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CONTRIBUTORS
EDITOR’S LETTER cover image by Jake Green
Many mistake my Thor-like physique for a gym-going, bear-wrestling, mountain climber, but I assure you during my month of madness the only workout I get is from Microsoft Word, the only thing wrestled are deadlines and the only challenges of ascent are done on my Everest-like to do list (see below). Apart from the odd Player of the Season award obtained at Sunday League football and table tennis marathon in my garden, I keep my sporting prowess to an absolute minimum. That’s why we’ve dedicated this whole issue to people of the same vein. Those who are convinced the act of turning up the volume on Match of the Day is the same as participating, the KFC eating experts who get tired at the smallest physical excursion and those who work up a sweat whilst watching women’s beach volleyball. We also cater for the purest that give it their all week in, week out and hope words of wisdom from sporting great flop, Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, Upfront With... British basketball legend, Luol Deng, and this month’s Team GB One to Watch special including pooltastic diver Tonia ‘Get Us A Gold’ Couch quench your thirst. With athletic cover star, Keith Lemon – proficient in all things swingball – as Team GB’s secret weapon, we too hope they win the most “chocolate coins”. Before I go to put on my running spikes, big welcome to our new Staff Writer, James Humphrys. His writing is as bright as his Ellesse trainers and if you check out this month’s #GenreVsGenre and our game’s section, I’m sure you’ll agree. PS - Nardene and Frankie are great too.
Name: Briony Gaffer RWD Nickname: Briony the Miney Favourite Sport: Swingball; It’s like free anger management. This month I’ve... been doing everything from admin and reviews to running up and down on soya latte runs. This month I’ve loved... going to a very orange Frank Ocean playback. This month I’ve hated... wearing leather trousers on the day the British summer decided to come knocking. @brionygaffer Name: Jake Green Favourite Sport: I’m fanatical about basketball, love badminton, go-karting and boccia. This month I’ve... photographed the cover. Keith hit me with a shuttlecock and tennis ball but I turned the other cheek and just walked away. This month I’ve loved... the rain and the sun. This month I’ve hated... deadlines, airport taxes, baggage allowances and parallel algorithms. jakegreen.co.uk @J_GRN Name: Francesca Dunn RWD Nickname: Frankie, Frankster Favourite Sport: Occasional park rounders/ football. This month I’ve... become Senior Staff Writer, played softball with the Beaver Falls cast and caused mischief. This month I’ve loved... Hip Hop On Trial at The Barbican, festivals and learning to DJ. This month I’ve hated... the ridiculously unpredictable weather. @francesca_dunn
@DannyWalker1
PHRASE OF THE MONTH: RUDE KID
“GET BUSY” “This comes from my new [Skepta featuring] track, Get Busy, that I made for the clubs. ‘Get busy’ is for those who are in a club and don’t move. Have fun, man... you only live once.” Get Busy is out 29 July. @RudeKidMusic 3
CONTENTS ISSUE #126
FEATURES 22-23 WE HEART TEAM GB 24-25 UPFRONT WITH... LUOL DENG 28-30 RWD & COME AGAIN: RWD SPORTS DAY WITH STOOSHE COVER STORY: KEITH LEMON 58-59 JHENE AIKO 64-65 WILEY 68-69 NATASHA LORING OF BEAVER 70-71 FALLS
REGULARS INBOX CHECK-IN CHECK OUT ENOUGH ALREADY: BOWLS ONE TO WATCH: TONIA COUCH, ANDREW POZZI, ADAM GEMELI ABOUT TO BLOW: MAXSTA 66-67 #GENREVSGENRE: BRAD PICKETT VS. KEVIN MITCHELL 82 BE KIND REWIND RWD 6-8 10-19 20 26-27
35-57 TRAINING DAY 48-49 TINIE ON TRAINERS 50-57 UNSUNG HERO
UNWIND 75-77 FILMS 78-79 GAMES 80 LIVE: SNOWBOMBING 4 / RWDMAG.COM
image by Kevin Joseph
STYLE GUIDE
INBOX
Our new address Inbox@RWDmag.com has taken a pounding over the last month, keep it coming. The best email comes from David who wins a £50 JD voucher (feel free to buy some sick trainers)... Send your letters to: Attn. Editor, RWD Magazine, W107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipp Street, London, EC2A 4PS or inbox@RWDmag.com
got what it takes to be published in what many refer to as the ONLY magazine worth reading. Their words, not ours. OK, there is some self-congratulating in there but it’s all in moderation.
LETTER OF THE MONTH: Hey RWD, Firstly let me congratulate everyone on the team for another on-point issue [#124] loved the Sturridge interview and The Legacy feature was quality, and now thanks to the Stadium Status style piece there’s no excuse for me not to rock my footie shirt all summer! In fact I’d say you guys produced a 99% perfect mag! That extra 1% you need to hit the magic tonne... is me! I know my unique twist would fit well with RWD’s writing dream team, and how can you get any more passionate than when you’re writing for your favourite mag??? Can’t wait for the next issue, until then I’m hitting the park with a football, issue #124, and The Legacy album raised up loud to make the most of this London summer, peace! David HR Thanks David, appreciate the breddage/ impromptu job interview. We really enjoyed creating issue #124, it wasn’t without its trials and tribulations but we got there in the end. Send us some writing and we’ll see if you’ve 6 / RWDMAG.COM
Was so awesome seeing this @rundemcrew booklet in @RWDmag. Big up @Daddydark such an inspiring chap. Starting running four years ago with him and never looked back. @HayleyJoyes Thanks to Hayley and all the runners, potential runners, ex-runners and future runners that loved the Run Dem Crew Youngers mini mag we helped them put together. May the force be with you on those late night runs. Hi there! Can you please tell me where can I pick up copies of RWD? Every time I go in to JD there are none left! I need to get it!!! LOVE the magazine. Thanks in advance! Maya Hey Maya, Thanks for the love. Yes we keep hearing that RWD is flying off the shelves and we’re very pleased by this information. For those who miss out please have a read on Google Currents or via our website [RWDmag.com], where we upload the magazine in full.
To contact/ moan at/ send love letters to the team send your words and/ or images to Inbox@RWDmag.com
THE MONTH IN TWITPICS We love sports, absolutely love ‘em. Here are some other people who also love sports...
@RWDmag “Playing softball with the cast of Beaver Falls, jokes jokes jokes.” Frankie was actually excellent at softball, she should join a team. Sign her up, sign her up...
@DevlinOfficial “Im gonna have a few frames before bed.” Just before a good night sleep, here is a pic of D-E-V going in on the ol’ snooker.
@TinchyStryder “Welcome to my pool party!!!” [Sings] Go Tinchy, go Tinchy, get your swim on, go Tinchy. We’re not sure how much swimming Tinchy did here but it looks like he had fun.
RWDMAG.COM THE BEST OF RWDMAG.COM
RWD TV Premiere: Neneh Cherry & The Thing - Dream Baby Dream (Four Tet Remix) We’re addicted to this incredible remix...
IF YOU COULD ONLY CHOOSE ONE, WHICH IS THE BETTER SPORT, HIGH JUMP OR POLE VAULT?
63% 27%
HIGH JUMP, IT’S TECHNICALLY GREAT
POLE VAULT, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE POLE BABY
Cameron McVey: “Yeah baby.” Ann Minahan: “Made my day mmm Neneh!” Freddo: “Loving this, when can I buy it?” Mario Sponge Tonin: “I love this song but I’ll have to wait to love the album...”
RWD TV: Mac Vs The World (Mac Miller Interview)
Altonajs: “Dat cap!!! So dope!” JagdeepMann96: “Holy sh*t Mac Miller is the f**kin best!! Respect.” Johanny Marte: “He was watching my movie when he lost his virginity!”
RWD TV: Rocky’s Modern Life (Interview With A$AP Rocky) Nardene Scott talks to A$AP Rocky about Rocky’s Modern Life...
10%
NEITHER, THE ONLY JUMPING I DO IS ON XBOX TOP TWEETS @RWDMAG: 1 @HayleyJoyes: @dannywalker1 the last issue of @RWDmag looks peng (ha
ha). Big ups Walks! You deeeeeeeed it! Xxx 2 @jensparkle: #NowPlaying Oxide & Neutrino! So many classics on the @RWDmag
album. 3 @itsMaxsta: #iwannarock the cover of rwdmag 4 @itsOLIVERHAYES: Watching Spain last night was like watching the @RWDmag
team at #AdiSlam 5 @dj_swerve: @newsychick1: Love when @RWDmag gets dropped off in reception
at work.” just grabbed mine too
Golfwang2o5: “Am I the only one who thinks he’s gettin higher every min of video ? haha.” Pineappledork: “So stoked for the album.” Macylapy: “He was a veggie?” MsFASTiDiOUS1: “His teeth are beautiful!”
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6 @VitaCocoUK: @francesca_dunn @RWDmag Ahhh thanks guys! Love you too <3 7 @RalphHardy: Starting the morning right! @RWDmag @djlogansama 8 @SwiftaBeater: Ever since I was 15 I always wanted to be in @RWDmag 7 years
later it happens... #NeverGiveUp 9 @RWDmag: iT ACtuAlLy tAKeS aGeS tO wriTe LIkE tHiS.
iamaflanagan.co.uk
Mac Miller talks losing his virginity, being a fan of Justin Bieber and more...
CHECK-IN CHECK OUT
STYLE | FILM | GAMES | TECH | SPORT | REFRESHED | MUSIC | EXCLUSIVES With so much going on in the arenas of track & field (and the pool and the velodrome) this month we hope you don’t forget about the other exciting activities also going down...
STYLE:
SUPPLY & DEMAND Herschel Supply Company have a nice thing going on with their must-own camo Novel Bag... Check out... the answer to all your luggage problems (don’t quote us on that though). Herschel have stepped it up again with their revamped signature piece. The Novel is very practical and this time constructed from Cordura® it is extremely durable. The camouflage print bag has a large main compartment but includes an extra convenient compartment for footwear and copies of RWD. For £110, this piece will see you through any city break. For yours check togsandclogs.com 10 / RWDMAG.COM
SPORT X STYLE:
TABLE TENNIS’ DARIUS KNIGHT X STYLE This 22 year-old hip hop fan is always ready to impress... Are you excited about the Olympics? Obviously! I grew up in London and I want to be part of something that people of this generation will never forget. I will be staying professional and training with the team and if I get my chance I’ll take it. We saw your cardigan game is pretty tight from the Russell Howard appearance.... I used to just wear tracksuits but now I’m trying to show people that you can look smart. I’m trying to stand out. Fred Perry have been supporting me since I was 15-16. Have you got any style tips for us? I’m not into the skinny jeans; I think that is pushing it. I’m the type of guy who wears pumps and a slim fit top. @DariusKnight
SPORT FAILS IN NUMBERS No, it’s not all about winning. We bring you some of the best sports fails in numbers...
The shortest International football career in seconds. (France’s Franck Jurietti).
