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HOW TO USE RWD+
EDITOR’S LETTER image Jake Green
I remember my first real REAL gaming session. I remember like it was yesterday. Allow me to recall. After hinting for months that we wanted a Sega Mega Drive for Christmas (when I say ‘hinting’, I mean some deperately bait pleading even Comic Relief would be embarressed of), my brother and I nearly died when we ripped open the generous gift that still ranks highly in my personal Present Premier League. And we were playing it seconds after the clock struck midnight too – If your family wait until the morning to open those Santa deliveries, I suggest you make a quick call to social services. That, now-archaic, slab of 16-bit sensory delight kept us entertained for about a week without sleep. The Mega Drive was the first console that I could (kind of) call my own. Forging a special bond, the type which could only exist between a boy and an inanimate object, it allowed me to plug into a different reality, play as my heroes and join a couple of newlyformed social groups at school. That’s what computer games do, instantly whip you from wherever... A bit like RWD. This issue, Devlin, Wretch 32, Rob Da Bank, JLS and even Sonic the Hedgehog tell us how they get down when a controller is in their hand. Completing the magazine with hands-on Halo 4 and special style selections from JD, this issue is an early Christmas present in itself.
Want more from your favourite mag? OK, here’s how...
1. Download Aurasma-powered RWD+ from the Apple App Store 2. Wherever you see the logo point the camera and hold it over the content 3. Double tap videos to see the content in full screen
@DannyWalker1
PHRASE OF THE MONTH: A*M*E
“PLAY THE GAME BOY” “The last game I played was yesterday; Temple Run on my iPhone, but the meaning behind this phrase is that two can play that game [of cheating]. It’s all good them being a player but I can be a player too.” Play The Game Boy is out 4 November. Check ameofficial.tumblr.com 3
CONTENTS ISSUE #129 FEATURES 68-73 DEVLIN & WRETCH 32 74-76 JLS ON GAMING 78-79 UNSUNG HERO: KOZZIE & DARREN RAHAMAN 80-81 HOW TO MAKE A VIDEO GAME SOUNDTRACK: ROB DA BANK
REGULARS INBOX CHECK-IN CHECK OUT ENOUGH ALREADY: FARMVILLE ONE TO WATCH: SYRON, DUSKY, UNICORN KID 24 ABOUT TO BLOW: NINA NESBITT 26-28 RWD & COME AGAIN: WIICYCLING 98 BE KIND RWD: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 6-8 10-19 20 22-23
STYLE GUIDE 31-39 40-43 44-45 46-47 49-59 60-61 62-65 66
JD KING OF TRAINERS SPECIAL HIGHER LEARNING SNEAKBO: JD SHOPPING SPREE TALK OF THE TERRACE KALEIDOSCOPE KISH KASH: CLASSIC TRAINERS PARK LIFE WRIST WEAR
UNWIND GAMES: GAMIMG SPECIAL HALO 4 INFOGRAPHIC: CALL OF DUTY FILMS UK B-BOY CHAMPIONSHIPS WORLD FINALS 96-97 FLOW RIDER
image Jake Green
83-87 88-89 90-91 92-93 94-95
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INBOX
RWD has teamed up with Gioteck and Microsoft to give Jay Biswell the ultimate racing video game prize for sharing his father-son gaming stories with us. He will get his hands on the Gioteck EX-05 headset and FR-1 steering wheel as well as a copy of Forza Horizon so he (and Biswell Jnr) can hit the roads of Colorado in style. Send your letters to: Attn. Editor, RWD Magazine, W107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipp Street, London, EC2A 4PS or inbox@RWDmag.com
LETTER OF THE MONTH: RWD, I’ve been dying for my six year-old boy to get into FIFA so I’ve got a excuse to play it with him. He’s never really been bothered about playing it - he’s more of a Lego Batman 2 kinda chap. That was until FIFA 13 came out, my excitement in advance of getting it obviously rubbed off on him and the day it came out he was dying to play it. I thought I’d let him have a little go thinking he’d be rubbish at first but he only goes and bangs in three goals! I’m worried he’s going to get better than me! Jay B Love this story, he sounds like a little G. We’ll watch that space. Re: Enough Already - Onesies I’m sorry... from an outside perspective I can understand that you see us as lazy teens, but I think you should take a minute to think back at your own teen years. Being a teenager is in fact really tough. It’s that time when you have to find out what you want to do in life. You’ve left behind the years of playtime and Pokémon cards, and you stand 6 / RWDMAG.COM
before a life full of economy and rent, work and crying babies. Isn’t it OK to snuggle up for a bit? I recently bought a onesie and it’s about the best thing I’ve ever purchased. When I wear my bright green suit I can actually forget all my problems, close my eyes and rest in myself for a while. I know I look damn ugly in it, but it’s the only time I really don’t care. It gives me time to think about what I actually want, instead of messing around being interfered by so many things all the time. I watch my favourite TV program on MTV and confess that, yes, I’m a teenager and I’ve got time to enjoy that for just a bit longer. So I’m sorry... that you are such boring adults that don’t have time wear a cosy onesie. Cut us some slack. Josephine Scott-Douglas 15 years-old, from Denmark [Stands and claps]. We’re glad you’re at peace in your onesie Josephine; just you and the polyester versus the world. By all means don’t let little ol’ RWD stop you from rocking that luminous lazy look. Boring adults? We out here eating off Nintendo Wii’s (See RWD & Come Again). Via Twitter: Reading Danny Walker’s piece on The Onesie in @RWDmag and burst out laughing on the train. Now getting looks. Karen AKA Newsychick (@newsychick1) Hey Newsychick, thanks on behalf of our Editor. If only you could pass your views onto Josephine, she seems to have taken our joke to heart.
To contact/moan at/send love letters to the team send your words and/or images to Inbox@RWDmag.com
THE MONTH IN TWITPICS It’s been a big month for games-based images. Here is a sick selection of them...
@JMEBBK “Me & @DavidGilmore_ quick muuurrrk” Once again, JME proves he’s good at computer games. Still waiting to play him on FIFA though.
@RWDmag New limited edition #Halo4 Xbox Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiig!!! Despite being a dark object in a dark room, this was like a beacon.
@RWDmag “@dynamomagician’s book Nothing Impossible: The Real-Life Adventures of a Street Magician out now.” Need a games distraction? Here you go.
RWDMAG.COM Dappy Talks N-Dubz Reunion, Bedroom Rappers & More When Dappy hooks-up with RWD, you can expect fireworks.
ash ketchum: crazy guy! Lol girlilious: norbit u know looool SuperAdzyTV: c*****e is a hell of a d**g :L ItsAllGood5225: WINNING!!!!! lol theUKrocker: love this interview<3
Olympic Medalist And RWD Coverstar Louis Smith Talks Call Of Duty He’s good at the Olympics and CoD...
LARA CROFT, WOULD YOU?
74% YES, I’D BE
THERE IN A VIRTUAL HEARTBEAT
6% NO, SHE’S PAST IT
20%
MAYBE, DEPENDS ON IF SHE WEARS THE GUN BELT OR NOT iamaflanagan.co.uk
THE BEST OF RWDMAG.COM
DazzaH: He’s cool man. sajbabe: so fit!! SPARKS: I think I’ll be competing in the next Olympics, just need to get my hair did first. JonJon: Joker, might use those CoD moves.
