubble of warm air with a snazzy blue and grey, or white and silver design – if only aesthetics could bring you to a happy finish... No, wait... Whether you have a spouse to snuggle up to this winter or they so happen to be a vampire, this is perfect. Perfect, we say. For more visit dyson.com (RH)
The amount of people we tipped from the world of music, film and sport.
FIDDY’S
WORLD OF WHATEVER
Number of Top 10 singles (3 from Wretch, 2 from Emeli, 1 from Yogi)
This month: Getting vexed for the right reasons. London-based rapper Bartoven made a good point recently – in which other culture would you wear a brand new pair of white trainers to a club then get mad when someone accidentally stomps on your tootsie, dirtying your attire in the process? Men have died over such things. Sense – it makes none. But, thankfully a new addition in my life this month, Summer of Unrest: Generation Vexed, an ebook by Kieran Yates and Nikesh Shukla takes a wider view on the anger and events around the 2011 riots that started in Tottenham, following the death of Mark Duggan. Priced at a mere £1.99 on iTunes or £1.79 on Amazon, the journo’s explore what the English riots DON’T tell us about the nation’s youth. Yes, that’s you. Brushing stereotypes aside, the dynamic duo investigates the creativity and entrepreneurialism that are defining a supposedly ‘lost’ generation. Yes, that’s you again. Designed to inspire and give you hope, and with some media outlets predicting riots becoming a frequent occurrence over the next five years, arm yourself with knowledge before anything else. Generation Vexed by @kieran_yates @nikeshshukla. Out now
(Approx) the amount of positions In Skepta’s porn video All Over The House.
The amount of viewers who tuned into the first episode of the Zawe Ashton starring Fresh Meat.
Ski competitions undertaken by our 2011 tippee Katie Summerhayes, five – five! - of which were first place, including Gold at the Brits in Laax, Switzerland. Good girl!
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ENOUGH ALREADY: The Self-Service Station Situation For those who’ve had the pleasure of being abused at the mechanical hands of a ‘speedy’ self-service till – whether that be in Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda or elsewhere – we’d like to take a moment to kick those machines right in the balls. Join us as we try and pull the plug on these electronic annoyances for 2012... outrage emitted by Danny Walker Image by Jiro Bevis MORE E.A FOR 2012
Crackheads We see you baby, shaking that jaw Egg heads We see you Brian, shaking that flask Primark Gangsters Stop trying to look tough in a £15 “leather” jacket Top Shop Truants Shopping at 10.15am on a Tuesday #fixup Brogues Banish the brown brogue brigade Dirty Stinky Vans Replace trainers, wash feet #simples Woeful weaves – All that hair but no idea 10 / RWDMAG.COM
Introduced several years ago by some idiot in a tanktop, the self-service checkout has transformed the supermarket shopping experience... for the worse. Not only have they been dreadful to use since their deployment, they’re seriously slow and are relied on so much by companies they’re costing jobs (and probably lives). It doesn’t matter which shop floor you’re on; Boots, B&Q, the Bedford Morrisons that should’ve been shutdown two years ago, it’s always the same. Minimal staff, the stale stench of cut price bargains (weeks past their bin buy date) and the disappointing glare of unused, unmanned machines. It’s funny when you’re in a massive queue and that one member of staff (you know, the extra spotty kid who can’t be trusted to pick his own face let alone work the real till) asks if you’d like to use the self checkouts. Everyone just looks at each other clasping their precious pre-purchases knowing how bad that experience is. It doesn’t matter how long the queue is either, people would rather stand in a long-off, three person wide mega line, like they’re waiting for a free iPhone 5, than use that till-shaped tomfoolery. Our disdain for those devices is much more than the simple fact that they’re rubbish. It’s like we
have a deep physiological fear of being parred by a machine. At least with human interaction at the end of your shop you know how it ends; ‘£4.99 please mate [chewing gum noises],’ or ‘Do you have an Advanced Nectar Premier Points Multi card?’ or at least an, ‘I’m sorry sir, your card has been declined three times now, we’ll have to put these magazines back on the top shelf.’ With a self-service situation, it’s just you and that annoying light at the top and when that goes red... you’re f**ked. Whenever I try to use these machines I get that red light of death. Who died I hear you ask? Well the next fifteen minutes of your life as ‘specially trained’ shop assistants miraculously appear as if from nowhere to try and make the light return to green. They don’t care about you; they just want to appease the machine. With key fobs flaying, the unresponsive touch screen is jabbed about 70 times before you’re finally allowed to buy stuff. Even when buying a simple Kit Kat I heard, “Please place item in the bagging area,” about 30 times. I don’t even want to tell you about the time I attempted to weigh my own banana. The solution is simple; either get some more staff or get some more customers.
presents
ASICS GEL-LYTE III
ASICS.CO.UK/SPORTSTYLE (£75) Keeping on top of this here fashion game ASICS bring to you the vibrantly coloured and retro styled ASICS GEL-LYTE III kicks. They’ll be no time wasted getting these trendy trainers on your feet either with a speed lacing system and once they’re in, comfort is the word, with a specially moulded sole featuring foot shock absorption and a tongue that won’t start wagging. Good news for sneaker addicts; we have three pairs to give away. Email [subject:ASICS] iwannawin@rwdmag.com to be in with a chance of winning.
LIANNE LA HAVAS
22 year-old, Greek/Jamaican/ south Londoner Lianne La Havas stunned the crowd during her recent awe-inspiring Jools Holland performance. With requests to perform everywhere from London to Paris and New York, this is only the beginning for the soon-to-be-star... image by Odi Caspi “I always sang but I didn’t know I wanted to sing as a career just because people make you think it isn’t certain,” the exuberant guitar strumming singer muses of turning a hobby into an actual job. After joining school choirs in order to boost her confidence, things progressed naturally for the girl who is also tipped for the top by our No.1 for 2012, Emeli Sandé. “I met a friend who I wrote music with and did backing vocals for a group of friends and got a taste of the scene and gigging and how much fun it was,” the emotive self taught guitarist tells us. Moving on to the past whirlwind of a year, how would Lianne describe herself now? “I play electric guitar with rhythmic finger picking and nice chords... hopefully,” she modestly manages to express whilst RWD think how about definitely and then some! Heartfelt and personal is a theme with this lady; from the soul soaked and stripped back Age to No Room For Doubt and just about every track off of the current EP Lost & Found. “I found it cathartic to write about what’s going on in my life... it kinda helps to get it off my chest into the world,” the trendy, star-in-waiting tells us about her far from hesitant approach to opening up on the EP.
When we bring up comparisons, there’s no shying away from them like other newbies do; Lianne is all over RWD likening her to Erykah Badu. “I am a huge, huge fan... when she plays and sings, I really identify with her. She’s someone I aspire too,” she says, before adding Nina Simone, Lauryn Hill, Laura Marling and Amy Winehouse to the list of strong women the Yukimi fan is influenced by. “Women that know themselves and don’t compromise themselves and also their voice,” she says, re-affirming her choices. Ms. Havas has been working on her debut LP for the past three years after meeting and instantly clicking with producer Aqualung (google Strange And Beauty). “It was exactly how I wanted it to be. I’ve ended up doing the album with him in the various houses he’s lived in. Writing is a really personal thing to do especially the style I write in,” the petite artist tells us. Using just one studio during the whole recording of the album means we’re in for a rather personal account come March. For now though you can catch the harmony enthusiast touring up and down the country. Lost and Found EP is out now. @liannelahavas (NS)
“I FOUND IT CATHARTIC TO WRITE ABOUT WHAT’S GOING ON IN MY LIFE....IT KINDA HELPS TO GET IT OFF MY CHEST INTO THE WORLD.”