STYLE:
LEVI’S X NIKE Levi’s X Nike = really, really good. Check out... this denim! Having bonded over their love of creating products with purpose, the two brands are teaming up to bring us what they promise is ‘the world’s best performance denim’, the 511 Skateboarding. With the timeless design and fit of the Levi’s 511 Skinny, Nike’s performance enhancing fabric tech makes the denim not only lighter and stronger, but more comfortable too. Score! The jeans are available in multiple colours and washes, with a denim jacket also on offer. To finish up the collection, Nike team skater Omar Salazar has created a special edition of his signature shoe too. The 511 Skateboarding will be available online at eu.levi.com from 1 August as well as in skate shops and select Levi’s stores
The most own goals ever scored in a football match. (Costa do Sol of Mozambique in protest).
The most expensive London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony ticket in pounds.
COOL:
BABY PICS
Just when you thought peeping Toms were settled on digital devices... Check out... the new look Fisheye Baby 110 cameras from Lomography. They’ve shrunken their famously fun 170º Fisheye 2s into a fully functioning keychain version. So whether you’re capturing the local egg and spoon race or Usain Bolt grab silver at the 100m final, just know this pocket-sized wonder is only too happy to capture the moment. From £35, via lomography.com
The year of the first and only Olympics to feed the athletes war rations.
Minutes per goal, the statistic that allowed the perennially useless Fernando Torres to collect the Euro 2012 Golden Boot.
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COOL:
REFRESHED:
CHAMP-ION! Post-workout aches and pains beware. Champneys’ new line of high performance sports therapy products are coming for you... Check out... Champneys’ brand new range of products designed to make recovery that little bit easier. Anything from an intense gym session to a grueling 5-a-side football match or a simple jog around the block, Champneys have got you covered. Backed by sport stars like Theo Walcott, Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson, the new line has nine refreshing products, including muscle rub, anti-chafing balm and antiperspirant, that will ensure you’ll be ready to take on the world, no matter how hard you’ve worked. Products range from £3.50 to £10. To get yours, visit champneys.com
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CULTURE:
2012 FEST With the epic Radio 1 Hackney Weekend and BT River Of Music, London 2012 Festival is the one... Check out... the festival of the year as throughout the summer, over 25,000 acts from all 204 Olympic and Paralympic nations will take part in this nationwide festival, showcasing everything from art to fashion. And it’s not just for Londoners! Events will be taking place in towns and cities across the UK. With everything from a Manchester-wide exhibition of West African culture, to pop-up dance shows and string quartets performing from four separate airborne helicopters, there’s something for everybody. Even you. For a full schedule of events head to festival.london2012.com/brochure
Nadav Kander - National Portrait Gallery/ BT Road to 2012 project
PUMA YARD A little slice of paradise in Shoreditch... Check in... at PUMA YARD cos the folks at Puma are treating London to all kinds of Jamaican fun and games at The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. For 17 days and nights, PUMA YARD promises to be the ultimate summer hang out; bringing you the best in music, sports, food, drink and general entertainment. It all kicks off on 27 July with an exclusive DJ set from Groove Armada, and from then on you can enjoy the indoor PUMA Social Club and outdoor BACK YARD with its Kingston-inspired food stalls, beach bar and giant TV screens keeping you up to date with all sporting action, FOR ABSOLUTELY FREE. The BACK YARD also features the PUMA Speed Test where you can test your speed against the famous 9.58 dash of a certain Mr Bolt. We want a go! PUMA YARD doors open at noon each day for the afternoon session and at 7pm each evening for the later session. Free entry with ticket. To get in on the action, register at puma.com/yard
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OUTDOOR:
UP THE O2 Climb up to the top of The O2 and check out the view... Check out... the upper echelons of your favourite dome during the Olympics. Get kitted up in special safety harnesses before climbing across a long fabric walkway suspended above venue for stunning panoramic views. UpAtTheO2.co.uk for tickets and info
STYLE:
BLACK LABEL The PXL X Starter limited edition ‘Black Label’ snapback is here... Check out... what PXL Clothing are up to with their first ever collab with the premium Starter ‘Black Label’ brand. The limited 150 piece collection, which includes an exclusive MARPAT (US Marine Corps) digital camo peak, is looking sick. The two collections have been spotted on Wretch 32, Skepta and K Koke already, at £29 each. PXLclothing.com
STYLE:
OPENING UP Another great collabo... Check out... what adidas Originals have done in pairing up with New York’s Opening Ceremony to create a collection to celebrate (you guessed it!) the London 2012 Olympic Games. The collection features everything from vintage-feeling polos to oversize neoprene parkas, reflective black blazers to printed bike shorts and a new BMX-style high-top. Available in adidas Originals and Opening Ceremony stores from July 14 / RWDMAG.COM
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AUTO:
MINI’S NEW CONCEPT CAR What a fitting tribute to the London 2012 Games, a car you might never see on the roads...
SPORT:
ALBERT SQ. The official design of adidas’ London 2012 Olympic Games football is here... Check out... ‘The Albert’, this is the ball that will kick off the footy tournament on 25 July. Based on the panel design of the Tango 12 it’s flamboyant-yetpractical bit of kit. Price £85, adidas.co.uk 16 / RWDMAG.COM
Check out... the new design of the MINI Rocketman Concept which has been completely remixed for London 2012. Although previously shelved, it’s unmistakably British and the 3+1 seater is just three metres long, would boast a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic construction and be an absolute joy for those who like to bob and weave on 18-inch alloys. MINI, please release thee. For more check mini.co.uk
STYLE:
CLEVER KIT Dear Mr Cleverley, if we can’t win Euro 2012, please can we at least get on the podium at the Olympic football comp? Check out... Manchester United’s midfield marvel Tom Cleverley in his adidas Team GB home shirt. Alongside Stuart Pearce’s army, we really do hope we get some medals at sports we invented. We’re really feeling the striking shirt too; this brilliant design is bound to help bring home the bacon. Price £50, adidas.co.uk
TECH:
FIDDYS WORLD OF WHATEVER Image by Nadav Kander - National Portrait Gallery/ BT Road to 2012 project.
SONY BRAVIA X BBC SPORTS Planning a summer of intense sports viewing? Want the perfect home set-up? Look no further! Check out... the BBC Sports app. You know when you’re watching football/ tennis/ F1/ The Olympics and you just wish you could check out the action from multiple angles/ get complete coverage/ see exclusive content all at the same time? Well you only bloody can! The brand new and brilliant BBC Sports app is launching on the already ridiculously good Sony BRAVIA TV. This is a serious (Olympic) game-changing app for serious sports fans! More info at sony.co.uk
ART:
ROAD TO 2012 Get to know the faces behind the medals at the ‘Aiming High‘ exhibition... Check in... at The British Portrait Gallery. Featuring more than 100 photographs of athletes, the exhibition documents the UK’s preparation for the 2012 Games. Covering both the Olympics and the Paralympics, the stunning images will be on display for free at the British Portrait Gallery until 23 September. For more info visit npg.org.uk
This month: Sporty Spice Chicks don’t JUST watch sport for the legs. Let it be noted that arm definition is of importance too. Back in the day, running through the New Forest, defending balls from the hoop (netball darling), attempting to take out goons with hockey sticks was the TING. Nowadays, having being diagnosed with severe RSI (repetitive strain injury), even 75% of yoga positions are out of my current remit. My daily battle is fighting the cycle of depression that feels like it’s physically radiating from my own body. No joke. You see, Euro 2012 and the Olympics, for a lot of us, simply highlight our wrong doings when it comes to looking after our own selves. I hurt just watching Wimbledon. By coincidence, while pondering my lack of definition, I ogled an episode of Channel 4’s Medicine Men Go Wild, where two doctors who also happen to be twin brothers investigate the world of tropical medicine. Starting their journey in the depths of Congo, it became apparent that us Westerners are doomed to failure should d-day come or simply if modern comforts were stripped from our lives. While yes we’re advised to live without regret, I fear for my own people, a lot of whom are developing back problems in their late 20s, but even more so for Generation Z, bent up over their MacBook Pros, hell bent on living life through technology. Ditch the excessive social networking, texting, BBMs, emails... If I could convince my entire family to jack their lives in tomorrow in exchange for life living off the wilderness, I genuinely think I would do it. For now, dreams of running away like Usain Bolt will have to do. I chat doo-doo and some @chantellefiddy much like @RWDmag 17
FILM:
THE WATCH Check out... our boy Richard Ayoade (you know that funny guy with the ‘fro from IT Crowd) as he literally joins forces with Jonah Hill, Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn in Twentieth Century Fox’s, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Jared Stern written alien invasion interrupting, The Watch. A pretty sick cast, we know... we know. We’ve already got high hopes for this flick – after watching the trailer about 30 times and as we write this we’re off to a hush hush screening – and if the director Akiva Schaffer’s previous work is anything to go by (Hot Rod, Saturday Night Live) the comedy will be on par with the action. Not only that but when was the last time ‘Four everyday suburban guys’ accidentally ‘discover that their town has become overrun with aliens posing as ordinary suburbanites’? Huh? When? Exactly! As they rid the streets of slimy aliens in a bid to save the planet - and of course protect their street - expect many a lol along the way. Come on they even have their own unifrom so you know they’re official, despite the fact it looks seriously flammable. The Watch will be packed with one-liners; action and adventure, sounds like a perfect recipe for success if you ask us. The Watch is released in the UK on 29 August 18 / RWDMAG.COM
OOK L T S FIR AGE IM
WHERE WE’VE CHECKED IN Over at RWD, we’re fully embracing festival season. Here are some of our faves...
Isle Of Wight Festival:
GAME:
LARA’S BACK
Where: Isle Of Wight (Obv.) When: 21-24 June Who: Frankie Despite news reports/ vicious rumours, Isle Of Wight wasn’t actually rainy and crap. Sure there was mud everywhere, but the music, veggie fajitas and free Strongbow made up for it. Jakwob LIVE was live and followed nicely by the literally massive Rudimental.
Square Enix reveal the new Lara...
LIVE MUSIC:
MAJOR HYPE
RBMA and Major Lazer to kill Notting Hill Carnival, again!!!
Check out... Camilla Luddington – the British-born actress, best known for playing Kate Middleton in William and Kate, who will provide the voice and motion capture for Lara Croft in Square Enix’s debut Tomb Raider title. She’s got some big boots (yes, we said ‘boots’) to fill taking on the prestigious role of the legendary adventurer. Should be big if the first images are anything to go by. For more, check tombraider.com
Check-in... to Notting Hill this August as Rodigan, Sean Paul, Lil Silva and more perform to lucky comp winners. Expect sexy carnival dancers and tons of Red Bull. Apply for tickets from the 17 August over at redbull.co.uk
TECH:
FUEL FOR THOUGHT The Nike+ FuelBand ICE is here and there’s so many reasons to want one... Check-out... the latest colour-way of the magical Nike+ FuelBand, ICE. We’ve been testing out the innovative, wrist-worn instrument and we’re impressed. The device measures time, calories, steps and NikeFuel and syncs with the Nike+ website or iPhone app. Available from 27 July at London’s Boxpark and Selfridges. Check nikestore.com
Radio 1 Hackney Weekend:
Where: Hackney Marshes When: 23-24 June Who: Danny Well, it seems like everyone headed over to Hackney the other weekend, including pretty much all of the RWD staff. Danny (your hilarious editor) nearly had to change his (bootleg) trousers when Kanye surprised everyone with his almighty presence.