Tulisa Tells RWD TV Her Ideal Party Crew, Live It Up & More The Female Boss talks working with TheDream, her debut album and more...
TOP TWEETS @RWDMAG: 1 @VybemUK: @RWDmag much better game but first touch is bait on league 1 play-
ers and lower (on FIFA) 2 @CRSTdemos: @mikedelinquent @weareDEVolution @RWDmag big shout! How’s
the boo crew?! Miss the mags! Got a box full of RWD sum where. Good ol days! 3 @BushBash: About to go in on the @RWDmag mix u know what they say no rest for
the blessed My Goshhh 4 @protegetojdilla: I want a interview in @RWDmag to get more ears on my hip hop 5 @TylerJames777 : I’m in the new style issue of @RWDmag and you can read it
online here (pg 84) if you please ;) nyakzn18: the dream and rico love producing on the album. cool cool kadimedi: Hi Tulisa, u r an angel I love what u love Stay brunette... cavankells: Sounds like Jodie marsh.
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6 @DaGrimePrincess : Wow the pic of @louissmith1989 on the front of @RWDmag 7 @Nangman88: @TegoSigel @RWDmag I remember being given PES as an xmas
present one year. Had outdated squads and you had to SWAP players. 8 @FlickaDotAlf: @RWDmag Can’t Control!!!!! Someone tell him before Roy jumps on
the central line!
CHECK-IN CHECK OUT
STYLE | FILM | GAMES | TECH | SPORT | REFRESHED | MUSIC | EXCLUSIVES Gaming-inspired CICO is bulging this month. Bulging!
STYLE:
EASY RIDER On yer bike, Base London! Check out... The MotoBoot by Base London. Inspired by the brand’s love of getting around the city on two wheels, their latest collection combines an understanding of what it requires, with high quality leathers. The collection includes boots and shoes that are both practical and very comfortable. Their Triumph boot comes in lace up and zip styles (the Chassis and the Classic), and features cool vintaged leather in a classic riding boot shape. The Spitfire is the highlight shoe in the range, with a super durable sole and a variety of leather finishes (as well as suede) optional. We reckon that the MotoBoot collection is pretty damn sweet, motorbike or no motorbike. Collection available at baselondon.com
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ART:
HONOURS LIST Gaming and culture collide in Skyrim creators’ brand new IP Check out... the stunning artwork from Bethesda’s Dishonored. Set in a fictional, dystopian town based loosely on Victorian London, Arkane Studios’ Visionary Art Director Sebastian Mitton and Visual Design Director Viktor Antonov’s masterpiece features intricately constructed steampunk style environments and character models that look like they’ve been plucked straight from a Dickens novel. Who says video games were for the uncultured, eh? Dishonored is out now on Xbox, PS3 and PC
RWD’S GAMING . NUMBERS We’ve all experienced our fair share of pain, irritation and jubilation during our time sat in front of our consoles, none more so than Team RWD...
TECH:
GLASS ACT
The amount of controllers broken by James due to Call of Duty rage. “One was on its way out anyway, the other two deserved it.”
Xbox introduces us to its biggest game changer since the Kinect. Check out... Microsoft’s latest in a long line of game changing innovations: SmartGlass. With tablets well on their way to condemning laptops and desktop computers to CEX stores nationwide, it seems only logical that the gaming industry use them to their advantage, and Bill Gates’ boys have done exactly that - and then some. Expected to drop before the end of the year, the new technology will allow Windows 8 tablet users to control almost every aspect of their Xbox through their tablet, be it drawing up a Madden play, creating some crazy decals to stick on your Forza ride, or, if you’re not in the mood for gaming, simply using it to find the latest episode of Breaking Bad on Netflix without having to go through the pain of searching for it using your controller. For the latest information on SmartGlass check xbox.com/en-GB/live/smartglass
The total amount of money Frankie spent on The Sims games during her childhood. Her favourite? Making Magic. A classic, we’re assured.
TECH:
TRI HARD Gaming audio pioneers, Tritton, have got you covered, no matter what your game is. Check out... the gaming headset that could quite easily be the difference between a match winning flag capture and a game ending headshot: the Tritton 720+s. Just in time for FPS season, these bad boys deliver rich Dolby 7.1 surround sound, provide SVM technology, which allows you to choose whether or not you want to hear your own voice through the cans, and come in a futuristic orange on white colour scheme. If you’re planning a couple of lengthy Black Ops 2 or Medal of Honor: Warfighter sessions at any point over the coming months, you’re going to NEED to own a pair of these. For more info on Tritton products, visit TrittonAudio.com
Designer Sam’s game to goal ratio in FIFA 12. Not knowing what the shoot button is may have been his downfall in this case.
Danny’s Snake score – the highest in his sixth form college. To make things even more impressive, he did it while playing on two phones at once.
The amount of times our video bod, Greg, spent playing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas without a break, before his bowels inadvertently gave up on him. Grim!
GCSEs failed by web editor, Tego, thanks to Championship Manager 2001/02. Although “It was all worth it to see Alex Pinardi pick up the Ballon D’or,” apparently.
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LIVE MUSIC:
BROOKLYN BADA$$ Teen rap with a conscience hits our shores...
GAME:
MASTER DESIGN This limited edition Halo 4 Xbox is a must... Check out... this 320GB-toting, customised controller-packing, fanboy-exciting Halo 4 Xbox 360. Complete with Halo 4 controllers, downloadable content and custom sounds when you turn on the console and/or push the eject button (like fans of the game would ever be seen taking the game out), this would make a perfect prezzy to help bring down the Covenant. From 269.99. For more check xbox.com/en-GB 12 / RWDMAG.COM
Check out... DJ Semtex’s event, Arrival, to see NYC’s newest shining star rap his little heart out on stage at the newly refurbished Shoreditch club, XOYO. Pro Era crew member Joey has already won over OGs in the rap game, the music press and of course the hipster crowd with his acclaimed mixtape 1999 and then again with Rejex EP, the tracks that didn’t even make the mixtape cut. Basically, you should get involved. Tickets start at £12 from seetickets. com and djsemtex.com
RWD TEAM Editor Deputy Editor Senior Staff Writer Staff Writer Contributing Editor Online Editor Contributors
Art Director Dacre J. Bracey Designer Sam Hardy Fashion Stylists Sophie Robinson Nasrin Jean-Baptiste, Neesha Sharma, Janine Jauvel, Style Assistant Cheyenne Davide Illustrators Art Jaz, Jiro Bevis, Jacob Armitage, David Flanagan, Lucas Jubb, Jc Adams Video Team Greg Bond, Felix Kemp Photographers James Pearson-Howes, Andres Reynega, Response London, Adrian Nettleship, Verena Stefanie Grotto, James Carnegie, Ravi Sidhu, Sam Bond, Pharaoh, Odi Caspi
COOL:
SOAP DODGERS This gamer soap is fresh... Check out... these vegan-friendly Gamer Soaps. Calling all gaming-loving soap dodgers, if you can’t take your hands off the control to wash then these are the perfect products for you. Available in NES, SNES, PS3, Xbox 360 and even SEGA Mega Drive controllers, they’ll be no excuse when it comes to bathing. From £9.99 on firebox.com
GAME:
WINGARDIUMLEVIOSA PlayStation launch their AR world and it’s pretty damn magic!
