RWD Team Editor Feature Writer Digital Editor Contributing Editor Contributors
@nardenescott @moorizzla @tegosigel @chantellefiddy Alex Johnson, Carly Wilford, Kieran Yates, Joseph “JP” Patterson,
Creative Director Designer Fashion Editor Stylists
@PXLpics Sam Hardy Sophie Robinson, Janine Jauvel, Violetta Thalia, Neesha Sharma Art Jaz, Funny Tummy, Jiro Bevis, David Flanagan, Lucas Jubb, Rachel Goslin, Matt Glasby Andres Reynega, James PH Response London, Adrian Nettleship, Jon Attenborough, Ravi Sidhu, Sam Bond, Pharaoh, Liam Ricketts Greg Bond, Felix Kemp
Illustrators
Editor’s Letter We told you last month something big was about to happen and judging by our RWD Football double cover, it’s obvious we weren’t joking around. Welcome to the RWD Football issue! Obviously I could bang on about footie for a minute but I’ll leave you in the hands of Tego, who met up with our cover stars, England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and the Welshman rapidly rising up the ranks, Aaron Ramsey; as well as getting the changing room dirt from Defoe, Baines and Podolski and putting South American’s Lamela and Fernandinho head to head. This isn’t a one off affair either; you can find RWD Football each and every month here and online via RWDfootball.com. Now, back to proceedings. A lot has gone down this year, including stuff we never ever want to witness again
- so pretty much anything bearing the word twerk or relating to Miley Cyrus. Regardless, we relive a few this issue but looking to the future are producers Huxley and T. Williams, plus songstress Elli Ingram; all have had an incredible 2013 with so much more to come. Kevin Hart recalls the last time his daughter sh*t herself, we consider Joseph Gordon Levitt’s Don Jon and provide an intensive guide to “safe internet browsing.” Plus the don Hattie Collins heads into the magical kingdom of RiFF RaFF and so much more, just get involved. See you in 2014!
Photographers
Video Publisher Commercial Dir. Senior Sales Sales Exec. Brand Relations Operations Thanks
Nigel Wells Paul LeFevre Matthew Richards Joe Waller Hattie Collins Martin Ferguson Bob Austin
@nardenescott
Contributors
Contact RWD RWD 4th Floor 60-62 Commercial Street Greater London E1 6LT Tel: 020 3176 4299 staff@RWDmag.com @RWDmag
Will “ill Will” Lavin
Ben Rebuck
Zach Wolfe
In a word, I’m... passionate You’ll normally find me... strapped to my laptop drinking a can of Mountain Dew This issue… is just the beginning I’m all about... hip hop culture I’m so over... Yeezy’s new album Get at me... @333illWill333 or illwill.co.uk
In a word, I’m... back You’ll normally find me... in the pub or at the football This issue… I’ve delved into the world of football stats and internet browsing I’m all about... plethora of Chelsea I’m so over... White Hart Lane Get at me... @benrebuck
In a word, I’m... confusing You’ll normally find me... in Atlanta riding my Fixie This issue… I shot RiFF RaFF at his Hollywood apartment filled with tons of dirty clothes I’m all about... chasing energy I’m so over... social media Get at me... zachwolfe.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
CONTENTS ISSUE #142 Regulars 12 14-15 16-20 60-61
#WGAF @RWDmag Instagram Check-In Check Out #ReadyForAnything: Huxley, Knytro, Kaytranada 62-63 About To Blow: Elli Ingram 86-87 Speaker’s Corner
RWD Football 24 25 26-31 30-31 32-33 34-35 46-47 50-51 52-54
Eds Letter RWD Football In Numbers Cover Story: Steven Gerrard Leighton Baines Jermain Defoe What Does Qualification Mean For Us? Lukas Podolski Head To Head: Argentina vs Brazil Cover Story: Aaron Ramsey
Style 36-45 Away Day 48-49 Boot Room 56-59 Turn-Style
Features 64-65 Charlie Sloth Meets T.Williams 66-69 Sarah Dumont 70-73 RiFF RaFF
Unwind 75 76-77 78-79 82-85
Anchorman 2 Kevin Hart Josh Cole The Big Review: 2013
#WGAF/ 12
#WGAF This month not a great deal has gone down to be honest, unless you actually bothered going to the MOBO Awards or still care to read endless Miley Cyrus blog posts, but there are a few things we should probably address... Joe Hart was meant to be Head and Shoulders above the rest, England’s next hope. A series of blunders sees City and England’s number one dropped to the bench, and rightly so. After nine cock-ups this calendar year alone against the likes of Scotland, Cardiff, Bayern and most recently Chelsea, England are hoping that bloke from those cringey Mars adverts to step up to the plate this summer. MOBO handed out awards to commercially successful artists again this year, surprisingly. Shout out Krept & Konan though, who deservedly bagged Best Newcomer and our boy Wiley finally grabbed one.
Cartoons Why the hell have we all become obsessed with dribbling even more of our lives across the Internet via these stupid cartoons? Is it not enough that we share every breathing moment across Twitter, Facebook, and even Google + for those that have been dragged in? Please just stop downloading this Bit Strip app.
Christmas. Yes, that’s right, nobody cares! Other then the actual time off work, we’re not getting anything out of this holiday. Our pockets are rinsed, even when you don’t buy for others, you still end up treating yourself to a little something from the sales. We’re just not falling for it this year!
Caption Contest Sony Walkman has hooked us up with something extra special this month. The 303 model from the WH Series which appear to be a stylish set of powerful cans, actually boasts a built in surround speaker and 4GB MP3 player, housing 1000 songs. All you have to do to win this 3-in-1 prize is tweet @RWDmag using #RWDWalkmanComp with more futuristic 3-in-1 ideas. Make sure you check the collaboration video of pro-skater Lucien Clarke, shot by Winstan Whitter and soundtracked by the one and only Breach, to see the WH Series in action on YouTube.com/SonyUK.
Mac Miller On Tim Westwood’s Departure From Radio 1
“For me [Tim] Westwood has one of the most legendary hip hop videos of all time.” Following the Birmingham leg of his recent European tour Mac Miller admits to Will “ill Will” Lavin that it’s a shame Tim Westwood is no longer at BBC Radio 1. When did you find out that Westwood was no longer going to be at Radio 1? I was actually there the day he found out. He was interviewing me in London. Was that when you did the basement freestyle, pulling out all of his vinyl? Yeah. I still need to give him some bars because every time I go and rap for him, it’s bullsh*t. That particular time was tight but I wanna go there and give him a real [set of bars]. What’s your opinion of his departure? It hurt me and I wish the best for him. I see him every time I’m here, he’s a cool guy. He shows my DJ love, which is always dope because a lot of people come and shake my hand [and that’s it], but if you show love to the people I come with then that shows me that you’re a real person. He has a big following in the U.S.? Everyone f**ks with Westwood, although I have heard that it’s different in the UK, which is surprising because in the U.S. people are like, ‘F**king Tim Westwood! We gotta go see Westwood.’ I’m so surprised it’s different in the UK. For me Westwood has one of the most legendary hip hop videos of all time with the Diplomats in London. It’s one of my favourite behind the scenes videos. @MacMiller release Watching Movies With The Sound Off is out now
@RWDMAG INSTAGRAM / 14
CHECK-IN CHECK OUT / 16
CHECK -IN CHECK OUT First Look Check-in… at scottsmenswear.com to get a sneak peak at the original lifestyle brand’s new apparel range. Dissatisfied with what the industry offered, Creative Rec focused on designing footwear that’s a hybrid between dressy and comfortable and the apparel follows suit this season with wardrobe casuals given that added tailored touch. Cop Creative Recreation at scottsmeanswear.com
Snap, Crackle and Pop
Young Kingz
Stars In Their Eyes
It’s all in the technique
Krept & Konan Play Dirty
Rise up through the virtual ranks
Check out… the best way to become the next Gareth Bale… sort of. adidas’ latest bit of tech comes in the form of this tidy little app which lets users track, record and analyse their football shots. Snapshot can assist in transforming the hit-and-hope types by helping you examine every aspect of your game. Download from the iOS App Store
Check-in… to Krept & Konan’s headline show at London’s 02 Academy Islington. Following a successful year which saw the south London hailing emcees sign to a major label and their independently released mixtape crack the Official Top 20, the guys take to the stage on 9 December and 28 December. Buy tickets at ticketmaster.co.uk
Check out… the most simple but addictive football game on the planet, New Star Soccer is back with NSS 1.5. Totally remodelled based on fan feedback, New Star Soccer 1.5 features a restructured career mode and more strategic on-pitch elements. Try New Star Soccer for free, before submitting to the full on addiction via the App Store
RWD Check-Ins
Hyped Forever
Up The Pressure
Hip hop immortalised by high school-er
Nike have upped the ante with their game-changing FuelBand
Check out… the latest talent to turn heads. Yet to graduate from high school, US artist Alexia Seeney, better know as HypeForever has garnered the attention of Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky with her innovative vector paintings which showcase her phenomenal talent with renditions of hip hop stars. Buy pieces on hypeforever.com
Check out… the hyped Nike+ FuelBand SE. Just like its predecessor, the SE tracks your daily movements but also links automatically to the recently created Nike+ FuelBand App, which registers your Fuel Rate aka NikeFuel earned per minute. Enter 2014 with a new obsession, staying in shape! Yours for £129, via nike.com
Virgin 40 Exhibition
Celebrating ‘40 years of disruptions’ Virgin brought out the big guns for their anniversary with the man himself Richard Branson in attendance and Will.i.am (via Google). There was even a mock up of the original 70s record shop, a truly epic exhibition.
NBA International Game
We were in Manchester, as guests of Sprite, to see our old-friend Kevin Durant show his class for Oklahoma City Thunder who look well placed ahead of the NBA season after beating the Philadelphia 76ers at the Phones 4U Arena.
Triple Threat Asics introduces a special pack of kicks this Christmas Check-in… at asics.com and step up your 2014 in one swoop. Fair enough the leather, suede and mesh uppers of the Gel Lyte III, Gel Saga and GT II are in Christmas friendly colourways but they’ll last the test of time. Check asics.com for stockist and prices
BBC Radio 1Xtra Mixtape Panel
RWD joined Semtex, Charlie Sloth, Link Up, NME, etc. to debate who dropped the best mixtape in 2013 as part of their hip hip month. Some were a whitewash, whilst a couple of categories digressed into allsorts. No Who’s On The Panel biz here… catch the full list throughout November on BBC Radio 1Xtra.