Hideout Festival:
Where: Croatia When: 29 June - 1 July Who: Greg Our highly skilled camera guy (and Dacre’s twin) Greg headed off to Croatia for the one and only Hideout Festival. Too bad he can’t actually remember what happened. He missed the likes of Chase & Status, Skream & Benga, Annie Mac and SBRTKT, oh well. Always 2013.
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ENOUGH ALREADY: BOWLS Here at RWD HQ, the epicentre of random, we love sport – seriously, put some balls in our hands and we go crazy. Not ANY balls of course – but there are some recreational write offs we just can’t work with. Curling, archery, bowls, water polo, polo or in fact any act involving a horse, floor gymnastics with that stupid ribbon, they’ve all got to go. For reasons only he can explain Danny Walker detests bowls the most... image by Jiro Bevis
“ARE [THE BOWLING ASSOCIATION] CRAZY? THEY’RE BRINGING NEW MEANING TO THE PHRASE, ‘KEEP OFF THE GRASS’...” The list of pointless sports is as long as the reasons why that Haye vs. Chisora debacle should never have taken place and both are just as unsanctioned. The bloated bout of “boxing” was condemned by the British Boxing Board and the catalogue of fun-vacant activities is unendorsed by us, the lovers of REAL sports; the followers of football, women’s volleyball and all in-between. 20 / RWDMAG.COM
Yes curling is a charade but at least that broom-based bullcrap is in the Winter Olympics. And when you look at the icy excitement in the balding faces of the idiots who sweep vigorously in front of the crowds of thousands, hundreds friends and family, it’s pretty obvious it has a market. Bowls on the other hand or lawn bowls to give it its official (even more boring) title, is played by old pension protectors and when we’re done punting their precious pastime back into the 13th century, the only bowls they’ll be interested in will be a bed pan. What’s going on with relatively young people playing bowls too? We’ve even seen campaigns from the English Indoor Bowling Association talking about initiatives to get bowls being played in schools!? Schools. Where children with opinions, tastes and computer consoles reside. Are they crazy? They’re bringing new meaning to the phrase, ‘Keep off
the Grass’ and if you read the press release for this preposterous plan, the EIBA see the fact that kids know bowls is rubbish as a ‘challenge’... getting kids to turn up for school is a challenge, getting them into bowls would be a miracle; “Whether we like it or not, we must face up to the image of bowls not being a sport generally associated with young people.” The 11 page document is full of these gems. “This is not only on account of our dress code but also the framework of the normal games is not often “loaded” with the excitement and action which some other sports can offer.” We’ve seen funeral processions with more flavour. With London 2012 on our doorstep and the majority of the bowling fraternity on death’s door, let’s just hope this unholy hobby dies a quick painless death. We’ll notify the next of kin if you get the sweet n’ salt popcorn.
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It’s been a long time coming, but finally, the Olympics are here. As the world’s elite athletes flock to London in search of gold in their respective events, RWD crunches some serious Team GB-related numbers in order to prepare you for yet another summer of sporting underachievement, blind national pride and overpriced merchandise. Don’t say we didn’t warn you... compiled by James Humphrys imagery by Sam Hardy
The amount of money raised through sales of Team GB merchandise that is expected to go towards the funding of London 2012. Where the rest of it goes, is a mystery to us all.
The distance in miles that Orkney Island rifleman, Bobby Spence, will have to travel, in order to get to the Olympic shooting range in Woolwich. We do hope the Olympic committee are covering travel expenses.
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The cost in pounds a complete official Team GB tracksuit (plus t-shirt, shorts and trainers). A small price to pay for free access to the Olympic village and all of its facilities.
The ranking of British Taekwondo representative Lutalo Muhammad - the man who replaced world no.1 seed Aaron Cook in the Olympic squad after Cook parted ways with Britain’s Taekwondo Performance programme to train separately. Coincidence? Probably not.
Britain’s worst haul in their history of competing at the games. Let’s hope that 60 years on from Helsinki ’52, on home soil, our athletes can comfortably beat this paltry medal count.
The length of time in days that Team GB ‘s top 100M sprint competitor, Dwain Chambers, was banned for after testing positive for the performance enhancing drug, THG. After some early doubts, it seems that the London-born athlete will compete in the 2012 games, despite failing to beat the 10.18 second qualifying time. The moral of this story: apparently cheating does pay, but only if you’re a world class sprinter and it’s taking place in your home town.
The number of representatives of the Team GB Basketball team that currently play in the NBA (Chicago Bulls’ small forward Luol Deng (see next page) and also the number of times Britain have entered a Basketball team in the Olympics before 2012. Needless to say, the amount of medals we have in this discipline is even less. With Spain, Turkey and, most importantly, the USA all fielding full-strength teams this summer, don’t expect that number to be increasing any time soon. (Sources: teamgb.com/our-greatest-team, YouTube, walesonline.co.uk, imdb.com, google.com/prdhp, databaseolympics.com, london2012.com)
The amount of fat in grams that Team GB boxer and ex-Big Brother contestant Anthony Ogogo’s favourite nondescript, spicy Chicken baguette is, in comparison to that of pole-vaulter Holly Bleasdale’s club sandwich. 23
UPFRONT WITH... LUOL DENG
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UPFRONT WITH... LUOL DENG Sudanese born and south London raised; Luol Deng might not be a household name in the UK, but he’s one of our most revered and successful sportsmen on the world stage. At 27 years-old, the Chicago Bulls forward has just finished his first NBA All-Star Season and heads into the summer games as the Team GB basketball team’s talisman on a mission. Speaking at the Nike World Basketball Festival in his hometown of Brixton, Tego Sigel sat down with the star to talk about his hopes for the summer, supporting Arsenal, listening to Afrobeats and more... You’re playing for one of the biggest teams in NBA history, how do you cope with that pressure? I don’t see it as pressure. It’s just an opportunity. An opportunity that I got lucky and blessed at the same time to play for such a great organisation. Every day I’m still like, ‘Man I can’t believe it,’ it’s just such a blessing. Did you ever think you’d get this far? I still think I can get better! That’s the mind state I’ve got to have. I’ve got to keep on pushing myself. You know I love where I’m at with my career, being an AllStar you just want to keep going forward. And the highlight so far? The fact that I have a foundation. That’s a highlight. That means a lot to my parents that I had the opportunity to do that. Being an All-Star. Playing in the NBA. Playing for the Chicago Bulls, there are just so many things. There have just been a lot of highlights. How are you and the British Basketball Director handling the increased press surrounding the UK this summer? It’s good for basketball, good for the sport. It’s good for Brixton. Good for London. You’ve seen a lot of talent at the World Basketball Festival today, how do you rate the future of the game in Britain? I think we’re going to have more players in the NBA. We’re gonna have one of the strongest teams in Europe. I really believe that we have the talent. Did you enjoy Arsenal’s season? I did. It was up and down but to get to the Champions League, that really made it, especially as Tottenham didn’t. That was Arsenal’s season when Tottenham didn’t make it [laughs]. What’s the nightlife in Chicago like compared to London?
London has one of the best nightlifes because it’s so diverse. Chicago has a great nightlife. But you know, during the season you don’t get to do much of that because we’re just so busy travelling. What kind of music are you listening to at the moment? Everything. I’m listening to Afrobeats, I listen to hip hop, I listen to R&B, I listen to jazz, what else do I listen to? I listen to funky. I listen to techno. Whatever sounds good to me. I think the last album I bought was Watch the Throne. But I bought a lot of Afrobeats here and there. I buy a lot of songs that I like. It sounds like you’re big into Afrobeats then and those artists? I like D’banj. I like Ice Prince. I like P-Square. There are a lot [of artists I’m currently feeling]. How are you planning to #makeitcount? Now that I’m an All-Star I want to hold that level, so every season I set a target to try be better than the year before. So my challenge for next season is try to be better than I was this season.
“I THINK WE’RE GOING TO HAVE MORE PLAYERS IN THE NBA. WE’RE GONNA HAVE ONE OF THE STRONGEST TEAMS IN EUROPE. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE THE TALENT.” Check RWDmag.com for the Nike World Basketall Festival videos featuring Luol Deng, Big Boi and Scottie Pippen For more info on The Luol Deng Foundation check out luoldeng.co.uk
LUOL DENG IN NUMBERS Britain’s premier B-Ball player in figures
The time in years between Luol arriving in the UK and becoming a British citizen.
The number on the back of the jersey Luol wears for the Chicago Bulls.
Brixton. The place in England that Luol calls ‘home’.
The amount of money that Luol donated to charity for every field goal scored in the 200708 season.
The amount of money that Deng donated to the London South Bank University in order to help fund operational costs.
Luol Deng’s official height – in centimetres.
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ONE TO WATCH TONIA COUCH The avid sport and Olympic enthusiasts amongst you will probably already know and admire Tonia Couch. For those in the dark, the highly skilled 23 year-old is Britain’s most successful female ever in her seriously spectacular sport – 10 metre platform diving. Words by Francesca Dunn. Aged just seven, Tonia started gymnastics lessons, realised she was really bloody good at it, and started competing. Three years later, when learning a new move on the bars, she slipped off and dislocated her elbow. “They said I’d never be able to put weight on my arm ever again! But thankfully it’s fine now,” the Beyoncé fan tells us. Soon after, a family friend suggested she tried diving and she’s never looked back! Throwing yourself off a 10-metre high platform isn’t for everyone, but for Tonia it became the norm. “When I’m waiting to dive I’ll chat with my friends and have a laugh... but when I get to the end of the board, I’m completely focussed 100% on that individual dive.” Having taken part in the Beijing Olympics back in 2008, Miss Couch is currently in the final stages of preparation for London 2012. “Obviously I was younger then and wasn’t as experienced as I am now. I went to Beijing just really excited to see how I would do, whereas this time I’m aiming for higher goals. It’s a bit more serious now.”
