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EDITOR’S LETTER
@hattiecollins
CONTRIBUTOR OF THE MONTH THE WELLS/ FERGUSON 3 2 month-old Casey and his cousins Rhys (3) and Callum (5) eat sleep and drink RWD (mainly because their dads own it). The trio’s other interests include Star Wars, drinking (milk), Weeties (sweets) as well as causing havoc, making noise, running around crazily and disrupting sleep and - according to their dads - Tottenham Hotspur FC! “It’s not popular in the RWD office but we have been brainwashing them since birth and hopefully we have passed on the curse - I mean the passion,” says Nige.
Editor Deputy Editor Senior Staff Writer Contributing Editor Online Editor Contributors
image by Andres Reynaga, font design by hydro74.com
In true Danny ‘Random’ style, this idea for the issue was his. “We can’t have issue 123 and not base it on ‘numbers’,” he yelled. We let him roll with it (anything for an easy life) and so here we have our very first ‘Numbers Special’. Anything you ever wanted to know about numericals - it’s in here (probably)! One numberbased fact I can definitely give you is ‘2’; which is the amount of super-hot chicks in this issue. Well, there’s actually a lot more than that, but two that are hot in every sense - who isn’t talking about Rihanna and Rita Ora right now? With one taking the tube every five seconds and the other storming the charts, RWD is most haps to have caught up with the two women this ish. In other number-related issues, with over ‘10’ years in the business, we were delighted when Sony approached us about doing our first compilation album. With our history in the game it was only right we titled it The Legacy, which is what we think these covers are about to create. Both the album and this issue features RWD favourite’s past and present - from Yasmin’s Ms. Dynamite Ft. Light Up (The World), we also catch up with Oxide & Neutrino, Ms Bratt, Chipmunk, C4, Preditah, Wretch and Skepta. If they haven’t been on the cover of RWD already (which most have, at least once), then it’s certainly time they were. Make sure you go cop the album out 21 May (preorder now!) while reading this issue, and once you’ve done that, head over to the brand new, redone, redid, redesigned RWDmag.com. We know, just when you thought we couldn’t get bigger and better, we just got that much bigger and better....!
RWD TEAM @hattiecollins @dannywalker1 @Nardenescott @chantellefiddy @tegosigel Alex Johnson, Ralph Hardy, Greg Bond, Francesca Dunn, Jerry Gadiano, Natasha Parris, Felix Kemp
Art Director Dacre J. Bracey Designer @_wall01 Fashion Stylists PC Williams, Neesha Sharma, Sophie Robinson Style Pages Editors Irene Asanji 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, Odi Caspi Publisher Sales Director Senior Sales Opperations 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 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 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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AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER RIGHT NOW! Free UK Delivery available. Terms and Conditions apply. See Amazon.co.uk for details.
CONTENTS ISSUE #123
FEATURES 48-59 COVER STORY: RWD, THE LEGACY WITH YASMIN, CHIP, MZ BRATT, WRETCH 32, OXIDE & NEUTRINO, C4, PREDITAH, SKEPTA 60-62 FAVOURITE THINGS: MARINA & THE DIAMONDS 64-66 RWDMAG.COM: IN NUMBERS 68-69 RIHANNA 70-72 CARDINAL BURNS
REGULARS INBOX CHECK IN, CHECK OUT ENOUGH ALREADY: SIDE-SHAVE UPFRONT WITH: RDC YOUNGERS CALL ME A PAGAN? ONE TO WATCH: PREZ, FUNNY TUMMY, UKF, NATALIE DUNCAN, DISMANTLE 26-27 ABOUT TO BLOW: LONSDALE BOYS CLUB 8 -10 12-15 16 18-19 20-21 22-24
STYLE GUIDE 29-33 34-43 44-45 46-47
STYLE GUIDE: HANG TIME FASHION: TRUE BLUE STYLE NEWS REFRESHED: CHARLIE SLOTH
UNWIND 75-77 78-79 80-81 82
GAMES UNWIND: RIZ AHMED FILMS FINAL WORD: RITA ORA
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INBOX
With the launch of our new website we can’t have an Inbox full of praise so we’ll keep that to a minimum. In the meantime Jaiden W wins the chance to run a trowel through Will.I.Am’s hair for his thought provoking words about Fabrice Muamba... Send your letters to: Attn. Editor, RWD Magazine, W107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipp Street, London, EC2A 4PS or staff@RWDmag.com
Think the world stood still when Fabrice fell to the floor during that FA Cup quarter final game against Spurs. Luckily it seems he’s on the road to recovery and recently tweeted a photo sat up in a hospital bed. #dontwastethetimethatyouvegot
THE MONTH IN TWITPICS Just when you thought posting a simple pic on the Internet was a private affair, Tego Sigel makes things mega mega public...
Dear RWD, Just wanted to say the new site looks dope, it’s simple like the last website which makes it easy to use but it seems like there is LOADS more content. Big up Melissa S
LETTER OF THE MONTH: Re: Fabrice Muamba, Hi RWD Was watching the football the other week when I along with thousands of others witnessed a young, fit and healthy footballer collapse due to a heart attack. A young man who was only 23 who plays football week in week out, trains most days suffers a heart attack and I’m sure I’m not the only person that was seriously shocked by what happened. We normally associate heart attacks with old, unfit and unhealthy people but the incident at the football proves that you can be the total opposite but still suffer from a heart attack. I wish Fabrice Muamba a full and speedy recovery and my prayers and thought are with his family. I’ll end by saying, life is too short, don’t waste the time that you’ve got, be the best you can and make a difference. Jaiden W 10 / RWDMAG.COM
Hey RWD, The new @RWDmag layout looks sweet Ollie W Hey RWD, The new #RWDmag site definitely looking good *thumbs up* Chris H Thanks for all of your kind messages about our new site. Like our online editor Tego says, ‘We’re only getting started.’ Stay locked to RWDmag.com, Facebook.com/RWDmagfans and @ RWDmag for the latest. Re: K Koke Tattoo, Hi I’ve got a K Koke tattoo done. I’ve sent a pic. The lyrics on the bottom of the tattoo are ‘live it up, cause I don’t know what tomorrows like, couldn’t give a f**k cause I’m living off of borrowed time” from the track ‘Tell you how my life is’. Thanks, means a lot! :) Damien We just don’t really know what to say here.
@tegosigel: @dannywalker1’s got a plastic bag on his head and a women’s leather jacket on. I can’t breathe. And who says Shoreditch has changed RWD?
@I_Skream: Spring cleaning Skream might want to “Spring clean” those Blue Nike Blazers. Oh, that’s right. We went there.
@example: Just signed the guest book at Royal Albert Hall. Paul McCartney on the page before me! Paul McCartney and Example play a very fancy game of Draw Something.
RWDMAG.COM QUICK QUESTION: RWDmag.com Users Cast Their Vote
@imagery1uk – “2Pac surely”
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@MR2Gmusic - “2pac shhhhhhhh SNM”
RWD POLLS WHO WILL WIN THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE?
50 Cent
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WOOKIE’S NEW SINGLE 2 US?
30% 72% 58% 28% 12% MAN U
IT’S OK
MAN CITY
GREAT, I REALLY LIKE IT TOP TWEETS @RWDMAG: 1 @MariaVonMurtagh: @RWDmag Best.Cover.Ever 2 @JmeBBK: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGAHAHAHAHAHA
RT @RWDmag: MC RWD sends for @JmeBBK 3 @cl_double: @RWDmag Love that cover. 4 @TyrekeOfficial: My friends Read my RWD mag’s. Now I have to pick up 10
magazines In JD Sports! :D
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iamaflanagan.co.uk
NOT SURE, PREFERRED WOOKIE OF OLD
CHECK IN/ CHECK OUT
OUTDOOR:
ART:
ONE OF THE DAMIEN HIRST UK’S MANY Alongside their permanent exhibitions, The Tate Modern are also hosting a collection by a certain Mr Damien Hirst. Causing a stir back in the 80s LIDOS when he curated a London exhibition with his fellow Goldsmith students, Hirst has been in the public eye ever since.
With all the sun that we’ve had lately, we’re feeling pretty damn summery, so outdoor pools are definitely the way to go.
Check out... one of the most influential artists of our time. Damien Hirst’s collection will include his iconic “pickled shark” along with a huge selection of weird and wonderful stuff from the past twenty years. Exhibition open until 9 September. More information at tate.org.uk
Check in... with your bikini/ mankini/ trunks. There are plenty of lidos to go around, including the completely natural (i.e. not chlorinated and full of ducks) Highgate Pond that you can Bear Grylls your way across for a mere £2 (once you’ve proved yourself with a test and the fact that you are male...!) If you aren’t so hardcore, check out Brighton’s Saltdean, Yorkshire’s Ilkley Pool, or Pells Pool in Sussex. Swim good.
TECH:
NEW HONDA CIVIC Low CO² emission and running costs equals a great buy.. Check out... the 9th generation of Honda Civic; much quieter, more refined and full of technology. The new and improved vehicle has reaped the benefits of FOUR years of testing to achieve a class-leading modern classic. With reliability one of the key points you can focus on the dynamic interior and choice of nine colours... The new Civic is an excellent acquisition. And best of all it’s built in the UK! From £16,495 OTR, Honda.co.uk 14 / RWDMAG.COM
BANDS AND ARTISTS IN NUMBERS… Our Fave Bands and Artists With Numbers In Their Title...
Bono and the boys might be the most famous numerical band.
CULTURE:
FIDDY’S
Not a fan of museums during the day? Why not give them a go at night!
This month: The Streets
MUSEUMS AT NIGHT Check in... at Museums at Night. Taking inspiration from our cultured cousins over in Paris, museums, galleries, national heritage sites, etc., across the UK will be opening their doors for late night visitors from 18-20 May. With events such as paranormal investigations as well as music events, why not get involved in something a bit different? Hit up culture24.org.uk for full listings
WORLD OF WHATEVER To the outside world it may look like I worship the batty of man like Mike Skinner, better known as The Streets. While that’s not strictly true, I definitely feel WELLLLL humble when in his company. So, imagine my disgust at having to explain to a teen blogger what Original Pirate Material was and why it was so important. Fair enough, we can’t all know everything but when representing the now (yes young scenesters, I’m talking to you) you need to understand what went before. While yes it’s of importance that Skinner went on to champion many-a-grime MC in their prime, his own contribution is of equal discussion. In the same way, Plan B isn’t the first person to sympathise with prison mentality, marketing was in clear practice back in the ‘50s - watching the Johnny Cash docu on Folsom Prison Blues it’s clear that so much of what we’re seeing now has come before. So, back to Mike, how a guy who talked about pills and kebabs went on to inspire many a wordsmith is now available in his own words – The Story Of The Streets. While I could wax lyrical about how great it is, I’d be lying. I had to buy a copy and Amazon haven’t delivered it yet. That’s how real fans do. Out now. Follow @skinnermike
The king of hip hop slang - fo’ rizzle my nizzle
Led by Jared ‘My So Called Life’ Leto
R.I.P Amaru Shakur
Any Canadian rock band
Quite good until that Mick Jagger monstrosity
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CHECK IN/CHECK OUT SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER SPECIAL
Check Out... these certified summer showstoppers...
FILM:
FILM:
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: THE VAMPIRE HUNTER AMAZING SPIDER-MAN For those that read Seth Grahame-Smith’s 2010 novel of the same name When you reboot a franchise you have to come correct; we think Sony have done just that... Check out... Sony’s new reimagining of the popular Spidey films. This time it’s Andrew Garfield in the Lyrca (“You seriously think I’m a cop in this skin tight red and blue suit,” the masked superhero quips in the latest trailer). With a whole new approach director Marc Webb takes Peter Parker on a journey of discovery as he try to understand why his parents disappeared. Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans) soon reveals more than SpiderMan was expecting and when his alterago The Lizard joins the film you can be certain that things get very heated with webtastic results. Out 4 July, check theamazingspidermanmovie.co.uk
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look away now...!
Check out... one of America’s most memorable Presidents, Abe. This crazy story is set in the time before he gets into office, before he was shot in his top hat and before Obama installed a bowling alley into the White House. It’s a time when blood sucking fiends walked on earth and only one man can stop them. It’s a ruthlessly fictitious time mind, but a good one at that. This 20th Century Fox, Tim Burton produced flick could have a few surprises in store. Those axes swinging scenes look merciless. Out 2 August, check foxmovies.com
FILMS IN NUMBERS Our favourite flicks in all their numeric finery...
Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube... need we say more?