MAHALIA
It’s not often we bang on about teenage stars here because let’s face it, they’re normally super annoying. But when someone like 13 year-old Leicester dwelling Mahalia comes around we listen, we listen deeply. After See The Light appeared on the tastemaker’s blog of choice, This Kid Is A Problem A&R’s went crazy for the soulful-folk track, written and executed to perfection by the talented teen. “A lot of people have inspired me with my style. People like Kate Nash, Corinne Bailey-Rae, Adele, and Bon Iver,” she says. Currently moving production from her home into the studio, the actor/dancer and basically all round starlet is set to release an acoustic mini album in January which the chirpy singer is “pumped about”. We’re not gonna lie we’re kinda pumped about it too! @mahaliaburkmar (NS)
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A$AP ROCKY
He’s that ‘pretty mother**cker ‘that just about everyone has been banging on about; Complex, Fader, Dummy and then Drake credited the Harlem hailing rapper as an inspiration for Take Care, which resulted in the straight forward spitter touring with the Canadian alongside RWD fave Kendrick Lamar. The A$AP Mob’s in-house team is strong too, with the underground’s newest shining star Clams Casino handling most of the production for Rocky’s latest mixtape LiveLoveA$AP, the follow up to Purple Swag, which dropped this summer together with a $3 milli deal with RCA. Managing to take his love of southern rap and mixing it with the lyrical simplicity of his NYC roots, no doubt the braided Acronym Symbolising Any Purpose, will be hitting us up with even more trill ish soon! @_ASAProcky. LiveLoveA$AP is out now for f-r-e-e (NS) 13
ASICS.CO.UK/SPORTSTYLE
presents
JAZZ LINTOTT
“WE TOOK JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME TO DERBY THAT WAS REALLY SOMETHING SPECIAL.” When 24 year-old actor Jazz Lintott isn’t conning people out of large sums of money or breaking through into the world of film, you’ll find him being challenged to ‘bar bets’, he tells Francesca Dunn... image by Adrian Nettleship Thrown into acting at the age of 13 when a family friend put his name down for National Youth Theatre auditions, the Barbados raised Lintott impressed judges and got himself a place on the prestigious course. Performances in plays with Matt Smith AKA Doctor Who soon followed. “NYT is brilliant. There’s so much talent there,” he tells us. The Jazzman went on to study film for a year and a half, getting a job as a runner for the BBC and almost immediately being promoted to 2nd Assistant Director. He’s even produced videos for everyone from N-Dubz to Giggs. Realising that he belonged in front of the camera and not behind it, the next stop was drama school’ following an appearance on The
Bill, Jazz got his Hollywood on with a role in the Dom Burnsdirected movie UFO alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme. “The script was amazing. We filmed in Derby - we took Van Damme to Derby!” We bet the Belgium beefcake loved it! As well as film roles, you might recognise our Jazz from The Real Hustle, in which he and his crew con the world. “Even though there are hidden cameras, you are actually robbing someone’s shop or whatever. So you always feel pretty scared,” he laughs of the undercover connery. “These people could actually freak out and anything could happen,” Like the time a guy chased the SBTRKT and Wretch fan and his fellow Hustlers with a Samurai sword after they ‘robbed’ his house! When it comes to his future hustle, Lintott would really like to break the rules. “I would love to be the first ethnic Bond. Outside Ronnie Scotts with a smoking jacket on and a Clarke Gable moustache... License to thrill!” Rumour has it that a new comic with a black SpiderMan has been released, so naturally he’s aiming for that too! @jazzlintott
L MARSHALL
You already know L Marshall from his hard working hook magic on Wretch’s Top 5 smash, Traktor, while the west London born, Brazil and Lagos raised singer and writer was also behind Loick Essien’s No.2 How We Roll. Having just dropped his mixtape, The Wait, the 24 year-old Manga and martial arts fan is readying his own album for release in 2012. “I’ve been in with Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis (T.I., Mary J, Justin Bieber), Supa Dups (Drake, Eminem,) and Novel (Gaga, Jason Derulo),” he says of his A-list line-up. “I had meetings with a couple of other labels and they all saw me as ‘the next Bruno Mars’. That’s not me at all,” laughs L of signing a deal. “Mercury saw that I’m ready to expand as an artist; I’ve got the raw sound for my mixtape, a gritty soul feel on my EP and then I want my album proper to be straight-up global pop. Nothing less than that.” @ lmarshallmusic (HC)
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SUPPORTED BY
CLEMENT MARFO & THE FRONTLINE This year more than any other, grime has evolved and the chart positions and record sales prove that. Nardene Scott discovers the next act about to be thrown into the limelight, seven piece hip hop/pop/rock fusion collective Clement Marfo and The Frontline. image by Andres Reynaga styling by Sophie Anderson video by Greg Bond
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Having built up a loyal fan base over the past couple of years with their electrifying live performances, the recently Warner Music signed band Clement Marfo and The Frontline are undoubtedly about to increase their fanbase tenfold. Down at our picturesque park photoshoot on a ridiculously cold December morning, the one-time hip hop/grime MC Clement Marfo clenches together his *eckõ varsity before he breaks down how the group came to be. “I remember the Jay-Z & Linkin Park collaboration and it sparked an idea,” Marfo smiles, sipping on his second sugar loaded coffee of the shoot. Organically, one soon became seven, and with it came all types of influences. “I represent hip hop, Kojo represents soul, Stacey on keys represents pop and the band members represent rock,” the south west Londoner states. Happy with the decision he made, the laidback lyricist praises his fellow bandmates for their input creatively. “Without those members I don’t think I would be in that position right now,” he points out, considering his About To Blow, Guardian New Band of the Day (“euphoric rave-grime-pop”) and MTV Brand New accolades, as well as forthcoming features with Sway, Kano and Ghetts. “Other man took the escalator, I always took the stairs,” the hard working MC states on the Sway featuring Rule The World; with 60 songs recorded it’s this amount of quality control that will ensure CMATF fans stay loyal. “In this generation there’s a lot of microwave music,” the Quincy Jones devotee explains. “People just put out a four-to-the-floor and some cheesy pop stuff to the public. We’re not on that.” Carefully thought-out releases, from current single Overtime and breakout hit Champion (which has been synced by Sky Sports ads for ATP Tennis, Superbowl XLV and StreetDance 3D) hurled the melting pot of musicians into a completely different demographic. Simultaneously supported on the FM dial everywhere from Radio 1 to Rinse, MTV soon caught wind and wasted no time in naming CMATF part of MTV’s Brand New for 2012. RWD witnessed their truly explosive performance at London’s legendary Koko, with the crowd erupting track after track. When special guests Ghetts and Kano joined the group – well,
beware festival goers as the sevenstrong band are looking to set the stages alight come 2012. Having toured with the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Florence + The Machine and Plan B, their live show is super-super sorted. When it comes down to the tuneage department, the in-house production is tight and Warner gives the band space creatively but once Clement pops a few fruit Mentos for his much needed sugar high (hey, there’s worse things you could be into) he can get down in just about every studio. They’ve worked with Ishi (Written In The Stars) TMS (No Regrets) Kevin Rudolf (Cash Money Records) and Andre Harris (half of super producers Dre & Vidal) and is patiently waiting to work with Wyclef and Labrinth. “Serendipity,” the frontman says, a word flying around the band at the moment as they try to come to terms with their rapid rise. Call it karma, destiny, good luck or sheer hard work, there’s no doubt these guys are About To Blow in 2012. Overtime is out now and you can keep up to date with the collective on Twitter @ClementMarfo. To see the *eckõ unltd collection head to JDsports.co.uk and head to RWDmag. com to see the Clement Marfo And the Frontline behind the scenes footage and interview.
“PEOPLE JUST PUT OUT A FOUR-TOTHE-FLOOR AND SOME CHEESY POP STUFF TO THE PUBLIC. WE’RE NOT ON THAT…” HIP HOP/ROCK COLLABS CMATF aren’t the only ones to mix it up. Check out the notable crossgenre collaborations below... Jay Z & Linkin Park Numb/Encore Run DMC & Aerosmith Walk This Way Ice T & Body Count Cop Killer Lil Wayne Rebirth Lupe Fiasco & Japanese Cartoon Heirplanes Public Enemy & Anthrax Bring The Noise Puff Daddy, Notorious BIG & Dave Grohl It’s All About The Benjamins Limp Bizkit & Method Man N 2 Gether Now Travis Barker & The Game Dope Boys
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ADISLAM
TOUR TIME As you know by now, adidas brought to you the UK’s biggest celebrity basketball tournament ever on 18 December in the heart of Essex.... image by Sam Bond 18 / RWDMAG.COM
But before your favourite celebs from TOWIE, Roll Deep and SBTV took to the adiSlam court; we headed out on tour to get you guys involved. Our customised adiSlam van complete with its bass-tingling custommade Pioneer sound system scoured the streets of Greater London to find the best street ballers around. The matt black machine (18 inch rims fitted) powered its way around the capital, taking in the sights. The adiSlam van ventured to the hottest shows in town including that of RWD fave Tinchy
Stryder, dancefloor filler Calvin Harris and the battle rapper turned chart stomper Professor Green. Not to mention t4 Stars of 2011 and all of the ballin’ hot spots to find the budding basketball stars of the future. Eventually we found badass b-ballers to compete in 3 on 3 battles at the adiSlam heats; the winners were then given the chance to take on the celebs in the sold out adiSlam tournament. Some lucky members of the public even managed to get the pimped out adiSlam van down to their school/
THE ADISLAM VAN IN NUMBERS
The amount of customised adiSlam basketball hoops that travelled with the adiSlam van.
The amount of designs Chidi created before coming up with the final body wrap for the adiSlam van.
No. of inches the adiSlam wheels were rolling on thanks to the custom fitted rims.
college/work by messaging us on Facebook and Twitter!!! Have a look for yourselves on adiSlam.co.uk where you can find photo blogs and exclusive footage from and leading up to adiSlam. Check adislam.co.uk
WE FOUND BADASS B-BALLERS TO COMPETE IN THE ADISLAM HEATS; THE WINNERS WERE THEN GIVEN THE CHANCE TO TAKE ON THE CELEBS IN THE SOLD OUT TOURNAMENT...”
Hours the adiSlam van spent on tour.
That’s the amounts of watts our Pioneer DDJ-ERGO-V Sound System threw into the atmosphere during our tour.
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STYLE GUIDE STYLE | FASHION | FASHION NEWS | REFRESHED
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WHAT TO WEAR AND HOW TO WEAR IT...