Earlier this year, Tonia and her dive partner Sarah Barrow became the first British women in 74 years to win a European diving title. “We both knew that we could do it, but getting it done on the day, that’s something else.” Despite all of her hard work (six hours a day, six days a week) she still finds success
“THIS TIME AROUND I’M AIMING HIGHER. IT’S A BIT MORE SERIOUS NOW!” hard to believe. “It’s a bit strange.” Being a pro at both diving alone and in synchro, Tonia knows which she prefers. “Synchro is nicer cos you’ve got someone to share the experience with.” So, as Tonia heads off to the Olympic Village, we wish her the best of luck and look forward to watching her flip, twist and tuck her way onto the winner’s podium. Go Tonia! @toniacouch. Tonia will be competing in the Women’s Synchronised 10m Platform at 3pm on 31 July
Photo by Mark Sherman
ADAM GEMILI
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Like any other 18 year-old, this Barking & Dagenham college student is down for a bit of Nando’s but also quite easily rapidly running himself into podium positions after being selected to rep #TeamGB in both the World Junior Championships and the Olympics - which he refers to as a bonus. Beginning his journey in sport playing football for Chelsea juniors before going on to defend for League One’s Dagenham & Redbridge Academy, Gemili decided to take his race of choice, 100M, more seriously when his PB jumped from 10.23 seconds to an impressive 10.08. Still not sure he fully realises his own speed, training will see his technique step up in the next few weeks and the column inches excitedly expand covering the young athlete. @Adam_Gemili
Photo by Mark Sherman
ANDREW POZZI
Coached by Malcolm Arnold OBE, the same man who led Colin Jackson to victory on many an occasion, it’s no surprise West Mids sprint hurdler has been smashing his own personal bests this season. Beating Olympic champ China’s Liu Xiang earlier this year in the indoor 60MH, the 20 year old Nike ambassador has been tipped for the top and across the board for serious medal contention at London 2012. Plus following last year’s Athlete of the Year award, we are definitely keeping our eyes on the humble lad as he heads from hometown Stratford-Upon-Avon to millions of worldwide viewers in Stratford. @Andrew_Pozzi @Adam_Gemili
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RWD & COME AGAIN RWD SPORTS DAY WITH STOOSHE
GIRL ON GIRL (ON GIRL) We’re used to Stooshe grabbing our attention with their colourful smack you in the face attire and take no bullsh*t attitude but we wanted to see exactly how competitive they could be with each other so held our very own RWD Sports Day* to find out. Referee Nardene Scott Images Kevin Joseph Stylist Di Barrand *When we say RWD Sports Day we mean whatever sporting equipment we could find in Poundworld and 99p Store and play with indoors without breaking stuff.
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The ghetro, girly and glam trio Stooshe haven’t been together long, yet are already being considered as the new facety and fresh version of the Spice Girls (“That is very overwhelming” adds Karis) and with two Top 5 chart hits under their belt it’s hard to deny their obvious onslaught on the UK music scene. Nu-skool Barbie, Ms. Minaj herself personally invited the south London chicks on her recent UK tour, “I love you guys... your style is amazing” Courtney recalls the Bronx star gushing on their meeting. Whilst Alex picked up a couple of tips from watching the wacky wig wearer in action on stage, “Just to have fun... I love that, she plays like ten different people on stage, I like the thought of having all those different egos. She is so confident.” The NuTown sound (Motown with a new Nu skool twist) has been doing them well, so expect more of where that came from when their debut LP drops this September covering topics far and wide but keeping it real with their own everyday experiences. The album will be less about the obvious features; though behind the scenes producers and developers of female stars Nicki Minaj and Lana Del Rey have had a hand in the project. Plus the girls have still found time to work with Rizzle Kicks, Wretch 32 and Professor Green. On the morning of our RWD Sports Day, the girls have already been up since the middle of night, rehearsing and in make-up hours ahead of their This Morning performance of Black Heart. But as soon as we mention sport and competition it’s like there’s a new spring in their step. Alex is overly eager to win, Karis gets an excited and competitive edge and Courtney claims she’s actually named after an athlete adding, “I might be lying; my mum may slap me if I am wrong”. All rooting for Jessica Ennis in the upcoming games, we decide it’s time to stop the chatter and get down to business.
RUNNING COMMENTARY
SOMETHIN’ OUTTA NOTHIN’ BANG TIDY OLYMPICS
Discovering early on that our mini footballs suitable for ages 3+, were way too bouncy for kick-ups, we decided to take to our back up tennis racquets and keep up the balls that way. Courtney was flipping the racquet and everything but she definitely sabotaged Alex when we lost count around 80 or so whilst Karis killed herself with some poor ball skills! The hula hoop contest could have gone on for a while but thankfully distraction techniques came from the group’s stylist, Di, who whipped them with some stray clothing whilst dancing crab-like between the three singers, knocking them all out of the competition pretty briskly and celebrating by some crazy neck hula hoop action. Finally the snapback toss (we have to apologise here for not actually bringing a snapback and therefore borrowing Courtney’s pristine white one). It was never going to last and seeing where things were headed the blonde decided to forfeit, allowing Karis to win after her embarrassing earlier performance.
Each month we’ll be making some crap... This month, in honour of that massive thing that seems to be taking over the world and also our cover star, we show you how to host your very own Bang Tidy Olympics...
1) The most important part of any competition is the prize! So get your hands on three medals, tin foil/ other shiny stuff works just as well as bling.
“COURTNEY WAS FLIPPING THE RACQUET AND EVERYTHING BUT SHE DEFINITELY SABOTAGED ALEX WHEN WE LOST COUNT AROUND 80 OR SO WHILST KARIS KILLED HERSELF WITH SOME POOR BALL SKILLS!”
2) Go to your chosen location whether it be your street/ school/ place of work/ Oxford Street/ whatever. We chose RWD’s ends, sunny Shoreditch. 3) Look for the most Bang Tidy chicks. Approach them. Congratulate them. Present them with their medals. Hope they don’t find it all too creepy. 4) For added kicks (and possible RWD fame), why not snap your Bang Tidy chicks with their medals and send them in for us to check out!
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RWD & COME AGAIN RWD SPORTS DAY WITH STOOSHE
“I WAS COMPETITIVE, I HAD TO WIN.”
“I WAS SICK AT THROWING LIKE SHOT PUT AND THAT!”
“I LOVE THAT FEELING, BEING LIKE YES! NO.1!”
KARIS ANDERSON
COURTNEY MARIAH RUMBOLD
ALEXANDRA STEPHANIE BUGGS
TEAM: GHETRO AGE: 20 REPPIN’: PENGE, SOUTH EAST LONDON HEIGHT: 5”5/5”6
TEAM: GLAM AGE: 22 REPPIN’: SIDCUP, SOUTH EAST LONDON HEIGHT: 5”6
PERFORMANCE:
PERFORMANCE:
TEAM: GIRLY AGE: 22 REPPIN’: BRIXTON, SOUTH LONDON HEIGHT: 5”5
PERFORMANCE:
Hula-Hoop - 2 Snapback Toss - 1 Keep-Ups - 20 Awarded: Bronze Someone has to be third don’t they?! There’s no real medals if that makes it easier...
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Hula-Hoop - 1 Snapback Toss - N/A Keep-Ups - 80-ish Awarded: Silver Despite the blatant cheating pushing Alex during the Keep-Ups giving Karis the snapback win pulled her back into it...
Hula-Hoop - 3 Snapback Toss - N/A Keep-Ups - 80-ish Awarded: Gold - To be honest this isn’t the greatest scoring system but Alex didn’t cheat so...
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MAXSTA The moment Maxsta lost his younger brother, to an unknown cause of death, the 20 year-old vowed to make each moment of his promising music career count. Since that dreadful day in March 2012, this Arsenal fan has worked tirelessly on his debut album, been signed up for being one of the faces of adidas and readied his first audio outing, I Wanna Rock, on Jamal Edwards’s Just Jam an imprint of Sony RCA. Danny Walker finds out what makes him tick... Image by Pharaoh
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“I was proper passionate about football,” the Thierry Henry fan decides of the sport he regularly played before music took over. “I used to cry when England lost, but after a while I thought, ‘These man are just gonna run around for 90 minutes and I’m gonna cry?’ They don’t care about me.” Growing up in south and east London, with stints at a number of schools, the artist born Ian Maxwell Koromah pretty much had to make a decision about who he was going to be from an early stage. “I went to four different primary schools, and I can’t even remember which secondary school I ended up at,” the Sum 41, Nirvana and Red Hot Chilli Peppers fan and former skateboarder tells RWD in his trademark laidback manner. “Some of the schools I went to were pretty rough. I remember you had the black boys, the white boys, the Asian kids, the neeks. I was smart and I could chill with [the neeks] but by Year 9, I’d transformed into one of the naughty black kids.” Brought up in a close-knit family that fled Sierra Leone’s terrible civil war Maxsta soon found himself in a completely new kind of battle. “I’ve always been like a loudmouth,” the East London is Back spitter explains. “I don’t think some of the teachers liked me because really teachers ain’t supposed to chat sh*t to you, really. When I first got suspended, I remember my mum just being so disappointed, she took my iPod as punishment.” It took another move to another school for the guy who lists P.E. and music as his favourite lessons to finally settle down (he counts only getting suspended ‘once’ as settling down). “When I lived in East Ham, it was one of those areas where everyone knows everyone. The first thing I remember was going to the youth club and spittin’. People were like, ‘Wow, who’s this kid?’ Everyone kind of wanted to be my mate.” With his school, Langdon – which Kano also attended – being just 20 minutes from the ends, it wasn’t too long before those worlds would collide. “My name was getting about,” he details. “I started doing local shows and stuff but road life was always there and at school there was a thin line between rushings in the playground and everyone calling their people after school. I remember one time like 15 girls come down to beat me up. At one point I was kinda this ‘hood celebrity’ and people hated me.”
Being rushed by so-called mates, stabbed, bottled and often afraid to leave his house (“One day I was chilling with my parents and a brick just came through my window.”) he soon had the whole family up sticks and move to Essex. It was at that point Ian knew ‘Maxsta’ had to change. “Around January [2012] – before my brother died – things had started to look up; a new managing director [at the label] came in, couple of acts got dropped but I didn’t. I was like, ‘cool,’ but on March 19th when my brother died, from then... that day... I became a beast.” Using the death of Kevin, his 14 year-old younger sibling as a catalyst (“my brother is gone and he looked up to me, he was a fan. He had all of my tunes. I just feel, like... it wouldn’t be right for wherever he is for him to not see me do well.”) Maxsta has focussed on making this chance count and promises the radioready Show N Prove produced I Wanna Rock is just the start. “Working is what helps me to deal with it,” Maxsta reveals of his road to recovery. “There is a lot of tweaking to be done with the album and the kinda people that are getting set up production-wise and feature-wise is pretty cool, but first I need to make sure that me/ Maxsta sounds good.” I Wanna Rock is out 5 August
“MY BROTHER IS GONE AND HE LOOKED UP TO ME, HE WAS A FAN. I JUST FEEL LIKE… IT WOULDN’T BE RIGHT FOR WHEREVER HE IS FOR HIM TO NOT SEE ME DO WELL.”
@ItsMaxsta discloses much much more on RWD TV, so get on over to RWDmag.com
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STYLE GUIDE STYLE | UNSUNG HERO | TINIE ON TRAINERS
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WHAT TO WEAR AND HOW TO WEAR IT...