FILM:
FILM:
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES The Dark Knight is about to rise!!! The most anticipated film of the year is nearly upon us... Check in... to the IMAX (and you better book early too) this summer as Christopher Nolan’s brilliant Batman trilogy is coming to a thrilling finale. The Gotham gangster played by Christian Bale will battle Tom Hardy as super villain Bane and alongside Anne Hathaway (Catwoman) the Caped Crusader will fight his biggest battle yet. With Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman AND Joseph Gordon-Levitt also supporting, this is Blu-ray boxset material in the making. Bring on summer 2012, bring it on. Out 20 July, check warnerbros.com for more
THE BOURNE LEGACY Another day, another reboot... Check out... dark, cinematic, informative, action-packed, high-octane... and that’s just the trailer. Ok, so this isn’t exactly a reboot but once we found out Universal were continuing the Bourne films WITHOUT Matt Damon (leave those Team America World Police references alone) that’s all we could picture it as. This time the main CIA agent from Robert Ludlum’s novel is ‘Aaron Cross’ and played by Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker). We know the action is gonna be sick, we know the fight scenes are gonna be furious, let’s just hope the story’s halfdecent. Out 17 August, check thebournelegacy.net
Standard soft porn introduction for all 80’s babies
Eminem’s eponymous life-story debut
A spooky-scare-fest of epic proportions
Went downhill after the first one, but a great car-based action adventure
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ENOUGH ALREADY: THE STUPID SIDE SHAVE Surely this “trendy” haircut died a hideous death about nine months ago (if not longer)? Coincidently the same time Cher Lloyd’s skull was sporting such a shoddy situation. Why do ladies still love this lame look? Danny Walker grabs some cheap clip-on extensions and starts filling in some gaps... image by Jiro Bevis The unacceptable undercut was tolerable on the tasty headtops of Rihanna and Cassie – remember the first wave of shavers that hit the media ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO (shout out RWD’s buddy Kesh) – not only was it adequate but in the right light... it looked good. You know, it wasn’t too short so you could use the side of their head as a mirror and it wasn’t too long so that they looked like a pre-pubescent 14 year-old Emo child of Satan. It was just right. Then when ANY old (and in some cases I mean OLD) female started jumping up on the half-hair-hype (including ex-celebs like Carmen Electra, Mel B, Keyshia Cole, etc.) it lost its magic. When I use descriptive nouns like ‘magic’, I’m referring to the first/ second/ third celebrity that was spotted with the style and it bore the reaction, “Ah that looks semi-cool”. I’m not referring to the 1000s of sheep that grabbed some shears and went buck wild. The type of magic I’m talking about 18 / RWDMAG.COM
is GONE and now it’s more ‘tragic’ when you’re faced with this punked-out ‘80s throwback. Listen up Jill Scott, Ke$ha, girl who you see on the way to school/ work/ uni with the weird piercing on the side of her face... you can look much better with a different hairstyle. Except Ke$ha of course... she’s beyond f**ked. I know, after last month’s rant, it seems I’m picking on lovely Ke$h but I’ve seen a better looking hairdo on a deceased dog. For those who think I’m being harsh, the Tik Tok singer recently posted images of herself with studs embedded into her stupid side shave, [gags a little bit] I repeat, STUDS EMBEDDED INTO HER STUPID SIDE SHAVE!!! I wish I was joking too, and then maybe the nightmares will stop. In response to her new “look” the 25 year-old stunned the world (no, not by washing) but by backing it up with this ridiculous statement; “People say that rock ‘n’ roll is dead, and I am making
it my mission to resurrect it,” the singer told Glamour magazine. “I have rock ‘n’ roll pumping through my veins.” The only thing she should resurrect is a mirror; I don’t think she’s used one in years. Here at Enough Already we’re all about setting trends, not following them, breaking the mold not fitting perfectly into it, and riding the waves of cool... not bathing in washed-out styles from yesteryear. I propose we’re all issued a glue gun (if, like me, you haven’t used the strong substance glue since primary school, feel free to ask Pete Doherty) and some cheap clip-on hair extensions. At least that way the problem will be covered in more ways than one. Obviously we’re not advocating forced on the spot makeovers... just give the owner of the Stupid Side Shave the tools, a picture of Madonna’s daughter Lourdes and just walk away. Just walk away.
RUN DEM CREW YOUNGERS
Emblazoned with the motto ‘Go Hard or Go Home’ there are no excuses in the Run Dem Crew Youngers. This feisty fraction of fun-fuelled creatives, who spawned from the Run Dem Crew, are ready to take on the world... one mile at a time. Over the next few issues we’ll be taking a closer look at the RDC Youngers project, speaking to some of the mentors and finding out why it’s NOT a running club. In fact, founder Charlie Dark insists running is the last thing on their minds... words by Danny Walker image by Adrian Nettleship styling by Nasrin Jean-Baptiste 20 / RWDMAG.COM
Since starting Run Dem Crew in 2007 writer, producer and DJ, Charlie Dark has been on an amazing journey. After overcoming personal battles with fitness (“I had a bit of a daddy belly and no stamina.”) he’s taken a crazy idea and turned it into a 150 strong, Nike supported community of creatives that are bonded by their love of sport. Usually insane ideas go nowhere... well mine anyway... but driven Charlie, the Run Drew Dem Crew and the RDC Youngers have been everywhere from Paris to New York City and each time they meet the camp gets tighter. Returning from a recent trip to the Berlin Half Marathon (“Which was sick,” we overhear) our first encounter with the RDC Youngers is not at one of their men-
PROFILE: CHARLIE DARK
toring sessions but a simple gathering of minds (and medals). Applauding personal bests, passing out brilliant little biscuits in the shape of their logo and discussing nutritional tips (“it’s not about the Coke and [greasy] chicken diet,”) this is indeed NOTHING like a running club. An instantly inspiring aura was in the air and it was infectious. Instead of boring breakdowns of bionic biostats and bicep measurements, they were swapping ideas and networking. “It’s more of a support group,” they tell us en masse. As we walk through the group we brush shoulders with MCs, bloggers, and future CEOs all running for different reasons. “I’m a spoken word poet and I go into schools,” says 23 year-old Rosie of her inspirational side. “I joined the
Age: 41 Location: Stratford, east London So what were the reasons for starting RDC? I was shown the plans for the Olympic Park and I was given some spiel about when it’s all over the whole community are gonna be using the park. I thought, ‘We don’t have a Central Park like they do in New York, we don’t really have an exercise culture like that in the UK, if I don’t do something about this my area is going to be directly impacted cos these facilities just won’t be used’. Biggest achievement so far? Taking 70 people from the Run Dem Crew to Berlin to meet crews from around the world. It was an amazing as so many people came together. What do you want people to get out of RDC Youngers? The most important thing I want people to get out this, especially the young people, is belief. Because if you can run a distance you’ve only ever been in a car or a cab, you can do anything in your life.
RDC Youngers because I wanted to meet new people. I’d heard about how amazing it was and loads of my friends were tweeting about the Berlin Half. I just wanted to get involved and get healthier too. When I run, it frees my mind.” Each of the RDC Youngers will be facing their own battles and going on personal journeys over the next few months, which will culminate in the British 10k London Run on 8 July. “That’s nothing,” smiles one of this year’s mentors, advertising graduate, Sami. As a former RDC Younger himself he knows exactly what it takes to go from sofa to finish line. “I’m looking to [run] Amsterdam after that. We can basically do anything.” With a waiting list longer than the line for Nike Fuel Bands, the RDC Youngers have much to achieve before the years out. “I have no interest in running a running club,” Charlie clarifies. “I find them elitist and boring. The fact that [members] make music is more important.” When we spoke to the RDC Youngers – as you’ll soon find out in future issues – music was very important but so is writing, photography and blogging. It’s obvious that the potential in this young generation of runners knows no bounds. For more check RWDmag.com/RDCY, rundemcrewyoungers.tumblr.com, rundemcrew.com or follow @rundemcrew
RDC YOUNGERS IN NUMBERS
The time (in the evening) that the Run Dem Crew meetings start. After an update and when everyone is in place they run at 7.30pm.
This is when the RDC Youngers will be taking on the British 10k London Run.
This represents the target number of RDC Youngers clubs they hope to set up across London by 2013. Big!!!
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There’s not a 24 hours that goes by without @ someone accusing @someone else via a quick 140 characters of being a #Pagan. Devil worship, illuminati and other mythical revelations erupt via the social network on a daily but this pagan talk has gone far enough. It’s time for #inappropiateusersofthewordpagan (and Nardene Scott) to find out what a pagan really is and more pertinently what it isn’t!!! Within an hour our timeline argued a pagan was someone who doesn’t change their avatar, is a pervert and strangely controls T-Mobile broadband speeds, (that last one was weird right?!). Here’s some things we can get out of the way so you #inappropiateusersofthewordpagan can chillax!
more propaganda than proper magic... although they do like their Gods... As Paganism is a very diverse religion, the forms of Pagan worship vary widely plus there’s like 950 Gods and Goddeses to contend with. Prayer may consist of informal meditation, or of formal, structured rituals through which the participants affirm their deep spiritual connection with nature and celebrate the seasonal festivals of the turning year and the rites of passage of human life.
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In the 1600’s Britain transformed from a Catholic country to protestant and conflict brought on religious hysteria (disguised as spiritual cleansing) which led to some individuals being described as ‘witches’. Then in the 1960’s feminism took up the image of the witch as a role-model of the independent powerful woman.
although they do like a bit of nature... Pagans are deeply aware of the natural world and see the power of the divine in the ongoing cycle of life and death. Most Pagans are eco-friendly, seeking to live in a way that minimises harm to the natural environment. Even deeper paganism strongly emphasises equality of the sexes.
actually they’re kinder than most... Pagans are just, like us all, trying to live their lives the right way. Part of the teaching is to try to live in harmony with the Earth and raise their children to honour the ways of Nature. Pagans go to school, go to work, pay taxes, clean their houses, raise kids, make art, watch TV, do not watch TV, eat at McDonalds, do not eat at McDonalds and love or hate computers, just like everyone else. See people, can’t we all just get along?
Pagans do not believe that they are set above, or apart from, the rest of nature.
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ONE TO WATCH PREZ One of Dot Rotten’s Minarmy cadets, Prez speaks to Nardene Scott about how the fruitless search for beats pushed him into producing in order to exercise his deep lyrical content. Image by Adrian Nettleship “In five years time I’d love to picture myself sitting on an island... my own island.” A man clearly unafraid to put in the hard work, this driven Croydonian composer learnt how to make beats on Fruity Loops in order to give his bars a deserving soundbed. Beginning proceedings in the authentic way, writing and spitting with his mates, Prez started taking things more seriously by setting up a studio and getting himself acquainted with the well known start-up music program. “When I first got into grime the person who I was listening to and well, he’s my friend now, goes by the name of Dot Rotten,” the Stimpy n Screwface fan says of his early inspirations. It’s only right then that the visionary Minarmy founder who refers to himself as the Professor Xavier of the collective recognises real and invited Prez into the team; soon leading to a 40k viewed (and counting) impressive warm up session on SBTV’s channel at the close of 2011. “Right now we’re working on an 8-bar cypher tune with all of the MCs that are in Minarmy, that’s produced by Dot Rotten and I think we’re gonna be working with some quite big established
American artists as well,” the reality spitter says of what to expect from the Media Inspiration Network Army comprised of artists, video directors, designers and more. Fate, Destiny & Dreams the pre-album though is what you should be looking out for to get a better grasp of the heartfelt artist who “uses music as an outlet” to reflect his day to day mood - swinging from anger
“WHEN I FIRST GOT INTO GRIME THE PERSON WHO I WAS LISTENING TO GOES BY THE NAME OF DOT ROTTEN. HE’S MY FRIEND NOW...” to pain and upset. Not content with that plateful, recently time has been taken to reach out to those with the wild flows - Ghetts and Nolay - where there’s hopes for his upcoming 20 track instrumental EP to be graced by some serious talent. Look out for Prez hitting your screens again with an F64 and smashing up your speakers in all sorts of guises. @itsjustprez
FUNNY TUMMY
The West Midlands have got a lot to answer for right now; if they’re not taking over the grime scene then they’re as Funny Tummy is, killing it on the visual side of things. Raised with art in his veins - both mother and brother are artistically inclined - the 26 year-old teamed his love for art with music. Before long, Jason Dunkley aka Funny Tummy (named as a way of referring to his ‘sickness’ in a non-cocky way) was soon being approached by rappers to create their cover artwork with his unique hand drawings; counting Tinie Tempah’s Happy Birthday EP as one of his most memorable he hopes to work with more stars including A$AP, Wretch and Drake. “It’s about versatility,” Tummy explains of his appeal. “I think I’m one of few graphic designers that can do a mixtape cover that wouldn’t look out of place in a art gallery or exhibition.” @FunnyTummy [NS]
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UKF
UKF has been pushing bass music online since 2009, when a teenager who goes by the name of Luke decided to start a pirate radio based YouTube channel dedicated to the genre. Since then they’ve amassed nearly two million bass hungry subscribers. “UKF has taken us to compilation albums, which have gone to sell hundreds of thousands of units worldwide, as well as events, where we had over 11,000 people under one roof to watch a huge host of acts including Chase & Status, Skrillex, Nero and Distance,” says Luke of the multi-faceted platform. What began as a way to showcase music Luke and his friends enjoyed, has become a respected and powerful outlet. “As long as you have a passion for the music and enjoy yourself, the rest will come naturally.” Couldn’t have said it any better ourselves! @UKF [NS] 25
ONE TO WATCH NATALIE DUNCAN “THERE’S NO HAPPY ENDING. I’M DEFINITELY A WELCOME GRIM-REAPER FOR THE POP WORLD.”