CHECK-IN CHECK OUT / 18
Give Me Some Energy Never again will your devices leave you in the lurch
Piste Off Get bookings in for Mayhorfen’s annual musical onslaught Check-in… at snowbombing.com to book your first festival of the season. Austria is the only place you need to be on 7-12 April, as fancy dress parties, igloo raves, mountain stages, forest parties, spas and pools erupt throughout the small town of Mahyrofen to the sounds of Ben Pearce, Redlight, EZ, Rodigan and more. Ice cold Jagermeister at the ready! Further line ups announced soon via @Snowbombing
Check out… how Mophie can literally save your life. No longer will the 10% battery life cause you to crumble. Disguised as a lightweight, protective phone case the Juice Pack Helium can charge your i-Phone 5 back up to 80% with the simple click of a button. For those tech fanatics on the move, there’s even a dual powerstation that can charge phones and USB points simultaneously. The Juice Pack Helium is £69.95 and the Powerstation Duo is £89.95 and available at mophie.com and Selfridges
Street Life
Gold Oxygen
Airborne Apple
10.Deep goes darker than dark this season
Smell Like Gold
Apple Release the sleek and ultra thin iPad Air
Check out… Nightfall, the latest range from NYC’s hip hop, skate and punk influenced band, 10.Deep. Camo prints are kept super low key in black-on-black adorned pieces but there’s also some key floral patterns roaming around too, injecting a little colour into the bleak months ahead. Check 10deep.com for the range
Check out… Jay Z’s first cologne; the aptly entitled Gold. The fragrance is said to smell like ginger, cardamom and grapefruit, with a hint of blueberry. The words “Power” “Pride” “Confidence” “Strength” “Success” and “Courage” are all embossed in the gold cap. Spraying it will give you some of each, you’d hope. Available from 29 November
Check out… Apple’s latest offering. Weighing just 1lb the iPad Air is 20% lighter than the previous generation, but with a bigger screen, thanks to 43% less bezel around the edge. The device is being called the lightest full-sized tablet in the world, and Apple’s “biggest leap forward.” Grab it now for £399
Andres Reynaga
Dynamo: Magician Impossible
Modern day magic, dressed in a hoodie and trainers, looks very different from the stereotypes of old. Alya Mooro sits down with Dynamo ahead of his DVD release to talk bullies, celebrity fans and dispelling stereotypes.
Out Of This World Time to step your game up Check out… Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest eye-catching Mercurial boot featuring the out of this world supernova print. The Nike Mercurial IX CR7 makes nods to popular theory that the Portuguese attacker is in fact a martian, it also features a seven star path print which pays homage to Cristiano’s Real Madrid and international shirt number. The Nike Mercurial IX CR7 is available now from nike.com
What was your ideal outcome for the show? Magician Impossible: the show like you see it. I think what was missing in magic - and in a lot of television, because we have such an influx of reality TV shows – was the mystery. I wanted to kind of bring the element of surprise back into magic, because I think it’s one of the best parts of it. You practiced a lot of magic on bullies when you were younger. What impact did that have? It got me out of a lot of trouble. Without them actually bullying me, I probably never would even have stumbled upon magic. I’d take away their strength. They used to pick me up, put me inside a bin and push me down the hill, but I took away their strength so they couldn’t lift me up anymore. It kind of freaked them out. Who’s your favourite celebrity you’ve performed for? After performing magic for Snoop [Dogg] he started rapping about the magic. Snoop Dogg rapped about magic, he rapped about me! How many people can say that?
Double Up
Pulses Racing
French fashion warriors A.P.C collaborate with Carhartt
Something to set off the house party season
Check out… the extent to which A.P.C and Carhartt have come together for their capsule collection. Everything from leather and denim jackets to wool sweaters, low rise denim’s and even accessories are considered with wallets and beanies on offer too. What more do you want?! Head to shop.carhartt-wip.com
Check out… the latest in DIY party entertainment. Scrap the swanky club; get your pals round and do it all yourself. No need to waste money as this handy little gadget has everything. Built in bass and custom LED light show make the JBL Pulse the most attractive portable speaker around. Party non-stop £179.99 at jbl.com
What is the stereotype of the magician you most want to dispel? When you first think of someone famous, either a singer comes to mind or an actor, generally. I think breaking that mould and actually becoming something other than just a novelty act. The fact that nowadays I don’t have to have magician on the end of my name… Hopefully in 100 years to come, when I’ve long gone when people think of the word magic, I want them to think of me. Dynamo: Magician Impossible Series Three is out now on DVD
CHECK-IN CHECK OUT / 20 Cat’s got the cream The iconic 90s silhouette is back in a big way Check out… the Colorado, the ultimate statement boot from Cat. Since its release in 1991, the classic style has transcended cultures; what was once the worker’s footwear of choice is now clearly a key piece of street culture. The traditional yellow nubuck style is hotly followed by updated autumnal colourways, which include camo accents and contrasting leather toecaps. Often mimicked but never equalled, this throwback boot is more than a worthy purchase. The Cat Colorado Boot is available from catfootwear.com/uk, BANK and Scotts RRP £100
RWD GOES
SAMBA
Photography James Pearson-Howes
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Steven Gerrard wears adidas Originals Trefoil Tech Jacket ÂŁ100 available at jdsports.co.uk
/ 24
editor’s letter
The minute we decided that RWD were going big on football, a shortlist of ideal players was drawnup. Suffice to say that Steven Gerrard and Aaron Ramsey were in elite company at the very top of that list. The England captain, who I had the pleasure of watching guide England to the World Cup with a near perfect performance against Poland at Wembley last month, has been as dominant this season as he was in the second half of that Champions League final in 2005, or at any other stage in his career. Leader of the new Liverpool, Stevie G invited us into the dressing room that he’s inhabited for the entirety of his career, sharing his thoughts on Jamie Charragher’s first few months as a Sky Sports pundit and firing a warning to the young players at Anfield trying to control the dressing room playlist. In Aaron Ramsey we’ve managed to snag the Premier League’s most in-form star, one who many had written-off as a squad player in a declining Arsenal side last year, but whose natural ability and relentless work rate have turned miles covered into match-winning goals and assists for the rejuvenated north London side. Young Rambo’s ascent may be surprising, but nobody will argue that he hasn’t earned his break. With the World Cup looming, we took a look at South America’s teams most likely to, by comparing Argentina and Brazil’s chances in their home continent. Jermain Defoe sat down to talk style and music, while Lukas Podolski gave us an insight into his life off the pitch, with in-demand England left-back Leighton Baines breaking down Breaking Bad, Zidane and of course those lethal free-kicks. With all the talk about how England’s World Cup qualification will affect the British economy, we’ve asked the question, What Does Qualification Mean To Us? Welcome to RWD Football
IN THIS ISSUE: Leighton Baines Talks Breaking Bad
Steven Gerrard On The Anfield Dressing Room
Aaron Ramsey Plays Candy Crush
RWD Football In Numbers With a total of 342 international caps between them, we’ve broken down the numbers that matter from the seven full internationals who adorn this issue.
The total transfer fees paid for Erik Lamela make him RWD Football’s most valuable player With the most international goals Lukas Podolski is RWD Football’s deadliest international striker His incredible record for Liverpool gives Steve Gerrard RWD Football’s most appearances With European and Ukrainian titles under his belt, Fernandinho is RWD Football’s most honoured player Leading his nation at an incredible age Aaron Ramsey is RWD Football’s youngest international captain Creating more chances than any other player in any of Europe’s top five leagues last season, Leighton Baines is RWD Football’s most creative player An incredible haul of career goals, Jermain Defoe is RWD Football’s most lethal club striker
Lukas Podolski Talks Life Off The Pitch
Jermain Defoe Breaks Down Style at The Lane
£39M 46 631 14 20 116 217 Brazil and Argentina Go Head To Head
/ 26
the
STEVEN GERRARD There has always been an inevitability about Steven Gerrard. Destined to captain Liverpool. Destined to load his mantle with individual and team honours. Destined to play for England, and ultimately destined to lead the nation into a World Cup as its captain. If Stevie G has ever been under pressure, you’d never know it, at 33 years old; the engine is as finely tuned as ever, the passing is still inch perfect and the evergreen one-club man is ready to take the expectations of a nation on his shoulders and charge forward. Talking away days, trainers, Jamie Carragher and more, we were lucky enough to grab a chat with one of the game’s all-time greats… Photography James Pearson-Howes
“You’d think the captain would have a bit of authority and put his stuff on, but no, it’s all hip hop and R&B and dance stuff which I’m a little bit too old for at this point.” How have you enjoyed watching Jamie on TV this season? Who’s Jamie? Redknapp or Carragher? [smiles] We’ll go with Carragher… Yeah, I’ve enjoyed him. Especially if he isn’t criticizing me or my team. I enjoy watching him. He’s a very interesting guy and his knowledge of the game is fantastic, I always knew he’d do well. I think with time the public will grow to him and like him even more. It’s a bit strange not having him in the dressing room, but I think he’s doing a good job. I think he still
had a little bit more to offer on the pitch. It would have been nice if he’d hung around, but the manager’s gone out and replaced him with a couple of decent centre-backs, so hopefully they can do the job that we wanted him to do. As the captain, do you feel like you’re the leader of the English game? I’d like to think so, I feel as if I’m doing a decent job and there’s a lot of hard work to go and we’re a couple of games away from achieving everyone’s dreams, which is to go to the World Cup in Brazil. Of course there’s pressure and responsibility on me as the Liverpool and England captain, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s something I’ve worked really hard for and I want to really enjoy the position I’m in. Off the pitch, would you say you’ve got good taste in music? Well, I think I have. Other people might not agree, but I’m a big Kings of Leon fan, Coldplay, that type of stuff. So is that the kind of music you’re likely to hear in the Liverpool dressing room? No, it’s not! You’d think the captain would have a bit of authority and put his stuff on, but no, it’s all hip hop and R&B and dance stuff which I’m a little bit too old for at this point. It gets you pumped up and that’s the idea. The reason you have music in the dressing room is to get the adrenaline pumping and get everybody up-beat and ready to play, really; ready for battle. Who are the worst offenders then? Music offenders? I think your Daniel Sturridge, your Victor Moses, all them lot. Even the young lads are trying to chip in, [Raheem] Sterling and [Andre] Wisdom, they’re the music gurus. You’ve got a strong affiliation with adidas, what are your favourite trainers? I like the Superstars, they’re the ones that I’m always reminding adidas to send me.
Steven Gerrard wears adidas Originals Trefoil Tech Jacket ÂŁ100 available at jdsports.co.uk
/ 28 But all the way through my career I’ve always tried to strive for the best and thankfully adidas have supported me since I was a young boy and they’ve always provided the best kits and boots and even the casual gear for me, so the relationship is still as strong as ever. What do you think of the adidas Originals you’re wearing today? Shocking! [Laughs] No, I’m only joking. It’s nice, it’s casual, it’s comfortable type of stuff. You know, you go into training daily in your jeans, nice casual jumper and some comfortable trainers, it’s what us footballers like to hang around in, so it’s perfect. You must have developed a few ways to pass the time when you’re preparing for games, what have you found that works? iPads, DVDs, music, all the usual stuff. As you say we spend a lot of time in hotels and boredom can be a nuisance at times, so I just entertain myself and get on Facebook and stuff like that. I FaceTime with the children. What kind of DVDs are you into? I’m a box set man. Breaking Bad and The Sopranos, all the usual classics. I watched a good movie recently actually, called The Call, at the cinema, I’d highly recommend that. Are you a full-on Breaking Bad addict then? I’ve only just started it and I’ve gone through the boring bit, but I’ve heard really good things about it and that each season gets better and better, so I’m baring with it and I’m expecting good things. What are your favourite films? Goodfellas, Scarface. I’m into the gangster films, I’m a big fan of them. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that? [Laughs]. What advice would you give to a young player trying to make his or her way in the game? Basically, just do whatever you can do to achieve your dream really. Work hard, practice as much as you can and every opportunity you get to get a ball at your feet and practice, left foot, right foot and work as hard as you can. I think that’s what I did from a very young age, I just put the time in and the dedication and that helped me get to where I wanted to be. Steven Gerrard wears the adidas Nitrocharge 1.0 available at jdsports.co.uk
“Of course there’s pressure and responsibility on me as the Liverpool and England captain, but I wouldn’t change it for the world, it’s something I’ve worked really hard for and I want to really enjoy the position I’m in.”