FOOT FALL PHOTOGRAPHY: RAVI SIDHU @REDNIVARS STYLING: IRENE ASANJI
SEBAGO sebago.com, £174.99
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STYLE GUIDE
CONVERSE size.co.uk, £82
FISH&CHIPS baselondon.com
TIMBERLAND jdsports.co.uk, £90
GOURMET gourmetfootwear.com, £155
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POINTER thegreat-divide.com, £170
BOXFRESH boxfresh.co.uk, £125
THE DUFFER OF ST GEORGE jdsports.co.uk, £60
CREATIVE RECREATION cr8rec.com 23
STYLE GUIDE
HUDSON hudsonshoes.com, £210
LUKE luke1977.com
WOLVERINE wolverineuk.com, £110
LACOSTE lacoste.com, £120
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HENRI LLOYD henrilloyd.com, £100
HUDSON hudsonshoes.com, £185
ADIDAS X RANSOM shop.adidas.co.uk
VOI voijeans.co.uk, £69.99 25
STYLE GUIDE
KICK OFF IN STYLE Made by the greatest, to bring out your best, Pelé, the greatest footballer of all time, wants to make sure 2012 kicks off to a great start with the launch of Pelé Sports Spring Summer range. Pelé has inspired and influenced both football fans and players across the globe and is well recognised for his amazing sporting career. The three distinctive ranges, Pelé Story, Pelada, and Performance offer a diverse selection of styles, suited to every aspect of the game from the social player, the football enthusiast, and even the professional football player. Each piece captures the legend’s love and adoration for a sport loved worldwide, which is at the very core of the Pelé Sports brand, and fuels the spirit of “Viva A Revoluçáo Bonita’ – ‘The Beautiful Revolution! pele-sports.com
Azteca, £59.99
Pelé Gold track jacket, £69.99 1958 Tee, £29.99
Pelé jersey, £44.99
Competitor 3/4 track bottoms, £49.99
LS Pelé Gold Gameday, £39.99
Trinity 3E, £149.99
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WINTER WARMERS
PHOTOGRAPHER: PHARAOH STYLIST: PC WILLIAMS GROOMING: LINZI DOWER MODEL: BILLEE @ AMCK
This page: Billee wears T shirt by PXL, shirt by Luke, jacket by Nike, hat by New Era Opposite page: Billee wears shoes by Lacoste, socks by Uniqlo, chinos by The Duffer Of St. George, belt - models own, jumper by Fly 53, cardigan by Marshall Artist 28 / RWDMAG.COM
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This page: Billee wears T shirt by The Duffer Of St. George, cardigan by Voi Jeans, hat by Pull-In Opposite page: Billee wears shirt by Element @ Surfdome.com, hat by New Era, stripey scarf by Buff, cream scarf by North Face @ Surfdome.com, red scarf - stylist Own
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Iona wears earrings and bracelets stylist own, top by American Apparel, shorts by BAPE, socks by Happy Socks X Giles Amber wears top by American Apparel, leggings by H&M, shoes by ALDO, watch by Casio
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This page: Billee wears trainers by Puma, jeans by Luke, gillet by Wrangler, jumper by The Duffer Of St. George, hat by PXL Opposite page: Billee wears chinos by ASOS, jumper by Bench @ JD, hat by New Era, ring by Vivienne Westwood
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This page: Thiswears page:T shirt Billee wears byRuben PXL, gillet by jacket by adidas, shirt Luke, scarf byT Buff by PXL,page: jeans by Opposite American Billee wears Apparel, shirt by trainersjacket by adidas, SuperDry, by hat by crooks Nickelson, chain&castles @ threads Stylist Own addiction.com Opp. page: Ruben wears hat and jacket Alpinestars, top by Farah Vintage, glasses by Ray Ban
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FASHION NEWS Irene Asanji brings us the latest from the world of streetwear... for more news on fashion, competitions and exclusive content go to RWDmag.com/fashion
4-SQUARED Bape, Rocky Mountain Featherbed Company and Harris Tweed team up to bring you the best vest around.
FLY 53 POP UP SHOP Independent brand FLY53 have opened their first pop up space in the heart of London’s Soho. Tired of the generic stores that are all over the city, FLY53 have created a safe haven for all those looking for something a little different in their shopping experience. The famous FLY53 skull has been given a new lease of life and can be found on everything from t-shirts and candles, to the shop interior. Open until the end of Jan, expect an impressive A/W collection including stand out knitwear, classic graphic tees and a number of one-off pieces. Pop in, have a look round, try something on, and even grab yourself another copy of RWD mag for your journey home as we’re stocked in there! Open from December until end of Jan 2012, FLY53 Store, 22 Peter Street, Soho, London, W1F 0AG 36 / RWDMAG.COM
The new vest is perfect for extreme conditions, both in terms of function and luxury. The attention to detail is impeccable; everything from the leather yoke, a body with goose down filling, and the Harris Tweed is featured in the classic BAPE house check. Not forgetting the snap fastened front ensuring the warmth stays in and the cold stays out, with this amazing attention to detail it’s never been easier to look extremely good in extremely bad weather. Keep warm, and look fresh this winter. Bape Rocky Mountain Featherbed Harris Tweed Vest £750, Available at bape.com
DISTURBING LONDON X MHI Disturbing London and MHI launch their much-anticipated first capsule range for 2012. Featuring a range of style staples such as aviator jackets, crew neck sweats, vests and shirts, the line, available exclusively at the Disturbing London website, captures the unique mix and influence of street style that London is so famously known for. Detail has gone into every aspect of the range, everything from the garment stitching, to the bespoke camo print featuring the unique skull silhouette, exclusive to the Disturbing London project. Fronted by Tinie Tempah, who has made his mark in mens style over the past year, the MC was on hand to add his unique touch to the project. Other musical ambassadors include G FrSH, Sasha, and Dot JR. This Premium collaborative collection sits alongside the existing core Disturbing London tour line, consisting of a fine selection of unique wardrobe essentials. Grab yourself a slice of London style while you can it. Disturbing London x MHI Inverted Tour Jacket £245, available at disturbinglondonstore.com
CK DICE Watch specialists Black Dice are right on time with their range of time pieces that are perfect for the year ahead. The latest collection from Black Dice has been crafted from the highest quality ceramic. The collection comes in a polished ceramic finish as well as the slightly more unique looking matt finish and are all Water Resistant to 50 metres. They also have scratch resistant sapphire glass and a silicon strap for comfort. Both the glossy and matt ceramic finish is available in either black or white. Tell the time with something special in the New Year. Black Dice King range £175, available at blackdiceindustries.com
BARE KNUCKLE British street wear brand Rum Knuckles have stopped at nothing but perfection with their latest range.
OSAKA NEP DENIM BY VOI SS12 push their expert Denim washes to new levels. Voi Jeans, known for driving value for money as well as quality, have kept their promise to their loyal followers with their upcoming Spring/Summer campaign (SS12) with a lot more attention to their denim line. The star of the show is the Osaka NEP Denim Jeans, which have a standard five pocket feature, and traditional cut and sew finishing touches. Every fine detail from the wash of the denim, which comes in a choice of blue and grey, down to the stitch has been carefully considered giving you the best Voi jeans have to offer. Embrace a new member to the Voi family and take your denim to new levels. Voi Osaka NEP Jeans £60, available at voijeans.co.uk
The second collection takes its cue from the brand’s successful debut 2010 range, drawing influences from 1950s naval tattoos and symbolism. Expect printed T-shirts portraying everything from iconic figures, skulls and tattoo artwork all mixed with legendary artist Rugman’s signature ‘Disney twist’ characters, expressing his fascination with mysticism and mortality. Take your pick from classic crew neck sweatshirts, zip hoodies with contrast colour sleeves and pocket, and a selection of t’s with some of Rugman’s amazing artwork. Shirts are priced at £30, from rumknuckles.com
DR. MARTENS COLLAB This season sees the union of Dr. Martens and The British Millerain Co. creating a range of footwear, clothing and accessories. Using a selection of the finest in traditional waxed canvas fabrics, the partnership between the two brands has brought out the best in both of these traditional brands. Footwear from The Windsor collection blends waxed canvas and premium leather in traditional shades of dark brown and tan. Pieces in the range consist of the classic 8-eye boot, chukka boots, and 3-eye shoe. Expect strong hints of British countryside style, and all things traditionally British. Step out in a new slice of British tradition. The Windsor Lark 8-Eye Boot £185, available at drmartens.com 37
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“SOMETIMES I’M JUST THERE TRYING TO WRITE WITH SOMEBODY AND THERE’S TOO MANY EGO’S IN THE ROOM (LAUGHS). SO I WAS JUST WORRIED THAT THIS BIG INSPIRATION I HAD WAS JUST GOING TO BE A BIG EGO - BUT ALICIA WAS SO COOL.” 38 / RWDMAG.COM
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EMELI SANDÉ She’s one of our favourite new artists of 2011, and we think she’s about to go stratospheric in 2012; songwriter to the stars, owner of (one of) the most gorgeous vocals known to man, the bright blond, Frida Kahlo inked, cello playing Emeli Sandé talks to Hattie Collins about her hopes for next year... images by Andres Reynaga styling by Janine Jauvel make-up by Maria Asadi Using Mac Cosmetics thanks to fitzhardingestreet.com Having seen her performances on Jools Holland, X Factor and various sites on the world wide webs, it’s a surprise to see Emeli Sandé live; bounding onto Koko’s stage she explodes like a little ball of crazy Scottish craziness. Jumping about, pumping her fists like the rappers she’s written for, she’s much more energetic than her slightly more sedate TV appearances have so far suggested. “When I get onstage, I want the passion I have for the music to really come across,” the Scottish singer/ songwriter laughs. “I love showing people that I love the songs and expressing that in everyway I can. I just let go of myself and let the music flow through me and enjoy it.”