This Nottingham born, London living singer is one of our favourite discoveries of the last few months; with fans in the form of RWD, SB.TV and Mistajam, it won’t be long before Natalie Duncan is more than someone to keep an eye on... Words Hattie Collins image Rhys Frampton “I guess my music has an element of soul and songwriting, but also melody and misery,” decides the self-taught pianist. Nat’s debut album, Devil In Me, is lyricism at its very best, underpinned with a voice that is really quite extraordinary. The songs are dark, and occasionally depressed yet there’s also
a streak of wry wit that runs throughout – rather like when meeting the shy singer in person. It’s perhaps this ‘What you see is what you get’ approach that has attracted everyone from Grammywinning producer Joe Henry (who is working on her album), to Magnetic Man (Nat’s writing on their next album) and Goldie, with who she features on his latest hit, Freedom. “I like all sorts of music, from old D&B to James Blake,” shrugs Natalie of her ability to work with all sorts. Whoever she collaborates with, she always brings the ‘Duncan sensibility’. “My songwriting, whatever type of music I’m writing to, whether mine or someone else, is quite abstract,” she says. “I like to think the songs I write
DISMANTLE
are more interesting than a love song or a pop song. Her debut single, the beautiful Sky Is Falling was written last summer, and looks to be a smash-in-waiting. Uncomfortable Silence meanwhile was written after a breakup, when a broke Natalie was forced to live in a bedsit. “I had no money to pay for our flat and I had to live in this crap place,” she recalls. “Some people were round at my house after a party and I just felt like I was in a massive hole. I didn’t want to be by myself at all. There’s no happy ending,” she laughs. “I’m definitely a welcome grim-reaper for the pop world!” Sky Is Falling is out in May, the album on 18 June. @natalieduncan
“The first vinyl I actually bought was a Digital Soundboy one,” the now DSB familia teen from Brighton tells us on his entry into music at just 13, where he first attempted to mix D&B tracks on a pair of old decks he got for crimbo. Annie Mac, Diplo, Toddla T, Skream and Benga are just a few DJ’s that fully embraced Computation last year after Kutz dropped it on his Kiss show followed by 130BPM edits for the likes of Zinc and Redlight. Claiming his name off the back of a lyric from an unknown grime set, current singles Detonation and Destroy are breaking down even more boundaries between the D&B, dubstep, house hybrid of Dismantle’s undescribale sound. Gangoon Dubz, the label where alongside his friends, notably Hizzleguy, release good music to help elevate the local scene, is just one of the many pies his aptly skilled tentacles are reaching into, and with lots of releases in store, get following the lad @dismantle_ggd [NS]
SUPPORTED BY
LONSDALE BOYS CLUB You may or may not recognise Lonsdale Boys Club, so named, not because they’re paying homage to a sportswear brand, but because the band was formed on west London’s Lonsdale Road. Chantelle Fiddy meets the threesome... image by Kieran Pharoah
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As one of Jamal Edwards’ favourite bands, a slew of SB.TV’s Jam Sessions have seen Lonsdale collaborate with the likes of Wretch 32, Lowkey, Yasmin and more recently, Marvel, Fem Fel and Frisco. “Lowkey was a definite highlight for us as we respect him so much as a rapper,” explains lead singer Charlie (who is definitely going to have no problems when it comes to the lady loving). Also a club promoter, reggae and roots night Cola Wine is Charlie’s real baby. “I’m so on the roots music vibe – think Taj Mahal, Bo Diddley, Rolling Stones, lots of Dre and real rhythm and blues...” And the urban influence isn’t lost on the trio as a whole; the selfappointed disco swagger cats profess to “throwing in that G funk bass with the disco swag.” Now that we can work with. A trip down the cobbled enclave where they reside offers a glimpse at the studio where, after getting heat on their remix of The Gorillaz Doncamatic and nailing a few demo tracks, Charlie, Topher and Loz found themselves signing to Universal imprint, Future Records (the head honcho is Gary Barlow, although he lends no hand to their music). And it’s been a busy few months as they’ve been racking up followers off the back of their own headline tour and a month-long stint supporting Olly Murs on his recent UK dates. “Not only can he beat box one of our tracks but the boy knows how to party,” says Charlie on the Murs. “He could down a pint in four seconds but we definitely put away more shots than his whole band combined, I think it was 260 on the first night. He’s an absolute hero though - on the last night he took us to a hotel and sorted out an open bar all night!” Having just returned from LA where they shot a video for their overly massive big anthem debut Light Me Up, if the antics in their lyrics are anything to go by - “I’m on a roll, I’m on fire / Champagne and burnt out tyres/ Pull that beat up sire...” – it’s no wonder life on the road is what the lads love. “On a trip to New York we found Topher face down, topless, in a puddle. I think we’re banned from most of the Travel Lodges in Scotland too...” laughs Loz, lover of all things Daft Punk and the bands electro whiz kid whose background is in DJing and beats (check recent edits for Rizzle Kicks, A*M*E and Lonsdale themselves for evidence). As for bass player Topher, he’s the
bands ‘foreign friend’ who originally hails from New Zealand, bringing the influence of LCD Soundsystem, Kasabian and co to the table along with stories of snake wrestling, farming and spear fishing. A quick listen to their LBC Shows (similar to a podcast) on SoundCloud also suggest he’s the group unassuming comedy genius. And the album? They’ve already nailed it. There’s Hooligans & Hulagirls, a dedication to their aptly titled fans, Caroline, which nods to both Gorillaz and Outkast, can be heard blasting from the Funktion1 sound system alongside the old skool funk nuances of Gypsy. Another live favourite is Sista Shake, which sees the guys getting grungy and treading a Tinie Tempah line of thought. “If you want to be in Lonsdale Boys Club,” concludes Topher, thinking cap seriously screwed on, “you’ve got to be bringing something different, cos I bring the hair obviously. We just want to do something fresh and I’m pretty sure that’s what we’re doing.” Consider RWD honorary members. Follow @lonsdaleboys or check Lonsdaleboysclub.com for random bloggings and such. Light Me Up is out now. Follow @ecko_unltd_UK on Twitter
“NOT ONLY CAN HE BEAT BOX ONE OF OUR TRACKS BUT OLLY MURS KNOWS HOW TO PARTY. HE COULD DOWN A PINT IN FOUR SECONDS BUT WE PUT AWAY MORE SHOTS THAN HIS WHOLE BAND COMBINED. I THINK IT WAS 260 JUST ON THE FIRST NIGHT!”
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STYLE GUIDE STYLE | STYLE NEWS | REFRESHED
>>
WHAT TO WEAR AND HOW TO WEAR IT...
G N A H E TIM
e this f choic aby, get o e u h b r It’s ou rom royal to with these ;f ht Spring ardrobe rig sed w a r b u e o y blu ries... o acces
PHOTOGRAPHER: KEVIN JOESPH STYLIST: IRENE ASANJI Palladium Lite palladiumboots.co.uk, £60 King Oxford snapback king-apparel.com, £29.99 Aldo espadrille aldo.com, £35 Happy Socks happysocks.com, £10 Bape chambray scarf eu.bape.com, £100 Converse scarf blackleaf.com, £29.99
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Starter Snapback starterblacklabel.co.uk, £30 New Era Snapback neweracap.com, £23 Happy Socks asos.com, £8 Gourmet Quattro SL trainers gourmetfootwear.com, £85 Herschel Supply rucksack surfdome.com, £55 Triwa watch £85 triwa.com
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Onitsuka Tiger Biku CV asics.co.uk/sportstyle, £50 adidas bag adidas.com/orignals, £70 Converse wallet surfdome.com, £9 AlpineStars Wallet alpinestars.com, £20 Triwa watch triwa.com, £85
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New Era Snapback neweracap.com, £23 King 5950 king-apparel.com, £29.99 adidas hitops adidas.com/orignals, £65 Alpinestars belt alpinestars.com, £11.95 Nike 6.0 Zoom Leshot nikestore.com, £55 Fallen socks fallenfootwear.com, £18 (pack of 3)
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Benjart snap back benjartclothing.com, £30 Converse wallet surfdome.com, £9 Converse bag asos.com, £45 Nike Liberty Air Max liberty.co.uk, £100 Happy Socks asos.com, £8 Loake brogues loake.co.uk, £150 Bape belt eu.bape.com, £135 Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 onitsukatiger.com, £65
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TRUE BLUE PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH GRIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY ASST: JAY MAUDE STYLING: SOPHIE ROBINSON STYLING ASST: COSIMA CHI MODEL: JACK @ FM MODELS REPRO: CORE DIGITAL LTD
Jack wears Bandanna shirt by Replay, Luke Aviator sun glasses, Ice-Watch, blue suede adidas Originals 37
(this page) Jack wears blazer by Hentschman, Farah vintage shorts, breo watch (opp. page) Jack wears Luke Aviator glasses, Vans shirt, Ice Watch, Navy Netted shoes by Nicholas
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(this page) Jack wears T shirt by Beck & Hersey, rain coat by The Duffer of St. George, IceWatch, denim adidas Originals (opp. page) Jack wears New Era NY Hat, A Bathing Ape hoody, Ice Watch
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(this page) Jack wears Aztec denim shirt by Humor, grey T shirt by PXL, Crooks & Castles Five panel hat, Panasonic headphones (opp. page) Jack wears Hoodie by adidas Originals, polka dot Energy shirt, Penguin chinos, Luke sunglasses
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(this page) Jack wears Jumper by Henri Lloyd, SupremeBeing jacket, FLY53 dark denim jeans, Converse All Stars exclusive to JD (opp. page) Jack wears Hat by Nobis, denim hoody by Fly53, WeSC eenim shirt, Puma chinos, Breo, Converse All Stars exclusive to JD
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STYLE NEWS We deliver news fresh from the world of fashion. For more style selections, competitions and exclusive content, go to RWDmag.com/style
SAMPLE THIS... Streetwear at cut price, a one off club night and a chance to grab some precious vinyls, Sampled is THE spot this month.
WIN
SUN SEEKERS
adidas Originals eyewear will be supporting Streetfest on 6 May. To celebrate their involvement in London’s No. 1 Street Culture Festival, adidas Originals are giving you the chance to win one of 10 pairs of Conductor Hi sunglasses plus five pairs of tickets for Streetfest. The Conductor Hi forms part of the latest Originals eyewear collection. With interchangeable logos combined with a classic shape, you can create your own individual yet classic look. The first five winners will receive a pair of Conductor Hi’s and a pair of tickets to Streetfest, the second set of five winners will receive a pair of Condutor Hi’s each. Enter the competition on RWDmag.com/style. Streetfest takes over Hearn St. Shoreditch Bank Holiday Monday May 6 adidas.com/eyewear streetfest.net 46 / RWDMAG.COM
GO BALLISTIC Puma go cray cray with the hot new Clyde... Teaming up with long-term pals UNDFTD, the Puma Ballistic Clyde brilliantly links the LA lifestyle brand with the lineage of Puma footwear. Utilising Cali reminiscent pastel colourways, the Ballistic is available in Green Ash, Limestone Grey, Orchid Bloom Purple, Mellow Yellow and our favourite, the Coral Reef. Step straight into Spring with added luxury from the suede toecap to the suede detailed heel and tongue. We think we’ve just fallen a bit in love... £60, available in both men and women’s, from Size?