Steven Gerrard wears adidas Originals Premium Sweater ÂŁ45 adidas Originals ZX 750 ÂŁ65 available at jdsports.co.uk
/ 30 Leighton Baines wears adidas Originals Superstar Mixed Track Top ÂŁ60 adidas Originals Gazelle OG ÂŁ65 available at jdsports.co.uk
rock solid
Leighton Baines Having climbed from League One to the Premier League as a teenager with Wigan Athletic, Leighton Baines has since established himself as one of the best full-backs on the planet. Recently described as a “complete player” the dynamic Kirkby born defender has grown into one of the most assured and effective players for club and country. Sitting down with the mutton chopped number three; we talked Zidane, free-kicks, Breaking Bad and more… Photography James Pearson-Howes
“I think one of the greatest players and the one I remember watching the most was [Zinedine] Zidane, especially in the World Cups and stuff like that” As a highly technical, attacking defender, who was your idol growing up? I think one of the greatest players and the one I remember watching the most was [Zinedine] Zidane, especially in the World Cups and stuff like that. He was such a phenomenal player. There was nothing he couldn’t do really and he’s the one you’d tell your kids about. You’re famous for your music taste, what are you listening to at the moment? I like to think I’ve got a variation of things I’m listening to. It predominantly is a lot of guitar based music and things like that. Is that what you’re listening to before games? Personally yeah, but normally before the game there’s a mix on that’s already been put together, so we go with that. We did have a period where everybody picked a song, but then it wasn’t working for everyone so now one of the tech guys just does his own mix and I think it suits most people. Would you say you’re one of the players with better music taste in the dressing room? I think most people in the dressing room would disagree. I think my taste is different to the majority of the lads, but they let me put a tune on now and again. What music gets put on in the dressing room that you’re not a fan of? I’m not really into the house music somebody keeps putting on. I’m not sure who’s responsible, but it’s not for me. What would you say is the strongest element to your game? I’m not sure. I find it difficult sometimes to talk
about things like that. I’ve just scored a couple of free-kicks, so I think it would be easier at this current moment to say that. Was there ever a moment as a young player when you really felt like you’d made it? Yeah. Probably when I’d played my first few games in the Premier League. I came from what would be League One now, so to get there was amazing, that was definitely a moment. How are you keeping yourself occupied on those long away trips? On away trips, we take DVDs and I normally have a book or two on the go. As you say it’s just about filling the gaps really, there’s a lot of dead time, waiting around, trying to relax and those are things you can do with your feet up and just let the energy filter back into your body. What kind of DVDs do you take with you? I tend to go through a lot of series’ because we spend a lot of time on the road, so Breaking Bad has been the one that I’ve been going through recently. I think a lot of the other lads have been getting onto that one now as well. I’m waiting for this season to end, so I can do it all in one go when I’m on the road. I normally tell the lads because everybody’s on the lookout for something to keep them entertained on the road, so people tend to share their opinions on things like that. What’s your all-time favourite series? Probably The Sopranos is the one that’s still the standout. There’s a lot to get into so you can spend a lot of time watching it and enjoying it, but I think that’s the one for me. Leighton Baines wears the adidas Predator LZ available at jdsports.co.uk
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“I love my clothes to be honest, my wardrobe’s full, but I don’t know, I think I can mix it up, not bad for a boy from east London”
sharp shooter
JERMAIN Defoe One of the deadliest strikers of a generation, Tottenham Hotspurs’ Jermain Defoe has the predator instincts to match the electrifying pace and razor sharp reflexes that consistently make him one of the English game’s most feared attackers. Inviting us into the Spurs dressing room for a rare glimpse at the characters, styles and banter at the club, we sat down with with the England international. Photography Jon Attenborough Who controls the music in the Tottenham Hotspur dressing room? To be honest, we have turns. Lewis Holtby at the minute, he’s controlling the music, he seems to think he’s got good taste in music, some might think different, but so far he’s doing alright to be honest, we keep winning, so it’s good. Who can’t be trusted to control the music? I don’t know. It’s a funny one because I think a few of the lads get nervous and they don’t really want to put their music on. I don’t know to be honest, even the Brazilian boys, Sandro and that, they put their music on and I like it, all the samba stuff. I don’t know, I’m not too sure to be honest. What do you like to listen to before games to get you pumped up? I like Drake. I like listening to Drake before a game. Drake? Really? People say that with the singing and that, but I don’t know, I like Drake. Obviously Jay Z as well, but yeah, it gets me pumped.
How would you rate your sense of style? How would I rate my dress sense? I’ve got to be up there, aint I? [Laughs] I don’t know. Obviously everybody likes to try. I love my clothes to be honest, my wardrobe’s full, but I don’t know, I think I can mix it up, not bad for a boy from east London. I can wear tracksuits, put some jeans on, I like my leather jackets, I can also wear a suit as well, I enjoy wearing suits. A lot of people don’t like wearing suits, but I like to put a nice suit on, a nice fitted suit, so yeah, I do think about my dressing. Who would you say has got the worst sense of style in the dressing room? Wow, man. You’re gonna get me beat-up. The person that’s got the worst dress sense… I wouldn’t say the worst dress sense, it’s not the best to be honest, and I hope he doesn’t see this. I would say Brad Friedel, but that may be because when you come to training you don’t have to make an effort. Sometimes you see Brad and he’ll have a nice pair of jeans on and he’ll have some rascal trainers on. I think Brad’s up there. Lewis Holtby, I’ve seen him wear some strange stuff man, some funny colours like he’s going Carnival. Jermain Defoe wears the adizero F50 available at jdsports.co.uk
Jermain Defoe wears adidas Originals Pocket T-Shirt £25 adidas Originals Gazelle OG £65 available at jdsports.co.uk
What Does Qualification
Mean For Us? Qualification for next summer’s World Cup is believed to be worth £3billion to the UK economy. In an attempt to understand how that money will be spent, we’ve tried to work-out exactly what qualification means for us.
WATCHING Whether it’s at the games or on the sofa, these winter months were built for football and with domestic, European and international games coming thick and fast, being a fan can be expensive, but only if you’re doing it properly
£600.00 55” HD Smart TV
£294.00
Sky Sports subscription for seven months
THE LOVE Even if you’re not playing football, you’ll be investing, as all lovers of the game will, in a few crucial elements. Imagine a football fan without FIFA 14? Absolutely unthinkable
£400.99 Next Gen console
£39.99 FIFA 14
£4.00
SUPPORTING Being a football fan isn’t cheap, but you can’t claim to be behind the boys if you’re not rocking the new shirt and a few of the most crucial of accessories
Face paint because you were caught-up in the moment
£52.00 England Shirt available at jdsports.co.uk
£110.00
Bottle of Dom Perignon for when England win the WC
PLAYING Even if you’re only kicking the ball about with your mates in the park on a Sunday, you’re going to need the boots and stepping things up from there, requires a little more investment
£15.00 Three cans of Deep Freeze Spray to last the winter
£140.00
Football Boots available at jdsports.co.uk
£60.00 5-a-side/ Sunday League kit
£150.00
30 weeks of 5-a-side subs
£23.00 Shin Pads available at jdsports.co.uk
away day
Photographer Jon Attenborough Styling Sophie Robinson Grooming Shreya A Model Tom, Gus @ fmmodels Lewis @ nevs
Opposite: Lewis wears Duck and Cover bomber duckandcover.co.uk adidas print wind breaker adidas.co.uk adidas Samba trainers adidas.co.uk Henri Lloyd dark denim jeans scottsmenswear.com Lewis wears Fly53 navy mac fly53.co.uk K-Way ivy green windbreaker k-way.co.uk England Home football jersey jdsports.com Gus wears Original Penguin wool harrington originalpenguin.co.uk Pretty Green red harrington scottsmenswear.com Fila White Line polo scottsmenswear.com One True Saxon dark denim jeans scottsmenswear.com Gus wears Fred Perry gingham collar polo jdsports.com Duck and Cover knitted cardigan duckandcover.com Fred Perry parka scottsmenswear.com Henri Lloyd denim jeans scottsmenswear.com Reebok workout+ jdsports.com
Above: Tom wears Duck and Cover navy wool donkey jacket duckandcover.co.uk Ben Sherman roll neck knit jumper bensherman.co.uk One True Saxon dark denim jeans scottsmenswear.com Kickers Hi sand boots kickers.co.uk
Opposite: Tom wears Penfield Trailwear gingham shirt penfield.com Weekend Offender white polo weekendoffender.com Starter bobble hat starterblacklabel.co.uk
Lewis wears Victorinox reversible jacket victorinox.com Starter windbreaker jacket starterblacklabel.co.uk One True Saxon denim jeans scottsmenswear.com adidas Dragon trainers jdsports.co.uk Tom wears Penfield Trailwear gingham shirt penfield.com Weekend Offender white polo weekendoffender.com Levi’s skinny jeans levis.com HYPE camo spot plimsolls hype.com Starter bobble hat starterblacklabel.co.uk Gus wears Aquascutum check scarf scottsmenswear.com Fila White Line Track jacket scottsmenswear.com Gabicci button up knitted polo gabicci.com Levi’s jeans levis.com Nike Air Max 90s jdsports.co.uk
Above: Lewis wears adidas football print sweatshirt adidas.co.uk Liverpool retro football jersey jdsports.co.uk Weekend Offender scarf weekendoffender.com Reebok Workout+ navy jdsports.co.uk
Gus wears Weekend Offender shirt and jumper weekendoffender.com Penfield Trailwear puffer cord jacket penfield.com Wrangler stonewashed jeans wrangler.com Reebok Workout+ white jdsports.co.uk
Tom wears Ben Sherman knitted polo bensherman.com EA7 Armani hoodie scottsmenswear.com Alpinestars grey skinny jeans alpinestars.com adidas Originals Samba jdsports.co.uk
This page: Tom wears Ben Sherman Plectrum knitted polo bensherman.com EA7 Armani hoodie scottsmenswear.com Alpinestars grey skinny jeans alpinestars.com adidas Originals Samba jdsports.co.uk Opposite: Tom wears Nicholas Deakins quilted jacket scottsmenswear.com Penfield Trailwear denim shirt penfield.com Alpinestars grey skinny jeans alpinestars.com adidas LA trainer jdsports.co.uk Gus wears Wrangler denim jacket wrangler.com Duck and Cover check shirt duckandcover.co.uk adidas trefoil knitted jumper adidas.co.uk Religion dark denim jeans religion.co.uk Kickers Hi tan boots kickers.co.uk Lewis wears adidas ZT Tracksuit scottsmenswear.com One True Saxon Bosa 5 pocket jacket scottsmenswear.com Reebok Workout+ white trainers jdsports.co.uk Lewis wears Billionaire Boys Club tracksuit bbcicecream.com Victorinox reversible bomber jacket victorinox.com K-Swiss Classics kswiss.co.uk New Era bobble hat neweracap.co.uk