It could almost be a metaphor for her career; it might appear to have been a slow road from the casual onlooker’s point of view; for years she’s been behind the scenes, writing for other artists, waiting for a label to see the vision and snap her up. Eventually one did; EMI signed Sandé and now the Lauryn Hill, Joni Mitchell and Virginia Woolf fan is blowing up all over the flipping place. Simon Cowell’s favourite new songwriter, No.1’s with Pro Green, a No.2 debut single, sold out tours, collaborations with Alicia Keys and supporting Coldplay... If this is 2011, what the hell will happen in 2012? With a Brits Critic’s Choice Award (See previous winners: Jessie J and Adele), under her Frida Kahlo tatted arm, we wonder how this warm, downto-earth young woman is handling the impending fame and fortune? “I feel really excited about it,” she grins. “When you work so hard behind the scenes and no one knows or cares who you are, when you get that recognition and you work really hard for it, it just feels great,” she decides. “I’ve just got to keep doing what I do and I’m not going to change the way I approach anything. So I feel excited and I feel great to get that acknowledgment.” Firstly, the album. What’s behind the Our Version Of Events title? For me the title means it’s what I’m experiencing, it’s my truth. Hopefully I can put things on the radio or on TV that aren’t normally said or might not usually be expressed. I do feel a lot of people my age are misrepresented by
what’s on radio or are told what they like. So I wanted to write something that was a bit more truthful or honest. Naughty Boy is a big part of the album’s sound. Tell us about your relationship? I was doing a placement in Madrid and I had to fly to London to perform at Iluvlive. He had come to see another girl perform, he saw me, came up to me, said he liked what I did, and that he’d done Black Boys with Bashy. Me and my sister loved that song so when he said ‘Do you want to come and hear my stuff?’, me, my sister and him sat in his car listening to songs. I loved how passionate he was about his music. I didn’t know if I’d ever see him again and I sent him a Myspace message. When I got back from Spain, we did a session and it went so well; I flew down and we had no studio, I was camping on the floor, but we wrote Mountains and Daddy, in our first session. We knew straight away it was special and we loved working with each other. I think it was because I trusted him as a producer and he respected me as a writer, so no one was second guessing each other. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for him. You have a new fan in the form of Adele whose third ever tweet was about you. That was amazing. She’s one of the biggest sellers in the world at the moment and her voice is just beautiful. I remember seeing her coming up and up from three years ago. For someone that big and who has had such a natural progression and who really cares about music, It’s incredible to have Adele big39
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“WHEN YOU WORK SO HARD BEHIND THE SCENES AND NO ONE KNOWS OR CARES WHO YOU ARE, WHEN YOU GET THAT RECOGNITION AND YOU WORK REALLY HARD FOR IT, IT FEELS GREAT…” ging me up. It’s amazing. Her name is Adele and your real name is Adele. There’s an album there waiting to happen. Old Adele and New Adele (laughs). No, it would be cool to be in the studio with her, see how she works. I think, from the sounds of it, we both have a very natural approach to how we sing, nothing’s forced. That’s the impression I get when I hear her music anyway so it would be great to see how she works. Having written tracks for Tinie, Pro, Cheryl Cole, SuBo etc., are you writing for anyone else? Um... Maybe. The Leona Lewis album is probably going to involve some of my songs and I’m working with John Legend in January, which will be great, and the Alicia Keys album is coming so there’s stuff people can look out for. Were you nervous to work with her? I was just excited. I remember being on the plane on the way over thinking ‘Oh, this is a bit weird, I’m going to work with Alicia Keys’ (laughs). I was a little bit nervous because sometimes you work with celebrities – I don’t get starstruck or anything – but I’m just there trying to write with somebody and there’s too many ego’s in the room (laughs). So I was just worried that this big inspiration I had was just going to be a big ego - but she was so down to earth. Ohh, who, who! Tell us who! I’m not going to mention any names! (Laughs). Who else will do well in 2012? I went to a Lianne La Havas gig a few weeks ago and I thought she was amazing. Labrinth is doing awesome, Frank Ocean is wicked.
What are your plans for 2012? Releasing the album in February is a big thing cos it’s been years in the making, so I just want to get that out. I’ll be touring lots, trying to take the album as far as possible; get it in Europe and America. I’d love to get into soundtracks and composing for film. But all in all, I want to be an established artist. I want people to know me as an album artist. I don’t want to be all about the singles. I want to establish myself as an important musician in the UK. That’s a big hope. You never know how people will receive it; all I can do is sing my heart out! Our Version Of Events is out 5 February. @emelisande
QUICK-SANDÉ Who is your celebrity crush? Frank Ocean. He’s so sexy and cool. If you could work with anyone in the whole world, who would it be? Right now [the actress] Samantha Morton. It’s a bit random but I’ve seen a few of her movies and I think she’s amazing. I’d love to just meet her and chat with her. Maybe I could do some of the music for one of her films. That would be awesome. Album of 2011? Ed Sheeran’s +. Signature dish to cook? I love tuna and rice for some reason! Simple! Highlight of 2011? Debut single going to No.2, working with Alicia Keys, supporting Coldplay... so many!
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NASIR MAZHAR He’s created hats for Lady Gaga and Madonna; but the grime scene is where this headwear designer’s heart is. Hattie Collins meets east Londoner Nasir Mazhar... images by Adrian Nettleship “Either you have rich parents – most people in fashion have rich parents – or you get a job to fund what you’re doing. That’s what I did. I worked a job to fund my first, very small, collection.” Fashion was a world away from Nasir Mazhar’s Leytonstone upbringing; but he didn’t let that deter him. After a school-based work placement went awry, he was given a couple of other intern options. “I chose Vidal Sassoon in Knightsbridge and it opened my eyes to a whole world I didn’t know existed. I didn’t understand it, but I knew I wanted to be involved in it.” Despite having no background or education in millinery or fashion, the former hairdresser saved his cash from barnet shaping and took an evening course in hat-making. After meeting a theatre designer through a mutual friend, he learned on the job, teaching himself the basics of millinery as he went. “I knew nothing about making hats. I didn’t study anything creative at school; I was more into sports,” he admits. “I learnt by watching the designer; I practiced, asked a million questions, researched and taught myself.” Sending a few creations to just two publications, i-D and Dazed, he got his first piece of press in the former and a commission by Dazed’s creative director, Nicola Formechetti (now fashion director at Haus Of Gaga), to create a piece in Another Magazine. “I didn’t send my hats to loads of people; I kept it very small and tried to control what was going on. I had no idea what I was doing at that point to be honest,” he grins, “I just knew I didn’t want to sell out. I sent it to the best and it got an immediate response.” That was five years ago, and now Mazhar is one of the leading creative’s in headwear. He’s designed pieces for fashionista Gareth Pugh, worked on a Madonna headpiece for the cover of Dazed and created couture concoctions for Lady Gaga’s videos and tours. But 42 / RWDMAG.COM
while he might make money creating one-off pieces for the pop world, it’s a love of the UK underground that inspires his baseball cap line. “I grew up on jungle, garage and grime and I’m very much influenced by that,” he says of using artists like Shystie and Lioness in his catwalk shows. “I design my caps for the yout! I design for people that, like me, wear caps, but who want to
be different and wear something not everyone else has. At the same time, I want to keep doing my other line, making one-off luxury pieces and work with other designers, musicians, on film sets...” His incoming season is inspired by hot girls, gangs (as in groups and how people interact) and a “tropical jungle vibe; floral, leopard, zebra, weird 80s
prints. It’s like Miami Beach print meets Jazzy Fresh and the Fresh Prince.” Next up, there’s commissions with Louise Gray, the new collection to design, a show in New York and collaborations he’s not allowed to talk about. What advice would he offer to novice designers looking to make their mark? “It’s about doing something different,” he decides. “I totally redesigned the cap I think; the
peak has sides, it’s not round, it’s not so big either. It started because I got bored of caps all looking the same and also, everyone wants something no one has. So I wanted to re-design and reinvent the baseball cap. It’s not selling millions yet,” he says with a final grin, “But I did something different. And that’s pretty good I think.” Nasirmazhar.com
OTHER HAT-MAKERS YOU NEED TO KNOW... Philip Treacy He had no less than 36 hats on heads at the Will and Kate wedding. Treacy is so acclaimed in fact, Lady Gaga recently signed up for an internship. Stephen Jones Created for Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, Princess Di, Grace Jones, Take That, Usher and Madonna.