LIVE MUSIC:
DAM GOOD Get some bass in yo’ face... Check in... to Innovation In The Dam, the full spectrum D&B festival on 23-25 November in Amsterdam. Everyone from Subzero, Danny Byrd, Harry Shotta, Skibadee, Unknown and more will be providing ravers with the very best vibes to celebrate the series in style. Prices start at £88 for weekend entry, for more check innovation.gb.com
@dannywalker1 @nardenescott @francesca_dunn @jameshumphrys @chantellefiddy @tegosigel Alex Johnson, Shreya A, Kish Kash, Mark Hall, Matt Glasby
Check out... the Wonderbook’s Book Of Spells – the latest addition to the PlayStation experience. Working with J.K Rowling, PS have spent years developing this, and whilst it is obviously aimed at a younger audience, the game is still a must for Potter fans and appreciators of great technology alike. Based around proving yourself as a great wizard, you should expect explosions and even scorpions to emerge from the page should you get a spell wrong. RWD’s online editor checked it out and claimed that it was one of the happiest days of his life. Grab your wand and get involved! (...That’s what she said). Due for release on 16 November. More info at playstation.com
Publisher Sales Director Senior Sales Brand Relations Dir. Operations Thanks
Nigel Wells Paul LeFevre Matthew Richards Hattie Collins Martin Ferguson Bob Austin
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
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GAME
OPEN THE ARCHIVES Make your controller shake. Check in... to the National Media Museum, which is home to the National Videogame Archive, a collection of original hardware, software and fan-created work! The NVA features the first ever game console, Odyssey, in its collection. nationalmediamuseum.org.uk is you
LIVE MUSIC:
MAD SKILLS Jaguar Skills and friends know how to party. Check out... Radio 1’s top DJ’s UK tour. Being the nice ninja that he is, JS is getting some of his most talented friends involved too! (Expect the likes of Hadouken! Live, B.Traits and Adam F). Although already underway, there are still dates left in Sheffield, Cardiff, Ashby, Southampton and Bristol. Tour runs until 10 November. More info at jaguarskills.com
STYLE:
TUPAC ON A TEE Hip hop legends on your chest. Check out... soghetto.biz. They describe their beautiful, beautiful wares as “average pictures of good rappers on nice Tshirts” but we reckon they’re much more than that. Coming in a variety of styles, you can rep a selection of your faves – from 2 Chainz and Wiz Khalifa to Nas and Tupac. But wait; they’ve got something for women too with the ‘Ladies of Hip Hop and R&B’ tee, featuring everyone from Left Eye to Lil Kim. Designs come in biro black, biro blue and rose gold. Purchase one of these babies for yourself at soghetto.biz
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TECH:
SLIM JIM Sony re-invents the PlayStation. Again. Check out... the shinier, slimmer and, most importantly, sexier version of the PS3. To find out more, head over to blog.eu.playstation.com
TECH:
CHROMEO DONE Because the Internet isn’t just for porn.
REFRESHED:
PREMIUM BOND The world’s most famous secret agent gets his own fragrance. Check out... 007 - the scent of James Bond. Thanks to the release of Skyfall, red-blooded males across the nation are undoubtedly daydreaming about one day stepping into the same shoes that the likes of Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan, Sean Connery and Sir. Roger Moore have graced in years gone by. Chances are, you aren’t ever going to star in a Bond film, but thanks to a group of boffins (Q was probably involved at some stage), you can now smell like you do, as they’ve created a fresh, yet sophisticated, fragrance that captures the essence of Bond perfectly. For more check 007fragrances.com
Check out... what Google are up to as everyone’s favourite browser, Google Chrome, and London’s Science Museum are currently hosting their own Web Lab. If you haven’t seen it already, head west now. The Web Lab features Data Tracer (tracing the physical journey of an online search), Sketchbots (robots that actually draw your face) and a Teleporter (a series of periscopes that allow instant access to cool places across the world). According to the Web Lab’s creative director, they’ve created “jaw-dropping experiments that will demonstrate the power of the Internet”. Sounds good to our geeky selves. More info at sciencemuseum.org.uk and online version at chromeweblab.com
FIDDYS WORLD OF WHATEVER This month: BORED Games What do you call ‘em? Computer games? Na fam. BORED games. Even the thought of the controller in my hand makes me shudder. Firstly, I wouldn’t know what to do with it and my hand-eye co-ordination is DEAD. I hereby profess that bar a couple of miserable attempts to sound musical on Guitar Hero, I’ve never played a proper computer-type game in my life. Having previously felt like a widow amongst men during Gears of War addictions, my mind was made up. DEAD. Pon my iPhone I regularly feed Smurfs, build my zoo and breed monsters – I am stuck in a time warp where only child-like games satisfy my exploration. I did smash Temple Run if that counts. While the RWD team laugh at me (not with me) I am happy to start a one-woman campaign to bring back Scrabble, Monopoly and any BOARD game that encourages the mind to actually do something constructive with real-life human interaction - and I don’t mean telling your team to “frag a man down” over the Internet. Traditional gaming used to be at the heart of a happy (caravan) holiday so while we embrace the new, as ever you’ll find me keeping it old skool. Join the daily chat with @chantellefiddy and @RWDmag
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COMP:
NBA2K13 GIVEAWAY! One simple tweet could earn you a new console with NBA 2K13... Check out... the latest addition to your ‘must own games’ list, NBA 2K13. To celebrate the launch of the latest and greatest update to the ever-popular basketball series, we’ve linked up with 2K Games for one hell of a prize. We’re giving all you NBA, gameplay and freeness fans an opportunity to win a console of your choice (Xbox 360/PS3) as well as a copy of the Jay-Z executively produced game. Simply tweet; ‘Hey @RWDmag, I wanna win a console and a copy of @2KSports’ @nba_2k13 cos it looks sick’ before 23 November and you could be in the running. We’re also giving THREE lucky runners up a copy of NBA 2K13, so send your tweet now. 16 / RWDMAG.COM
WHERE WE’VE CHECKED IN There has been a lot going down this month, rest assured RWD were where the magic happened...
DISNEY WORLD
Where: Florida When: 17 September Who: Paul Proving that you’re never too old for the Magic Kingdom, RWD’s Sales Director headed across the pond for a much-deserved break. As his poor pregnant wifey looked on from afar, Paul had the time of his life. Who takes a pregnant woman to a theme park? Our Paul does.
LIVE:
NINTENDISCO Welcome to the UK’s No.1 retro gaming night. Check in... at The Book Club in Shoreditch, where all kinds of antics will be going down. Gamer Disco is a night of big screen SNES/360/PS3 gaming, accompanied by a well stocked bar and a great soundtrack of electro/chiptune/ hip hop/gaming themes. If you like the sound of that, they’re also teaming up with game heavyweights, IGN. More info at nintendisco.com
GAME:
U READY? Nintendo Wii U is coming... Check out... the console that will infiltrate households across the world from 18 November. With its fancy touchscreen GamePad, the Wii U is set to really mix up the industry. We recently had a go and think it will go down well. From £249.99 for the 8GB Basic Pack. For more check nintendo.co.uk
MUSIC:
SONIC SOUND TRACK When was the last time you were really feeling the music from a game? Happens a lot, right. Well now you have the chance to buy some of the best video game soundtracks ever on one handy album. Check out... The Greatest Video Game Music 2. Following their epic first album, TGVGM2 is due to feature tracks from Assassin’s Creed, Zelda, Final Fantasy, Halo, Sonic, Skyrim and many, many more. Played by The London Philharmonic Orchestra, the 20-track album is guaranteed to evoke many a gaming memory. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Album available from 6 November on iTunes
FORZA HORIZON PRESS LAUNCH
Where: Audi showroom, West London When: 19 September Who: Frankie Frankie spent an hour and a half crashing nice cars into barriers. Not one to get disheartened, she definitely improved over the course of the afternoon and less cars were destroyed.