Opposite: Gus wears Weekend Offender shirt and jumper weekendoffender.com Penfield Trailwear cord jacket penfield.com Wrangler stonewashed jeans wrangler.com Reebok Workout+ white jdsports.co.uk
Above: Tom wears New Era Pittsburg bobble hat neweracap.co.uk New Era varsity fleece jacket neweracap.co.uk PXL Corrupt sweatshirt pxlclothing.com Saucony Grid 9000 saucony.co.uk
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POWERHOUSE
lukas podolski “When I was a boy I always had a ball with me and I was playing with my friends outside. You must have fun, have a focus on the game, keep the ball with you and love the game”
Lukas Podolski wears adidas Originals adi-Ease 2 £52 available at jdsports.co.uk
Teasing a natural shot from the subject of today’s interview, photographer Jon Attenborough enquires, “Where are you from?” prompting Lukas Podolski to respond, with a wink and a smile; “Italy!” A reputation for mischief, his 46 goals for Germany, his Young Player of the Tournament award at the 2006 World Cup and his solid 16 goal return in his first Premier League season tells you that the Cologne raised striker is serious when it matters. We sat down with the Arsenal forward to talk music, downtime, skills and style. Photography Jon Attenborough
Do you have a favourite moment as a professional? I have a lot you know, I have played for 10 years, when you travel a lot around the world to see different countries and different people, I think this is great to see. And of course the game. Every game is something great! When you come out, the stadium is full; you play with your team. How do you rate your skills on the football pitch? I don’t mind about skills, because football is not about skills. The game is hard, it’s quick and it doesn’t depend on skills. Who was your favourite player growing up? Ronaldo. But the Brazilian one! What music are you listening to at the moment? I don’t have special music, so I put the radio on in the car and listen. What are you listening to, Classic FM? Classic? No! No! No! Just some pop and hip hop. Who controls the music in the dressing room? The French guys! It’s Bacary Sagna. Some of the music is terrible. But you focus on the game; I have my earphones on and listen to my music. Who would you call the worst dressed player in the dressing room? That’s not easy to say. There’s a lot of them. It depends on the day! One day you see a player and you say ‘Oh nice!’ another day comes and they’re the worst dressed and you say ‘What is this?’ I don’t have one player to pick out. What do you do to relax between games? I’m at home with my son! I play with my son and I have a dog also, so we relax at home between the sessions and after the game and play at home and go for dinner. What would you say to a young player trying to make his way in the game? It’s not easy to say, because everybody has a dream to be a footballer, but it’s not easy. You must work hard. When I was a boy I always had a ball with me and I was playing with my friends outside. You must have fun, have a focus on the game, keep the ball with you and love the game. Lukas Podolski wears the adizero F50 available at jdsports.co.uk
“[On his taste in music] Classic? No! No! No! Just some pop and hip hop.”
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BOOT ROOM Not just about how they look, we got up close and personal with the adidas Samba Pack before they hit pitches worldwide this winter. All of the boots in the adidas Samba Pack are available at jdsports.co.uk Photography Jon Warman
Nitrocharge 1.0 Designed for ‘The Engine’ player, it’s no surprise that Steven Gerrard and Daniele De Rossi have made the Nitrocharge their boot of choice. The eyecatching, arching strip is called the Energysling, which supports sidecut and turn movements to sharpen reactions on the pitch, while a protective mesh layer around the foot along with protection pads around the most sensitive tackle zones such as the Achilles tendon offer support for the competitive midfield warrior.
adizero F50 Lionel Messi’s weapon of choice, the F50 is designed for the Speed Demon. With adi’s Hybridtouch super soft high-performance upper for all weather conditions and Speedfoil upper with ultra light, soft, durable and flexible heel. Boasting a new high speed stud alignment for maximum acceleration and quicker turns, the boot also features Dribbletex 3D grip texture for dribbling at pace under dry and wet conditions.
adidas Predator LZ One of the most iconic football boots of all time, the Predator was favoured by David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane and is currently worn by the likes of Mesut Özil and Aaron Ramsey. The 2013 incarnation features the legendary Predator SL Rubber technology with five Lethal Zones for control in the touch as well as Sprintframe construction for lightweight stability for the most creative midfielder player’s diverse range of passing.
adiPure 11Pro Designed for a natural fit and feel, the adiPure is something of a rarity in modern football boots in that it’s made of leather, Taurus calf leather to be precise. Giving the 11Pro a glovelike fit, the leather upper is supplemented with a synthetic suede lining, offering enhanced comfort, with strategic flex zones helping players like Frank Lampard and Philipp Lahm adapt to the ground and offer extra midfoot stability.
available at
Head to Head With the summer of Samba fast approaching, the eyes of the world will be fixed squarely on South America where two of football’s most dominant nations will have designs on the game’s ultimate prize. With Erik Lamela’s Argentina and Fernandinho’s Brazil expected to mount a serious challenge in their home continent, we had a look at the great international rivalry to see just who has the upper hand. Photography (Left) Jon Attenborough Photography (Right) James Pearson-Howes Though Erik Lamela (left) and Fernandinho (right) both share a relatively low five caps apiece, both will play crucial roles if their respective nations are to live up to expectations next summer. Manchester City’s Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho anchored Brazil’s Confederations Cup win, while Tottenham Hotspurs’ Argentinian starlet Erik Lamela is one of the most talked about young players in the world.
Erik Lamela wears adidas Originals Trefoil Lite Coat £90 available at jdsports.co.uk
OLD SKOOL GODLIKE TALISMANS
1
GODLIKE TALISMANS
1
GOALS VS BRAZIL
157
WINS VS BRAZIL
37
BIGGEST WIN VS
6-1
OLYMPIC GOLDS
2
COPA AMERICAS
8
WORLD CUPS
2
ARGENTINA
1
OLD SKOOL GODLIKE TALISMANS
1
GODLIKE TALISMANS
158 40 6-2
GOALS VS ARGENTINA WINS VS ARGENTINA BIGGEST WIN VS
0
OLYMPIC GOLDS
14
COPA AMERICAS
5
WORLD CUPS
BRAZIL
There are a few positive omens for both countries ahead of the summer tournament, with all of the previous six competitions to have taken place in the continent being won by local nations. A quick glance at the history books reveals the very obvious godlike talismans and their effects on the two nations, with Argentina’s former miniature wizard winning the 1986 trophy almost single-handed. (What price on the 2013 incarnation doing the same?) The last three bouts between the pair have been close fought as the Argies pipped Brazil by a single goal when they met in 2009, following a hat-trick from the aforementioned Catalonia-based star. The Brazilians hold the bragging rights most recently, winning 2-1 in the first of a two-legged affair, with a second half stoppage time penalty proving the difference. In the second leg, the Argentinians matched Brazil’s scoreline of 2-1, with all three goals coming in the final 10 minutes of the game. Penalties were needed to decide the winner, with the Brazilians claiming the spoils. Erik Lamela (left) holds the adizero F50 available at jdsports.co.uk. Fernandinho (right) holds the adidas Predator LZ available at jdsports.co.uk.
Fernandinho wears adidas Originals Premium Sweater £45 available at jdsports.co.uk
/ 52 Aaron Ramsey wears adidas Originals Trefoil Pique Hoody ÂŁ55 available at jdsports.co.uk
MAN ON FIRE
Aaron Ramsey The Premier League’s form star, some would call Aaron Ramsey the most improved player in the world this year. But a virtual ever-present in Arsenal’s 2012/13 season, the dynamic midfielder - nicknamed Rambo - can point to a steady incline that has culminated in an explosive, but not unexpected start to this campaign. Getting to know the Cardiff born Welsh international, Ramsey invites us into the dressing room, gives us an insight into what makes him tick and sets up a fair amount of banter with his teammates… Photography Jon Attenborough
“The worst person to control the music is probably Emmanuel Frimpong. I don’t understand half of it [laughs] and he’s just dancing to it.”
Who was your idol growing up? It was a guy called Graham Kavanagh. I used to go and watch Cardiff play a lot and he was the captain of the club at the time and the person that I used to look up to. What music are you listening to at the moment? The music I listen to is my band, a lot of indie music, the Arctic Monkeys in particular. At the moment, I really like Mad Sounds. Who controls the music in the dressing room? Normally Theo Walcott or Olivier Giroud control the music but I’d have to go with Theo’s iPod, it’s slightly better. Who is the worst person you could let control the music in the dressing room? The worst person to control the music is probably Emmanuel Frimpong. He’s got some dodgy music on there, which is not everybody’s taste. I don’t understand half of it [laughs] and he’s just dancing to it. What is your favourite film? I like the Bourne Trilogy. I think they’re pretty good and probably up there with my favourite films. Are there any other sports you make time for? I like to play golf in my time off. There are a few of us that get out there with some of the staff as well, so yeah that’s something that me and my teammates do. Theo’s pretty good, there’s always a bit of competition whenever me and him play. We play off the same handicap, there’s always a good game. How else do you keep your mind occupied on those long away trips? You have a lot of phone calls and text messages, that take your mind off of it, having conversations with your friends and your family. Probably the iPad as well, there are a lot of games on there, which we use to take our minds off it and chill out.
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Aaron Ramsey wears adidas Originals Trefoil Pique Hoody £65 adidas Originals Seeley £55 available at jdsports.co.uk
“I’m into [Candy Crush] at the moment. I don’t know how some of the players are on [level] 250 while I’m still on like 49 or something.” What would you say is the strongest element of your game? I think maybe my passing or work-rate. You need them to be a top quality midfielder and that’s something that I’ve worked on a lot. Who was your biggest inspiration growing up? My parents were always there to support me up and down the country, every weekend, and are still doing that, so they’re the biggest support I’ve had in my career. What advice would you give to young players trying to make it in the game? To enjoy it and to be keen to learn and get better and listen to their coaches and people who know them best to get better.