TRAINING DAY
We focus on trainers with a sporting heritage to ensure you win the style steeplechase...images Kevin Joseph styling Sophie Robinson K-Swiss K-ONAS GB flag
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This page: Reebok Classics @ JDsports.co.uk adidas Dragon @ JDsports.co.uk, 0pposite page: adidas Adi Racer, K-Swiss SI-17, Gola Spirit
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This page: Nike LunarGlide +4 @JDsports.co.uk, New Balance 420, Asics GELSAGA 0pposite page: adidas Adi Racer, Gola Javelin Classics, Diadora Condor @JDsports.co.uk
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TRACK STYLE
PHOTOGRAPHY: BENJAMIN GLEAN ART DIRECTION/STYLING: NEESHA SHARMA STYLING ASSISTANT: MERCEDES ASARE PHOTO ASSISTANT: ANNA MAGUIRE MALE GROOMING: SIMMY LO @ RND CREATIVES MODEL: DOUG @ STRIKE MODEL MANAGEMENT
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Hoodie by The Duffer of St George @ jdsports.co.uk, top and leggings by Nike, tracksuit bottoms by Crooks & Castles, trainers and watch by Nike
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Jacket by K-Swiss, top by adidas opposite page: top by Puma, jacket by Weekend Offender, backpack by Converse
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Jacket by adidas, sweater by Jeremy Scott for adidas opposite page: Cap by New Era, jacket by The Duffer of St George @ jdsports.co.uk, hoodie by Fly53, FuelBand and top by Nike
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Quilted jacket by Weekend Offender, shirt by MQT, sweatshirt by Billy Boyce, shorts by Nike @ jdsports.co.uk, trainers by Diadora @ jdsports.co.uk opposite page: Jacket by adidas, hoodie by adidas @ jdsports.co.uk, tracksuit bottoms by Humor, trainers by Nike, watch by Breo
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TINIE ON TRAINERS
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BLAZER GLORY At the launch of his Disturbing London x Blazer collaboration in London, Tego Sigel grabbed Tinie Tempah to talk buying trainers abroad, his all-time favourite pairs and of course spending £24k on his first edition Back To The Future Nike Air Mags...
“AS A YOUNG 23 YEAR-OLD, [I BOUGHT THE AIR MAGS AS] MY FIRST PIECE OF MODERN ART AND IT REALLY REPRESENTS ME AS A PERSON.”
What made you decide to customise a Nike Blazer for your first trainer? The Nike Blazer is my favourite Nike trainer. It’s the trainer that I feel became quite iconic with my image as well, which was very cool. When we got the opportunity to do our own Disturbing London x Nike Blazer we jumped at it. And your favourite pair of trainers? I like a good Air Max 1! I had this pair of Nylon Air Max 1s. I love them so much because they were really easy to clean as well. I really liked them and they were just so understated and depending on what you’d wear them with they’d really, really pop. I loved the Sky Force ‘88 and I’m still trying to get the fluorescent yellow colour. I would kill for some Jordan 6s as well. I like the Yeezys as well. Would you like to design something a little bit more experimental like Kanye West’s Yeezy 2s? I think the Yeezys are great, I love the Yeezy 2s, I think they’re incredible and I was fortunate to get both of the colours and like with most things when you buy a watch it feels very much like a luxury item, like even the bag it
comes in and the fact that you can screw components on and you have your tassel and stuff like that. It feels very much like a luxury item and definitely if I got the opportunity. I would like to mess around with a shoe a little bit more. What was the motivation for spending as much money on the first pair of the Back To The Future Nike Air Mags? For me that was more about collecting my own first piece of modern art, because I ain’t ever going to wear those trainers. They got signed as well and they’re in some amazing airtight box and everything. So I just thought that for me, as a young 23 year-old Londoner, this should be my first piece of modern art and it’s a shoe and it really represents me as a person, so I went for it. Also, more importantly than that, it was for a good cause. I think anybody spending that amount of money on trainers would be indulgent, but because it was for charity no one can get me! People can’t be like ‘oh he spent...’[laughs]. I just say it was for charity. How much trainer shopping do you do when you’re on the road? You can imagine all the places that we go to. Depending on where you go, you’re going to find something you can’t get anywhere else, so [myself and my manager Dumi] always buy trainers wherever we go. I’ve even got the Super Mario edition Converses. How do you rate LDN’s trainer game? It’s up there! I think really the only people putting pressure on London, in my opinion, is New York. Now that we have more awareness on the blogs you can really see there’s a real passion for trainers in the UK but in America some kids are working day-jobs to get a pair of exclusive trainers, so it’s a lot more embedded in their culture. Read the full interview with @TinieTempah on RWDmag.com/style 49
UNSUNG HEROES RWD READER COMPETITION
Champions of the less ordinary, new brand Unsung Hero facebook.com/ UnsungHeroOfficial offer a platform for talented and passionate young people striving for their big break. To mark both their launch and their hunt for undiscovered talent, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve scoured the internet and your minds for the best young photographers and stylists around. After much portfolio stalking, we let stylist Cosima Chi and photographer Rio Romaine step up to the plate... Images Rio Romaine Styling Cosima Chi Grooming Margarida Marinho Models Eddie & Ben @ Strike Model Management
ED T A E CR WD BY R ERS READ
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RWD READER COMPETITION
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RWD READER COMPETITION
PHOTOS: RIO ROMAINE With beats on the brain and an eye for a great photo, Rio is already on track for big things in the world of photography. With his work already published, it’s only a matter of time before this Unsung Hero hits the big time... Rio Romaine won our vote with his extensive portfolio. At just 22, the hip hop fan has already worked with a whole host of models, celebs and magazines. Hailing from east London, a college graphics course eventually led to a love of photography. Describing his images as classic, retro and beautiful, they’ve been published online by Vogue Italia. “The shoot was refreshing. Everybody was so on point and Cosima was very fun to work with,” the part-time music producer told us. @RioRomaine rio-romaine. tumblr.com
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RWD READER COMPETITION
STYLIST: COSIMA CHI It takes something special to capture our eye and that’s exactly what Cosima Chi is all about. Encapsulating all that Unsung Hero represents, this emerging fashion gem has a bright future... 23 year-old Londoner Cosima was pretty much born into the fashion world, so it was only natural that she would follow in her family’s footsteps. On leaving school she studied fashion marketing at UAL and realised that styling was where her passion lay. The avid blogger has built up her experience styling celebrities such as Kelly Osbourne and The X Factor’s Paige Richardson. On set, Cosima told us, “I found the shoot one hell of an experience. I feel like I learnt and gained a lot from the opportunity... the clothes were fun to work with and Rio was amazing.” @CosimaChi cosimachistyles. tumblr.com
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COVER STORY KEITH LEMON
Some men capture the hearts and minds of a nation. Some men achieve so much with their talent that they transcend their sport/ music or whatever they put their minds to and some men do all of that and look stylish at the same time. Keith Lemon is not one of those men. Had Danny Walker asked for a self-confessed swingball star that rocks a hand bandage 24/7, a whale’s tooth for jewellery and a Babyliss-blowdried barnet extracted from the ‘80s, Keith would be first on the list. The Yorkshireman does, however, have his own film on the way and it looks bloody hilarious... directed Dacre Bracey photography Jake Green styling Sophie Robinson
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Yorkshire is renowned for its sporting greats; Kevin Keegan, erm... Brian Clough, er... Dickie Bird. As we enter a plush room at the Soho Hotel, we thought we just might’ve found another one. He’s got shorts on, so he looks the part – having also recently featured in an international adidas advert alongside David Beckham, Tom Daley, and decathlon don Daley Thompson – he’s sporting a sweatband and he’s saying all the right things.“I used to have a basketball thing in the garden,” Keith Lemon smiles as we capture the cover shots, “but I’d just smash t’window all the time.” Have RWD found Team GB’s secret weapon?
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COVER STORY KEITH LEMON
GROWING UP
What was growing up like? Was it tough with all the bullying? When I was growing up it wasn’t that hard or anything. Cos I wasn’t bullied: I was envied quite a lot cos I were good looking when I was a kid as well but I just used to share my knowledge of the female with my fellow males and tell them that they enjoy the fingerblasting, the smashing of the back doors in – that wasn’t until I was a bit older. Back then when I was seven I was telling them, ‘When you stick your tongue in their mouth [whispers] they love it.’ [room laughs]. Did you have any point in your life when you had to overcome something? The only thing in my life I’d have to overcome was probably learning to swim and I did so at bronze level, where you had to wear pyjamas and 60 / RWDMAG.COM
“I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST LINKED UP WITH HOLLY WILLOUBOOBY AND FEARNE ROTTEN COTTON. I KNOW I GAVE THEM A LOT OF GRIEF BUT I’D LOVE TO MAKE LOVE TO [HOLLY’S] A***.”
save a brick. I’ve never had to use that in my life, cos I’ve never seen a brick drowning, and if I did, I don’t think I’d run home to put my pyjamas on to enable me to save it. I’m sure I’ll be able to do it in whatever clobber I’m wearing there and then. It’s only a brick... I know, what do they want me to save a f**king brick for? [room laughs]. Can you talk to us about your style? It’s very European, I remember just the other night I was watching Eurovision Song Contest. The wardrobe of some of the people there I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’d
wear that, I’d wear that. He looks good, I’ll wear that.’ And then when Jedward came on I was like, ‘Nah, I wouldn’t wear that.’ They looked like they were dressed as weird spacemen. What music do you download? I am assuming you have a CD player or something like that... Yeah , I have got a CD player and a downloading facility also. I like Jessie J at the moment, I like Paloma Faith, there was a rumour that me and her were gonna do a Christmas song together, and we were, but I was busy with my film coming out on 24 August
and she was busy with her album which I think came out 28 May. I like Paloma Faith but then I will go left field and listen to Rick Astley, INXS and Haircut One Hundred from the ‘80s. I like a bit of C+C Music factory [sings] ‘things that make me go mmmmm’ I like that song, do you like that song? Do you have any dance moves? I do, but that is the most embarrassing question you could ever ask someone. It’s like, ‘Have you been circumcised?’... That was actually my next question... Have I been circumcised? Yeah I have, cos when I was a little kid I had a double 61
COVER STORY KEITH LEMON HOTEL OLYMPICS
jetty and I could never use public toilets because I would p**s on the person who was beside me. So the only way to sort it out was to take it off - smooth as a wellington boot.
KEITH LEMON: THE FILM
Kick-up Challenge
“I don’t even know how to do keepy uppies. I hate football, I’m sh*t.” Don’t let Beckham hear you say that. “He don’t care, he’s a millionaire. If I told him I f**ked his mum he won’t be bothered [room laugh].“
Basketball Challenge
[Ball hits Keith’s chest and goes in] that is one. [Confused look]. This is for two [hits Keith’s arm and goes wide]. Last one [runs up to Keith and dunks it, before hanging off his arm]... counts!!!
Hotel Room hurdles
“We’re in a hotel [laughs] playing sports...” Are you concerned about this one? Yeah, this is dangerous! Who says ‘go’? [Keith darts away and you can find out what happens on RWD TV].