RINSE FM’S 18TH BIRTHDAY
Where: Warehouse Project, Manchester When: 28 September Who: Nardene Kicking off another season of Manchester’s famed one stop rave shop, The Warehouse Project hosted Hessle Audio, Kode 9, Diplo, Preditah and C4, who went in! We suggest you head to the new venue to vibes out too. 17
STYLE:
FACE OF JD Following a hugely successful first outing in 2011, the #FOJD campaign didn’t just come back with a bang - it went all the way off! Check Out... those who took the chance to be featured in the UK’s No.1 High Street sportswear retailer’s campaigns. FoJD recruiters were inundated with applications during trips across the UK, and via the JD Facebook page. For those lucky enough to make the initial cut, the first stops were Cable in London and Sankeys in Manchester. As freestylers did their thing outside, hundreds of hopefuls poured into the venues to take test shots,
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pick out their favourite JD gear and talk style, then head to the dance floor to show their skills. Then the panel of judges made their final decision. After breaking the good news to the lucky few, the next morning the winners participated in their first professional photoshoot to get their taste of life in front of the camera. Look out for the new Faces Of JD instore and on billboards across the UK.
INSIDE THE #FOJD GOODIE BAG Everyone who attended the castings got to go home with a JD bag packed full of awesome bits and pieces. Here’s what was inside... Cans of original or apple & kiwi Relentless energy drink. Packets of MaoaM pinballs.
New Era wristbands, key rings and stickers. Mr.Lacy shoe laces.
A copy of This Is UK Rap Vol.1. Packets of Wrigley’s 5 gum.
T-shirts from our friends at Bethesda. Games provided by Ubisoft.
Bottle of Calvin Klein aftershave and perfumes. Copies of Empire Magazine.
Cans of citrus flavoured Marley’s Mellow Mood. Pocket mirrors from the NHS.
Disturbing London wallets.
Umbrellas, bag hooks and Oyster card holders from KISS. Stationary from Somewhere To_______.
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ENOUGH ALREADY: FARMVILLE Not only is Flash-based FarmVille part of a dying breed - games built this way are slowly being phased out by their more powerful and stable HTML5 counterpart - but this heavily annoying title is unintelligent, crafty and sooooooooooo boring it frightens us, yet somehow it’s unnaturally addictive for the fools who’re trapped within its web of woe. Danny Walker sounds off as Zynga release FarmVille 2... Illustration Jiro Bevis
“THIS MONSTROSITY WAS THE FIRST GAME TO REACH 10M FOOLS A DAY.” Ah, Facebook. Home to passive stalkers, tagged photographic memories of nights they won’t let you forget and hours of perpetual procrastination. A haven for social networking (if you can call looking at the same girl’s status updates “networking”), family updates (if you’re still classing your drunk uncle as “family”) and sharing interests, news or generally catching up on the newest crude jokes based on the latest celebrity death. This all powered by millions, if not zillions, of people open to the idea of playing a game or two whilst they browse Zuckerberg’s once-sacred online playground. Once the world was hooked on FB, it 20 / RWDMAG.COM
didn’t take long before companies such as Zynga (Words with Friends, CityVille) infiltrated user’s brains. In 2009 they became the No.1 developers for (cr)apps on the site and soon unleashed hell in the form of FarmVille. Big, stinky, Adobe Flash-based hell. The farm simulation social network monstrosity was the first game to reach 10 million daily active users... 10 MILLION FOOLS A DAY... That’s a lot of people signing in each and every day to cultivate a cyber farm!?!?! If it seems like these folks are crazy; they are! Harvesting crops, raising livestock and waiting for hours/ days/ weeks for results to show... a madness. Being one of the first “freemium” titles (these are games that are free but you can make premium in-game purchases) users also had the option to invest REAL MONEY into a project that only existed on the computer?!?! Missing out on sunshine, whilst waiting for your corn to “mature”,
we can barely understand. Passing up the opportunity to meet members of the opposite sex for a couple of virtual sheep is pushing it but handing over hardearned mula is where we draw the line. It’s like Ville Victims don’t want friends at all, cos no one wants to chill with a broke, sun-starved, yellow-teethed, oxygendeprived farm hand, especially when the farm isn’t even bloody real. When we hear scary stories of people neglecting their real friends/ wives/lives, spending hours/thousands online and even killing for FarmVille - yes, people have shed blood over this stupid game, Google it - we can’t help but want to destroy it. Even if 2 promises “life in a 3D world”, that sounds like a pretty sh*tty life. PS – When writing this we found THREE of our FB friends “bought items in FarmVille 2”. We’re now three friends lighter.