How would you rate your dress sense? It’s okay. It’s quite plain and boring, but it’s quite safe. I’m not one of these people who try to make a statement. Who would you say has the worst dress sense in the dressing room? Probably Tomas Rosicky. He just likes to come in in his tracksuits, taking full advantage of the free clothes he gets. What has been your proudest moment as a player? I think the proudest moment was captaining my country at such a young age. That’s up there with one of the best moments so far in my career. Have you set yourself any targets this season? I haven’t really, I just take every game as it comes and keep building on my last performance and try to get better as the season goes on. Aaron Ramsey wears the adidas Predator LZ available at jdsports.co.uk
TURN-STYLE We’ve got your matchday footwear covered with the best in terrace style. Photography Jon Attenborough Styling Sophie Robinson
This page: Cat Colorado catfootwear.com Palladium City Tech palladiumboots.co.uk Opposite above: Nike Air Pegasus scottsmenswear.com Nike Cortez Nylon jdsports.co.uk adidas Originals ZX 750 jdsports.co.uk Opposite below: adidas Gazelle OG jdsports.co.uk Puma Suede Puma.com Reebok Workout + jdsports.co.uk
Above: adidas Ransom Huron oki-ni.com Reebok Workout+ jdsports.co.uk K-Swiss Classics kswiss.co.uk
Opposite: Ellesse Marathon 84 scottsmenswear.com adidas Originals ZX 750 jdsports.co.uk Saucony Shadow Original saucony.co.uk
#READYFORANYTHING / 60
Huxley Tring native Michael Dodman aka Huxley, is no newcomer to the scene, but considering the momentum he’s built up within underground house and garage, as both a DJ and producer; the healthy worldwide bookings plus an album in the works, he’s more than #ReadyForAnything. Photography James Pearson-Howes “There’s nothing better than going to see someone like EZ play a garage set; for me anyway, that’s someone who inspires,” the Rinse FM DJ shares. Although the 28-year-old has now found a great balance within house and garage, this wasn’t always the case, “I went through a point where I was just releasing stuff I thought the label liked, and looking back on that, I think it was a big mistake.” Continuing to release under a number of labels, [Hypercolour, 20:20 Vision, Defected], allows the versatile producer, (who’s off on his US tour the week we meet) to keep releasing material regardless of whether it sits on the tech, deep or garage side of affairs. “I wouldn’t want to be stuck with a label that says it’s not right for them” he explains.
“I went through a point where I was just releasing stuff I thought the label liked, and looking back on that, I think it was a big mistake” Dabbling in D&B initially in his early teens and then into bassline, it was the Cecile release Let It Go that got Huxley’s name circulating in house, “that turned me from a person who plays twice a month, to eight times a month”. A year earlier, taking the risk with the garage influenced Shower Scene, was the first step of the watch fanatic openly fusing his sound; one that has been lapped up by Radio 1 tastemaker Pete Tong, Mixmag and The Independent. But don’t expect his own sets to feature his productions, “I don’t like to test out my records before I send them off, it’s basically paranoia. I’m my biggest critic, I hear all the imperfections,” he states, shaking his head. Well, according to RWD, there are none to be found on the latest collaborative EP Chatsworth Sound, produced alongside Shenoda; having launched itself into the Beatport charts and airplay on the UK’s best specialist shows. It seems amongst all the drinking and sleeping, the relentless DJ schedule has helped to sculpt more varied sounds from the Dalston residing Dodman. January has been left wide open for album work, give that this year was dedicated to Japan, America, Ibiza and the rest, “when you’re travelling all the time the stuff you make is a lot less diluted, it’s so detached every time I go in you kind of hear the changes and it’s quite a big step.” And that’s as much information he’s willing to give. Let’s just hope his garage enthusiasm trickles through the scene in 2014, “there’s a rawness to the proper old garage and warmth that people are always going to connect with.” Agreed. The Chatsworth Sound EP from @Huxley_Music is out now
Knytro Knytro has been garnering support from industry heavyweights with his mixtape Project Harpoon. Oft hailed as a return to “real” hip hop, the Florida raised artist prides himself on exactly that. “I think people over here [in the UK] want to hear substance,” he explains, of the inspiration that struck him following the big move to the UK. “Where I was living before, all they wanted was some blasé blah hip hop.” Satisfied with the fact he is delivering that “real”, Knytro explains how he anchors himself within a song, either picking a topic or creating a spider web of things that lead back to a previously selected word. Signed to MTA Records, Knytro reveals, he’s already learnt a lot from them: “don’t forget to have fun!” @thisisknytro
Kaytranada
Tweet To Win! Duck And Cover’s directional take on trend-led menswear always keeps us one step ahead. RWD and Duck And Cover partner up to champion the hottest emerging talent and this month, we’ve met Huxley, Knytro and Kaytranada who are all #ReadyForAnything. As always, we’re here to make sure your style is on point and are giving away this tartan check cotton shirt in red with contrasting corduroy panel. Get involved in this month’s competition by heading to Twitter using #ReadyForAnything @RWDmag @duckandcover_ duckandcover.co.uk
If you aren’t already one of Haiti born, Montreal raised Kaytranada’s 79,000 Soundcloud followers; chances are you soon will be. The 21-year-old producer has been making music for what seems like forever, “I have always been into art in general,” he says. “When I was little I would make beats on tables with my hands.” But it was really his take on classic tracks like Janet Jackson’s If that catapulted him into the limelight and even allowed him to build relationships with Interscope - recording out of their studio is sure to open the right doors. The J Dilla inspired musician also hints that there’s more in store… “Y’all aint ready for my rap career,” he quips, “I’mma blow up like Kanye.” The At All/Hilary Duff EP is out now
ABOUT TO BLOW / 62
About To Blow: Elli Ingram We’ve had our eye on 19-year old Elli Ingram for a minute, so we knew her unique bluesy soul tones were going to bag her a well-deserved About To Blow spot. The Brighton singer/ songwriter talks childhood memories, taking the stage at Glastonbury and other (not so fun) adventures. A fan of Jack Daniels? Well, you’ll most likely get along with Elli. She’s about that party life. We even clocked her clutching onto a bottle of the sweet Tennessee liquor on the cover of her aptly titled EP Sober, the five track release, undoubtedly a part of what led to her best newcomer nomination at this year’s MOBO Awards. Known for her unique refixes of hip hop bangers [Poetic Justice, Cocoa Butter Kisses] the EP allowed Elli’s voice and character to shine through on original productions from fellow Brighton newbies, Rudi Redz, Felix Joseph and Louis M^ttrs. But where did it all start? “Being a six-year old diva in my back garden screaming out R.E.S.P.E.C.T by Aretha Franklin. I love a big voice and would try to copy legends”.
“All my underwear fell out my bag, Billie, my dog tried to steal some posh dude’s sandwich, I tried to bunk the train and got caught... BULLS**T.” This year was spent touring with MTA label bosses, Chase & Status, signing with Island Records and putting Nicole Scherzinger off her food (in a good way). “She told me she sent the waiter away and told him to bring back her food once I had finished singing. I laughed but she just looked at me very seriously”. The NOBU Unplugged gig wasn’t the highlight though, as well as plenty of work/play in Ibiza, the soulful chick found herself headlining Glastonbury alongside her dance legend mentors despite the pre-nerves. “I had to be alone. When I’m nervous I hate talking to anyone, I just have to be quiet and gather my thoughts,” Elli says reminiscing. Reality checks have popped up every now and again though for the fashion obsessive. “Recently I was traveling to the Doghouse [studio] with three of the world’s biggest, heaviest bags AND a dog in the torrential rain, it was an adventure I never want to embark on again,” the Amy Winehouse inspired one begins. “All my underwear fell out my bag, Billie, my dog tried to steal some posh dude’s sandwich, I tried to bunk the train and got caught but was let off the fine because I looked like such a hobo, I spilt juice all down my white top, one of my bags broke and after a 15 minute walk from the station I finally arrived. And someone once said… It could all be so simple. BULLS**T.” No New Years Resolutions on the cards - “F**k that” was her response - it’s all about new music. Grab her Sober EP and hit follow @elliingram
T.WILLIAMS / 64
CHARLIE SLOTH MEETS
T.WILLIAMS 2013 has been a huge year for Tesfa aka house supremo from the PMR camp, T.Williams. Grabbing the west Londoner just days after his return from touring America with label mates Disclosure plus hosting his first live BBC Radio 1 show; Charlie Sloth catches up with the 4G obsessive to talk evading life on the tour bus, bringing house back to the US and fully embracing that San Diego sunshine. Photography James Carnegie
So you’re fresh off your US tour alongside PMR label mates Disclosure and Mosca. How did you find life on the tour bus? 12 guys on a tour bus was not pleasant at certain times. I’m talking seeing the same 12 guys everyday; it was something new for me. The only problem, other than sleep, was I can’t function without the internet (laughs), so that was probably more annoying, the internet was teasing me. Making music as well, I try and make music when I’m on the road but it doesn’t really work for me. After a while I was like, ‘you know what? – This is what prison must feel like’. I went to Las Vegas to sleep, I know, who does that? Only T. I left the bus I went to Vegas to sleep in a bed, have a proper shower, I mean this is like near the end of the tour, so after three weeks! We heard you fell for San Diego though? There was sunshine (laughs). I was just like this is amazing! It was just blue skies, palm trees… I tell you the honest truth, the first time I went to San Diego, I slept all day. But I did get to go back and spend a few days there at the W [hotel] and it was amazing, I got really drunk and partied. What difference was there between the US tour dates on the East and West Coast? East Coast is obviously way ahead of the West Coast, in terms of what they know about the UK. The West Coast is kind of caught up in whatever they do, but obviously Disclosure are definitely breaking those boundaries out there. Me being part of that wave of DJs and producers going out there and as part of PMR [Disclosure, Jessie Ware, Bashmore], people have got that instantaneous connection. I did do a few shows on the Disclosure tour, where the front line definitely look at you like, ‘When’s Disclosure coming on?’ But nine out of ten times, the front row would
“We’re bringing back and connecting them back to house music. It’s really good that people are embracing us in that way.” always be like that at the beginning, but by the end, they’re all tweeting, ‘OMG who’s this guy? He’s amazing’. On the Mosca tour, I did a festival called Symbiosis. A woman in her 40s was at the festival with her husband and messaged me on Facebook to say they’ve been into house music since the 90s and my set brought it back to her. She really went in, and for loads of people that’s what we’re doing. We’re bringing back and connecting them back to house music. It’s really good that people are embracing us in that way. Then after touring, you’ve walked right into a brand new BBC Radio 1 slot! It was exciting. I didn’t really get a chance to think about it until the actual day, that’s when it was like, this is really happening! It’s also pretty much the first time my parents have been interested. My mum just says, ‘When am I gonna become a teacher?’ So my mum and my family were listening in. An hour went by, before I knew it, it was done. The fact that I’m getting to play new music, like I’ve always done, but the artists that I’m feeling are gonna get that exposure, that’s sick. I’m really happy. To find out how else Charlie Sloth has been spreading the #CaliforniaLove check facebook.com/kswiss.uk, K-Swiss.co.uk or follow @KSwiss_UK and @kswissuk on Instagram. Tune into @twilliamsmusic on Thursdays, 9-10pm on BBC Radio 1. Feelings Within EP is out now.