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You’ve gone from strength to strength - what’s been the highlight? There have been many. The first time I was on TV with Keith Lemon’s Very Brilliant World Tour, which is available on DVD, that was a highlight, but I remember when I first linked up with Holly Willoubooby, and Fearne Rotten Cotton. I know I gave them a lot of grief but I’d love to make love to her a***. It was a highlight meeting them. I also did a workout DVD called Keith Lemon is Fit and winning a BAFTA at the BAFTAS – I’m still reeling from that, can’t believe it. Another highlight is when I made a film, which is at the cinema near you on 24 August. [whispers] Can’t believe it. Tell us more about this film... The film has a few cameos, as well as my celebrity friends; Gary Barlow, Emma Bunton, Mel C, Jason Donovon, Peter Andre, Tinchy Stryder, David Hasselhoff, Rizzle Kicks, Gino D’Acampo, Holly Willoubooby, Fearne Cotton, Denise Van Outen, Paddy McGuiness... Verne Troyer is a cast member; Kelly Brook is a cast member. It’s an incredible movie that I think you should all go and see. Put your brain in your bag cos it’s f**king daft but it’s ace. In all seriousness, I’ve been describing it as a small film with a big heart and a massive c**k. That c**k is my c**k and you’ll see it on many occasions ladies. That is the big draw? My c**k. No, Have you seen that X-Men film Origins? But with no Wolverine and no special effects. Actually, it has got some special effects; they’re still doing the effects now, as we speak. There is a scene where I buy a whale and they cut that out cos the director didn’t like the whale. I liked it me but it’s just more content for t’DVD. All the scenes that you don’t use you put on the DVD. The draw though is that it’s reminiscent of an ‘80s movie, set in a hyper-realistic world. I become a billionaire in 24 hours and I buy a skyscraper and everyone knows that is unrealistic as it takes six weeks to buy a sofa. That isn’t even possible but it’s a film!!! I wanted to a cinematic story rather than a TV spin off - based on reality.
SPORTS
London 2012 is fast approaching, are you looking forward it? No [shrugs and does a high pitched laugh], I went to that party thing where I met all the Olympians. I can’t remember any of their names apart from Tom Daley [flash bulbs go off]. ‘AVE IT!!!’ [Jumps on request of the photographer, Jake Green] ‘B*stard’ [jumps and laughs]. [Suddenly gets given a basketball] are you a fan of basketball? Yeah, I like Teen Wolf [room laughs]. I think I’m going t’ opening [ceremony], I like Adele, she’s playing isn’t she? Yeah, they got all sorts going on. Yeah, Steps are playin’ [room laughs]. Tryna see if they can do a song without falling out and before Claire eats everyone. Fat Claire’s like, ‘Oh, I’ll have a go,’ she’s a wicked singer though; she looks quite cute when she does that little rabbit nose thing. In terms of sport, you have mentioned that swingball is one of your favourite sports, what else will we see you doing this summer? Well, I will be seen playing swingball, skateboarding, BMX-ing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, longboarding... So anything with a board really? Yeah sort of board based sports. My toe is battered up from snowboarding, you wouldn’t think it but I am a snowboarder. And lastly, a word about the Olympics... It’s in the UK and I just thought that we get no lunatics representing the UK, like in the recent riots, they all went on the rob. I didn’t like that; I didn’t like that at all, so I am just hoping that we are on our best behaviour whilst we have got visitors over here and I hope the UK Olympians do really well and bring home those chocolate coins. The Lionsgate UK production, Keith Lemon: The Film, is out 24 August
Keith goes crazy on RWD TV, hurdling over chairs and everything. RWDmag.com is you
A SMALL FILM WITH A BIG HEART AND A MASSIVE C**K He’s had a silly amount of TV shows, his own fitness video (yes, really) and - going large on 24 August - the one and only Keith Lemon is releasing his own bloody film!
Keith Lemon: The Film is a sure fire LOLfest, absolutely jam-packed with hilarious scenes (especially the asparagus scene he showed us from his phone which we’re not allowed to talk about) and endless celebs. Basically, our Keith follows his dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur, just like his hero, Richard Branson. The Leeds-bred businessman heads down to the bright lights of London and becomes an overnight billionaire before screwing it all up again. The star-studded flick features everyone from Billy Ocean (Lemon’s dad!?!?!) and various members of The Spice Girls, to none other than Kelly Brook and her lovely, lovely assets. Bang tidy! If you stroll out of the cinema wishing the film had never ended (which you definitely will), you’re in luck because KL is already talking about writing a second film – the aptly titled Keith Lemon : The Film 2. That’s right - not at all surprisingly, the big man writes his films himself. Absolute legend. Keith Lemon: The Film (and his “massive c**k”) are in cinemas 24 August
63
INTERVIEW JHENÉ AIKO
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SOUL SIREN Not familiar with the name Jhené Aiko yet? Having put together one of 2011’s most popular mixtapes and promptly being signed soon thereafter Nardene Scott discovers why you’ll be hearing a lot more of her sexy sonics this year too...
Image by Ashley Nguye
“I’M SO LOW KEY, I DON’T DRESS UP LIKE EVER, I’M APPROACHABLE I GUESS.”
LA girl and Def Jam signee Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo aka Jhené Aiko (pronounced Juh-nay, Ahhee-ko) is reviving soul music stateside. With all eyes on the Japanese, Spanish, Dominican, African-American, Native American and German-Jewish stunner her debut album Souled Out has got a lot to live up to... “When I was on tour with B2K I met Pharell and I had a groupie moment. I shook his hand and ran away and cried because at the time I had a really big crush on him,” Jhené tells us innocently before continuing, “What’s crazy is I had seen him before and did the same thing!” After speaking to the Neptunes fan for just a few minutes you can see that the honesty in her music directly reflects her personality describing Souled Out as. “Just more of me I guess, as a 24 year-old, young mother, single mother, my brother has cancer and I just want to put in everything I’ve been through out there.” Without this becoming like a clip from the audition stages of American Idol, the sweet lady does have a little story to tell when it comes to the industry she’s been a part of since signing to TUG/ Epic at just twelve. The youngest of five (at the time) Jhené absorbed the sounds of 90’s west coast hip hop. “Naturally I knew all the words when I wasn’t supposed to,” she chuckles. Other than being a potty mouthed pre-teen, the Brandy, Aaliyah and Sade fan adjusted to LA life first hand. Her sister’s were touring with Immature, older brother an underground rapper and witnessing her mother constantly being approached by agents to sign up the remaining siblings was the norm. It wasn’t until first grade that she
sang Steelo by 702 and began to take on board the positive feedback. Still, things went sour priority-wise with the TUG/ Epic deal and the writer focused on school and switching her mind between being a vet, theatre or English major. Still continuing with music in her own time, it wasn’t long before the idea of a mixtape came around; admittedly delayed by a year or so due to the birth of Nami, she shared with Omarion’s younger brother, O’Ryan. The tracks most memorable from last year’s release are the solo efforts, the new age, been there, done him already banger Stranger, the sensual slow claps of My Mine and multi-suggestive Higher all stand outs as far as we’re concerned. Spiritually sound, the down to earth mother notes on Facebook, I am not an entertainer, I am an inspirer so you can expect the writing to be realer than real on the album. “I held back more because that was my first time being really personal but I think with Souled Out I might get in trouble... I definitely don’t mind putting my feelings out there so this one is gonna be a little more...” she naughtily laughs her way through saying before pulling it all together. “I’m definitely going to my really dark places. That doesn’t mean it has to have a very negative sound, to me your dark places are places where you really find clarity.” 3.16 the first sign of what Souled Out has to offer, showcases just how far goth R&B can go and with no sign of David Guetta on the refix - Fisticuffs use live instruments and don’t use samples we’re not really sure Jhené Aiko is going to fit perfectly into the homogenised current scene, but we love her all the more for that! If you haven’t already download Sailing Soul(s) from jheneaiko.com and follow @jheneaiko 65
Image by Charli Edwards, Little Red Creative
#GENREVSGENRE
#GENREVSGENRE: MMA V BOXING Seconds out, RWD’s James Humphrys is about to settle the biggest rivalry in sport today; Boxing vs. MMA. In this month’s #GenreVsGenre, Romford-born British boxer and former No.1 contender for the WBO Lightweight title, Kevin Mitchell, squares off against former WEC alumni, current UFC Featherweight and proud east Londoner, Brad ‘One Punch’ Pickett. BRAD PICKETT (MMA)
KEVIN MITCHELL (BOXING)
TWITTER NAME: @ONE_PUNCH AGE: 33 WEIGHT: 135LB HEIGHT: 5’ 6” FOLLOWERS: 13,814 VERIFIED: YES TWEETS: 2,025 HOMETOWN: EAST LONDON RECORD: 21-6 STYLE: ALL-ROUNDER NEXT FIGHT: YVES JABOUIN (UFC ON FUEL 5, 9 SEPTEMBER) LAST FIGHT: DAMACIO PAGE (WON BY SUBMISSION)
TWITTER NAME: @KEVINMITCHELL6 AGE: 27 WEIGHT: 135LB HEIGHT: 5’ 8” FOLLOWERS: 21,199 VERIFIED: NO TWEETS: 5,363 HOMETOWN: ROMFORD RECORD: 33-1 STYLE: ORTHODOX NEXT FIGHT: RICKY BURNS (BURNS V MITCHELL, 22 SEPTEMBER) LAST FIGHT: FELIX LORA (WON ON POINTS)
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RWD TEAM Editor Deputy Editor Senior Staff Writer Staff Writer Contributing Editor Online Editor Contributors
You’ve got a fight coming up against Yves Jabouin in Nottingham... Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it. It’s good to be fighting back on home soil. All of my friends and family will be there. He’s known for his flashy striking and lack of ground game. Is that something you’ll be looking to take advantage of? I’m quite comfortable in all areas, so I don’t care where the fight goes. Yeah, he’s flamboyant and flashy, but I don’t think my style compliments his at all. Tell us why you prefer MMA to boxing? I used to box a lot back in the day, but nowadays I just find it a bit boring. With MMA there’s so much you can learn and I just find it a lot more challenging. And your thoughts on Kevin Mitchell... I watched him back in the day, he’s good.
Kevin, tell us how the fight with Ricky Burns came up... We’ve been trying to get this fight on for a while now and it’s finally happening on 22 September. Burns is a multiple weight world champion and a good friend of mine Tell us why boxing beats MMA... You talk about a brutal sport, and as much as MMA is smaller gloves and kicks to the head, 90% of it ends up on the floor. With boxing, you’re taking a beating for the full 12 rounds. That’s 12 rounds of punches to the head. And your thoughts on Brad Pickett? I’ve not watched many of his fights, in all honesty, but I have a couple of friends in MMA that know him and have trained with him.
“IN [MMA] SMALLER GLOVES MEANS YOU’VE GOT A MUCH BETTER CHANCE OF KNOCKING SOMEONE OUT.”
“WHEN YOU’RE IN MMA, IT’S ALL OVER THE PLACE. I THINK BOXING’S THE WAY TO GO - IT’S MORE BRUTAL.”