ONE TO WATCH SYRON Daisy, better known by her surname, Syron has been carving a niche into the market with her blend of garage and R&B. With debut solo single Breaking lapped up nicely, Nardene Scott meets the 19 yearold tatted trainer obsessive to realise how one goes from performing musical theatre to Mambos in Ibiza. “On my leg here, I’ve got a big mermaid, it hurt so much... Syron is my surname but it’s also a mythical mermaid who sings and stuff,” the blonde cropped singer tells us of her ink-inspired exploits which only began just over a year ago and currently tots up to a painstaking 17! The bashment, garage, house and R&B lover’s style is most definitely her own, throw in the Air Max 90s - supported by her flatmate’s Size and Offspring discounts - plus £10 acrylics and you’ll begin to see why this BRIT school grad is all about the mix and blend. “I’d definitely say that is what I’m inspired by but I don’t wanna be known as the girl who’s bringing garage back.” Everyone from The xx, i-D and MTV are all feeling the chick from her delicate vocals featured on Rudimental’s Spoons and more recently Tensnake’s retro feel good Mainline to The Elite produced allgenre encompassing Breaking, complete with its 90s inspired video. “I think each song has got R&B and hip hop but still like on a really housey beat,” we hear about the upcoming album concept which the huge Lady
“I DON’T WANNA BE KNOWN AS THE GIRL WHO’S BRINGING GARAGE BACK.” Chann fan has been organically working on with people she honestly listens to, like legends MJ Cole and Wookie, as well as Hackman and Huxley - not forgetting Disclosure still on the wish list. Look out for the next single Here in January too. “It has got that house vibe, but it’s tropical and a bit more R&B, nice lyrics, like being here for someone no matter what.” Once again, management sharing duo Z Dot and Dan Dare are behind the boards because, “they just get it.” Soon she’ll be supporting Maverick Sabre, performing Mainline and doing her own show at Rotterdam’s Beats Festival, “we’re looking to audition girls soon, I’m excited, we want to keep it quite electronic and not try and make it be a full band I still want to keep it with Midge [her flatmate] DJing.” It’s not going to be hard to keep a watch on this one. Breaking is out now and Mainline is out 5 November. @SyronOfficial
UNICORN KID Soon to be 21, the Edinburgh born, bred and based Oliver Sabin aka Unicorn Kid is already five years deep in the music industry, and he’s keen to talk about the changes to his sound. It’s more than obvious in the current single; the 90s-esque vibes of Need U reflecting just a handful of the influences that the coffee and rollies reliant producer draws from. “I used to listen to a lot of happy hardcore music but also 90s rave stuff and the sound just totally changed, it ended up being this 90’s influenced kind of tropical dance music.” Since taking his live set on the road with Major Lazer and meeting like-minded friends in the industry like Madeon and Rustie, plus through his Diplo connection Riff Raff lacing his beats, there is scope to bring his “Next-Generation, pop music but how I would want it to sound in like 2050,” sound to the masses. Need U is out now and you can follow the Scot @UnicornKid 22 / RWDMAG.COM
DUSKY Since their Aaliyah sampling hit Flo Jam, (“It was one of those tracks that we didn’t spend time on; we didn’t really think about who would play it,”) Alfie and Nick reflect; all eyes and ears have been on the north London producer duo Dusky, who met each other at college a decade ago. Maya Jane Coles, Jamie Jones, Calvin Harris, Skream and Loefah, who releases their track Calling Me this month on his brand spankers label School, are fans of the pairs universal garage, deep and tech house sound, also luring in the likes of Radio 1 who they recently provided with an awesome essential mix. DC10 and WHP sets are keeping the clubbers up to speed along with a string of remixes but what’s next? “I met Todd Edwards and he said he wanted to sing on a tune; he’s got a sick voice and he’s a crazy dude,” Alfie announces. There’s certainly nothing gloomy about Dusky’s future. Callin Me is out on School Records. Check Soundcloud.com/duskymusic and @duskymusic 23
# EXAMPLE, ALT-POP, APPLES, BLUE PETER, RULE-BREAKING
NINA NESBITT Once having dreams of being an author, we’re glad that Edinburgh-raised Nina Nesbitt picked up the guitar (with the assistance of Ultimate Guitar) and decided otherwise. Although going through the pop channels Nardene Scott discovers the rock fan – who’s impressed everyone from Ed Sheeran to Example – is definitely more alternative than your average.
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Forget all that EDM malarky out there for a moment - let’s face it, there’s a time and a place for bass - and open your ears to a refreshing mix of folk and rock-tinged pop from an unassuming Swedish/Scottish teen who has independently worked her way up and into true pop star territory; grabbing herself a deal bound with creative control via Island Records on her travels. “I’m sporting my Blue Peter badge today... it was surreal because the show I was on was, So You Wannabe A Pop Star and there was like Carly Rae Jepsen, Tinchy Stryder and then little me,” she chuckles. Although with a Nando’s Black Card in her possession, being invited on Ed Sheeran’s tour after a chance meeting, creating cool covers including JME’s 96 F*ckries and Example’s Stay Awake (which led to a support slot) and casually sitting alongside Michael Kiwanuka in iTunes Top of 2012 playlist, we believe she has more than a right to be there. Mixing a feisty attitude to the almost whimpering notes on Boy, 18 year-old Nina has a good hold of her own sultry yet vulnerable sound. “I wrote it like 18 months ago, just sitting in my bedroom,” she recalls. “It started off with just a guitar riff and then I kind of put it aside for quite a while and in June I put it in the studio and kind of took influence from rock music and acoustic music and put it all together.” This added edge is important to the apple fan’s music (she has an apple before every performance) so sometimes the conventional idea of how pop is made goes out of the window, like her fave track on the forthcoming LP. “Although I’m pop, I still think I’m quite alternative... so this song is like six and a half minutes long and got like a chanting section at the end. I’ve got my family on it and everyone from the studio, all my friends... I think they actually get royalties which is funny.” No more into Googling or researching herself on Twitter, the comparisons still trickle in for the Jake Bugg and Mumford fan. “I just see myself as Nina, but I’ve had some funny ones; there’s a girl called Claire Maguire and Diana Vicars and even Ellie Goulding, I can see that acoustic-ness but now she’s very electronic and I don’t think people can compare us.” Happy to not scroll through her iPhone for features just yet, following three successful indie releases on
“I’M SPORTING MY BLUE PETER BADGE TODAY…IT WAS SURREAL BECAUSE THE SHOW I WAS ON WAS, ‘SO YOU WANNABE A POP STAR’ AND THERE WAS LIKE CARLY RAE JEPSEN, TINCHY STRYDER AND THEN LITTLE ME,” her N2 Records label, Nina would like to work with fellow Scot rockers, Lower Than Atlantis. She is more than happy providing acoustic demos for Ed Sheeran and Paloma Faith producer, Jake Gosling, to work his magic on following the co-production partnership on The Apple Tree EP as she kips in a nearby outhouse (complete with swimming pool) a stone’s throw from his Sticky Studios and a world away from her Scottish home. Whilst we’re patiently waiting for her Island debut you can catch the chilled out chick touring across the UK in her third headline tour - you never know even a certain ginger kid might turn up for a duet - before supporting hip pop duo Rizzle Kicks and a few scattered dates across Europe, where the lucky crowds will be in with a chance of hearing some exclusive snippets of what’s to come in 2013, whilst writing and experimenting continues with the likes of Example. Boy is out now and you can keep a check on Miss Nesbitt over at ninanesbittmusic.com
RWD TV headed to Jake Gosling’s countryside studio to grab an awesome acoustic session from Nina over on RWDmag.com/RWDTV
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# DISCARDED WIIS, BANKSY WHO?, WII BOOKENDS, WII TENNIS
WIICYCLING With the impending release of the 1080p supporting, GamePad wielding Nintendo Wii U, we were a little concerned that the original console might be a little redundant soon. Being entertainment eco warriors, we soon came up with a plan of action... WiiCycling!!! Words Danny Walker Concept James Humphrys Ideas Francesca Dunn Graffiti Matt Grasby Images Greg Bond, Adrian Nettleship
When was the last time you played/cleaned the dust from/ saw your Nintendo Wii? Exactly. Stop pretending you thoroughly enjoyed it. We asked our beloved readers to send in their Wiis so that at least someone could get some use out of them. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we came up with...
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WII SHOES
WII MADE BOOKENDS If, like us, you own a large selection of quality A5 magazines, you often find yourself looking for a way to keep them from sprawling out of control. Luckily, the Nintendo Wii is the PERFECT size to keep those mags in check. Look how organised the above RWDs are? Look... WiiCycling Value: Low – Despite these being the perfect size, they’re just a little too chunky to warrant shelf space.
WII-TEBOARD With a wipe clean surface (leave it), the Wii makes for a wicked whiteboard. Stitch about 16 together and you could hold a meeting in style. Just be careful of the little hole it leaves in your patchwork after every four Wiis. Damn that little triangle edge. “Download RWD+ Today!!!” never has a truer word been said. WiiCycling Value: Low – Unless a school invests in some stock this won’t get through many Wiis.
When you’ve got a room full of Nintendo Wiis, the first thing you need to do is strap some of those discarded consoles to your feet – with the weakest clear tape known to man (seriously, it broke about 20 times) – turning them into a pair of seriously uncomfortable shoes, and try to walk around. Not only does this give those devices a new lease of life, it will give your dusty socks (see above) a muchneeded airing. WiiCycling Value: High – We see this catching on.