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JESSIE WARE Best known for her work with SBTRKT and her contribution to the beautiful Valentine with Sampha, Jessie Ware is heading on up in the musical world. Francesca Dunn explains why. “It’s going really well. I’m enjoying it so much!” says Jessie, fresh from the impressive Red Bull Studios, where she’s recording her debut album. Working with the likes of Julio Bashmore and Lightspeed Champion means she’s a busy girl right now. Starting out as a backing vocalist, before moving on to feature work and now a solo singer, Jessie admits that she found the writing process quite daunting at first. “I’d never ever done it before. I had to go into the studio and learn how to open up. I’m learning to love it!” Jessie went to school with a talented indie bunch, including Florence, The Maccabees, and best friend Jack Penaté. As they headed into music, Jessie followed her journalism dreams before being drawn back 44 / RWDMAG.COM
to the world of audio. Describing her sound as moody R&B on one side and a groove that people can dance to on the other, her style is pretty unique. Raised on such female leg-ends as Whitney, TLC and Aaliyah, Jessie also loved the odd rave, which got her into dance and D&B. Sharing this love with Bristolian producer Joker, he approached the singer with a track he thought she would sit perfectly on. The result was the tingling warped-basslaced The Vision, the title track on the bass lord’s debut LP. Collabing with SBTRKT on his album of epic proportions, Jessie managed to showcase her talent for the world to see. “My very first session, I was so unbelievably petrified that I couldn’t really speak for most of the day! He was very generous and taught me a lot about music that I didn’t know before.” Excited about doing her own stuff, Jessie is also planning to tour in 2012. ”I can’t wait because that’s where I started. I’m absolutely petrified but excited.” @jessieware
“MY VERY FIRST SESSION WAS WITH HIM [SBTRKT] AND IT WAS PRETTY AMAZING. I WAS SO UNBELIEVABLY PETRIFIED THAT I COULDN’T REALLY SPEAK FOR MOST OF THE DAY...” JESSIE’S TIPS FOR 2012 Sampha: I hope he blows up. He’s a real talent and an incredible writer. 2:54: Two sisters that are quite similar to Warpaint and incredible live. Lianne La Havas: I’m in love with her voice at the moment and looking forward to hearing more from her. Watching her on Jools Holland, just the way she smiles and sings, it’s gorgeous.
“WRETCH HEARD DON’T GO AND PUT THE VERSES ON IT THE FIRST DAY. STRAIGHT AWAY WE KNEW SOMETHING WAS THERE.”
JOSH KUMRA If you’re a regular RWD reader you’ll already know that we can’t get enough of a man and his guitar, from Maverick Sabre to Ed Sheeran and Josh Osho. Our newest obsession is the bluesy folkster Josh Kumra, so Nardene Scott met up with him to find out what it’s been like touring alongside Wretch 32 plus plans for his 2012 solo mission. “My tonsils are the size of golf balls,” the Swindon singer tells us whilst sipping on his tea. To be honest we’re not surprised after the whirlwind of a year he’s had since Wretch 32 took a liking to a little ditty he wrote alongside writing partner Maiday called Don’t Go. “Wretch heard it and put the verses on the first day. Straight away we knew something was there,” the SBTRKT and Sampha fan explains of how the instant chart topper came around. We continue to gas the songwriter, listing all of the amazing shows he’s played at from Wireless to Jools Holland, to which he responds, “It’s been absolutely crazy. I used to watch Jools when I was a kid, so to eventually be on it is amazing.” It was just 18 months ago when the commute to London for studio sessions became such a bore that Kumra took the plunge and moved to The Big Smoke. “The first show I did in London I got management out of it and the
first week I lived in London I got Don’t Go,” the passionate poker playing EMI/ Levels artist laughs before offering some sound advice to aspiring artists: “Move to London!” After exploring more of Josh’s original material (Quickie and Call Off The Search require automatic pull ups, you’ve been warned) it’s no wonder the biggest influence for him growing up musically was Tracy Chapman. “I kind of approach music the way she did in that album. At the time I was young, but I could hear the pain and the emotion and that’s what I wanna do,” the focused, self-taught strummer states seriously. Already plans are underway for the album due in 2012. “I’ve been working with some big songwriters; Eg White,
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Martin Brava and a couple of the Paulo Nutini guys too...Sound-wise, it’s just gonna be a natural thing. Incorporate all the influences from folk music, blues and urban.” As well as wanting to collaborate with previous One To Watch star Birdy – “She’s really emotive and I think that her and I could be something really good” - expect more songs, remixes and a bunch of live dates from Josh. joshkumra.com and @joshkumra
JOSH’S TIPS FOR 2012 Ben Howard: I think his first album, Every Kingdom, reached No.4. He’s really putting himself out in the right places and everybody in the music world knows about him and I think next year he’ll be massive!
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ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN What separates a regular teenager with a passion for football, hip hop and gaming from one who cost Arsenal an incredible £15Million? Well Call of Duty loving Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is special. Not just because he’s one of the most exciting young Football players in the world and not even because he’s the youngest Englishman to score a Champions League goal, but Chambo is Always On. Tego Sigel sat down with the FIFA addict and the name on the lips of football fans the world over to talk about his life off the pitch... Image by James Conway
What kind of music do you like? A bit of all-sorts to be honest, but mainly R&B and rap. At the moment I’m listening to a lot of Drake, a lot of Rick Ross, I like Kanye’s new album with JayZ, a lot of stuff. Is that the music you get pumped-up to before games? Yeah absolutely. I like a lot of the grime stuff that’s coming through as well, the English artists; Tinchy Stryder, Tinie Tempah, Chipmunk, Giggs, Wretch 32, I think they’re coming on really well. I do listen to that before games, or even just in the car or on my iPod. Are you a gaming fan? Definitely. I’ve always been a FIFA man. I’m getting better at FIFA 12; I started 46 / RWDMAG.COM
off a bit rusty, I was struggling, but I’m getting better at it. How accurate is FIFA to the eyes of a professional footballer? It’s getting more accurate I would say. It’s a lot more realistic this year, you can’t just dribble past people. Different players turn quicker. It is realistic and I think with the type of footballer you are, you relay that into the way you play FIFA. Like when I play, I usually get it out wide, try and take someone on, use a trick and when I play some of the boys who are defenders, they’re a bit more like pass-pass and they’re not as flashy. How about other games? Call of Duty? Battlefield?
“I THINK WITH THE TYPE OF FOOTBALLER YOU ARE, YOU RELAY THAT INTO THE WAY YOU PLAY FIFA. LIKE WHEN I PLAY, I USUALLY GET IT OUT WIDE, TRY AND TAKE SOMEONE ON, USE A TRICK...”
Call of Duty, yeah. I haven’t got on to Battlefield yet. I’ve got it but I haven’t started playing it. I’ve heard it’s good. Are you an online player? Yeah, definitely. Do you find yourself camping a lot? Yeah, a bit of that. If I’m having a bit of a stinker I do tend to start camping, try and regain my composure [laughs]. I’m not the best, I do alright. What do you watch on TV? I’ve been watching Entourage. I know it’s been about for ages but I only just got into it. I think I’ve got through about eight seasons in about three weeks so I’ve been battering that at the moment. You’re on Twitter now, who persuaded you to join?
It was the [Arsenal] lads mainly. I think a lot of them are getting into it now so I thought I’d get in there and try it out. You can read a whole timeline of Emmanuel Frimpong shouting “DENCH!” I get it every day at training [laughs]. What kind of films do you like? Action. I’m being dragged in to watch Paranormal Activity 3 tonight and it looks really scary. I’m going to be struggling to get to sleep tonight! Do you have a favourite film? I’m going to say Entourage when it comes out [laughs]. Shawshank Redemption is a quality film too. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is wearing the new SS12 collection from Nike Sportswear, nikesportswear.com
ENTER THE CHAMBERS At 18 years and 44 days, Alex OxladeChamberlain became the youngest Englishman to ever score in the Champions League when he fired in Arsenal’s win over Olympiacos in September. Alex was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year for the 2010/11 season after scoring 10 goals for former club Southampton. Alex’s dad Marc Chamberlain played eight times for England. Arsené Wenger believes Alex can still force his way into the England team for Euro 2012 despite only playing six times since signing for £15Million.