The Orders and Main Squeeze have put together a weekend long event that ticks both style and music boxes on 26 and 27 May. Teaming up with Alife, Stussy, Dope Chef, PXL, Addict and more, not only can you get discounts on sought after streetwear, you also get the opportunity to build your classic hip hop vinyl collection in the record fair. As if that’s not enough, there will be an exclusive club night at 333 to celebrate the first day of Sampled featuring Mr Thing, Spin Doctor and a rare set from Jehst. You seriously don’t want too miss this. Did we mention it was FREE!?? Sampled takes place 26 AND 27 May between 12pm - 6pm at Bar Music Hall, Curtain Road, London. Sampleduk.com for more information
FIVE STAR The Duffer of St.George deliver a new line in footwear It’s time to reconsider your foot-based wardrobe. Now Spring is here, we don’t need clumpy winter warmers; lucky then that The Duffer of St. George have just dropped five new styles of footwear for this season. From the navy/ white or tan midtop Harding (£55) to the mid top Phoenix with its black denim style upper and contrasting white midsole (£45) and our personal favourites, the blue and white canvas upper of the Orion RS, (pictured, £35), Duffer have really ‘stepped it up’! Check JDsports.co.uk for more
PRINT OUT Prints have been dubbed to be a massive trend for this season, so with Summer on its way, why not go wild and swag yourself out with a cool pair of printed swim shorts. WeSC Butch - wesc.com, £50 adidas Gilder - exclusive to JDsports.co.uk, £25 Tortoise Shell - £55 Wavefarer 21 - Patagonia @ surfdome.com, £51.99 Vans Gnarwhal - Vans.co.uk, £50
SPOTLIGHT ON… We meet Emil Soriano, design director of Crooks & Castles, the LA based streetwear label that is beloved by everyone from Jay-Z to Lil Wayne to little old us here at RWD! What inspired the launch of Crooks & Castles? A group of friends that have a common bond in music, art, and fashion. The brand was created and spearheaded by Dennis ‘DGeneral’ Calvero and Rob ‘Marley’ Panlilio. You have a lot of celebrity fans - who’s your favourite and why? The defining moment was when Kanye and Jay-Z were first sighted rocking the gear - that was different times obviously. We did the GOOD Music collab T with Kanye, we had Jay-Z shouting us out in his concert. Then there was Drake and team OVO supporting the brand and inviting us on their Club Paradise tour... Who else? French Montana, Rick Ross, Nipsey Hussle, Vado... there’s too many to name! Thanks to all the real OG’s reppin and supporting the Crooks! What sets Crooks & Castles apart? If you have ever met any of us or seen how we run around town, best be known that we are actually a bunch of decent guys. The brand and the apparel is an extension of our persona. And when people see the family-like atmosphere, they generally gravitate our way because we keep it 100%. What pieces in the current SS12 collection are the key pieces this season? From our SS12 collection the key items are the roll collar washed denim jacket, camo fleece, woven speckle pants/ shorts, any of our letterman jackets, any items signifying our season slogan “Decade of Excellence”, which is celebrating our 10 years in the game. What future key trends can you predict? Key fashion trends will be shopping more online at crooksncastles.com (laughs); also sweatpants in every silhouette, more ethnic patterns, and obscure, unique patterns on garments and accessories. Be on the look out for limited edition collabs coming soon to a Crooks dealer near you!!!! Crooksandcastles.com or threadsaddiction.com
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REFRESHED When you’re getting your look together make sure you take care of your hair. BBC Radio 1’s Charlie Sloth talks tactics with the ReFreshed team... images by ArtJaz “When I was younger I used to rock curtains... At the time it was the wave but now when I look back it was an epic fail...” RWD RECOMMENDS:
LYNX SHAMPOO (lynxeffect.com, £3.49 for 300ml)
Designed to revamp your bathroom shelf as well as your love life, the new range of shampoos will leave you fresh no matter what haircut you’re rocking. There won’t be an epic fail in sight as these hair purifying potions deal with dirt, grease, over-gel, and flaky head-top situations with ease. Available in five varieties, including a sweet smelling ‘Detox’, a time-saving 2-in-1 there’s also an alluring Attract version.
“When I shave I wet shave... My tip would be to make sure you always shave upwards towards the grain!!!” RWD RECOMMENDS:
BILLY JEALOUSY SHAVED ICE AFTER-SHAVE BALM
(getbillyjealousy.co.uk, £25 for 88ml) Are you listening people? WITH the grain. Avoid looking like a piece of grated sweet potato by going WITH the grain. To keep things extra cool Billy Jealousy have concocted an award-winning after-shave balm that only requires a small amount across freshly shaven areas to leave you un-irritated, relaxed and soothed. Great stuff.
“I do moisturise I think that ish is mad important... I use anti shine lotion after using a face scrub and then on my body cocoa butter, OWWWWW.” RWD RECOMMENDS:
L’ORÉAL MEN EXPERT HYDRA ENERGETIC CLEANSING GEL
(loreal-paris.co.uk, £6.12 for 150ml) When you’re getting ready, try sticking L’Oréal’s cleansing face wash into the mix. Not only does it help you prepare the skin for a smooth shave but helps removes skin nasties and doesn’t dry out the skin. The hydra energetic formula – which sounds like something Bond would use – wakes the skin up and then reinforces your own natural resistance. Which is big, especially if you’ve been on another late one.
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“My favourite fragrance of all time is Paul Smith London” RWD RECOMMENDS:
DAVID BECKHAM INSTINCT SPORT
(beckham-fragrances.com, from £15 for 50ml) Paul Smith do make a fine fragrance but if you ever fancy a change, DB’s got your back with this fresh, citrus-rich fragrance. With gentle spicy ginger accords and top notes of juicy mandarin, it makes for excellent ReFreshment. Complete the set with the accompanying body care products, the deodorant, shampoo and shower gel.
“I always like to feel fresh and make sure I’m looking certified.” RWD RECOMMENDS:
BEN SHERMAN GIFT SET
(theperfumeshop.co.uk, £25) Comprising of a 50ml Eau de Toilette and 100ml shower gel this can either be a great gift for someone or a well done present for yourself. Encapsulating all that’s good with the brand and boasts that classic, woody scent but with a modern twist. Very citrus (with tangerine, lemon, lime offset with mint) and masculine throughout it will leave you smelling/ looking certified for real.
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH MOLTON BROWN ANTI-BACTERIAL ROK MINT FINE LIQUID HAND WASH (moltonbrown.co.uk, £16 for 300ml)
There’s nothing like going somewhere semiposh and checking out what hand wash they use (really, is it just us that does that?) We recently came across this bacteria-battling, Rok-radish packing, mint, blackcurrant and basil-containing hand saver that is pretty big as far as hand wash goes. In fact it’s pretty big regardless; 300ml of freshness, instantly aromatic and brilliant for any bathroom.
CHARLIE SLOTH How long do you take to get ready? Depends where I’m going, normally around an hour. What are your reasons for getting ReFreshed? [Laughs] You don’t need an excuse to get ReFreshed that ish should be compulsory, no excuses. Any grooming tips? Make sure you’ve always got a tidy shape up with the hair, the barbers is mad cheap ain’t no excuses for having scruffy hair... When getting dressed, start your outfit with the creps and work your way up. What is the best show/ gig you’ve ever had? This is a hard one... One that stands out is an event I did in Holland this year... The crowd was asking for UK artists which gassed me up! Who’s been the best guest on radio show? Of course I’ve had the cream of UK talent on my show but one guest that really stands out is English Frank. He is such a character plus he brought me the maddest gifts!!! Tell us about your new show on Radio 1... So my new show takes place Monday nights 2-4am on Radio 1. I will be playing the best in UK rap and giving a platform to the scene to showcase what they are doing with features like Fire in the Booth. I will also be doing my show from a different city around the UK once a month. And you’re touring too; tell us why people should get down there... If you love UK rap then you will be in your element as this tour is set to raise the bar. More info will be available very soon. What else are you up to? I have been working with several artists on their albums as executive producer making sure they sound right. I have also just got my Visa to work in the States as some exciting stuff is happening out there. I’ve got quite a bit going on I don’t gass until the end results are visible. And lastly, what’s your favourite number? Number 6 is my lucky number!!! Check charliesloth.com and @Charliesloth
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COVER STORY THE LEGACY
After celebrating 10 years of RWD with DECA in October 2011, we started wondering what a compilation of the scene’s finest hits might sound like. Well, thanks to Sony, we’re proud to present The Legacy, which captures the last 10 years of grime, hip hop, dubstep, garage and more. From Tinie Tempah chart-toppers, to the Street’s All-Star grime remixes, there’s also brand new badness from Clement Marfo, genre-defining brilliance from Dizzee and UKG classics from Pay As You Go. There’s also hotness from this lot; we chat to Chipmunk, Wretch, Skepta, Bratt, Preditah, C4 and Oxide & Neutrino about both RWD’s Legacy and the legacy they’re looking at leaving... words by Nardene Scott directed by Dacre Bracey images by Andres Reynaga female styling by Sophie Robinson male styling by Gemma Swan asst. by Sophie Nye female make up by Nibras male grooming by Analisa Sarno
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Underground Hero: Well my underground hero, especially being a female is Ms Dynamite and I’m blessed that I got to work with her. Obviously when urban music was crossing over there were the So Solid’s and Dizzee’s but for females it was Ms Dynamite. She was the one, she was smashing the charts, smashing the raves at the same time and she was just exciting and saying some real stuff, she wasn’t just coming through trying to flex with the like bling bling. I mean till this day she’s saying some real stuff and she’s just killing it in both lanes. That’s really inspiring. Old Skool Crushes: Hmmm old skool crushes not that I can think of...I dunno the one with the bald head in Another Level was alright. What’s his name Bobak...? You remember his name... [laughs] I don’t even know! Damage, they were cute back in the day. Top 3 Old Skool Tunes: Well three underground records that definitely still go off, Sticky & Ms Dynamite Boo you just can’t go anywhere and that doesn’t get an amazing reaction. I’d definitely say Dizzee I Luv U it was still very grime and very underground but in a club still goes off and one of my favourite tunes that I enjoy playing is Kano Reload
Title font design by hydro74.com
LEGACY
Having worked with everyone who’s anyone in the scene, from Shy FX to Steven McGreggor and Diplo, Yasmin knows her what’s up with music right now. Yet we discover the Manc turned Glaswegian DJ and singer is most definitely old skool at heart. You’ve been on the cover of RWD before, how does it feel and what role do you think RWD has played over the years? I think RWD’s role has been documenting the whole journey; it’s amazing to be able to look back at all of the covers and look back at the stories and look back at the artists that you’ve been writing about before anyone even knew who they were and they’ve gone onto monumental success. I think that says a lot about RWD and its relevance and its role. It’s just got such a vital role in the scene. Tell us about the Young Guns recording, which is on the album? Me, Ed Sheeran, Griminal and Devlin were all together on a shoot for i-D magazine in east London. Everyone was like ‘Shall we just go to the studio?’ We all went, Devlin called Lewi [White] and that’s where Young Guns came about. It’s such a good vibe and it clicked. You couldn’t have made it happen any other way. They’re an amazing bunch of guys, they’re all killing it. What can we expect next from yourself? Next up there’s just more music, like Light Up The World to me as much as it didn’t chart, it felt like the real me. It just felt like the start of something, really natural and the direction is I guess paying more homage to the underground sound. I’ve never felt like I’m a popstar coming from a DJ background I feel like I have these influences from the old skool and I’m just lucky that I get to work with those who have this knowledge of the underground. It’s exciting to me and I feel like I need to be excited, that’s why I feel right now like I’m in a real zone. I’m working with dope people like MJ Cole and Zed Bias, there’s a bunch of stuff on my Soundcloud, there’s a snippet of my record with Diplo. @ItsYasmin Light Up The World is out now and Young Guns features on RWD:The Legacy 51
COVER STORY THE LEGACY Entering a new age of the lyricist now going by the name Chip, the fact remains the same; he’s always recording. Near enough jumping off a plane from his Grand Hustle familia down to our photoshoot, the star talks about his journey from the chicken shop to radio to the States.