WII TENNIS Bringing new meaning to Wii Sports (arguably still the best game on Nintendo Wii) we found it appropriate to make a table tennis net. One, because they’re basically the same length/height (15.67cm) as an official net (15.25cm). Two, we thought it would look cool... it does. WiiCycling Value: Medium – We’re waiting to hear back from The English Table Tennis Association as to when these can be implemented. Let’s not hold our breath.
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WII DID A BANKSY We took to the streets of east London to see if we could be rogue artists for a day. “That looks like a great spot,” was heard about 30 times before we found the perfect place. We didn’t want to just throw-up anything though, what do you think? Would Banksy be proud? WiiCycling Value: Medium – Fancy yourself as a bit of a street artist? Grab a couple of Nintendo Wiis and go in.
BEFORE...
WII MADE A FLAVOR FLAV STYLE MEDALLION FOR WILEY Now that Wiley’s turning up for music videos – which is great in itself – the team thought he needed some extra of style swag. A bit of duct tape and a nunchuck – weaved into a rope chain – later and the ideal accessory was born. “I actually like the Nintendo Wii, ya know,” so do we Wiley, so do we. WiiCycling Value: High – Eskiboy revolution.
FULL ENGLISH (WII EDITION) After running out of plates, we often find ourselves looking around the office for crockery. Now we’ve got no reason to be eating off the floor as a couple of Nintendo Wiis are a perfect replacement. Even though the meal was cold/ congealed... it went down a treat. WiiCycling Value: High – This could easily take off. Just need to find a way to make them dishwasher safe.
...AFTER
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STYLE GUIDE JD SPECIAL | DUFFER FOOTWEAR | SNEAKBO | DIADORA | KISH KASH
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WHAT TO WEAR AND HOW TO WEAR IT...
KICKS AND PIECES RWD selects the best footwear that JD has to offer right now... Images Kevin Joseph Styling Sophie Robinson Set design Kyle Bean
Above: adidas Ciero II, £60 Below: adidas Training PT, £65
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This page: Above: Converse All Star Double Collar Ox, £47 Below: Lacoste Deviation II, £62 Opp page: Above: Lacoste Angha, £60 Below: adidas Indoor Tennis Mid, £62 32 / RWDMAG.COM
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This page: Above: Timberland Lansley, £100 Below: Nike Air Force 1 Lo, £67 Opp page: Above: Timberland Lansley, £100 Below: adidas Adi Rise 2.0, £70 34 / RWDMAG.COM
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This page: Above: adidas Freemont, £70 Below: adidas Basket Profi, £65 Opp page: Above: adidas ZX 750, £62 Below: adidas Adi Hi, £70 36 / RWDMAG.COM
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This page: Above: Nike Command, £90 Below: Nike Max 95, £115 Opp page: Above: Nike Mavrick Lo, £55 Below: Nike Blazer Mid, £70 38 / RWDMAG.COM
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HIGHER LEARNING We dig deep into the books to review The Duffer of St George’s autumn collection... Images Kevin Joseph Styling Sophie Robinson
This page: Above: Duffer Goldings, £65 Below: Duffer Connolly II, £40 Opp page: Above: Duffer Goldings, £65 Below: Rosques Mid, £60
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This page: Above: Duffer Orion, £40 Below: Rosques Mid, £60 Opp page: Above: Duffer Goldings, £65 Below: Duffer Hartley, £40 42 / RWDMAG.COM
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# SNEAKBO, JD, KING OF TRAINERS, AIR MAX OBSESSION
SNEAKER-BO
Hopping off his jet ski at the King of Trainers’ flagship store on Oxford Street, we took Nike Air Max-obsessed Sneakbo on a shopping spree to talk trainers, JD, getting a co-sign from Drake and more... Words Tego Sigel images Krystof Grychnik
“I’M OVERWHELMED ABOUT [HOW DRAKE] CAN RECOGNISE A LITTLE YUTE LIKE ME FROM BRIXTON.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINERS
What are your all-time favourite trainers? Shall we guess? I would say Air Max 90s, Air Max 95s, mostly Nike. I really like Nike but if it’s adidas I’ll mostly wear hard-shells in let’s say black, blue... mainly dark. I don’t mind if there’s a little one bit that’s bright but yeah, mainly dark trainers, I’m not really into bright red trainers. How important are trainers to you? Trainers are important, like, your clothes could be nice yeah, but if your trainers ain’t good it can kill the whole thing, but if your trainers are good and your clothes ain’t that nice you’ll still be alright. Trust me, trainers make you look good man. 44 / RWDMAG.COM
SHOPPING SPREE
In your JD shopping spree, what made you pick the Air Max 1 Essential? I just think they’re nice to be honest. I’ve got a lot of jeans that will go with them and when I tried them on they fit my foot properly. They looked correct. That was my first pick, still. Why did you pick the Air Max 90s? I said I don’t really like bright trainers, but these ones have got a bright yellow and it’s not too much, I wouldn’t want the whole trainer to be yellow, just ‘bam’ one Nike swoosh. I could wear this with all-black and it would still go or all black with a little yellow in the logo. What was your final trainer pick? The final ones are these Air Max 95s.
This is 100% a Brixton trainer. When I was younger I had some dead trainers that lit up and then I used to see the older boys with these. I always wanted them and now I’m getting a little bit of Ps I can get myself a pair of these every one or two months, so make sure you get yourself some 95s. I’ve got myself some dark ones again. I went with the blue because it’s my favourite colour and these will go with a lot of clothes. Where do you generally buy your trainers? Tell us... I always go to JD! To be honest I think they’ve got the best tracksuits, Duffer, come on, Duffer’s killing it right now. I’ve always been going to JD since I was young, my mum used to take me there, I’m gonna take my children there, so yeah man, JD’s legendary.
SNEAKBO’S GUIDE TO AIR MAX Sneakbo was in Nike Air Max heaven at JD’s flagship store on Oxford Street, with the MC picking out a few of his all-time favourites.
Nike Air Max 1 £90 Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, Sneakbo chose the classic Air Max 1 trainer in the smart Dark Obsidian/Grey colourway.
WORD TO SNEAKY
What was the highlight of what has been a massive year for you? There have been a lot but the main one that confused me a lot was the Drake situation [Drake recently Tweeted “In Amsterdam on a Jet Ski Wave...word to Sneaky”] and I’m overwhelmed about it, up to now that someone big who’s got a No.1 in the US can recognise a little yute like me from Brixton. That just shows that anyone’s dreams can come true, you can get noticed if you work hard. What’s the ultimate pair of trainers to ride on a Jetski with? Ooh, I’m not too sure. It might be the 90s because they’re my favourites. It might
Nike Air Max 90 £95 Sneakbo added a splash of colour to his wardrobe with the Anthracite Nike Air Max 90’s Spark Yellow Swoosh.
be the 90s. I’ve never been on a Jetski in a pair of 90s. I’m gonna try it one day though, when I’ve got time to just waste money on 90s [laughs]. Who would be your ideal collaboration? Michael Jackson and Tupac. When I was younger I was listening to them and I was relating at that age and now that I’m older I can still relate. I listen to a lot of the music I heard at the time and I can’t listen to it. I can listen to [those songs] forever. Sneakbo’s new single Zim Zimma is released 4 November via Play Hard Records. For more follow @Sneakbo1 All trainers featured are available now from jdsports.co.uk follow JD Sports on Twitter @JDsportsfashion
Nike Air Max 95 £115 Exclusive to JD, Sneakbo went with the Obsidian/ White/Dusty Purple colourway on the iconic Nike Air Max 95.