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AZEALIA BANKS Similar to the hype that Odd Future created when they stepped into the scene last year, Azealia Banks already has the underground on lock. Now currently being courted by everyone from the broadsheets to the Shoreditch trendies things are about to get even greater. Nardene Scott puts in a call to see how the rapper is finding her new found status.. “I’m sure it hasn’t even gotten as big as it’s going to get but it kinda feels like you’re not yourself,” the potty mouthed Harlem-ite tells us of her giant leap into the media spotlight. “You hear the music and you’re like ‘What is that? That’s me? That’s weird’. You want to run and hide 48 / RWDMAG.COM
under a rock!” When 212 hit the web a couple of months ago (half a million views and counting), its inexplicable use of the word c**t, goofy ass dancing and musical balance impressed hip hop and indie heads everywhere. Now tipped by everyone from GQ to Vice and RWD, the NME even listed the 20 year-old as the coolest person in the world in 2011. In fact the UK has adopted the New Yorker as one of our own with sold out shows in all of the hippest venues around the capital and DJ’s praising her with all types of accolades, which, quite frankly, freaked the singer/MC out. “It’s like you’ve exposed yourself now and everyone is just looking and you’re like ‘Oh f**k!’”. Despite all of this Ah-zee-leeyah still feels comfortable referring to herself as a normal 20 year-old, with her
perfect day consisting of “Waking up in a f**king awesome hotel, shopping, getting my nails did and doing more shopping”. This huge Rihanna fan is no slouch though; it seems almost fortuitous that she trained at the same spot as two other incredible talents, Nicki Minaj and Kelis: LaGuardia “Fame” High. “It was just always my dream to be a performer of some sort,” she insists. “But it didn’t really turn into the rap thing until I was around 16.” It’s taken a minute for the rapper to find her style; indeed she cringes at the thought of tracks she laid down four years ago. “I was so retarded... I mean I definitely think I’m starting to get a bit of maturity and style to what I’m doing,” the straight talker assures us. When she’s not retweeting her haters and driving
7 LADY LESHURR her mum wild playing the same random jazz cuts over and over again considering how she’s going to rework them, (see Azealia’s Slow Hands cover) the fashion obsessive is hooking up with fellow cool kids like Canadian beatmaker Lunice. The outcome was Runnin, a tune that takes the ambitious character out of the onehit wonder club and into the beat slaughtering realm. “I took it, and f**ked it up.” Having slept on studio floors during her last European tour and grasping time from some sort of mythical place to work with super producer Paul Epworth [Adele, Florence...] next up on the agenda is, “an album from Azealia Banks and some fly sh*t. It’s just the beginning of something really big, well, big for me, so I have to really relish in that and not get distracted.” @azealiabanks
The age ol’ saying ‘good things come in small packages’ isn’t half wrong when you’ve got the pint size female spitter causing a ruckus over the web and airwaves. Hailing from Brum Brum Brum Brum, Lady Leshurr is set for a plethora of mentions in 2012 as she eats up the bars like ‘num num num!’ words Ralph Hardy Wanting to be a boss from young, Melesha O’Garro is controlling her own future setting up the GutterStrut label and releasing her first single Lego. “It weren’t even a thing where it was gonna be the single, I just got in the booth and had fun,” Leshurr states with a grin. The swift spiting one has come
a long way since mixing DJ Hype’s infamous hyper hyper The Chopper at the tender age of 13 in the youth club behind her house. “I was actually serious about acting but I wanted to rap so I knew I had to cut down”, the artist says of her appearance in Brum-flick 1 Day. She plans on getting back to acting, dancing and the rest of her artistry talents when she has time. “People call and say they want to book 367,” she says of her hectic PA schedule. Indeed, the solo act is flying the flag for women comfortably with Minaj and Ms. Dynamite in mind when she thinks of females in the world she rates. “She opened this wide door for all of us to run in so I appreciate all the female MCs that are reppin.” Leshurr’s debut album is due March 2012. @ladyleshurr 49
12 FOR 2012 WOODKID Technically living in Paris, talented Frenchy Yoann Lemoine AKA Woodkid has spent the past year travelling all over the world with both his musical project and his career as a director. words by Francesca Dunn image by Oddisee Having won awards for music videos he’s created for the likes of Moby, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift, Lemonie has begun to explore a new area of creativity in the form of Woodkid. With his first EP, Iron (including the incredible Assassin’s Creed theme song), gaining millions of views on Youtube, it is safe to say that the Agyness Deyn collaborator’s musical career is off to a great start. Describing his productions as “epic, cinematic and emotional”, he really is something special. With a circle of musically talented friends (the 27 year-old counts electro giants Justice as mates), it’s hard not to be inspired. “My influences are very wide. My music is like orchestral and tribal music but composed and edited like electro music, with the power of hip hop productions.” Obviously a very visual person, Yoann uses a lot of images as references when creating music – something that apparently not everyone ‘got’ when recording. “I had a lot of images in my head and on paper and I showed them to people in the studio. Some of them were not really understanding,” he grins. It’s not often that musicians direct their own videos, and Woodkid’s Iron is one of the most impressive productions we’ve seen all year. The black and white, slow motion vid is almost a mini film and must be seen to be believed. “The idea is open to interpretation, it is basically fragments of a story, pieces of a puzzle that people can understand as they want.” We see incredible potential in Woodkid and look forward to his future offerings and collaborations. “I would love to work with Mark Ronson, Bat for Lashes, a lot of English producers actually...” Other plans for 2012 include releasing an album that people will love. “It is very epic and violent, dark and extremely romantic too.” Woodkid also plans to give fans goosebumps with his tour; judging by his work so far, he can defo do that. @yoannlemoine
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“IT IS VERY EPIC AND VIOLENT, DARK AND EXTREMELY ROMANTIC TOO.”
9 NAUGHTY BOY Hattie Collins meets the enigmatic, mysterious music-maker Naughty Boy to find out why the fact he creates hits for everyone from Emeli Sandé to Cheryl Cole is the least interesting thing about him... image by Sam Bond When it comes to tipping Shahid “Naughty Boy” Khan, maybe we’re too late? Having produced smashes for everyone from his creative partner Emeli Sandé (Heaven, Daddy) to album cuts for Susan Boyle, Tinie Tempah and Professor Green, perhaps Naughty Boy has already surpassed the ‘about-to-bebig’ stage? “I don’t feel like I’ve blown at all because I want people to understand me through the music. When my music comes out that’s when I’ll feel like I’ve done something,” decides the 27 yearold from Watford. “Next year when my own album comes out, I’ll feel like that’s an achievement. I grew up admiring the likes of Timbaland and Pharrell, as well as Bollywood soundtracks,” he continues. “But, I think that the US sound has become somewhat stale. I want to show that in Britain we make vital, innovative sounds that are as, if not more, valid
“IT HAS A CONCEPT TO IT, SO IT’S MORE LIKE A FILM IN SOME RESPECTS. I VIEW IT LIKE I’M NOT JUST A PRODUCER – I’M A DIRECTOR TOO.” NAUGHTY’S TIPS FOR 2102 Dot Rotten: He’s my favourite rapper. He just doesn’t give a sh*t and I feel like that’s been lost a bit with UK rappers. He hasn’t had to conform and I love that. Saving Grace: They’re a boy and a girl act and the stuff they’re doing and where it’s going is mahuse!
than the big American producers.” Since making Bashy’s Black Boys from his parent’s shed in Watford, NB has seen his career spiral on an upward trajectory. Over the last 12 months, he has become one of the UK’s most sought-after sound creators, winning the acclaim of Simon Cowell who called Naughty a “musical genius”. Right now, his current studio sessions involve a certain Cheryl Cole with Will.i.am sitting in as co-producer. “It’s about to go colossal”, he laughs. “It’s exciting stuff.” Yet, more than those he’s producing for, it’s the aforementioned debut album, due for release next year, that we’re most excited about. Titled in honour of his west London studio, Hotel Cabana will feature appearances from Ed Sheeran, Tinie, Emeli, Leona and Pro Green. From what Naughty Boy played us, it’s somewhat erring on the side of epic. “I want it to be an album for our time. With Emeli’s album, my album and everything else, I want to change the game a bit,” he says of 2012. “If Heaven blows in America, that’ll change the game. Changing the face of pop music? Making it darker? I want to be part of that.” @naughtyboymusic 51
12 FOR 2012
FREYA MAVOR You’ll probably recognise the beautiful Freya Mavor from a certain controversial TV show (Skins, for those out of the loop). Having spent most of her teenage years living in France, when she’s not filming, the fluent-in-French actress now lives up in Edinburgh with her fam. During one fateful bus journey, Freya overheard two girls chatting about the Skins casting and headed on down to Bristol. The epic journey from Scotland was definitely worth it, as the 18 year-old was given the role of Miss Mini McGuiness. words by Francesca Dunn Image by James Pearson-Howes Describe Mini McGuiness in three words... Feisty, complex and ferocious. Are you and your character similar? I remember when I first got the role, I was really terrified about playing her because she can be very cruel, very 52 / RWDMAG.COM
obsessed with putting on a front, and quite vain. As I’ve been playing her for two years now, I’ve realised certain aspects that I do actually share with her, mainly the need to be in control. So we definitely have that in common, but the rest of it, no way. She can be a massive tw*t! Who’s your favourite Skins character? I think Chris was an amazing character. He was great - he had such a great storyline and he was really, really hot! [laughs] I met Joe Dempsie, who played him, for about two seconds last year. My legs buckled. Who is your celebrity crush? Probably Michael Fassbender. He’s an Irish actor and he’s so stunning. If you could work alongside any actor or actress, who would it be? I’d definitely love to work with Julianne Moore or Frances McDormand. And guy-wise, probably Michael Fassbender. What do you hope to achieve in the next year?
I want to go travelling with a friend of mine for a few months to do a Buddhism course, because we’re both really into meditation. We’re thinking of going to Thailand, and then maybe Bali to bask in the glorious weather! Other than that, I’m going to stay with a friend in Paris in January to keep up with my French. I’d also like to do some theatre. I’m just going to see what comes along, and try out for lots of different things. The sixth series of Skins airs on E4 in January. @freyamavor_
FREYA’S TIPS FOR 2012 Robert Sheehan: He’s doing amazingly well. And he’s hot, and Irish. You know, it’s a bonus. He’s a great actor. The Envy Corps: They’re a band that nobody seems to have heard of but they’re really, really good. I definitely think that they could be, and should be, a big woopdedoo in 2012. My Fellow Castmembers: Skins is a really good show to showcase talent.
11 12 “...WE CREATED AN IDEA, WE PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MIND WAS AND WE ENDED UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WORKED...” FLIPBOX
VANESSA FERDINAND
Since we moved to Shoreditch, RWD have met a few cool neighbours. The newest is FlipBox Creative, an innovative production company that has already attracted clients including Channel 4 and Nike SB. Image by Sam Bond
There isn’t many a female, let alone person, who decides to pick up a tattoo gun to create personal art with ink, but Vanessa Ferdinand shows timeless pieces are just that with the right graceful touch.