T. Williams wears the Adcourt LA Navy Mid
SARAH DUMONT / 66
READY FOR ACTION Not your average model turned actress, Sarah Dumont is obviously hot but beyond that, she’s a serious sports nut, covered in hidden tats (some she even did herself). She also knows how to laugh at herself and is slowly but surely proving her worth in Hollywood, following her recent role as a Jersey hottie in Joseph Gordon Levitt’s directorial debut, Don Jon.
So you play Sequins in Don Jon, tell us a little bit about bagging the role? The description was very vague, it was the day of auditions, they were like, ‘Oh there’s Don Jon and he’s like a porn addict, we need a super hot girl that has a nice ass’ – I have no ass by the way – ‘Who’s really Jersey’ and I did not look Jersey at all, so that was a little worrying. It scared me because he was a porn addict, so I called my manager real quick like, ‘This isn’t for like some wham bam thank you maam scene, like I’m not gonna say one line and then have sex with him,’ he was like ‘No, it’s just this opening scene’. I wore butt pads to the audition, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do; the camera was rolling when I walked in the room, so luckily I went into the room in character. What research did you do? Were you just watching Jersey Shore all day? You know, I actually was watching Jersey Shore, I’m not gonna lie. When I was living in New York, on the Upper East Side during a hurricane, I was just stuck in my apartment for three days so I was watching a marathon and was kind of addicted. Which person is Sequins most like from the show? I think me and JWoww would probably be friends, she’s feisty and I’m feisty too. I try not to be but… it’s kind of in my blood. Can you let us into any embarrassing moments on set? I do not easily embarrass but when we were doing the last shot, where they zoom up on my ass as I’m walking towards them, they’re all like right this is the ass shot and I was like, ‘It’s a great thing I wore these butt pads today’ and Jo was like ‘What? What are butt pads?’ I’m like, ‘this is not my ass, I have no ass, this is Styrofoam that I put in my underwear to make it look like I have a butt!’ The entire crew started laughing and pointing at certain people (I’m not gonna say any names) but I see you checking it out all day. I like to embarrass myself, it’s more
“Don Jon scared me because he was a porn addict, so I called my manager real quick like, ‘This isn’t for like some wham bam thank you maam scene, like I’m not gonna say one line and then have sex with him.’”
SARAH DUMONT / 68 “I’m a huge sports fan. I box, so it would be fun if they wanted me to do a film like Girl Fight or Million Dollar Baby. I love watching sports that I can’t play, like American Football...”
fun, just making sure everyone knows this is not god given, this is all stuffing.
Hide and Skeet
So do you find yourself going for the same roles? I’ll go for absolutely anything but I’m really, really tall and I have a bunch of tattoos, so I can’t go up for something like Disney. I like the action stuff, so I definitely try to go up for as much of that as I can. What are your tattoos of? I have a revolver behind my ear; well that’s where I keep all my guns, up top. I’ve got two on my head, which you can’t see becuase I shaved my head for a role. I’ve got lots of little ones, that you can’t and a bunch of really bad ones all over my feet. The one on the side of my foot, I got in a tattoo shop and the rest of them on my feet are what we call, homie tats, so they did them for me or I did them myself. I have a lot of guy friends here in LA and a lot of them have tattoo guns, so we’ll drink a few beers and then someone will pull out the tattoo gun and we’ll just tattoo each other. Woah! So you don’t regret any of them? I don’t regret them because they make me laugh. My first tattoo I ever did was on the front of my foot and it’s a peace sign, my friend spent 15 minutes setting up the gun, and then gives me the gun and I’m like, ‘It won’t go straight and he’s like, ‘Oh yeah forgot to tell you, you’re supposed to pull the skin tight’. So it looks like I drew it on myself with pen. Other than the tattoos, we hear you’re a sports nut? I’m a huge sports fan. I box, so it would be fun if they wanted me to do a film like Girl Fight or Million Dollar Baby. I love watching sports that I can’t play, like American Football, I like watching them beat the sh*t out of each other. Nice! Can you tell us about the upcoming horror film Acid Girls, it seems like a pretty crazy role? Acid Girls is filmed really cool, a little bit like Big Brother and Paranormal Activity. It’s got loads of hot girls who seem really nice but don’t invite them to stay at your house for the month because things will end quite badly for you. It gets pretty intense and pretty violent, my character shaves half of her head and I ended up sleeping on set with one of my cast mates. I don’t do the full method, especially if I play a sociopath, like I don’t go around killing people (laughs). But I slept on set and wore all of her clothes and we showered like every three or four days, maybe… my hair started to get a little bit dreaded and the eye liner was caking up it was weird but really fun.
It’s the downfall of many a man, especially Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character Jon Martello. We don’t want you to suffer the same fate as him, especially as it meant him losing a girl as fine as Scarlett Johansson. Here’s our handy guide to not getting caught… Words Ben Rebuck
...enjoy sitting behind a locked door knowing your snooping mum isn’t gonna come see you in all your glory. Delete your history It’s the most obvious of tricks but you’d be surprised how many get caught this way. Jon Martello is nabbed watching 42 porn films in one day. His total masturbating count during the film was a whopping 74 times! Use your phone Girls will be checking your texts, not your browsers. Stolen from Jon himself, he clocks on to this big time. He does get caught looking at it in a lecture though. Separate computer logins This will keep her off… well it should do, unless you’re dumb enough to not have a password. Password protected computer Lockout. Simple as that really, keep your password safe as houses and you’ll have plenty of time to not worry about getting caught out. Keeping invisible folders Yeah, you can do this. We’d recommend this one for keeping those downloaded films out of the prying eyes of any of your loved ones. Using smart websites Don’t just write in porn… we have our favourites, which don’t sound like dirty websites; more bowling and food websites; we won’t mention any names though… Lock the doors If you don’t have a lock, go in the bathroom. Grab your headphones and just enjoy sitting behind a locked door knowing your snooping mum isn’t gonna come see you in all your glory. Headphones Don’t get caught out by the ‘real’ noises every video chick makes and stick those headphones in. This means you can enjoy the pleasure with the sound up too…
THE 12 STEPS
RIFF RAFF / 70
Signed to Diplo’s Fools Gold, this Houston Born, LA living lyricist is a true hip hop eccentric. With his MTV tatts and tightly braided hair, the capital letter loving RiFF RaFF lives in world of his own making. Hattie Collins met the NEON iCON to find out how liquid gold stripper poles, mountain climbing and Mike Tyson all play a part in the evolution of RiFF RaFF… Photography Zach Wolfe
1. Don’t just have one name. Have many. Today it’s JODY “Emancipation Proclamation” HiGHROLLER. 2. Don’t be afraid to relocate. I grew up Houston, now I live in Los Angeles, which I would describe as ‘Mountains, electric, neon vibe, wonderville’. Compared to Houston, it’s more openmindedness, more fake tits. 3. Embrace your inner awesome. I like to sit in my room sometimes and zone out and listen to music, and vibe out and do c**e alone and try to remember when I was five or seven years old. I think [being awesome] comes from within. 4. Work with everybody: Action Bronson, Diplo, Chief Keef… All those guys are superstars. I’m serious when I say these things. Diplo has yet to reach his potential, believe it or not and Action has still not dropped an album yet. I mean, the guy is gonna be in movies, I’m telling you, I promise! We’re doing an album together, Galaxy Gladiators. It’s going to sounds like liquid rose gold stripper poles. Chief Keef, I seriously think no one has ever blew up at such a young age and yet to be coached. The dude is a young boss and is out to prove that he needs no help. It’s a great thing to see these fresh new faces and they have such an impact on so many cultures and walks of life. 5. Have a range of influences, not all of them musical. Mine are Madonna, Toby Keith, Ultimate Warrior and Mike Tyson. 6. Ignore questions by journalists that wonder if your image is constructed or for real. I think a lot of these questions can be answered by my friends. I don’t understand why magazines don’t ask my friends these things. People have a problem with not being able to have fun, so they can’t believe that all I do is search for FUNZA my whole life but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t.
“People have a problem with not being able to have fun, so they can’t believe that all I do is search for FUNZA my whole life but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t.”
RIFF RAFF / 72
“I’m just me and I’m glad that I can be paid large amounts of money to be myself. I am about to be the rookie of the year 2014 and if you don’t believe that, then I feel sorry for your family and your ancestors.” 7. Also ignore questions by journalists who wonder if you’re still mad at James Franco’s portrayal of aspects of your personality in Spring Breakers. At this point, all I can do is step up and fulfill my potential. 8. Keep your soul clean. I go to the mountains in LA sometimes. I like to go up late at night alone and just drink, and cry sometimes, to clean out my soul. 9. Ask questions. If I were to ask myself a question, it would be ‘What’s your favorite colour’? And I’d say ‘Glow in the dark Bart Simpson’. 10. Make a definitive album that will ensure your talent is undisputable. NEON iCON means I’m “uncopyable”; you can’t just make me. You have to be born with this neon determination. I have so much music, so many styles, I can’t be put in a genre. I’m not a joke. The world only accepts what they understand and after I drop my album they will have a better understanding of me. I want this album to be the best and only NEON iCON ever. There were a lot of people I wanted to get on the album, too many to name, but it’s my first album so when I drop albums four, five,ten, then I will work with those legends, trust me. 11. Have less FUNZA than more FUNZA, but still have FUNZA. I live day for day depending on how I feel, but it’s 51% biz and 49% FUNZA. You gotta have FUNZA but you gotta have money to get to the FUNZA.... sometimes. 12. But above everything, just be yourself. I’m just me and I’m glad that I can be paid large amounts of money to be myself. I am about to be the rookie of the year 2014 and if you don’t believe that, then I feel sorry for your family and your ancestors. I’m so anxious to drop the NEON iCON album so that people can see I’m a real artist. NEON ICON is out 2014. @jodyhighroller
UNWIND
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GOOD NEWS
“He had a voice that could make a wolverine purr and suits so fine they made Sinatra look like a hobo.” You guessed it; the legend that is Mr Ron Burgundy is back people!
It’s been a minute since Will Ferrell and his ridiculous newscast hoisted themselves up in front of the camera for 24 hours of absolute TV gold but the time is upon us once again. Already the trailer has got us gassed and with talk of there being enough punchlines to make a whole other film, the Anchorman 2.5 rumour has actually got legs, which gets you even more hype for the official second instalment, knowing it will be followed up sooner than the original 2004 drop. Even on that third watch of the trailer, you still want to know just how that live drugs experiment went down and how the most awkward dinner situation ever ended, plus just what else is in Brian Fantana’s legendary cabinet.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is out 20 December
KEVIN HART / 76
KEVIN HART THE LAST TIME Kevin Hart was in London recently to take over the UK with his hilarious brand of stand-up. Of course, we had to grab a chat with the outspoken comic where we talked “last times”. Photography Jon Attenborough
When was the last time… You lost an argument? Never! I don’t lose arguments; you know who loses arguments? People who are wrong (laughs) I’m always right. Even when I’m wrong I’m right. Your kids did something that made you stop in your tracks? My daughter shitted on herself in a supermarket and that stopped me. You just shit on yourself in a supermarket? It wasn’t even like a quick shit, it was a messy shit in a supermarket.