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TALK OF THE TERRACE Founded by Marcello Daneli and donned in many a major international tournament by the likes of Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Del Piero, Diadora is a brand with a rich footballing heritage. Boasting classic Italian styling and built to last, this range will provide the perfect compliment to your matchday attire of choice. Images Kevin Joseph Styling Sophie Robinson
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This page: Above: Didora Heros, £50 Below: Diadora B. Elites, £57 Opp page: Above: Diadora B. Elites, £57
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KALEIDOSCOPE Images Kevin Joseph Styling Sophie Robinson
The Duffer of St George Connolly II exclusive toJD 49
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This page: Fish N Chips Seagull K Swiss Clean Classic Opp page: Nike Air Safari Asics Gel Lyte III
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This page: Gourmet Quadici LX Vans OTW Alcon Opp page: Puma Suede Eco Clae Bruce
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This page: Palladium Pallabrouse Lacoste Storm Opp page: K-Swiss Blade Light Stable New Balance 870v2 54 / RWDMAG.COM
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This page: adidas Ransom boots Pointer Tenzing II Opp page: The Duffer of St George Montague 2 exclusive to JD Vans Van Doren Era 56 / RWDMAG.COM
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This page: Asics Renshi Le DX mid Clae Romare Hi Vibram Opp page: Nike Air Max 1 exclusive to JD Diadora Heroes exclusive to JD
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THE CLASSICS
Very few items of clothing can be referred to as ‘iconic’. However, there are a select few creps that can boast that status. With this in mind, trainer blogger, consultant and connoisseur, Kish Kash, lists his all time favourite kicks that have outlasted their rivals and successfully managed to stand the test of time...
“Certain trainers live and die by their colourways. Asics’ 1991-released Gel Lyte IIIs are KNOWN for their colourways. Coming in a variety of just about every shade of every colour on the spectrum, these ’91 born sneaks re-emerged in 2007.”
Words James Humphrys Illustrations Jc Adams
“Celebrity endorsements are all the rage nowadays, but it hasn’t always been that way. The first trainer which was primarily marketed this way was adidas’ iconic Superstar (aka Shell Toes), which 80s hip hop group Run DMC wrote an entire song about, called ‘My Adidas’. From that day forward (well, the next year or so, at least) these trainers were the only choice for hip hop fans.”
Walk down any High Street in the UK and there’s a very good chance you’ll see someone rocking a pair of Chucks. Not many trainers can boast the versatility of the classic design that made Converse the brand they are today. Available in just about every fabric and colour imaginable, and priced pretty modestly, Chuck Taylors truly are the king of canvas kicks. 60 / RWDMAG.COM
“Since the first day that they graced shelves in 1982, Nike’s Air Force 1 have never gone out of fashion. There is no shoe that deserves a place on this list than the Air Force 1. These were also the first Nike shoe to feature Air technology. #revolutionary” “Released in 1989, the IV was the shoe that changed basketball apparel. With straps on the side to increase ankle support and a number of new colourways, the shoe’s legacy was cemented by the fact it was the best-selling retro Jordan shoe when it was re-released in 1999.”
As a direct competitor to Nike’s legendary Air Force 1’s, adidas’ singlestrap Basketball classics faced a tough challenge from the offset after their inception in the early 80s. Produced in lo, mid and high, in a huge variety of colours, the Forum had no problem catching on, and quickly became an iconic model in adidas’ vast library of classic creps.
“Originally released as the Air Max 3 in (you guessed it) 1990, these eye-catching pumps were designed with running in mind, but quickly shed that reputation after drawing the attention of trainer heads worldwide.”
After a spell on the proverbial footwear sidelines, these are back on trend and available for footwear fans to pick up for just over 140 notes. They remain THE jogging kicks for the style-conscious athlete. 61
PARK LIFE Images Pharoah Styling Sophie Robinson
Nike Air Max 1
The Duffer of St George Portobello exclusive to JD
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Luke Pan Tan
Diadora B-Elite exclusive to JD
Converse Pro Leather exclusive to JD
Nike Air Max 90 exclusive to JD K-Swiss Clean Classic
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Gourmet Cinque Supra Henry
Supra Dog
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Clae Strayhorn Vibram Pavement Pointer Taylor
Pointer Taylor
Caterpillar Sleater
Liberty x Nike Free Run+ 2 Gourmet 35 LP
adidas Ransom
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# SHIMLA, JEWELLERY, BRACELETS, FIREBALL CRYSTALS
WRIST WEAR When you need that little bit of class to your clothing game, look no further than Shimla’s stylish bracelets... Image Arron Dunworth Styling Neesha Sharma
Worn on the wrists of celebs and the style conscious to adorn their arms with unique, detailed jewellery, Shimla’s cool looking bracelets are made from woven, braided and knotted cord. Coupled with fireball crystals, sick shiny stones and stainless steel beads, the new AW12 collection has got something for everyone. Named after the picturesque Shimla Valley in the Himalayas, these truly bring that serenity to your wardrobe. From £40 to £75. For more check shimlajewellery.com
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# GOLD PLAQUES, PAPARAZZI, BARRIN’, UNDERGROUND ROOTS, JUMPING TRAIN BARRIERS
“I STARTED WRITING BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I WANT TO MEAN SOMETHING TO MUSIC. I’D RATHER NOT HAVE MY FACE ANYWHERE TO BE HONEST, EXCEPT FOR RWD OF COURSE.” - WRETCH 32
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GAME FACE
From the days of The Movement, Daggers Don Devlin and Tottenham’s Wretch 32 have been lyrically setting themselves apart from the rest of the underground and mainstream competition by keeping it one hunnid. Unafraid to tackle more socially conscious topics, 2013’s A Moving Picture follows up the gold certified album Bud, Sweat & Beers and with the alternative Labrinth and Ed Sheeran collaboration having done the rounds, it’s only right Devlin hooks up with his old mate Wretch to go back to back on the filthy new single, Off With Their Heads. Words Nardene Scott Images Jake Green Photo assistant Pharoah Styling Sophie Robinson Stylist assistant Oli Hill Grooming Shreya A
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“BACK IN THE DAY WHEN WE’D ALL JAM AND JUST SPIT. NO CONCEPT. NO BIG HOOK. JUST GOING INSANE, IT WAS REFRESHING AND THAT’S WHERE WE COME FROM SO WE NEEDED THAT ELEMENT ON THE ALBUM. I THINK PEOPLE JUST WANT TO HEAR A BIT OF FILTH.” - DEVLIN
DOUBLE UP
So what did you think of the shoot and how did you feel posing as each other? Devlin: It was cool man, it’s nice to come down to RWD with my boy, it takes the pressure off a bit and posing as Wretch, I felt like I had a lot more swagger all of a sudden. Wretch 32: It feels cool you know, [laughs] being Devs, I just wanted a cigarette, I did, I did... I want one now as well so if anybody... D: [Laughs] Oh mate! So tell us about what it was like working together again on new single, Off With Their Heads? W: We definitely needed to get in, it’s been like overdue. It’s mutual, we just hit 70 / RWDMAG.COM
up each other... that studio session just reminded me of years ago, in the corner writing, obviously before it was the pad, now I’m on the phone writing. I know Devs is coming with that fire and I’ve gotta come with mine... D: ...That’s it, like especially for the album as well, I wanted just that raw element, barrin’. You know what I mean? Just like Wretch said, back in the day when we’d all jam and just spit. No concept. No big hook. Just going insane, it was refreshing man and that’s where we come from so we needed that element on the album. I think people just want to hear a bit of filth sometimes. It is a dirty tune, my boy Robbie Lamond with the strings and that. It’s dramatic.