Their company may just be 11 months old, but Media Arts grad (Ricky Keogh) and Laurence Reading, a Technicolour grad, have already worked on a variety of videos. “The one we made for a very good friend of ours, Mikill Pane is a favourite.” No rest for the wicked though; the dedicated duo have since gone on to work with Don’t Panic, Nike SB, Channel 4 and have more set up for the future although they’re keeping that a secret. As for the almost overnight success? “We created an idea, we put our money where our mind was and we ended up with something that worked pretty well.” flipboxcreative.co.uk
Doing tattoos crossed Vanessa Ferdinand’s mind during the summer of 2010, but since the thought was incepted by a random girl she met who had her own kit, the 23 year-old has inked up just about everyone, including a few of RWD’s mates - Mikill Pane, Ed Sheeran and Jamal Edwards. Light work. The British lass has always had a love for the medium; from studying art and design at college and now relating to the emotional expression within her work. “When people look at it and they look really happy - they’re going to have it for life. The fact that they’re always gonna have that, it’s like a gift,” she says of the highlights of the job. “I’m a
part of their history.” Whilst enjoying Shoreditch nightlife with a can of K, you can see her own body tatted up like the subways in Harlem, including pretty much all of her left leg which she did herself. Forever rolling with the framed up Rolo character shipwrecked at sea on her shin, Vanoob as she’s also known also dabbles in music. Her sonic “is kind of nostalgic soul folk”, brought to the people via her soft toned voice and ukulele (yes Ed Sheeran...Strings...Ahoy!) creating thinking music. “I guess through time, I try and translate life experiences into things that can be greater.” There is much more in store with this gem of an artist. [RH] PurpleFerdinand.Tumblr.com and Youtube.com/Vanoob
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INTERVIEW MISTAJAM
PUMP UP THE JAM When it comes to wrapping up 2011 and predicting what’s next for 2012, we knew we had to go to the man who knows music inside out and back to front. We love Mistajam. A lot. Like, A LOT! The Radio 1 and 1Xtra Jam-Hotter fills us in on what’s new in his world of beats and bass...
IT’S BEEN GREAT FOR ME TO GET RECORD LISTENERSHIP FIGURES ON 1XTRA AND RADIO 1, AND TO PLAY AT FESTIVALS AND VENUES THAT I’VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF PLAYING. IT’S BEEN A GREAT, GREAT YEAR...”
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“Hi everyone. MistaJam here, in a very good mood. I’ve got a bit of recovering to do from the 1Xtra Live Tour, which was great, though my voice is a little bit hoarse. There’s still a hell of a lot to do this year! DJ’s don’t necessarily have much of a New Year and Christmas because of work. On New Years Eve I’m going to a friend’s wedding in Ireland, I’ll be back in England at midday. I’ll have a few hours to get home and have a cup of tea, then I’ve got to get up to Nottingham for Countdown 2012 (Stealth, Rescue Rooms and Rock City), then I’ll pop up to the Warehouse Project! On top of that I’ve got Boxing Day at Ministry of Sound. DJs don’t stop! Career-wise I’d probably say that this year has been the best so far. A lot of things that I’ve been putting in motion over the past years have started to come to fruition. It’s been great for me to get record listenership figures on 1Xtra and Radio 1, and to play at festivals and venues that I’ve always dreamed of playing. It’s been a great, great year, from being part of the BRIT Awards voting committee, to co-hosting all of the 1Xtra live dates, to playing Glastonbury, warming up for Snoop Dogg and playing the 02 Arena. There’s always stuff that doesn’t go well, but ultimately you have to move forward, don’t dwell on it. I mean, from time to time I’ve said stuff on Twitter that maybe I shouldn’t have said... but you know, it’s a learning curve! Back to 1Xtra Live - every night had its highlights. Every artist that was performing on the bill brought their own thing to it. Wretch performed last week and some of the other BBC people were saying “We knew he was good, but we didn’t know he was this good!” 1Xtra really smashed the tour this year - the line-up really reflected the different aspects of the station. Meeting Jessie J again was pretty great as I haven’t seen her since I interviewed her a year ago for the BBC’s 2011 poll. A hell of a lot has changed for her. Last year, I was sneaking her in the back door of Wembley for the 1Xtra tour! I was the first person to play her record on Radio 1. Next year I’d like to get more involved in TV. I think there’s a gaping hole in terrestrial television for that 1Xtra kind of thing. Right now, what we (1Xtra and RWD) do is popular culture. Ten years ago you would never have dreamed that it would be. But now, people walk down the street listening to grime. Right now, we are popular culture. Apart from that, there are a few projects I’m working on at the moment that I can’t say anything about unfortunately. Watch this space! Mistajam.com and @mistajam. Mon to Thurs 7pm – 10pm and Sat 11pm – 1am on 1Xtra and Sat 11pm – 1am on Radio 1
JAM HOT FOR 2012: MUSIC
The focus of my show at the moment is to back the people that I think are going to do something very, very exciting next year... Flux Pavilion: He’s just graduated from Hertfordshire University in Classical Composition and he makes dubstep and electronic music... so imagine how his album sounds! Maverick Sabre: I think he’s going to be a stadium filler in 2012. If he isn’t, I think there’s something dramatically wrong with the world. He’s selling out academy gigs, which is a great, great indicator of where he’s going to go. I think there’s something special about him. Labrinth: He still hasn’t realised his full potential. It just seems that there’s a big group of really, really exciting artists that have set themselves up to explode in 2012. Subfocus: He’s gonna be finishing another album which is gonna change the game again... but this time he’s has got a major label budget behind him. Also... Delilah, Dot Rotten, Youngman, Preditah, Josh Conrad, The Milk, MaiDay
VENUES
I think the whole Warehouse thing is coming back. I think next year is going to be all about having Warehouse parties, parties that are kind of popping up in random places. The thing is, the Warehouse parties that are happening at the moment aren’t just big bass sound, they’re that slightly cooler end of the bass music scene as well, like Julio Bashmore, etc.
FOOD & DRINK
I’m all about the Peri-Peri chicken. Nandos have smashed it! When you look at it, it’s grilled, it’s not fried. It’s healthy. If you have it with a salad, or them bean things that they do, you’re good to roll! Other than that it’s all about buritos with guacamole. It’s all about the guacamole! To wash that down, dark rum by night and water by day.
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INTERVIEW WHITE POWDER GOLD
ALL WHITE ON THE NIGHT New band White Powder Gold combine rock, punk, R&B and some serious soul in an aural alchemy of epic proportions. Hattie Collins meets the London fourpiece to find out what 2012 has in store for them... ‘White Powder Gold’ is the stuff of precious metal legend (See: Harry Potter). How/ why did you come up with the name? We have always been into seeking knowledge; we watch a lot of documentaries and read a lot of books. We are fascinated by ancient civilizations, so when we came across Monatomic Gold and what is was used for it seemed a fitting name for the band. White powder gold is said to be a super conductor; when consumed it heightens ones sense of awareness and balances both hemispheres of the brain, this is what we feel music should do. How did the band form? Jermaine and Jamie you went to college, but how about the rest of the band? When we started, we were producing and writing for the two of us in mind 56 / RWDMAG.COM
but the sound grew beyond two guys performing to a CD. We initially had two of our friends in the band too, but then soon came to realise that finding the right musicians was no easy task! Three drummers and three guitarist’s later we bought in Corky (drum’s) and Chris(Guitar). Chris had just finished playing in a band that we liked, so we stole him [laughs). When you sat down and started writing, what were your intentions as a band? Having grown up listening to the likes of 2pac, Bob Marley, Rage Against the Machine, The Sex Pistols and Public Enemy, who were all quite revolutionary in their own right, we felt that it was really missing in the industry. There are a lot of artists out there, chatting a lot of sh*t and considering the current economic
climate it’s unbelievable that there are not more artists out there speaking the truth. We are not here to preach, everybody likes to have a good time but there is still sh*t that needs to be said. As for how would we describe our sound? The Future (laughs). If you could work with anybody in the whole wide world, who would it be? The Prodigy. How has 2011 built for you, and how do you plan to expand on this next year? 2011 has been amazing so far, we’ve found our sound, the band has come together and the music is being received well. Next year, more gigs, release the singles and then an album. We’ve heard four great songs from you guys; what can we expect of new music from you? You can expect our music to keep progressing and evolving. Our music surprises us sometimes, so even we don’t know what to expect. Our first single is out February 2012 and our EP is out now in Rough Trade. We’re aiming to drop an album by the end of next year. Check out the band at Facebook.com/ whitepowdergold and @whitepowdergold. Get the EP from Roughtrade.com
UNWIND
GADGETS | GAMES | FILMS | GIG GUIDE | ALBUMS THE BEST OF STAYING IN... AND GOING OUT... THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN Film of 2012 The film of next year starring the actor of next year; Spiderman sees Brit actor Andrew Garfield taking the lead role as the webbed-wonder, with Rhys Ifans and Emma Stone in supporting roles. Turns out the Social Network star is a long term fan of the radioactive renegade. “I needed Spidey in my life when I was a kid and he gave me hope,” Garfield told a Comic-Con crowd recently. Due Summer 2012
OF M L I F 12 20
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UNWIND FILMS
FILMS We take a look at 12 films we have an eye on...