Please name as many boxers as you can, past or present, in 30 seconds... Kevin Mitchell, Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, Prince Naseem, Nigel Benn [pauses]. Ah, my mind’s gone blank. [Pauses again]. Erm... Butterbean. Ah man, I wish I had some more prep... [Timer sounds] Oh god, I didn’t even mention Mayweather or Pacquiao. Add them in. What happened the last time someone tried to pick a fight with you? I try not to get myself in those sort of situations, I don’t need to prove myself by beating people up on the street. Brad Pickett takes on Yves Jabouin at UFC on Fuel 5 at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham on 29 September
Kevin, can you name as many MMA fighters as you can, past or present, in 30 seconds... Royce Gracie, Lee Murray, Anderson Silva, Spencer Hewitt, Pickett, Chuck Liddell, (Mirko) CroCop and... erm... there was that guy that wanted to fight Mike Tyson... Nah, you’ve got me. That was a few. So tell us what happened the last time someone tried to pick a fight with you? Yeah, it was in the street a few years back [pauses for a split second]... I knocked him out. One punch. Catch Kevin Mitchell vs. Ricky Burns on Boxnation TV, Sky Channel: 437 and Virgin Channel: 546 on 22 September
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CONTACT RWD Suite 107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipp Street, London EC2A 4PS Tel: 020 3176 4299 staff@RWDmag.com @RWDmag 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
After a points decision, this month’s winner, with a whopping 350+ retweets including one from Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy, is Brad ‘One Punch’ Pickett! 67
INTERVIEW WILEY
“I MIGHT END UP WATCHING SOME STUFF THAT I DON’T WANT TO WATCH [DURING THE OLYMPICS]. I’VE ACTUALLY WATCHED HORSE RIDING BEFORE ANYWAY FOR HALF AN HOUR AT LEAST WHEN THEY’RE JUST JUMPING OVER STUFF [LAUGHS].”
68 / RWDMAG.COM
WILEY X DUBAI Wiley tells us exactly what was so appealing and relaxing about Dubai after his jokes Ustream show...
WAVE RIDER Chilled and lemon fresh from his quick skanking, swimming and spitting session in Dubai – don’t act like you didn’t watch at least five minutes of the best Ustream ever – Nardene Scott caught up with grime legend Wiley at his new label home, Warner Music HQ. Our conversation over a cuppa flowed like the man in question’s Twitter timeline aka all over the place so in order to make it make sense we sectioned – #LeaveIt – the sh*t out of the interview for your reading pleasure. image Carnegie & Conway
#SPORT
“I just got back from Dubai. It’s nice you know there was no weed so it really helped me, that was really good. Obviously you can’t smoke weed at all but there’s some other stupidness called spice where it’s just normal spice with spray or whatever. But I just thought, ‘Yes I didn’t smoke weed’ and then I come back and look [shows us his phone]. Yeah ‘lemons’ (scrolls through phone) ‘I got weed’... I thought the truth is yeah, even if I bought weed or not I’m surrounded in weed anyway.” As the Guardian rightly said not too long ago, “Wiley’s Ustream is more addictive than any music journalism.” Well except for the pages of RWD of course. Anyway with that said we suggest you bookmark ustream. tv/channel/ wileychannel and log on for lolz!!!
Olympic Predictions... Yeah, I see a few things. I just need to look at that newspaper a couple more times, but obviously Bolt. Some of the other Jamaicans, they might try, they’re not gonna beat him though and maybe Tyson Gay and some new English kid, he’s like 19. Most Redundant Sports... Definitely handball! #ISSMAD though because when you get older, you’re just supposed to like sports overall, like golf and that. You’re meant to like cricket and try to understand it [laughs]. I might end up watching some stuff that I don’t want to watch. I’ve actually watched horse riding before anyway for half an hour at least, when they’re just jumping over stuff [laughs]. Celebratory Skank... I’d probably just do a somersault or something [laughs]. I might go a Migrane Skank... Or I might do some Afrobeats skanks. I will get some people with bongos to start a beat (laughs). The Unofficial Olympic Tour Guide... Let me think... They should go to [laughs] Westfield maybe...or not? There’s a lot of stuff there. They should go to West End and see what stuff is there. O2 is nice for food. And Greenwich, there’s loads of food places there, the noodle bar is there [laughs]. I would tell them to go to Pizza Express in Old Street cos its smooth, no hassle it won’t be a busy one.
#MUSIC
On Heatwave... I’m working with Rhymez and we made it from a few instrumental tracks he had. I had an idea but I didn’t actually say do the hook like this so I’m glad they
did that hook because it’s just easy for people to sing. New Tunes... The new tracks are just songs that have feeling, songs from the heart that have good emotions and songs that I’m comfortable on and comfortable making. Real Wiley songs. That’s what I’ve been recording lately, I just want to go raves and hear a beat that I want to vocal. It’s like electronic music to me still so I’m gonna keep trying to do that. Soundtracking Summer... I like [starts singing] ‘I’ve been everywhere...’ - Rihanna Where Have You Been. When I was in a rave the other day I couldn’t believe it, it sounded really sick. Angel’s Wonderful, I do like that song, so that’s one I do want to do well.
#RANDOM
Albert Square Soon Come... Yeah I’m still talking to them on email. I can’t wait man! Trust me one day I will get on there. At first I would want to be not Wiley just [his manager interjects with ‘the new Winston’ whilst RWD say ‘Winston’s son’] Nah! I just go there and everyone will be like ‘Oh my god, it’s him, it’s him.’
2012 CHANGE...
I’m cool and because it’s 2012 I’m not really gonna sit down and try and stress anymore. I’m just gonna try and not really worry anymore because I have for a long time and it’s gone wrong. If two people are not gonna get along for the last eight years, I don’t know if they are gonna. You know what I mean. Heatwave is out 29 July and if you are completely crazy and not already following the banter online get involved @Wiley___ 69
INTERVIEW NATASHA LORING
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JUST IN BEAVER
There’s only one way to get to the bottom of the new series of E4’s Beaver Falls, the follow up to the successful six part comedy-drama that trails a troublesome Brit trio to a State-side summer camp; Danny Walker and Francesca Dunn play softball with the cast. Natasha Loring, who plays lifeguard ‘Kimberley’, a smile-inducing love interest for ‘Barry’, talks us through filming in her native South Africa, the perils of red swimsuits and asks us to explain the meaning of water sports!?!?! Images by Pharaoh
“I REMEMBER ONE SCENE I FINISHED AND [KIMBERLEY] WAS MEANT TO BE ALL FLIRTY, WALK OFF ALL SMOOTH, A BIT OF A WINK, BUT I WALKED OFF AND WALKED INTO A TREE!”
On a surprisingly sunny day in which the clouds have been tamed into submission, exists a fierce softball game in the middle of London’s Finsbury Park. Season regulars Sam Robertson (Flynn), John Dagleish (Barry) and Arsher Ali (A-Rab) line-up with Beaver Falls newbies Tom Austen (Mac), Emer Kenny (Hope) and Scarlett Alice Johnson (PJ) (the last two you might remember from from Pramface and/ or Eastenders). The bases are loaded and Natasha Loring steps up to the plate... LORING ON LORING
So you’re from South Africa, you play and American for a UK TV series. Tell us about South Africans... South Africans are really into barbequing! Everyone gets together to watch the rugby, although I’m not a fan! [Whispers] Don’t tell the South Africans back home. But they make an event of it, like with football here. You’ve been playing softball all day, are you good at sports? Well, I can swim, which is good. I have never actually had to swim for the show. I did a bit of sports at school, did a bit of hockey. I was nicknamed on my team “Bruiser” because I was always getting hit by the ball. Growing up in South Africa means you have an outdoor lifestyle and in the sunshine there are always lots of people out running, swimming, cycling. I grew up outdoors so I am used to it!
NATASHA ON BEAVER FALLS
So what would you say to those fools that haven’t seen it yet... Fools. Goodness, why wouldn’t they have!? Season one is about three English guys that want to enjoy the last summer they can have before working and before seriousness. They decide to go on the ultimate American dream holiday on a summer camp. There is a bit about the cultural differences between the Americans and the English, and although the show is quite American in its style (quite glossy and colourful) you have got that typical American feel to it, I think it is all injected with English humour; which is why I think it has done so well over here. People enjoy the clash of cultures and the mix of humour which is good! In the show, Barry goes out to buy drugs to win Kimberley’s heart – how far has a guy gone to win yours? Well a certain someone, who I was with long distance at the time, we were chatting about New Year’s and how it was rubbish that we wouldn’t be able to spend time together and they said, ‘Well, maybe, I should try and get a flight and come over and visit for two weeks!?’ and he did! So, we spent New Year’s together! Aaaawwwww... and where is he now? [Laughs] No comment. In your own words you play a ‘more confident’ American girl than yourself and you ‘wouldn’t be seen prancing about in a red bathing suit.’ This true? This is true. My first day of shooting I was holding a sarong around me cos our set is majority guys, and just wouldn’t let go of it. ‘Don’t look down, whatever 71
INTERVIEW NATASHA LORING
FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEAVER FALLS SERIES 2
you do, don’t look down when you’re wearing a costume.’ But you do get used to it and now I prance around in it! No, but Kimberley is a lot more confident and a lot more cool than I am, a lot more smooth; I remember one scene I finished and [Kimberley] was meant to be all flirty, walk off all smooth, a bit of a wink, but I walked off straight into a tree!
GUYS AND THE FUTURE
What do you think of English guys? I love the English sense of humour! It’s funny - it’s really dry! How would you rate the characters? Oh god! They are a very good looking cast, it is ridiculous! Everyone, for their own reasons, is a ten, for sure! What else is happening career-wise? I have a film coming out soon, I am quite nervous! I play an American, a Doctor this time! So I am still life saving, I am into the life saving. I haven’t had to save anyone’s life on Beaver Falls yet, but I had to be saved. I can’t actually tell you too much because it’s for the last episode, but we end up in water and the thing I was wearing got caught around my feet. Although it wasn’t as dramatic as I am making out, the guy who was the actual lifeguard saved me. 72 / RWDMAG.COM
“THAT’S THE TROUBLE WITH THE ENGLISH; THERE ARE SO MANY DIRTY CONNOTATIONS TO THINK OF!” What kind of lifeguard gets saved! Yeah but what kind of person gets their feet tied up? A clumsy person! Anything else... We did some water sports for the season episode one too. There is a connotation attached to water sports?!?!? That’s the trouble with the English; there are so many dirty connotations to think of! [Laughs]. Series two of Beaver Falls starts 5 August at 9pm on E4. @natashaloring
- Emer Kenny says her character ‘Hope’ is a very typical American with a “crazy edge.” ‘Hope’ also goes out with ‘A-Rab’ and, “there are crazy kissing scenes.” - Scarlett says her character ‘PJ’ links up with ‘Flynn’ and they, “have a passionate loving relationship.” They may even get married! Another RWD exclusive! - Beaver Falls is filmed in Stellenbosch, “Which is wine country in Cape Town, with lots of wine, grapes and cheese and amazing things.” - Everybody gets some this series.