“Drake is talented, people can say what they want but he makes thugs want to sing… I cried listening to Drake’s song. One tear fell down, it was a thug tear.” You were underpaid? Never. People pretty much give me what I want. I got 17 million hundred thousand dollars to do this. You saw Miley Cyrus? I saw Miley Cyrus’ vagina through her shorts at the VMA’s so lets just cut to the chase and say that that happened, I definitely saw that. Someone caused you pain? My brother gave me an Indian burn that hurt and I basically bet him that an Indian burn wouldn’t hurt because it’s been so long since I had one, I thought it’s impossible for those things to still work but they work real good. You were impressed by Kanye West? You know what was really impressive? When he hit his head on that stop sign when he was getting angry at the paparazzi. He took a second to go ‘agghhh!’ and held his head then instantly got angry again and remembered that his head hurt. It was like a double pain that he forgot about and then it came back. Drake moved you? His Coming Home track. Drake is talented, people can say what they want but he makes thugs want to sing. I’m a thug, I’m what you call the toughest of the toughest… I cried listening to Drake’s song. One tear fell down, it was a thug tear.
Kevin Dynamo: Hart On Comic Stereotypes Magician Impossible Ahead of his Let Me Explain UK movie premiere Kevin Hart told Will “ill Will” Lavin why he chooses not to embrace certain stereotypes in his comedy.
“I don’t do black and white people humor because I don’t put a colour to laughter.” Modern day magic, dressed in a hoodie and trainers, looks very
different from the When you do stand up stereotypes you don’t of old. Mooro downfun seem to Alya tell any jokes sits that poke at stereotypes Why with Dynamorelating aheadtoofrace. the DVD is that? of season three to talk release Ibullies, make sure that I’m universal. don’t celebrity fans andI disdo black and white people humor pelling stereotypes. because I don’t put a colour to laughter. I don’t wanna alienate anybody Whatlaughing was youratideal outcome for from my jokes. To be the show? global and to have a worldwide appeal Magician Impossible: the show what like everybody needs to understand you see it. I think what was missing you’re talking about. in magic - and in a lot of television, because we have an influx But you have beensuch known to useofthe reality TV shows was the mystery, n-word form time– to time... and I wanted to kind of bring eleI definitely use the n-word andthe have mentthe of surprise backbecause into magic, used n-word. Not it’s a because think it’s one best cool thingI or because of of methe needing itparts. for a punchline, it’s literally in care-
less reckless talking. I do it so fast You Ipracticed a lotthat of magic on bulthat don’t realise I’m doing it. lies when you were younger. What impact did that have? Is everything you talk about during It got me out of a lot of trouble. stand up true? Without them actually bullying me Absolutely. It’s always about me, I probably never would even have and what I went through, my trials stumbled upon magic as a possible and tribulations. You look at me and part of my life. I’d take away their laugh but you can also relate, or at strength; they used to pick me up, put least understand it because I put it in me inside a bin and push me down a picture that’s painted so perfectly, the hill but I took away their strength that even though you haven’t done it so they couldn’t lift me up anymore. It yourself, the joke is still funny. You kind of freaked them out. believe it because you see that I’m not lying about the things that I’m talking You have about. It’s so memany beingcelebrity honest. fans. Who’s your favourite you’ve performed for? Honesty seems to be the best policy After performing magic for Snoop in comedy... he started rapping the I[Dogg] think the comedians thatabout are great; magic. Doggrespect rapped about the onesSnoop we really and magic, he rapped about me! How love, are comedians that put it out many people can talk say that? there. When you about [Richard] Pryor, he put it out there… Drugs, What is the stereotype the magihis white wife, his blackofwife, kids, cian you most wantabout to dispel? grandma, he talks everything. When you first think of someone Eddie Murphy’s the same way. Dave famous, either singer comes to Chappelle, he’sahonest and funny mind orChris an actor, generally. I think as hell. Rock, he’s political breaking that mould and actually but kinda makes you understand it becomingit something other than just because comes from a personal a novelty act. The fact that nowadays mindset. I don’t have to have magician on the @KevinHart4Real release Let Me end of my Explain out name… on DVD Hopefully & Blu-Rayin 100 years to come when I’ve long gone 6 January
JOSH COLE / 78
REAL REEL Hip hop photographer come acclaimed video director Josh Cole travels the globe creating epic visuals aiming to break down stereotypes for huge companies like Coca Cola and Starbucks to acts like Rudimental. Nardene Scott hears tales of filming gangsters in Manila, gypsies in Romania and his plans to bring some realistic drama to the silver screen.
“I just wanted to do something that fights the stereotypes rather than feed them. I’m a bit sick of seeing stuff like Top Boy on the TV, where it’s just trying to scare the middle classes. It’s just not even real, these characters don’t really exist; it’s never like that.”
The Not Giving In video seemed like a feat in itself, shooting in the ghettos of Manila, talk us through your decision to shoot there and what it took to execute the video. I’ve got a really old friend, B-Boy Mouse, who is a very well known breakdancer, who actually started life in Manila, living on the streets. He was in street gangs in Manila and has got excellent access, so through his contacts with the gangs, we went in. A lot of the real challenges were to do with the local production company that we hired and they were much less open to shooting in the slums. They were just trying to bullsh*t us, saying the slums have been burned down by the government, they were too shook to go in there. All of the people in the film are playing themselves, so when you see gangsters, they’re real gangsters, so you can imagine the dramas that go along with that type of shoot. That’s crazy that the production company ended up being more trouble than working in and with the ghettos of Manila? I’ve been shooting in the slums with gangsters for ten years; so even then, I was kind of a veteran. It was more important for me to show [the ghetto] in a true light and not let it come across as sensationalist and that it was sensitive to this plight of what people go through. Rather than it being what quite a lot of people do and glamorise the lifestyle. All my work is trying to do the opposite; it’s trying to let people know that even though people have come through difficult circumstances and sometimes do unacceptable things in society, it doesn’t make them evil people. Everyone is just a victim of circumstance and that’s what I always try and show. I think there’s a lot of demonising of the youth and what I kind of deem as subcultures that have risen up around the black market of drugs and it’s unfair most of the time. That definitely comes across in the new Louis M^ttrs video, War With Heaven… It was a bit of a statement. I just wanted to do something that fights the stereotypes rather than feed them. I’m a bit sick of seeing stuff like Top Boy on the TV, where it’s just trying to scare the middle classes. It’s just not even real, these characters don’t really exist; it’s never like that. There’s a circle of violence and it usually means that there’s generations of people that abuse their kids and quite often it’s neglect, but there’s always some psychological scarring and in that way, I don’t think it’s properly portrayed. [In War With Heaven] there’s a kid that could be described as a hoodie type but he’s a cool kid and we show the character who is kind of f**ked up from having a f**ked up childhood. There’s a reason to him. What else have you got coming up? Quite often my stuff is a little bit out there for people but I’m attached to a couple of feature films. I’ve just shot a Coca Cola commercial in Romania, in a big gypsy camp. It was a big sell to the Coke client because there’s a big above-the-line campaign for the World Cup, so I managed to sell in this idea of shooting with Romanian gypsies and I’ve shown them in a really positive light. There’s also an incredible amount to do for the new Chase and Status video I’m working on as we speak. @joshcole49 and check out joshcole.co.uk
A.M. GHOSTS SNIPER / 80 CALL OF DUTY:
GHOST RIDER Not just a talented musician, our boy Wretch 32 is a gamer, even if he says he’s not that good. Speaking at the launch of Call of Duty: Ghosts, where Wretch heads up his own squad battling against the likes of Rizzle Kicks and Daniel Sturridge, the lyricist talks Ben Rebuck through his COD tactics, the perfect squad plus his new album.
Have you had a chance to play the game leading up to the competition? I’ve booked a day off to get my head around the new version… To be fair, I’m competitive with it but I’m not good, so it’s a bad combination! It’s all about my team in this competition, I’m just the anchor. What console are you going to be playing the tournament on and what are your chances against the squads led by Rizzles and Sturridge? I think it’s Xbox 360. Yeah, there’s a few of us; should be a walk in the park. Not to talk it up, just throwing it out there… Yeah, don’t quote me on any of this. In the new game, there are all these new squads; who would be in your perfect six-man squad? I would say Funny Tummy as one; I know when he’s not breathing, he’s playing; Scorcher as well. JME, he’s supposed to be good. Including myself, that’s four. Try a wildcard, I’ll have to throw a girl in…I’ll go with Zara Martin, she’s a mate of mine; I don’t know if she’s any good but she’s gonna scream and it’s gonna be entertaining. Then I will find one proper geek, I’ll tweet about it and find the sickest! We’ve got people that can play and eye candy as well, so it’s all good.
On The Pitch
“I’m not one of them guys who’s like, ‘Get (Wenger) out’; I’ve got faith in him.” Since we’re going in on football this month we thought we’d get some thoughts from Arsenal fan Wretch 32. What do you think of their chances this season? Their chances?! It’s looking like the only chance right now! It shouldn’t be too difficult; we started off really well, the squad is gelling a lot, we’re getting the results that we need but it’s just consistency that’s the thing. Once we get in our groove we are hard to beat, and once we get into it I think we’re staying there!
What sort of COD player are you? Are you a sniper, aggressive, all guns blazing? I’m not too aggressive; I try and just move in the shadows - that’s more my thing. I’m a camper. Do you play online at all? Nah, I play my mates on the tour bus. I went online once and lets just say the people on there live online and don’t come off; they don’t give you a chance! Yeah, it’s hard! Which other artists do you play? I’ve only ever played Shakka, not a lot of artists come to my house, when I play I’m either on the tour bus or with my son at his house; there are no artists there. Talk us through your new album, Growing Over Life, how’s it coming along? Yeah, great. We’re talking first quarter next year just getting the right singles to go with it, that’s been the hold up. I’m really happy with it! The verses, the choruses everything is just better. It’s almost what I’ve always done but moving on to the next chapter. Call of Duty: Ghosts is out now across Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, PC, PS4 and Xbox One. Fans can watch all the action from the launch night via callofdutytime.com
Is it still in Wenger we trust? Yeah Wenger is a rudeboy man, I’m not one of them guys who’s like, ‘Get him out’; I’ve got faith in him. He’s got his own strategy and tactics, what he decides to do. This should be the turn around season and what will happen is once we win again, everyone is gonna be back on Wenger’s side, but I never left. It’s good that you’re backing him… what footballers would make your Call of Duty squad? I’d say Ox Chamberlain, Sturridge as well, Jason Puncheon. I’d say Ozil, I dunno if he’d be any fun though. Scezney would be another…then Sagna! Good squad there! Yeah it’s mainly Arsenal obviously (laughs) Lastly the World Cup, who are you backing? Probably Brazil…when you’ve got that home advantage you know!