How does it feel to be on the shoot, after all you’ve achieved over the years? I remember the first RWD magazine I got it was from a chicken shop. Kansas the best £1 chicken and chips in Hornsey and I think it was on a lunch break in Year 7, around 11 years old. Props to a magazine such as RWD for being definitely one of the pioneering reads on music that has helped formulate culture in the UK to take it where it’s at now. Tell us about your transition from Kansas to standing here today. From reading RWD to going through the pirate radio circuit to withstanding the transition of it going away from pirate radio to the internet, the sound kind of changing from grime into hip hop... In terms of the UK rap emergence, shout out to Giggs. People in the charts are now getting attention from American rappers as just a solid rapper not just as a solid English rapper. Saviour is on the album, can you tell us a little bit about making the track? Saviour on the compilation, that’s dope! When I wrote that song I kind of felt like this is a crazy representation of where my style has come from and where it’s going to go to. Shout out to RWD for picking Saviour to represent Chip’s growth over the years and RWD being a solid part of my career. Did you have an old skool crush? Pretty girls, who come to mind straight away? There’s so many in the UK scene right now, shout out to Rita, Jessie, Adele... What’s happening Stateside? I think the America thing with Chip, just stay tuned man, we’re just trying to build a bridge for the next Chip in ten years to walk on. It’s come to a point when arguably the best rappers in the world respect me as a rapper, you know we’re in the studio going bar for bar, toe for toe, track for track. Shout outs to T.I. and the whole Grand Hustle team. London Boy the mixtape will be worth listening to so stay tuned. I’d like to describe it as an audio bridge between cultures and my accent is still fully British. Saviour and Oopsy Daisy feature on RWD: The Legacy. Look out for the London Boy mixtape and follow @OfficialChip 52 / RWDMAG.COM
No strangers to RWD - in fact they appeared in the mag before it was even called RWD (shout out SASS) - Oxide & Neutrino were necessary players within the early garage scene and are about to inflict more music on the underground. We caught up with the pair and got a bit nostalgic. How does it feel to be on the cover of RWD after creating the music which helped pioneer the scene? Neutrino: It’s good man. I’m very grateful for RWD to put us on the cover. RWD has definitely helped push the scene! How did Bound For Da Reload get out there in the first place? Neutrino: We made it as a radio dub and a lot of people would call up and ask for it. At the time my brother had been made redundant from his job, so got a cash payout which paid for the first press on the vinyl. From there, we’d make a profit on the first thousand vinyls, invest it back in and make more and just keep the process going. I think that word of mouth and cassette tapes kinda just spread it. We were kind of surprised. It was just a track that Ox brought to me and asked me to vocal it, so I did that and a year later you’re No.1 and on Top Of The Pops! How do you think the scene has changed, business wise? Neutrino: I think it’s a lot easier now because you’ve got stuff like YouTube, MySpace, Twitter, Facebook... You know, you can actually reach out to people across the world and cut out the middle man. Whereas back in the day, it was about vinyl and cassette and you had to physically push that yourself – literally drive across the country selling them from the boot of your car. It’s a lot easier now for artists to push their music. What can you tell us about the music you have coming up? Neutrino: Our sound will be something fresh, something new. We’re not scared to experiment. We’re not looking for a certain formula. Whatever comes to mind, that’s what we’ll do! Bound For Da Reload appears on RWD: The Legacy. @DJOxide and @MCNeutrino and check oxideneutrino.blogspot.com 53
“I JUST KIND OF STUCK IN MY LANE, YOU KNOW HEARTFELT MUSIC, JUST GOOD SONGS THAT I LIKE AND WE REALLY SPEAK ABOUT WHAT WE WANT AND WHAT WE’RE PUTTING OUT THERE.”
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Jacket by AllSaints, T shirt by Friend or Faux, trainers byAdidas
COVER STORY THE LEGACY
Tottenham’s finest - alongside BBK and Chip of course - has graced the cover before in his own right. Following on from his gold-certified debut, we talk to Wretch about the past, present and future of Mr.32... So how does it feel to be on The Legacy cover shoot with not only your peers but your friends? It feels good! You know to come through and to be doing photoshoots with RWD it’s always a pleasure, to have Chip and Skep alongside it’s going to be a long one. We’ve already started the banter, started the jokes about pictures, about poses, about outfits, so yeah it’s gonna be a long one. Who’s the most diva-ish then? Well Chip has been in the chair the longest but he’ll probably say that it’s me. Skepta is like me, we’re just not fussed but it’s weird everyone has got their own little thing. Like, I’m not super on the photos, photos, photos. I don’t think Skepta is with the photos but Chip, I think maybe he likes it a bit...! You’ve presumably all inspired each other to get to this point, but who else would you say has inspired you? It’s definitely right to say I’ve been inspired, like, looking at So Solid these are guys that could live on the end of your road, then they’re at the Brits and the MOBOs. Their videos were crazy, I definitely took inspiration from them, just to believe that there can be stars in our country. Dizzee Rascal of course, he was definitely one that showed that you can smack a Palace Pavilion rave, you can smack up Stratford Rex, then you can take it to KOKO, Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith, festivals and I definitely get mad inspiration from that. Chip as well flying the flag and going Stateside, showing everybody that we can rap just as good and I’m really proud of him... Sway, Skepta, everyone has added something to me. You’ve stayed true to your sound and
what you’re about and blown up. What would you say you’ve learned these past few years? I think what I’ve learnt is that you might as well be yourself because if you fail trying to be someone else that will be hard to live down. If you fail giving 100% all of yourself then it’s just life, it just wasn’t meant to be but when you’re trying to be something else, it can mess you up. With me, I just kind of stuck in my lane, you know heartfelt music, just good songs that I like and we really speak about what we want and what we’re putting out there. But it’s a learning curve and about going with your heart over your head. Which are your top classic tracks ? [No delay] Kano Boys Love Girls, Dizzee’s I Luv U and an instrumental Ghetto Coyote that was one of my favourite instrumentals ever! It brought a new melody, a rhythmic vibe to grime and made it gritty as hell but still as clean as heaven. What do you think about grime now? I think it’s strong man. There’s some people that live and die for grime and when they’re hearing that Eskimo and Sidewinder is back on or anything like that they’re involved, like fully involved. As long as you know there are both sides of the spectrum, you know, at the same time I’d love to see all of the grime MC’s go on forth and sell out the o2 arena if that’s what they want to do in life. Tell us about Wretchercise. Ooooof the mixtape Wretchercise is just me saying ‘Engineer press play and let me go’. It’s nice to rap a bit, I feel like it’s good to exercise myself. I wanted some venting space, man. I know that I couldn’t put the album out now, because we’ve
RWD X WRETCH FACTS First appeared in RWD: June 2006 Issue 55 Feature: Lyrical Lessons Fact: Professor Green was About To Blow the same month Buzz back then: Learn From My Mixtape Quote: “A MOBO is cool but I want people to learn from my music and have a good experience listening to it.” Featured in RWD: Six times
still got one more single to go from Black and White so I wanted an excuse to put something out for the fans. It’s having fun, being human again, doing collabs and getting busy. What’s one piece of advice you’d offer those wanting to create a legacy? Find what’s happening and do the best that you can to captivate and capture the attention. You’ve got to do hood videos, you’ve got to do TV videos, you’ve got to do collabs, you’ve got to do everything! If I want to be the best rapper then I need to be in the charts and on the underground and on the MC list and whatever. I call it floor to ceiling that means there’s no gaps. I cover from the ground up and for me it works for me to do everything man. Traktor features on RWD: The Legacy @Wretch32 and wretch32.com 55
COVER STORY THE LEGACY
#LEGACY
Falling Down is out 6 May and Selecta features on RWD:The Legacy. Check @ brattonline
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Underground Hero: Dynamite was such a great role model because I was at an age where I was kind of getting interested in boys and it was good to have somebody like her around and making songs like she did. She taught me about my worth as a young female, what I should expect in life and that I shouldn’t take rubbish from any guy, she kind of taught me some morals in a sense. But as a musician, she’s just crazy, very honest, she always has these crazy vibes that she brings out. Old Skool Crushes: [laughs] My MC crush when I was like 12 or something... I always heard them but never knew what they looked like or anything. I liked Kano’s voice and I liked Shizzle’s voice as well. But I never got to see what they looked like until a few years later... they’re alright. Top three Old Skool Tunes: Ooooh, More Fire Crew Oi that was a big tune. Ms Dynamite Boo. DJ Mondie The Straight Riddim everyone had their own version. That was the first beat and song that I ever made when I was like 14 yearsold. It was the first instrumental that I jumped on. I’m never gonna spit that though! [laughs] You’d have to pay me!
A few years back the then feisty teen eloped from Terror Danjah’s Aftershock crew and has since been busy created her own lane. Stepping up the mic skills and the scope of lyrical content Mz Bratt is really making noise right now... So how does it feel being at The Legacy photoshoot and shooting alongside Yasmin? For me it’s a big thing because I’ve always been a fan of RWD magazine since I was a little girl. I’ve only been in it a few times as well but I’m a huge fan, so it’s definitely a big achievement. The shoot was wicked! Yasmin has always got vibes. We was playing music and stuff, it was fun! What did being involved in pirate radio and Aftershock did for your music? Doing the radio sets and being in Aftershock with all the mandem, I think I’ve taken the aspect of hunger from it. I was round a lot of guys MCing and I always felt a lot of competition with each other. I’m a very motivated and determined person now, as Mz Bratt, on her own. I’m a strong believer in work ethic too. Tell us about Selecta, which is on The Legacy album? The whole process of Selecta was very alien to me. I’d only ever seen my dad do that kind of vibe of music and I grew up around it and I never thought that I’d take part in it. I just love that type of D&B and I love jungle. It was just exciting for me. I came out of my shell and I was this fiery person. I’ve got more Selecta’s coming out, so look out for them. I’ve been working with Donaeo, Mike Delinquent, Mojam, Craze and Hoax, a few people. You’ve got Falling Down circulating at the moment, it’s a little bit deeper than your average song. Where did the concept come from in the first place? I actually made it about two years ago. I was just going through a very honest stage, writing about things that had happened around me and things that I’d been through. Emeli Sandé was originally on the hook two years ago, but she kind of blew up and didn’t want to do any more collaborations, which is fair enough. The song is just a message about finding love in all the wrong places as a young female.
“I THINK WE’VE BEEN DOING IT FOR SO LONG, SO MANY YEARS, AND IT’S JUST GROWN AND GROWN AND PEOPLE HAVE JUST ACCEPTED IT…WE’RE EXPERIMENTING A LOT MORE THAN WE WERE BEFORE AND THAT DEFINITELY PLAYS A ROLE IN IT.”
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We’re here at the cover shoot for RWD: The Legacy. What was your first memory of RWD and how did it feel when you first got into the magazine? I think it was in a JD and I was trying to get some trainers for my mum and I seen the magazine there, picked it up. I can’t remember who was in it, but I thought, ‘Oh they’ve got UK grime acts in here, that’s sick’! So that was about 2005 or 2004 times I think. It was an interesting read because it was going into details behind the scenes and information about current artists that you heard on radio and that. We saw you out recently, so we know you appreciate a rave. What was your first garage/grime experience? Probably a local under 18’s dance my cousin did and he booked Jammer and Tempa T. I was gassed man, with all my little friends and that, we was all gassed, like ‘There’s Tempa T and Jammer!’ I thought ‘Yeah man, I need to be DJing’, so that’s when I started DJing, when I seen them two live. What were the main artists that you were into back in the day? So Solid Crew because they were on TV, but then there was Craig David because I grew up listening to tracks like Rewind. Like, ‘Yo he’s making like songs out of garage tunes!’ Wookie too, how could I forget Wookie. A lot is going on for you at the moment, the PRS must be crazy! What do you think it is about your music that sets you apart? Because I’ve kept it to the original sound. I mean for a long time it’s gone off the mark, which is good, because obviously music always progresses. But it’s gone a bit too hip hoppy and I’ve always just liked the garage sound of it. Like the real garage grime sound that Wiley created and Dizzee Rascal created so I’ve just kind of added my own sound to it. 58 / RWDMAG.COM
T shirt by PXL, jeans by Levi’s, trainers by Nike, snap back by New Era, watch by Ice Watch
As his name suggests, Pred’s been preying on the scene for a minute with his productions and remixes for his BBK family, Wiley, Sway, Stay Fresh and of course sibling C4. Preferring to call himself an electronic musician getting into music via the bass guitar, the Labrinth fan can create anything from gritty dark grime to bouncy bassline and other innovative spacey musical morsels.
Who else would you like to work with? I want to work with Chip and Dizzee because they seem really focused and their careers have gone well. I think if I gave them a decent grime beat, I think it would just compliment the whole UK. Obviously new skool meets the current and the old skool. It would be a good mix. What’s next from Preditah? I’m going to be more consistent because I think a lot of people, once they get to a certain stage they just relax and think ‘Yo I’ve made it so I can chill and talk about swag and money’ and all that. But I’m just trying to keep going like I’m at the bottom, just trying to keep going hard! You know what, I don’t want to say anything too much about what’s coming, but I’ll say that Mistajam is premiering my remix of Tulisa’s new single Young. Follow @Preditah on Twitter
PREDITAH ON… Three underground tracks he still plays... Definitely Craig David Rewind, I always play that, I love that tune. I can’t remember who made the tune but Girls Like Us, I ain’t gonna sing it though, but that old skool garage tune [Ed: Pred means B-15 Project]. And then probably Pow. Rolling with the grime scene’s finest BBK... You know what, I ain’t gonna lie, obviously I grew up listening to mainly JME and Skepta so when you’re around them now it doesn’t really sink in that you’re with them innit. It just seems like they’re normal. Probably when I retire and look back at things I’ll think ‘You know what I actually worked with these lot and I grew up listening to them’! It’s good man, it’s fun, they’re humble so it’s cool. Off Track being on RWD: The Legacy album... It feels good still because I didn’t expect it and it’s my brother’s track innit and I produced it as well, so it’s a good feeling.!