To find out who won the softball tune into RWD TV on RWDmag.com
- The new series is really funny and Emer leaves us with; “sport is a great thing kids, get out there and play it.”
UNWIND FILMS | GAMES | MUSIC | LIVE
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BAT’S ALL FOLKS THE BEST OF STAYING IN... AND GOING OUT...
BATMAN: THE KNIGHT RISES
It’s been a long wait for the next (and quite possibly final) instalment in Christoper Nolan’s Batman saga, but, at last, Bruce Wayne’s back on the big screen and ready to take on his latest arch-nemesis Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. Was it worth the wait? In RWD’s totally unbiased and completely non-Batmanfanboy opinion, yes, it most definitely was. >> 75
UNWIND FILMS
FILMS A great month of sport and movies we thinks... Ted Universal 15 If you’re a fan of Family Guy, you should be well aware of who Seth Macfarlane is. He is the brains behind the hit series, the voice of Peter Griffin and by all accounts, an extremely funny man. With Ted, the tale of a 30-something lay about (Mark Wahlberg), his talking teddy bear and his disillusioned girlfriend (Mila Kunis), MacFarlane may have struck gold on his first crack at the big time. Starting off at Christmas with a lonely young boy receiving a gift from his parents: a plush teddy bear, who becomes an overnight celebrity after gaining the ability to talk. Sounds cute, right? Well don’t be too quick to judge. Move on 20-odd years and Ted has become a narcotics-loving, beer-swilling, potty-mouthed, has-been of a cuddly toy – it’s from here the hilarity begins, as he and his childhood ‘thunder buddy’ John look to go their separate ways to appease his girlfriend, Lori. Comedy of the year? We think so. Can’t wait to watching it again. (JH) 76 / RWDMAG.COM
MUSIC Each and every issue we give you the latest music to download, buy and/ or avoid that month...
FOR ISIT V R MO E AG. M RWD /FILM COM
The Dark Knight Rises Warner Bros. 12A Not only has Nolan’s trilogy transformed an all but defunct superhero to a big screen success (finally) but it’s turned Gotham into the scariest of holiday destinations, especially as the Dark Knight finale sees Bane open the gates of hell aka Arkham Asylum. Boxset worthy? Hell yeah!!! (DW)
“The Future’s Bright, the Future is Channel Orange...”
“For the grown folk...”
Frank Ocean Channel Orange Def Jam/ Odd Ftre.
How many of these weak MCs will be able to achieve 10 albums? Despite a few troughs the thug narrator/ street poet really does know how to draw in listeners; Daughters, Loco-Motive, Accident Murderers... Obviously #HatersGonHate but those that know will grab this for the collection. (NS) Track to Check: You Wouldn’t Understand
Before clambering out of the closet Ocean has found the time to showcase his knack for riveting storytelling in an album that defines him. A melting pot of genres, Channel Orange offers everything from funk-jam to synth-soaked choruses. (BG) Track to Check: Pyramids
“Is it possible for a voice to ooze any more sex appeal...?” Delilah From The Roots Up Warner Music
The Amazing Spider-Man Sony Pictures 12A Peter Parker is back, only it’s not the shy and retiring Tobey Maguire incarnation who ate humble pie for breakfast. It’s the all-swinging, all-intelligent Andrew Garfield version. The kind of Spidey you’d take out with the lads. The only problem is; would you take them out to see The Amazing Spider-Man? Maybe not. (DW)
In her debut album, Delilah lets her sensual vocals ride over stripped back yet edgy instrumentals and one of the many stars-in-waiting the UK is lucky enough to have right now. We predict big, BIG things for this north London lady. (NS) Track to Check: Breathe
Nas Life Is Good Def Jam
“Generic” Chris Brown Fortune RCA
It hasn’t been a great deal of time since Chris Brown released his hit-filled comeback F.A.M.E, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that his follow-up effort Fortune seems a little, well, rushed. Pop number Turn Up The Music stands out in an otherwise forgettable album packed full of pedestrian hop hop tunes. In short: Nah 3x. (JH) Track to Check: Mirage
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UNWIND GAMES
GAMES With the Olympics coming home James Humphrys makes sure your thumbs scoop gold on games consoles, at least...
MONTHLY MUST PLAY London 2012: The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games Sega PC, PS3, Xbox 360 Athletics games not titled Track & Field don’t have the greatest rep, and for good reason. The whole ‘tap A and B simultaneously until you can’t feel anything in your fingers, hand or right arm for the next three hours’ control scheme is not exactly ideal, and hasn’t shown even the slightest hint of evolving since the early 90s, with only Mario and Sonic’s Olympic efforts coming closest to bucking the trend. With this in mind, we were skeptical, and a little wary for the sake of our Xbox controller’s long-term future when we picked up London 2012. However, after we made it past the impressive visuals and finished listening to the calming music during the extremely pretty loading screens, we were surprised to find this is actually... OK. Couple the polished visuals and it’s actually an extremely playable sim. 78 / RWDMAG.COM
MUSIC Each and every issue we give you the latest music to download, buy and/ or avoid that month...
Asphalt 7: Heat Gameloft Android, IOS The 7th instalment in the long-running racing series does nothing to tarnish Gameloft’s excellent reputation. With a whole host of licensed supercars, a tonne of cool game modes, and a load of beautiful locations to race across, Heat has more than enough positives to make it well worth paying the modest 69p asking price. We think its really good, if you hadn’t already realised.
“Bieber + Timberlake = Maynard” Conor Maynard Contrast EMI/ Parlophone
Conor is often described as the UK’s answer to Justin Bieber, and with his Prince of Pop look and all of those damn Mayniacs, it’s not hard to see why. With the likes of Pharrell Williams, NeYo, Frank Ocean, Rita Ora and the Invisible Men on board, Contrast features some catchy tunes. (FD) Track to Check: Vegas Girl
Spec Ops: The Line 2K Games PC, PS3, Xbox 360
“Sky high!!!” Netsky 2 Hospital After injecting his own brand of liquid funk into well known tracks such as Jessie J’s Nobody’s Perfect , Swedish House Mafia’s One and Plan B’s Recluse, in between producing two solo albums of his own. Netsku is back with 2, which features a wide selection of tracks containing all of the traits that have helped boost his status. (JH) Track to Check: Come Alive
We’ve seen it all before. Beefed up, modern day US “A little “Almost hits soldiers shouting trippy...” the spot.” profanities at Dismantle White Arrows Warp EP each other as Dry Land Is Not Digital Soundboy A Myth they proceed to Votiv gun down hordes Big tracks like More of non-descript Funk and Dots prove White Arrows offer terrorists in a this Brighton boy the kind of dirty has a lot more in photo-realistic, calypso, electro-pop store for us. (NS) expected to be war-torn Track to Check: dropped at late night wasteland. Yawn. Witch clubs and house parSurprisingly, ties. With a platter and somewhat of ritualistic rhythm, refreshingly, 2K synth sequences and heavyweight / Games’ Spec E R O WS melodic hooks M Ops... doesn’t R E give someFO REVI AG. they comply thing for almost L with all the FUL T RWDMEWS everyone. (BG) rules of the Track to VISI M/REVI Check: I Can Go modern day O C war game. 79
LIVE
BOMBS AWAY For the second year in a row, we hit up the number one winter/ snowboarding/ skiing fest in the world, Snowbombing, and once again, we were blown away by the amazing line-up, which featured the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Example, Fatboy Slim, and stared in awe as we brushed past the likes of dubstep legend Benga, DJ Ben Westbeech, Artwork and a couple for older readers, none other than Pat ‘Fun House’ Sharpe and fitness supremo Mr.Motivator. If you’re considering going to one festival next year, make sure it’s this one. Tickets for 2013 are already available atsnowbombing.com, so get involved. We know we will be!
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BE KIND REWIND RWD
BE KIND REWIND RWD EDDIE “THE EAGLE” EDWARDS Still recognised as one of the most embarrassing things to happen in British sport, 48 year-old legend Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards – the plasterer turned ski jumper – rightfully, has no regrets...
For those who are like, ‘Who the hell is this guy?’ please explain... I was the gentlemen who plummeted to fame at the 1988 Winter Olympics by being Britain’s first and last Olympic ski jumper. ... and your pivotal moment? The Calgary Olympics in 1988. So it wasn’t your terrible song then, in Finnish? [Laughs] No it wasn’t Fly Eddie, Fly or my My Name Is Eddie, which reached No.2 in the Finnish charts. Those songs were pretty bad. What was going through your mind at the time? Well, Fly Eddie, Fly was written by Mort Shuman, the guy who’s written for Elvis. My manager at the time was a music producer and they came up with the song and it was a laugh. I gave it a go. It sold 30-40k copies. Can you sing us something in Finnish? It went [sings in Finnish for a bit]... It was a kind of a country and western. ...Thanks? How do you say ‘Come on Team GB’ in Finnish? I have no idea. I can’t speak Finnish; I only learnt those words for the song. Wow, we love a blagger. [Laughs]. Team GB - can we do well? I think so, I think we did well in Beijing 82 / RWDMAG.COM
BE KIND RATING
and we’ll do even better this year. Having the Olympics on home soil will be a huge advantage. I love playing sports, not watching them; I love playing tennis but I hate watching Wimbledon. I love to play golf but I hate watching it on telly. I will watch the women’s beach volleyball though – for reasons nothing to do with sport - that should be on the porn channel! What was it like being considered a ‘Glorious failure’? Erm, well, I don’t regard myself as that at all. For me, getting to the Olympic Games was my gold medal there was no way I was going to beat anybody; I don’t consider myself a failure at all. Really... I never have done, I never will do. And how was Snowbombing? It was great fun. I was there as a sort of a mascot type thing and I went skiing with competition winners and those who just wanted to have a ski/ snowboard with me. There are some signed Eddie The Eagle prints on eBay down to £24.99 [after a moderate 50% discount], we just wanted to know if they were official... Is there...? I didn’t know that. I haven’t signed anything like that. I only sign the fan mail that comes through the
Phrase we had to get in, ‘Glorious failure’: Success Quote we had to leave out: “Until we get a ski jump in the UK, I don’t think we’ll ever have another ski jumper, let alone a champion.”n What we’ve learned: Eddie has a law degree but is a builder/ plasterer and doesn’t take ANY sugar in his tea. (“I’d be obese if I had sugar.”) Be Kind Rewind RWD Rating: High; we were very kind.
post. I’ll have a look at those. Is fan mail still coming in? We thought that would have slowed up by now? Nah, I still get 5-10 letters a week. I’m surprised too. And lastly, is Rupert Grint still playing you in a biopic!?!?! He’s supposed to be. The original deal that I signed 10-12 years ago is probably dead in the water, but there has been renewed interest from a different company. I hope Rupert will still want to be involved. Ed Sheeran could do the soundtrack... Oh yeah, that would be great. Eddie appears in RWD courtesy of snowbombing.com
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