MONTHLY MUST TRY THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN Sony Pictures Releasing Release Date: 4 July 2012
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Throwing the plan for Spider-Man 4 out of the window, Sony Pictures instead decided for a ‘reboot’ with a new director and new cast. The film focuses on Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) as he gets bitten by the cheeky spider and gets to grips with his new skills. On top of the spider incident, the poor lad also has to deal with the everyday teenage issues of being in high school. This time round, PP’s love inter-
est is played by mad fitty Emma Stone, and goes by the name Gwen (according to comic book legend), his girlfriend before MJ. Bringing the film to life is Marc Webb, whose directorial debut with (500) Days of Summer, was really f**king good, so fingers crossed! As always, the film is shot in 3D, so expect some mentally impressive scenes where S-Man flies around your local Odeon. Or not. (FD)
ADVANCE PREVIEW OUT MARCH 2012 THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
Warner Bros. Release Date: 20 July 2012 The final part of the action-film is back in its dark entirety. Christian Bale puts on the spandex wear for one more crack at escaping the law as Batman, ducking and swinging from buildings to avoid his friend Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman). The caped crusader also has to try and take care of the infamous Bane (played by Tom Hardy) and stop him running amuck in Gotham City. Damn. The all important questions though are does Bruce Wayne manage to fight another day and does he actually get a grip of the leather wearing tight-ass Catwoman (Anne Hathaway). [Kanye voice] Nobody wants a little tight-ass. (RH)
REVIEWS: SKYFALL Sony Pictures Releasing Release Date: 26 October 2012
[Insert Bond music here] The third outing for Daniel Craig as Bond will hit our screens towards the latter end of 2012 as the 43 year-old resumes the role that will of course define his career (well it won’t be Cowboys & Aliens). Ever since Craig donned the tux of the Walther PPK shooter in Casino Royale critics have been ready for him to slip-up, but those haters might just have to wait for a while.
ILL MANORS Revolver Entertainment Release Date: 24 February 2012
Conceived, written, part-funded and directed by Ben Drew – who some of you know as Plan B – ILL Manors looks like a very interesting venture by the multitalented multi-tasker. The 26 year-old from Forest Gate has been working with Riz Ahmed, Nathalie Press, Mem Ferda and Danielle Brent to bring alive his “hip hop musical”. Should be a good’n.
THE SITTER 20th Century Fox Release Date: 20 January 2012
Just when we thought one of our favourite actors was due a lead role, the first month of the New Year will see Jonah Hill play idiotic Noah Griffith in the David Green (Pineapple Express) directed The Sitter. As always Hill plays a loveable buffoon who’d rather be smoking and eating potato chips on the sofa than engaging in real life; great recipe for him to play a babysitter then. This looks like #jokes.
THE REST OF THE 12 FOR 2012 AMERICAN PIE: THE REUNION Universal
THE AVENGERS Walt Disney
MEN IN BLACK III Columbia
- We know!!!
THE BOURNE LEGACY Universal
- No Matt Damon ALERT!!!
DJANGO UNCHAINED Sony Pictures
- Tarantino, Foxx, DiCaprio, Sam L Jackson... nuff said.
THE KNOT Exile Media Group
- Did you order a Noel Clarke rom-com?
TO BE NAMED KEITH LEMON FILM Lionsgate
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UNWIND GAMES
GAMES Some gaming must haves for 2012...
WIPEOUT 2048 Sony Release Date: 22 February 2012
The PlayStation Vita has impressed us already at a few showcases and the new WipEout is looking close to amazing, especially with the new controls (the rear touch is used for acceleration, the front screen for weapons and tilting the console makes your vehicle manoeuvre, nice). This is the launch title of choice when Vita drops in Feb; anti-gravity racing will be back at its best.
FIFA STREET EA Sports Release Date: Q1 2012
Using the new FIFA gameplay engine that we’ve grown to love, EA are taking us back to the roads with their ever-popular Street spin-off that sits well with footy fans and casual gamers alike. With a shed load of new skill moves, dribbling techniques and ways to embarrass your friends we can imagine it giving your copy of FIFA 12 a run for its money. Make sure you clear your schedule about March time. 62 / RWDMAG.COM
ADVANCE PREVIEW GTA V
Rockstar Games Release Date: Q1 2012
After the trailer that literally shut down the Internet, Rockstar then told the world the new setting, for the game that will inevitably take 2012 by storm, would be the fictional city of Los Santos. Their take on LA will feature versions of Hollywood, Downtown, Rodeo Drive, and of course Rockstar Games’ adaptation of Compton... expect all the crazy deals to go down there. Just as they say this looks like a ‘bold new direction in open-world freedom, storytelling, mission-based gameplay and online multiplayer’. Yes please!!!
UNWIND GIG GUIDE
“RWD DOES NOT MESS AROUND WHEN IT COMES TO HOSTING A NIGHT”
GIG GUIDE
URBAN NERDS X RWD XMAS PARTY @ MACBETH, LONDON
You know that RWD does not mess around when it comes to hosting a night filled with bass, liquor and pure party vibes. Team that with the fact this particular shindig was organised alongside our friends over at Urban Nerds and you’ll understand why this was the biggest baddest Christmas party you’ll ever have witnessed (if you were lucky enough to get into the rammed venue that is). Warming up the crowd nicely were editing maestros Fiddy & Collins who drew for some staple dancefloor fillers from Ni**az In Paris to RiRi and P Money cuts 64 / RWDMAG.COM
before RWD resident raver Chewy came to the decks equipped with a whole bag of funky bangers to get the crowd lifted. But it was when the Urban Nerds apparel sporting Marcus Nasty took to the decks that things got heated as revellers rushed the stage to vibes alongside MC Ranking. Then as if from nowhere some familiar adlibs roared through the speakers and in between all the stage skankers appeared the man who makes noises; Flirta D who literally sent the crowd crazy. Probably a few too many Eristoff Vodka’s and Jaeger’s later an amply hyped
MistaJam scrimmaged his way to the turntables to inflict more than a dose of dubstep alongside some hip hop to make your face turn screw quick. Last but by no means least, fresh from his simply sick DECA set Rattus Rattus stepped up with fellow Urban Nerds resident Klose One and brought the night to one almighty ending. If you weren’t there, shame on you and make sure you join us next time. They’ll be a whole load more from #RWDLive in 2012 and we expect every single one of you to be skaning out with us.
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FINAL WORD MARIO FALCONE
FINAL WORD: MARIO FALCONE Just like his tempestuous relationship with Lucy Mecklenburgh, TOWIE’s Mario Falcone gets the final word. He talks celeb status, his like/ hate relationship with Mark Wright and his views on the celeb basketball tournament, adiSlam... interview by Danny Walker image by Andres Reynaga
How would you explain the success of TOWIE? It’s just gone from strength to strength really. I think when the first series was on it had something like 400,000 viewers, now it’s gone up to like 1.52 million, so it’s just getting bigger and bigger really. Obviously series three has been amazing cos yours truly has got involved! What do you think of your new found celeb status? [Laughs] I don’t see myself as a celebrity really. It’s weird. When I go out and people recognise me and the girls go crazy, I’m just like “What??” but it’s pretty cool. Opens doors and stuff, you know. Opens doors, opens legs... Yeah, that’s what I meant [laughs]. Tell us about some of the stars; we love Joey Essex... Joey Essex – he’s a legend, he is topboy. He wouldn’t hurt a fly, he is hilarious and on the show is what he actually is. What you see on camera, that is Joey. He is just in his own little world. And Kirk? Kirk... I’m not sure if he’s still in it to be 66 / RWDMAG.COM
honest with you. He didn’t come to the wrap party, so I’m not sure what’s going on with him at the minute. God knows. Lucy? Yeah, she’s alright isn’t she?! [laughs] We’re still talking and that at the minute, obviously after everything happened, she is a very nice girl. I do love her. But yeah, sh*t happens. Have you been watching your old mate Mark in the jungle? I have been, but only because I’m affiliated with Dougie from McFly because my sister’s engaged to Tom. So, yeah, I’ve watched Mark. I think my phonebill will be about £2,000 this month after voting for him to do bush tucker trials. Worth it. [laughs] Nah, he’s come across pretty well to be honest. What would you be like in the jungle? Are you scared of rats? Have you been to Essex?! Full of rats, [laughs]. Nah, I’m not scared of rats or anything like that. Nothing fazes me really. This will come out after adiSlam, but tell us your views... I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s
a great opportunity for charity and it’s a good mix. Obviously Wretch 32’s getting involved and we’re on completely different sides of the scale in terms of public perceptions so I think it will be really good. I’m really looking forward to it even though I’m sh*t at basketball... you’ll see. I’ve got like two left hands. Maybe I’ll break a leg. I think the fact that adidas are getting involved, it should be a good day. Any tips for 2012? Hopefully there will be a series four of TOWIE. You never really know what’s going to happen with the show, it could go anywhere. We could go make a film next! You never know. Anything is possible. So 2012 could be an interesting year. And what would you personally like to achieve? I dunno really. Umm... I wanna be playing basketball for the Lakers or something! See how adiSlam goes! @Mario_Falcone. For videos, images and stories on the biggest celebrity basketball event check adiSlam.co.uk