His flow is his own and his creative skills reach further than just his clear lyrical talent - but we’ll focus on the man behind the mic right now as we speak to the Brummie lad whose skippy flow we think is kind of Oorite!
Jumper by OoRITE!, jeans by Luke, trainers by Nike, watch by Ice Watch
C4 ON… His new skool crush Erm [laughs]... Yeah big up Ny [laughs] Three underground tracks he still vibes to I listen to a lot of music, me and Predz was just listening to old stuff in the hotel as well. I would say Sway Photographer, I really like that tune, Craig David Seven Days and an instrumental... Wiley, not even Eskimo, Eskimo 2. Off Track being on the RWD:The Legacy album I never expected that not in a million years. Really when I made the tune it was to experiment, I had an idea you know, Predz had this beat for ages and I thought ‘Let me merge these two sounds’. It was after I went on 1Xtra I got a reload spitting that bar “I’m not perfect, no sometimes I’m Off Track...and then I get back on” so I got a reload, went home listened to the set and thought I could make something out of this. So, somehow I got a melody and I combined the beat and the chorus and that’s how the tune happened basically.
How does it feel to be on The Legacy photoshoot? It’s a mad thing like, I didn’t expect to be here so quickly. RWD is a magazine that I’ve been following for very long now. Also to be even in the magazine getting interviewed. It’s a big deal for me, so yeah I’m very happy man. This covershoot is all about the rise of the underground over the past ten years. What would you say were your biggest influences back then? I think the main tunes were like Wiley’s old stuff, like the Eski sound but in terms of garage like Artful Dodger, Craig David
“BACK IN THE DAY, I THINK GIRLS COULD RELATE BECAUSE IT WAS EASY TO LISTEN TO MUSIC, VIBES...” and I’ve actually worked with Artful for the Off Track remix so that’s another thing that’s big for me. But yeah, that’s something I’ve ticked off the list. What have you learnt from those artists you grew up appreciating? In terms of what’s going on now, there’s a lot of negativity. Like, the garage songs back in the day, I think girls could relate to because it’s easy to listen to music, vibes. So I think I’ve taken that element and I’ve just combined it with my character, my personality and that’s C4. How do you describe yourself? I’m creative, I like to be creative that’s the main word for me. I can’t just go to the studio and make a track like bars and a chorus. I’ve done freestyles and all the rest, obviously I’ll still do that but I want to be more creative with my music. Off Track features on RWD: The Legacy Follow @C4_Oorite and look out for the Oorite 2 Mix CD
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With a name derived from a magical ruling weapon and this issue marking 106 issues since he first appeared in RWD, Skepta has been doing his best to rule the radio, charts, clubs and the boardroom as BBK MD ever since - it’s fair to say things aren’t exactly going badly as he preps for fourth album The Honeymoon.
So we’re here at The Legacy photoshoot how does it feel? It’s a privilege to be in the game for so long. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon so hopefully when RWD do another - what are we on, ten years?- I hope that when they do another in ten years, I’m here again. What role do you think you’ve played in this whole grime scene? My role when I think of Skepta, I think I’ve showed that I’m an artist and I’m a versatile artist. When I first started music I was rapping and I met Wiley through JME and he kind of encouraged me to do grime, so it’s like I’ve always had both in me and I can produce as well and I enjoy performing so I think I’m still misunderstood. Skepta you don’t know really what he’s gonna make, you know what I mean, so just showing that it’s not all just picking instrumentals and spitting all over it. I mean, I’ve played that role of an artist, there are some people that have crazy ideas out there. Also repping my team no matter if the single is going for radio or whether it’s for the underground circuit or YouTube, I always, always incorporate BBK so people know where I’m from and what I’m about. Is there anyone from the early garage/ grime era you’d still like to work with? If I was to, I would like to make a really hype grime track with Dizzee Rascal. At the time when I started doing grime I think he was just at that time when he was moving to the kind of commercial side and we missed that boat but I just feel like me and him on a grimy track wouldn’t just be looked at as just a grime track, it would be bigger, so I’d probably 60 / RWDMAG.COM
say Dizzee Rascal. What are your three old skool tracks? I’d have to say Melody by Masterstepz [Dep Ed: Tuuuuune!), I just think that was one of the turning points, the garage track that made me want to produce. I thought ‘Wow, this has got some edge to it, it’s not just like some normal garage’. Fonti used to play a track called Tainted Love [Joy] it was a dub track when I used to listen to Heartless religiously. To this day, if I hear it, it takes me all the way back there. Number three would have to be... can I pick one of my own? I’m gonna say Too Many Man; it never dies. I just think any country I go to in this whole world no matter where it is, no matter what artists from any country comes over here to perform and the warm up DJ plays the track, they always come over and say ‘Whose track is that?’ Talk us through Too Many Man then, which features on the compilation? To this day I think how blessed we are to have had that track. I don’t want to blow my own trumpet - I just feel blessed to have the tune because we were just messing around, like the chorus was just a complete mess around. We got into the studio and it was at the time when we first got into the studio and was making album tracks, everyone just came and done their verses. But I don’t think at the time that we knew it was gonna be as big as it was because we vocalled that tune in about an hour - max. Shorty took the longest to write his verse because he always does and he just had an intro [laughs]. Nah I’m joking but it was a quickly recorded track but it’s a chorus that everybody really thinks and nobody just really said it. That track was like
“IT’S A PRIVILEGE TO BE IN THE GAME FOR SO LONG. I DON’T PLAN ON STOPPING ANYTIME SOON SO HOPEFULLY WHEN THEY DO ANOTHER - WHAT ARE WE ON TEN YEARS - I HOPE THAT WHEN THEY DO ANOTHER IN TEN YEARS, I’M HERE AGAIN. ” RWD X SKEPTA FACTS First appeared in RWD: Sept 2003 Issue 24 Feature: Skepta On Garage Fact: This might have been his first solo appearance but Skepta appeared alongside Dice Recordings in Issue 17 out January 2003 Buzz back then: DTI Quote: “People are feeling my style. Its been described as techno, underground, even hardcore, but I’m just trying to bring garage back to what it used to be.” Featured in RWD: 8 times
AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER RIGHT NOW! Free UK Delivery available. Terms and Conditions apply. See Amazon.co.uk for details.
all of the tracks in the world that end up being so big because it’s not really a massive thought process behind it, you’re just doing it because you just enjoy the concept. Make Peace Not War coming soon, Honeymoon later - what can we expect? I’m releasing my album The Honeymoon. My first single did well, it came out on New Years Day and I thought it was a bit risky but it ended up staying in the charts for days. I just started off the year with a positive song, some good words for people that needed to hear it and had the whole Olympic theme. Peace... is the second single that dropped in February/March cos I’m seeing these summer bookings come into my inbox Ibiza, Ayia Napa, this one, that one, and I think I need a track that’s going to smash the parties out there and I produced the track and did the video and we’ve had the best run on any single that we’ve ever put out so far just like nationally. Next, another single and the album will be out September/October time but I’m getting really grimy on this album, it’s the single stuff to promote, it’s just for promotion but it’s getting really grimy when it comes to promoting the thing. What message do you want out there? Everyone out there that is the underdog, just keep working hard. Not everyone is going to like everyone’s music but believe in yourself and keep going. I want to send a big shout to all of the underdogs out there working. Doing It Again and Too Many Man features on RWD: The Legacy Make Peace Not War is out 29 April.@ skepta 059
FAVOURITE THINGS
MARINA & THE DIAMONDS’ FAVOURITE THINGS
Miss Marina Lambrini Diamandis captured the hearts of the world with her fabulous debut album The Family Jewels back in early 2010. Scoring high in the top ten album chart, the starlet went on to win Best UK Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards. With the release of her next album Electra Heart fast approaching, RWD’s Francesca Dunn meets the fabulous female for a good old chin-wag before she dashes off on her Lonely Hearts Club Tour, to tour with Coldplay, and you know, to take over the world. Images by Andres Reynaga
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For those who aren’t aware, Electra Heart represents a series of female characters that Marina embodies through photography, videos and lyrics. “It’s essentially a multimedia project,” she tells us. Having thought up the idea for the project on Boxing Day a couple of years ago, she created the characters based upon how she was feeling about love and identity at the time. The album is a mixed bag of pop joy – spanning from club anthems to ballads – that really showcases Marina’s versatile voice. Does the girly girl have a favourite track on the record? She calls out Valley
SHE MIGHT BE FROM ABERGAVENNY, BUT THIS DIAMOND KNOWS HER STUFF WHEN IT COMES TO SHOPPING IN LONDON. SIT BACK WHILE MARINA, THE SELF-STYLED ‘PRIMADONA’, TAKES US TO ALL HER TOP SPOTS...
FAVOURITE ANIMAL:
FAVOURITE PLACE TO
FAVOURITE SONG:
FAVOURITE PLACE TO GET NAILS DID:
I’d love to get a dog. I love pomGO SHOPPING: eranians, they’re really sweet. Probably Soho, Beyond Retro and Sausage dogs and corgies as well. around there. I really hate Oxford Street itself though; it’s disgusting and so busy!
Joleen or Love Is Like A Butterfly by Dolly Parton. She’s such a good songwriter and those early records are really magical.
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO:
FAVOURITE PLACE TO GET A DRINK:
FAVOURITE FILM:
MOST ATTRACTIVE PERSON IN THE WORLD:
UTRB (Until The Ribbon Breaks); Laura Welsh; the new Sleigh Bells album; and The Shangri-Las.
Of The Dolls and Bubblegum Bitch as her absolute faves, and understandably so. Though there are no collabs this time round, Marina is aiming big, confessing that she’d love to collaborate with David Bowie or Madonna. In fact, you might not have guessed (you would, you totally would), but our M has a whole lot of admiration for the material girl, as well as country legend Dolly Parton. Their inspiration shines through in various ways; from the way that Marina dresses, to her attitude towards music. “Dolly Parton evokes real emotion in people, as well as challenging >>
I usually get my nails done when I’m on the road, and I always get gel nails. The Sanderson Hotel do a good manicure. I think it’s better to go to proper places because the cheaper ones just don’t last.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf. Recently I’ve watched Paris, Texas and Valley Of The Dolls, for a sort of visual inspiration. I don’t know though... there are loads of films that I love. I watch films just to get ideas for my own videos.
The Claridges bar does really great cocktails if you want to waste like £15 a pop, but I definitely prefer pubs. I love all the old man pubs around Soho, and The Edinboro Castle in Camden.
George Clooney.
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FAVOURITE PLACE TO PERFORM:
The Forum in Kentish Town. The Roundhouse is kind of clinical and a bit too modern, but the Forum is really theatrical, with balconies and stuff.
MOST PRIZED POSESSION:
Probably my keyboard. It’s a really cheap one but I’ve composed both albums on it, so it’s pretty special
FAVOURITE CITY IN THE WORLD: << the female stereotype. The music that she makes doesn’t really correlate with how she looks.” It’s Madonna’s long-lasting, all-encompassing career that impresses Marina. “She’s really explored artistry, and I reckon she just wants to push her own limits. It’s incredible that she’s still so driven!” Having lived in London for almost nine years now, the Welsh beauty with Greek heritage is clearly a fan of the big smoke. “I think that on the 10th year of living here you actually become a proper Londoner!” She laughs. “I’m nearly there!” For more, check Marinaandthediamonds.com and follow @marinasdiamonds
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“MADONNA’S REALLY EXPLORED ARTISTRY, AND I RECKON SHE JUST WANTS TO PUSH HER OWN LIMITS. IT’S INCREDIBLE THAT SHE’S STILL SO DRIVEN!”
New York! It’s kind of like a more buzzy London. It’s a bit smaller as well, so you can walk everywhere. It has proper seasons too - I’d love to move there one day.
FAVOURITE PLACE TO EAT:
Probably Bodeans, because it’s like trashy BBQ food which I love so much. It’s so good!
WE’VE CHANGED EVERYTHING. AGAIN.
As many of you have already noticed (well, done you) RWDmag.com has just gone through some MAJOR changes. A facelift if you will but with a liposuction, duck-like Leslie Ash lip fillers and an extensive breast augmentation (but with the good silicone not that weird French stuff) at the same time. Danny Walker breaks down why RWDmag.com has never looked so good...