THE BIG REVIEW / 82
22 The date in July Prince George was born with bystanders literally stalking both Buckingham Palace and the hospital for days on end The number of straight wins Mayweather’s victory against Canelo marked for the 36-year-old fighter, often considered the best in the world. Clearly for a reason!
45 THE BIG REVIEW: 2013 And another year bites the dust! 2013 has marked some good and some seriously bad moments for music, sports and humanity in general –Miley twerking, anyone? RWD have rounded up some of the most talked about events of this year to help refresh your memory on what, when and who cut through.
31
Months it took Professor Green and former Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh to go from opposite sides of the track, to happily married bliss
Words Alya Mooro
15
The number of carats Kim K’s engagement ring from Kanye West blings - naturally they’re suing over the OTT proposal leaking into the press The sets of nipples showcased in Robin Thicke’s video for controversial hit Blurred Lines. Safe for that Rob!
4
3
The number of seasonal random drug tests for NBA players. Lamar Odom was found to be hooked to OxyContin and Ambien which started all sorts of rumours...
10
Minutes before Rihanna’s raunchy visuals for Pour It Up were banned from YouTube... Add to that a little impromptu photoshoot outside a Mosque in Abu Dhabi of course, to keep her instagram fiends in check
1M
Best Of The Best
The amount Jay Z’s 12th studio album Magna Carta Holy Grail sold on the day of its release, thanks to a deal with Samsung. Is anything beyond this man? The age X Factor mogul Simon Cowell is expecting to welcome his first child into the world; we’re suprised he’s still firing bullets
30 32
I bet you thought we’d include Hova, Drizzy and Ye in the finest 2013 releases, well you’re about to get upset aren’t you?
54
Minutes Lupe Fiasco performed an anti-war song before erupting into an anti-Obama rant at the President’s pre-inauguration
Countries Daft Punk’s Pharrell assisted Get Lucky reached the top ten in. Disco is well and truly back people
7
The number of months that have passed since NBA player Jason Collins first came out of the closet
29 The date in September that Breaking Bad mania came to a head. The final episode was followed by weeks of withdrawal. We still don’t know what the hell is going to fill the void?
59 The name given to the Chinese baby found flushed down a toilet. The two-day old baby was pulled alive from the sewer pipe
60
The number of minutes “creative genius” Kanye West performed a monologue for Zane Lowe; “I’m the number one rock star on the planet,” just one of the many gems
J. Cole
Rudimental
Born Sinner Succeeding where many of the assumed best albums of the year failed, J Cole and his sophomore offering served to further prove one thing: the kid is hungry. Not only that, but he is talented, “sometimes I brag like Hov, sometimes I’m real like Pac”, setting the precedent for a thoroughly engaging listen.
Home What a supremely impressive debut. With fresh D&B and house numbers like Spoons and the experimental Hell Could Freeze, you can’t possibly be left with anything but respect for the Hackney lads, joined by the likes of MNEK, Syron and Emeli Sandé, who are no strangers at creating a smash or two.
Disclosure
Giggs
Settle Combining UK garage, 90s house and soulful vocals, the brothers have swept the nation with their confident debut. And with features from powerful vocalists Jessie Ware, Aluna Francis and Eliza Doolittle, the Mercury nod was more than neccessary for the talented pair.
When Will It Stop Who cares how long the powers that be aka the haters continue to attempt to block Giggs. We’ll still be supporting and why wouldn’t we when the spitter consistently delivers? Whether its tracks for the street, the chicks or even the old folk, we can relate, we’re just about this life.
THE BIG REVIEW / 84
10M
The amount of times BBM for Android and iPhone was downloaded in its first day. That’s a lot of thirsty peeps right there
£626M The amount Grand Theft Auto V sold in the first three days of its release. Open-world crime, driving and redemption, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend days on end
4M
110M People watched Beyonce’s comeback performance at the Pepsi Super Bowl. Queen B resurrected Destiny’s Child for the night – well, for like a track - and short-circuited the Superdome like you do!
The views a previously forgotten about Ray J garnered with the release of Hit It First. Taking digs at Kanye and unleashing the visuals which feature a Kim K-a-like was a brave move
$48.3M Amount grossed from the American leg of the Watch The Throne tour. The highestgrossing hip-hop tour EVER!
50,000
The number of German fans who travelled to London for the Champion’s League final in May. It was the largest influx since the arrival of the Saxons
The date in April that it went further downhill for US child star Amanda Bynes. Charged with a DUI, two hit and runs, not forgetting the toxic Twitter spirals and the bong she threw out of her window she topped it off by setting herself and a house on fire. Don’t worry, she ended up in psychiatric care
£820 The cost of the deal Tulisa was allegedly busted aiding in June. The footage from the sting went on to reveal the secretcode. Anybody fancy a ”sweet” treat?
6
29 7 The number of years ago Mikey founded fast rising UK street brand Trapstar. Now with fans in the form of Cara Delevingne, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, the brand is going from strength to strength. Two words: Roc Nation
Reportedly the percentage of horsemeat found in Tesco Everyday Value Beef Burgers. TBF what are you doing eating them anyway? It’s not like McDonalds have stopped their 99p menu
11
Worst of the Worst
Points Manchester United won the 2012/13 Premier League by, before Sir Alex Ferguson called it a day and left it all to…umm…David Moyes
13
The date in July the world exploded in outrage when George Zimmerman – the neighbourhood watch volunteer who fatally shot unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin – was found not guilty
45 15
Hunger strikers force fed daily in Guantanamo Bay, as brought attention to by Mos Def, who agreed to undergo the same torture, it’s an uncomfortable watch to say the least! Tweets (disregarding the ones he deleted) it took for Wiley to express his complete and utter dislike for Glastonbury Festival. They ranged from “Everybody is getting sacked” to imploring the festival organisers to take him off the bill: “@GlastoFest Please cancel me I do not want to play for you ever again”
11M Views a twerking Miley Cyrus garnered with her attempt to “make history” at this year’s MTV VMAs. Bent over in front of a stripe ridden Robin Thicke and exposing all too much according to Kevin Hart
The amount legendary artist Banksy sold his work for from a stall in New York’s Central Park. Many of the pieces, estimated to be worth up to £20,000 each, remained unsold at the end of the day
$60
To be fair, we don’t even want to mention these lot but it’s better to be honest than say nothing at all…
Snoop Lion
Stooshe
Reincarnated Having changed his name and sound ahead of the release of Reincarnated, his 12th studio album, attention was already streaming in on the “what the expletive followed by expletive after expletive?” Then he featured Miley Cyrus on the record, and all concerns were cemented.
London With The Lights On Despite being undeniably catchy, we just couldn’t get our heads around this one. Painfully average (and noisy) for something that could have had potential.
2 Chainz
Lil Wayne
Boats II: Me Time “What’s that dance called? The one where you flap your arms like a confused chicken trying to take flight? The one 2 Chainz seems to have pretty much invented? Yeah… there were plenty more opportunities for a bit of that on B.O.A.T.S II #MeTime. If that’s your kind of thing...
I Am Not A Human Being II Oh Weezy, what happened to you? If you have ever been a fan of Lil Wayne (which no doubt listening to the likes of No Ceilings or The Carter or, anything else he released in his prime, you would have been), skip this. It will hurt your heart… And your ears.
SPEAKER’S CORNER / 86
YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE A strange thing is happening in the Premier League this season, something not many of us will be familiar with; Liverpool are mounting what feels like a genuine title challenge. Beating the drum for the international legion of Kop fanatics, rapper and devout Liverpool supporter Clement Marfo revels in the Brendan Rodgers revolution.
To this day, I get questioned how on earth does a kid from London, whose father is a die-hard Arsenal supporter end up supporting Liverpool? Allow me to explain, before you start throwing tomatoes at me.
nil before half-time; I’ve never been so numb. My thoughts were already on bunking school the next day, with the idea of witnessing another 45 minutes making me somewhat nauseous. I can’t imagine what Rafa Benitez was going through.
Do you remember the SEGA Mega Drive? LA Gear high-ups with the flashing red lights on the heel? Recording your favourite songs off of the radio and onto cassette tapes? Ah, the good old days, aye? I’m a late 80s baby, so growing up in the early 90s, the colour red frequently flashed across my television set. Manchester United, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest all wore red, but at that time, Liverpool was by far the most successful and highly respected club in British football, boasting an unmatched 18 top division titles. You can’t really call a child a glory hunter because that’s just mean.
I don’t know about you, but I believe there is a god! I could imagine the millions and millions of Liverpool supporters at half time kneeling and raising their hands to the heavens, praying like never before. What else could explain what happened next? One of the greatest comebacks of all time!
While my local teams Wimbledon and Crystal Palace would have been clearer options to support, what attracted me most about Liverpool was John Barnes. He was one of the first black footballers I identified with. My greatest memory as a Kopite was definitely the 2005 Champions League victory in Istanbul against the mighty AC Milan. To be spanked three goals to
I recall our anchor, our saviour, our captain, Stevie G, roaring with enthusiasm after heading our first goal. The whole of the greater Merseyside area must have had 999 on speed dial after witnessing Vladimir Smicer’s screamer to make it 3-2. And with the penalty making it 3-3, it felt as if all our prayers had been answered. Alonso hitting the crossbar and suddenly equalising with a rebound felt somewhat orgasmic. Is this a dream? Is this actually happening? The impossible became possible, and to this day, that second half and nail-biting penalty shoot-out breaks me out in goosebumps. I’m an incredibly proud Liverpool supporter and
still believe we are the greatest team in the world. I can go on and on about the history of the club and as we all know teams go through ups and downs, changes of players, managers and even owners. That is the beauty of the game, and of life, in fact. There is a cycle to everything, so with the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, I genuinely believe this is a new day. Liverpool F.C are back! This squad is looking bigger and better than ever – sharper, fitter, younger, bolder, more creative. Brendan Rodgers has done a fantastic job of cleaning up the mess left by the questionable purchases of Andy Carroll, Stuart Downing and Jordan Henderson. I was delighted with the eight new signings during the summer and of course keeping hold of Luis Suarez. Do you remember Cole and Yorke? Henry and Bergkamp? Fowler and Collymore? Sutton and Shearer? The new SAS of Suarez and Sturridge plan to terrorise defenders all season long. A confident strike force with a creative outlet from the likes of Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Victor Moses, Lucas and Philippe Coutinho, coupled with a solid looking backline of Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel with support from Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger, Mahamadou Sakho and Jose Enrique, as
“Do you remember Cole and Yorke? Henry and Bergkamp? Fowler and Collymore? Sutton and Shearer? The new SAS of Suarez and Sturridge plan to terrorise defenders all season long.” well as the already pivotal new goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. This line-up is gelling beautifully and it is refreshing to see Liverpool consistently battling for places at the top end of the Premier League table. I feel more confident than ever with everyone from the owners to the supporters in high spirits. A top-four spot is ultimately what we’re aiming for, but who knows? The way we’ve been performing lately, come May, we may even be knocking on David Moyes’ office door, letting his boys know the bailiffs of Liverpool F.C will be repossessing what is rightfully ours. Feel free to throw your abuse @ClementMarfo