One domain. One place. One site, RWDmag.com, is the place to find the best in style, sport, gaming, film & TV, tech, music and entertainment news, features, videos and exclusives. Built around a unique TV channel, RWD TV, which provides ondemand content like never before, we have a site that’s easy to navigate (with colourcoded categories), regularly updated with engaging content and fully branded to match up with the new look RWD magazine. We’ve literally changed everything. Again.
When you visit our new look site you’re met with SIX of the biggest stories, whether an exclusive video from RWD TV, the latest track from Kanye, extra mag content or an exclusive session from artists like Emeli Sandé, Jakwob and Benny Banks.
These are the hours that our online editor Tego Sigel has put in to get the site looking and functioning the way it is. We’ve been watching him with his Apple devices (seriously the guy has got one of everything) working away like a little worker bee. It’ll all be worth it though.
Feast your eyes on 73 (and counting) exclusive (or simply brilliant) videos that are currently populating RWD TV. At the rate we’re filming and signing up with companies for content expect this to be doubled/ tripled/ quadrupled/ whatever the multiple of five is by the end of the year.
Fonts kindly donated by hydro74.com
These are the dimensions on the front page slider. Pretty big right? And perfect for the iPad users among us.
This is the date in March when the site dropped. It shall forever go down in history. Well, RWD history anyway.
To discuss stage one of the site – remember this is just the start – there have been a dozen meetings to finalise things. A few have been heated but we got there in the end. Stay locked to Facebook.com/RWDmagfans and Twitter.com/RWDmag to find out what’s in store next.
Tweets About The Site Of RWDmag.com traffic comes from Germany, they also spend (except the UK of course) the most amount of time on our site. This is above our loyal American visitors and everyone else in the world.
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A Quick Word From The Online Editor, Tego Sigel (@TegoSigel)
Loving the new website @RWDmag
The man at the helm speaks all things RWDmag.com... What is the best part about the new look RWDmag.com? It would have to be the List and Photo Gallery features. They’re potential game changers for us. Favourite story/ section on RWDmag.com? My favourite section is Film & TV. Companies spend hundreds of millions of pounds creating films; they then chop them into two minute trailers and give them to us. That means we’re running hundreds of millions of pounds worth of content on our website every day. If the new RWDmag.com website were a celebrity, who would it be? Mario Balotelli, keep your eye on it, because it’s going to do something amazing any minute. So what’s the best thing about running RWDmag.com? Hearing people say “I saw it on RWDmag.com”. What’s the most annoying thing about running RWDmag.com? Missing things. We want to be the first with everything but it’s not always possible. What are you most excited about for the future of RWDmag.com? Making the most of RWD’s general craziness and making our features genuine events.
13,663
@RachetMusic
@RWDmag the new site is bit pants
@ILuvUKMusic
We’re loving @RWDmag’s new site! :)
@JournalistMia
I LOVE the new @RWDmag website!!!!!!
Of mobile views have been on an iPhone.
@WeAreSME
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah? When did @RWDmag get a dope new site!?
@shmadee
Loving the new @RWDmag site :-)
@xploderuk
The new @RWDmag site is #Winning
@ashleyallenuk
The new @RWDmag site is so heavy - big up the designers behind it #wowzers
Of users on RWDmag.com use Google Chrome.
INTERVIEWS RIHANNA POP STAR MOVIE DEBUTS: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE TERRIBLE! The Bodyguard Whitney Houston 9/10
Crossroads Britney Spears 1/10
Alpha Dog Justin Timberlake 4/10
State Property Jay-Z 0/10
GOOD GIRL GON ACT... The 2012 summer Blockbuster season kicked off this month with Hancock director Peter Berg’s Popcorn smash Battleship. Described by Berg as a “Super Film”, the boardgame-come-Hollywood hit marks the screen debut of one Robyn Rihanna Fenty, or plain-old Rihanna to you and me. Tego Sigel lets Ri-Ri Talk That Talk about her first foray into film...
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On the role she plays... I play - not Lieutenant anymore - Petty Officer Cora Raikes (laughs). I got demoted. On fighting aliens... I never really used to put a lot of thought into [war with aliens] you know? It just is what it is. After hearing [Peter Berg’s explanation of the aliens in Battleship] I definitely want to go and do some more research. My dad used to make me sit outside on the steps all night long, looking for a UFO flying by and I really used to do that, for years. I saw a falling star once and I was like “Yes, dad come and see,” one just started, but yeah, nothing. But I definitely want to go and look it up now. Acting has been something we’ve been working on for a long time but never did the right part come up. When I met with Pete, I didn’t really know much about the part. I was supposed to meet with my manager, she got there late so I walked in and I’m like ‘Hey, is Krista here?’ Pete walked right out [laughs] as I walked in he’s talking about ‘Yeah, so these are like thugs,’ and he’s pointing at these little alien characters and I’m just like, ‘Okay’, I’m dying laughing every time he says ‘This is a thug,’ I’m cracking up, I have no idea what he’s talking about. Not until the end of the meeting did I realise
“I NEVER REALLY USED TO PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO [WAR WITH ALIENS] YOU KNOW?” that he was the director of film and what the film was about [laughs]. Then he had me in there like ‘Say ‘I’m gonna get you motherf**ker!’’ He had me saying the craziest stuff right on the spot and he was like ‘Yeah, I think you’re perfect’ [laughs] and that’s how it went down. On working with her Navy Seal trainer... Jaqueline’s from the Navy and she’s actually a weapons officer, so she is actually the real-life Raikes, so I hung out with her a lot. I spent a lot of time with her in Hawaii, hanging out, listening to her iPod, watching her body language. She taught me a lot about weapons and how handle them and she taught me about drills and how to do the right salute and she was definitely there coaxing me along the way. I just wanted to embody her attitude and her character. She’s a very tough, very tough, intimidating girl but she’s beautiful, like you would never think that. She’s a real bad-ass. On the personal training for the film... I did some personal training of my own before we got to set and did a lot of training with a real soldier and it
definitely was scary, scary, scary. Like, he got in my face, he trained me though, but he really got me to the emotional place that I could feel what it took to get to where this character was. It wasn’t surface, it was a lot more depth to it, I was a little more connected, a lot more connected to the character when I went to play the part because of the training, it was intense, but it was necessary. On whether she ever felt like quitting... Not quitting on the film, but quitting on the training? Absolutely! Every minute of the training I was thinking about quitting, like, I need to get this guy out of my hotel
room. Seriously, he can not be yelling at me like this in my room! This is scary! When he would come around I would hide my pink iPod, I would hide all my heels... I felt guilty shopping, when I was training for this film, he really messed my head up [laughs]. On Battleship living up to her expectations... Beyond my expectations. It definitely was a great way for me to get my feet wet. It was scary to even get involved knowing that it’s my first film, but Peter [Berg] was very, very good at calming my nerves. His energy definitely filters through the set and you feel comfortable, before you know it you’re saying lines that weren’t even in the script. On my first day I had 12 lines that I never was prepared for but he threw me into it like that, you don’t even think about it really. It was incredible, an incredible experience and I’m looking forward to doing more films for sure. On carrying the Navy spirit into real life... I’m a very loyal person and my friends know that. Without that, there’s no trust and if you can’t trust people, what is life? On how nervous she was on set compared to being on stage... There’s no comparison. I cannot even compare the two. I’m way more familiar
with going on stage. I still get nervous every time, but the fear of the unknown is indescribable. Like, I had no idea what I was getting into and I had no idea what to expect. It was a huge set, so many people, all these huge crane cameras. It was scary, it was really scary. And then there was little me, trying to get through everything, just hoping they wouldn’t call me today, and straight away it was like “Boom! You’re up! And you have lines! Say this!” It was awesome [Peter Berg] was really good at chopping and I didn’t have any time to think about it. Battleship is out now. @rihanna 71
INTERVIEW CARDINAL BURNS
“YOU LEARN FROM OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL. WHEN YOU WATCH RICKY GERVAIS WORKING YOU CAN SEE HOW HE DOES IT…”
CARDINAL OFFICIAL Moments after viewing episode one of E4’s forthcoming sketch show Cardinal Burns – the comedy concoction from Seb Cardinal and Dustin Demri-Burns – it was obvious we had to get them in RWD. Conducted in the innards of the Channel 4 building Danny Walker speaks to the dynamic duo about police throwing up, flies talking French and unique vampire yawns... seriously... Hey guys, really like the show. Do you have an interesting story of how you met? Did you see each other across a crowded room? Dustin Demri-Burns: It was in an edit suite in our college days. Seb Cardinal: Yeah, we met at film school at university. Which uni? Cardinal: [Edinburgh] Napier [University]. Burns: [Laughs] Napier! You say it as though it’s disbanded now/ defunct. Burns: Not to diss the place but the course was terrible. Well, not the worst but we all came out a bit... well, bruised and battered. Cardinal: Basically it was a film making course but you couldn’t hire ANY of the equipment because the lecturers would always have it. The lecturers would be behind you in the queue, trying to get their hands on more equipment. Burns: It was a bit of a joke. We weren’t actually in the same year, we were in different years, both trying to do a funny film, and they didn’t like all that. They liked really earnest/ arty films. Dustin Demri-Burns, tell us about Seb Cardinal please... B: [Laughs] God; friend, working partner, integrity, funny, original, stubborn, [laughs] and sort of like a French terrier... snappy. C: Nipping at your ankles. ‘Alright, we’ll put that sketch in’... C: That sounds about right actually. Seb Cardinal please tell us about Dustin Demri-Burns... C: Oh God here goes; funny, funny for sure. He’s like a very young bouncy puppy. Up for anything. Original, and also very observant.
Who would you say is the funniest? Both: OooooooooOOOoooooo... can’t really say. Can’t answer that. Very diplomatic. Who is most likely to scream like a girl if a ball hit them in the face? Both: [Laughs]. B: [Checks iPad to see if that is actually a question]... is that written down? C: I think you might have to kick a ball in our faces [laughs]. Explain the show, it started as a live performance and now it’s progressed to E4... C: It’s quite big and in your face. C: Nicely observed little characters. Little observations with big ideas. And how did it develop? B: After film school, we were just doing stand-up but then we realised we could do sketch stuff as well. We did a couple of years of Edinburgh. Then the channel noticed us. It was just step-by-step. Is it easier working for other people, like on Life’s Too Short and Olivia Lee or on your own stuff? C: I think it’s easier if you’re completely in control but then it’s fun to work on other stuff. B: It’s like a little holiday. You learn from other people as well. When you watch Ricky Gervais working you can see how he does it. Dustin, after analysing you both, you seem like the crazier of the two, is there anything you wouldn’t do? B: Well sometimes we have to look at a joke and ask, ‘Is that wrong?’ But it’s never coming from the wrong place. We’d never think, that joke is sexist but it’s ok. C: It’s all about what context it’s in. B: It’s nice to push boundaries as long as it hasn’t got bad feeling about it. Let’s talk about a few sketches. First, my favourite, the sick scene is great, >>
INTERVIEW CARDINAL BURNS
CARDINAL BURNS IN NUMBERS Behold numerical analytics of the new series...
This is Dustin Demri-Burns’ favourite number.
The amount of times the police and scene of crime officers throw up in the detective sketch, before they say, “Shall we get breakfast.” Genius.
This is the maximum number of costume changes per day. “Sometimes it took hours,” Dustin tells us. “That was horrible.”
The amount of footage recorded that could be considered waste. Basically how much Channel 4 money they’ve wasted mucking about. “There is no waste. It’s all gold.”
The number of writers that are in the team. “We write predominately and then we get writers to flesh out.”
The amount of staff in Dustin’s personal entourage. “He has a massive entourage, the make-up team, the pork pie guy...”
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“I THINK IT JUST WORKS WITH E4 BECAUSE CHANNEL 4 ARE BETTER AT TAKING RISKS SO IT’S THE PERFECT PLACE FOR US.” << where the crime scene is instantly contaminated with people throwing up on the body. C: That was a take on Police Squad. They did gags like that really, really well. They’d get super ridiculous but they always did it with a straight face. We liked that. C: Yeah, we loved that sense of humour. We wanted it to be like Seven, really gritty. Why E4? B: [Quickly] They were the only ones who’d give us money. OK, next question [room laughs]. B: Why E4? C: Well Shane the commissioner actually came to see is in Edinburgh and he’s been a massive supporter of us since the word go. He gets us and has just gone with it. We share the same sense of humour. I think it just works with E4
because Channel 4 are better at taking risks so it’s the perfect place for us. Your best scene/ character? C: I like playing Banksy [pic: above]. I find it really fun playing that character. B: It changes really. I like playing Charlie I think, the office flirt. [Does the voice of Charlie] We-heeey. And lastly, please ask each other a question: B: Will you do this again with me, if we get given another chance? C: [Giddy laughter] Yeeeeeah!!! Yes. B: [Starts crying]. B: Dustin, I lent you a tenner last week, and you haven’t even mentioned it. Will I get that back? C: [Jumps up, pushes chair and tries to escape out the door]. Cardinal Burns is coming soon to E4. Check e4.com for more
UNWIND GADGETS | GAMES | FILMS | GIG GUIDE
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THE BEST OF STAYING IN... AND GOING OUT...
THE , R R ER KLIGHT BLAC US IS VIR CK BA
PROTOTYPE 2
With the original Prototype doing so well it’s time to jump right back into the open world of bio-outbreak control. Developed by Radical Entertainment – who recently celebrated their 20th anniversary – you’ll be wreaking havoc as Sgt. James Heller. As he strides through New York Zero it’s all about picking up the biggest weapon (like the canon from a tank) in the fastest time in a quest to rid the plains of Alex Mercer. >> 77
UNWIND GAMES
GAMES When we’re not listening to RWD: The Legacy, we’ll be playing these...
MONTHLY MUST PLAY Draw Something OMGPOP Android, iOS I used to be content with my Blackberry and found iPhone folk annoying. But times change and I grew ever more frustrated with my phone crashing 50 times a day. The final straw was seeing the boyf playing Draw Something. That’s right, I was so excited at the prospect of what is essentially a game of Pictionary that I went and upgraded. It was so worth it. Draw Something seems to be spreading like an addictive, creative little virus. Play with friends, collect coins, and show off your mad drawing skills as you sketch everything from ‘Dubstep’ to ‘Lil Wayne’ and ‘Sweden’. Jump on the bandwagon and download that free app. It’s drawsome! (FD) 78 / RWDMAG.COM
ADVANCE PREVIEW 26/06/2012 SPEC OPS: THE LINE UBISOFT 2K Games PC, PS3, Xbox 360 The difference between life and death is all too often just a 50/50 decision in the Shands /S trigger finger of a jaded, sensory disabled soldier. That’s what Berlin-based developers YAGER and 2K Games have tried to capture with this third-person person shooter. Wading through the sandstorms of Dubai you play U.S. Army Captain Martin Walker on a quest – with your Delta Force team – to rescue stranded U.S. Army Colonel John Konrad. Much like Spec Ops of old, as it’s been about 10 years since the franchise graced the shelves, it’s all about using your own wits to deal with enemies, escape certain death and have a laugh whilst doing it. Looks good.
REVIEWS: UEFA Euro 2012 EA All Formats Everyone loves a little Euro hype. It’s not quite the World Cup, but it’s a great excuse to visit the pub. In this case it’s also a great reason for EA to give us a digital-only expansion pack (£15.99 / 1800 MS Points / 2500 FIFA Points on PC) for owners of FIFA 12. So if you’d like to lead your favourite European side – 53 UEFA member national teams have been included – to glory, then this is for you.
FOUR GREAT THINGS TO DRAW ON DRAW SOMETHING
1. Ninja WAAAAAHAAAA!!!! That is the sound of Mr Ninja.
Prototype 2 Activision PC, PS3, Xbox 360 We told you this would be good. Listen next time. 2. Bruce Lee Identical.
OUT THIS MONTH:
Top Gun: Hard Lock 505 Games PC, PS3, Xbox 360 We really liked the previous Top Gun game – which was released via iOS, PSN and Xbox Live a little while back – it captured the film quite well. We were literally going into the Danger Zone every other day. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a Maverick/ Goose, grab a pad, some decent thumb reflexes and jump a F14D Super Tomcat/ F22 Raptor/ F/A-18F Super Hornet.
3. Madonna Looks like the Material Girl to us. What d’ya think?
4. Shreck Roon-Tastic
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UNWIND WITH RIZ AHMED
QUICKFIRE Some quick ones with Mr Ahmed... Easy way or hard way? Hard way. Hot or cold? Hot. Night in with a special one or night out with your mates? Night in. Upstairs or downstairs? Upstairs. Salad or chips? Chips. Favourite food? Nihari. Favourite drink? Banana milkshake. Favourite song? Gabrielle by Roy Davis Jr. Ft. Peven Everett Favourite own song? Radar. Favourite TV show? Curb Your Enthusiasm Top Three films? La Haine, Thin Red Line and Terminator 2. And finally, your favourite number? 786. I thought you were more of a 787 guy! [Laughs] Nah, that’s played out. Pakistani and Muslims who read RWD will clock that. For some reason, it’s a number that’s significant to us. 80 / RWDMAG.COM
Unwind With RIZ AHMED
After watching Plan B’s iLL Manors, Riz Ahmed’s performance had to be commended. Danny Walker gives the rapper/ actor his props and talks music, Mr Drew and the merits of jam on toast?!?!
“WHAT WAS A BIG DILEMMA I HAD RECENTLY? ERM, I THINK A BIG ONE THAT NEVER GOES AWAY IN MY LIFE IS PEANUT BUTTER OR JAM...”
You’re murking on both fronts; music and acting, which gives you the least headache? They’re both different kinds of headache. Luckily they’re both pleasurable headaches. How would you describe ill Manors? A few of us have seen it now; it’s a truthful and eye-opening tale of London and quite deep in places... Yeah, I think it is something that is really ambitious and fresh in a hard hitting way. I don’t think a film like this has been made before; a film that takes in that street reality and does it in a way that speaks realism rather than having an out-and-out fun tone. The thing that is really impressive about it is the interlinking storylines. Like a City of God or Pulp Fiction, I think it’s honest in its tone and its story structure. All of the characters go to really unexpected places; I think the film challenges preconceptions. What type of director is Ben? The best combination you want from a director is someone who has a really clear idea of what they want but are quite loose about how you get there. He’s got that vibe about him. He really knows what he wants from a scene and he’s really open to you trying out whatever you want and saying whatever you need to say to get to that place. Quick and clear in his vision but loose in dialogue, which is a nice combination for an actor to work with. How did you want your character Aaron to come across? I didn’t want to play him as a hustler or as a street guy but just that he’s a guy who just happens to be in the situation he’s in. The nice thing about him is that as he stumbles into it he kind of goes about his daily life. He doesn’t know where things are gonna end up. He doesn’t start off as a man on a mission, he very much falls into it.
He has to face some big moral dilemmas - to pimp or not to pimp, etc. [Laughs] A nice little Shakespeare remix there. I don’t want to give anything away to your readers but once you see the film you know that Aaron as a character, he’s trying to understand women as he hasn’t had that kind of contact with his own mother. She hasn’t given him any maternal influence. What was last dilemma you had to face... what trainers to wear!?? [Laughs] erm, I think a big one that never goes away in my life is peanut butter or jam... Tell us about the single, All of You... [The video] was done by the same guys (DNR Films) who were involved with iLL Manors. It’s about all of those neighbourhoods that are full of hipsters but also hobos. The balance of the hipster vs. the hobos, the cool kids vs. the crackheads. You see it in so many parts of New York, London, any big city, you get such rapid gentrification; places overnight going from really ghetto to really arty and trendy. Will the new album follow on from this? Well, I last year I did a soft release with MICroscope so it’s out properly this summer – we’ve got a Plan B remix, a True Tiger remix and a load of new tunes on there. The single is out the end of May and the album 18 June. It’s been a long time in the making, but now, finally, three years later it’s out. I’m really excited to get it out there. How do you Unwind? [Long pause] Checking emails? That’s not very cool is it? I just like to sit in front of the TV and do nothing. My main thing is watch films and listen to music. I love the film La Haine; it’s wicked. For May/ June tour dates and other info check rizmc.com. Check out The Lab, Riz’s directorial debut on rizmc. com/short and catch Riz in iLL Manors out 6 June 81
UNWIND FILMS
FILMS Sit back, relax and get your film on... iLL Manors Revolver Cert 18 More than just going on an “urban safari” like the track of the same name suggests, Ben Drew’s feature length directorial debut is a raw-yet-captivating slice of London living that few get to see. Packaged in pockets of interwoven plots, sub-plots and general craziness that our capital’s underbelly is only too happy to deal up, this character-driven tale of inner city existence picks up pace from the off. With a solid performance from Riz Ahmed (who plays the paradoxical dealer with a heart) and on-point new comer Ryan De La Cruz (that naive kid who wants to be top boy at all costs), this is brilliant return of the Brit flick that’s more than just a Brit flick. With such a low budget and such a young cast Mr Drew should be patting himself on the back.
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ILL MANORS IN NUMBERS
This is the age of director Ben Drew. Guy Ritchie made his feature film debut with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels at 29, #justsaying.
This is the number of crew members that worked on the film. For the record there were 120 in the cast too including a micro cameo from Mr Drew himself.
This is the date the film is due to come out in May. Expect RWD to go and see it AGAIN in the cinema. Big screen, popcorn business!!!
Battleship E1 Entertainment Films Cert 12A When Hancock director Pete Berg told us he wanted to make a “Popcorn film,” we didn’t realise there would be such emphasis on the “corn”. Shrouded in plot-holes and unexplained character traits, the explosions are enjoyable and the aliens cool, but that’s about it for positive praise. That and the fact Berg didn’t cast Rihanna or Brooklyn Decker as the scantily-clad bimbo roles you’d expectd from two with limited acting talent and obvious aesthetic charms. (TS)
ADVANCE PREVIEWS
The single of the same name that accompanies the film is 3 minutes and 52 seconds long. It currently has 1,362,412 views on YouTube.
The Dictator Paramount Cert TBC - Out 18 May
This is the date the film is due to come out in June. Expect RWD to go and see it AGAIN in the cinema. Big screen, popcorn business!!!
The time is nearly upon us for Sacha Baron Cohen’s interesting take on Dictatorship as the Borat star ditches his mockumentary style for something more traditional; if you can even use that word when talking about the man who created Brüno. This is billed as a “heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.” The trailer suggests it’s another insane trip into the over-creative mind of Cohen. A trip worth taking? Only time will tell.
Fast Girls Studio Canal Cert TBC – Out 15 June Billed as a “British sports drama”, Regan Hall’s Fast Girls stars some of the UK’s brightest young stars. In the fast lane are Being Human’s Lenora Crichlow, Wrath of the Titans Lily James and Arthur from BBC One’s Merlin, Bradley James. The journey of street savvy Shania (Crichlow) and middle class Lisa (Lily James) is co-written by Noel Clarke and sees their two – very different – worlds explode on screen with dramatic results. With athletics, rivalry and personal journeys as the main threads of the film, Fast Girls looks like a hidden gem in the madness that make up this summer’s movie releases.
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FINAL WORD RITA ORA
FINAL WORD: RITA ORA Signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, Rita Ora receives advice and support in the form of Jay, Ye and Bey. Not a bad start for the 21 yearold! Along with releasing singles, completing her album (due for release later this year) and going off on her own tour, Rita is also supporting both Coldplay and Drake. Francesca Dunn let the busy bee have the Final Word.
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album’s gonna be pretty good. I just hope everyone else likes it too! What can we expect from it? Well I don’t really believe in genres, I just love music as a whole. So you can expect collection of eclectic music. I’ve been inspired by reggae in general, but then also No Doubt, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel, Duran Duran, Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy Hendrix. What do you do in your free time? I like to grab a Corona, read a book and just have some quiet time. Or just stay in the sun, listen to some music and chill. It’s so good to chill with my best friends too - they’re like my family, I’ve known them since I was little. What music are you listening to? That girl in Odd Future – Syd. She’s really good. I’ve been listening to Little Dragon as well - they’re great. I also love SBTRKT and Jakwob. What’s the plan? The plan is to just have fun with music and hope that you all love and enjoy it as much as I do so that we can just have one big party! @ritaora
RITA IN NUMBERS:
Rita Ora’s favourite number.
The number of Rita’s house.
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Your single R.I.P is out on 6 May. Can you tell us a bit about it? R.I.P features Tinie and is one of my favourite tracks on the album. I’ve kept it to myself for about two years now. It is such a banger and it just feels empowering to women. It has a really powerful and confident message that I feel really connected to. Is that the only collab? It’s the only one that I can confirm, but there are definitely some surprises...! If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be? I’d have to say Gwen. When I heard No Doubt for the first time, I just thought she was so cool! She really inspired me. She had attitude but she was so honest and real with it. So my dream collaboration would definitely be either her or Beyoncé. You’ve said before that Jay and Kanye have had a big part in your album... All I can say is that for a new artist like myself, having people like that around me is such a special thing. They really, really know what they’re doing. They helped me find myself. I think the
The number of no.1’s Rita is planning on getting.
The number of minutes it takes Rita to get ready in the morning.