W: Yeah, it makes it more epic. Did you see this day coming back then in those studio session? Could you visualise being on the cover of RWD magazine together? W: [Sighs] It’s mad because I think if we’d have had a conversation like four years ago about shooting a cover and Top 10 singles and big budget videos and stuff, we probably would have laughed at each other and said, ‘Boy, good luck.’ D: I was jumping train barriers then, I didn’t even have money to go studio, so it’s definitely been an emotional ride and we’ve come through the other side with plaques and stuff, it’s crazy.
GAME ON
So there was no time for games in the studio then? W: [Laughs] You’re out of your mind... I wouldn’t even take a phone call. Them studio sessions were so intense, like not being able to slip up on a song because you’ll get your head ripped off and we’d laugh about it. I see someone changing their bars, now he’s crossed out something, he’s come at you like, ‘Why you changing it?’ So there was no time for games, no phone calls, we’d probably just about eat to be honest. But in terms of gaming where do you see yourselves? D: If I’m totally honest, I’m not a big gamer. When I was young, we used to
play about on FIFA and that, but I weren’t too clever man, I was always running around the streets, too much energy. W: I used to be like the biggest gamer in the world when I was younger but as I’ve got older, I’ve got worse and worse. It’s so bad that I go to my son’s house and he’s beating me, like I can’t believe that I’m losing to a six year-old! If we’re talking Master System days then it was all about Alex Da Kid, obviously that came with the console, we didn’t have a lot of money so we was happy for that. Gaming has come such a long way, I remember having to go halves and buy FIFA 97, it’s funny because just the other day a record of mine was being used on the FIFA game, it was quite an eye-opener for me.
Obviously your growth as an artist has led to you being more famous, which you spoke about on your Wretchercise mixtape. What have been the downsides to fame? W: The whole, you know, when things just get blown out of proportion, like coming out of a club or something like that. It’s just turned into some big massive conversation and everyone has got an opinion and sh*t. That is quite aggravating but you have to understand what you’re getting yourself into and just carry yourself the right way. I think I’ve been fortunate, I don’t get it as bad as other people but definitely the whole celebrity side of things isn’t what I came into this for. I started writing because I want to make 71
“I WAS JUMPING TRAIN BARRIERS THEN, I DIDN’T EVEN HAVE MONEY TO GO STUDIO, SO IT’S DEFINITELY BEEN AN EMOTIONAL RIDE… BUT WE’VE COME THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE, PLAQUES AND STUFF, IT’S CRAZY.” - DEVLIN
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a difference. I want to mean something to music. I want my name in the books, not my face on the cover, like I’d rather not have my face anywhere to be honest; except for RWD of course, you know with the swagging and all that.
FRESH SOUND
Bud, Sweat and Beers did its thing in 2010, how does A Moving Picture differ? D: I just think I’ve lived a lot; I’ve done a lot of crazy things in the last two years. I’ve progressed, the music has progressed, I’m just tryna do me really. From my first mixtape, I’ve done grime and rap and I’ve just tried to keep it to its roots. Obviously it’s developed and I’ve tried to go for an orchestral sound, like cinematic with the wordplay, so hopefully the fans like it. I think it’s a strong album. Is that cinematic sound part of the whole relevance behind the album title? D: Yeah, songs like Community Outcast, they’ve got quite a cinematic, almost a serious vibe about them and I think that conveys through the music and it compliments me sometimes because that’s when I might sound strongest. Or if I’m going in, like with the Wretch song, that’s more fiery but it’s still dramatic with the strings and it sounds sinister; it don’t have to be sinister but I like riding beats like that. What has been inspiring you over the last couple of months? D: Really just the position I’m in, if I can’t be inspired by coming from nothing to being signed by Island Records to then getting a gold plaque, watching all my team - like they’re my family - from the manor that I come up with; we’re all benefiting our lives, that’s inspirational. How were you feeling when you wrote Really Cold? You talk about not being as appreciated as you should be? D: A bit pi**ed off really man to be fair, sometimes yeah I get pi**ed off and it shines through on the record but that’s me. I’m happy, I’m sad, I’m here, there, I’m everywhere. But sometimes I’d like to have been given a bit more credit, I’m not saying I’m the best thing since sliced bread, but I think I’ve stuck to my guns a bit more. But then I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for other people coming through and laying the foundations. So [Really Cold] that’s probably me on a bad day. Do you think that’s because when you and Wretch came through there weren’t a lot of people in the scene, and now everyone is coming with just one tune?
D: Yeah that’s what I think man and some people strayed a lot, do you know what I mean? Everyone has got to be clever with it. I’ve got to be clever and try and be marketable but then maybe as I said I wouldn’t be here if those foundations weren’t there, that’s just me when I’m ratty, I take it out on the pad before I go crazy.
“I’D LIKE TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN A BIT MORE CREDIT, I’M NOT SAYING I’M THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD BUT I THINK I’VE STUCK TO MY GUNS...” - DEVLIN Following Off With Their Heads you’re releasing Rewind, how hard was it to write something like Rewind? D: It was quite upsetting, like even going to the studio, I drive past me Nan’s old flat every week and thought it would be sick now if I could pop up and look after her. Yeah, I can’t really say no more, that is the angle I come from. Where can we catch you performing next? D: We’ve got tour dates coming up in November and it will be nice to get back out and do me own shows again. Next year, I’m looking forward to doing the big tour, got a lot of memories to make, we’ve got Krept & Konan performing, my boy Rawz Artilla on there and I’m just gonna be doing some new music from the new album, a couple of the classics and a few freestyles. Just try and have a good show. What are your hopes for A Moving Picture? D: Hopes... in my dreams, I’d love it to go platinum, but if I get another gold record, I’ll probably be very happy but platinum is the dream man. Off With Their Heads Ft. @Wretch32 is out now, Rewind is out 28 Jan and A Moving Picture is out 4 Feb 2013. Catch @DevlinOfficial on tour this month across the UK, for tickets see livenation.com
x LBPV Using some crafty alien-like technology (also known as a development PS Vita), we linked up with Sony PlayStation to turn Devlin and Wretch 32 into Sackpeople...
So if you scan this month’s cover with our new app, RWD+, you’ll see the duo virtually come alive in the form of LittleBigPlanet characters. Do it, do it now. Not only do they introduce the mag but you get a burst of Dev’s new track Off With Their Heads. Big!!! It wasn’t a simple process, so a big thank you to the Mark Hall and the PlayStation team for making it happen. LittleBigPlanet for PS Vita is out now. Check littlebigplanet.com for more
To find out what Devlin thinks about his forthcoming LP check RWD TV
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# JLS, GAMING, FIFA 13, EVOLUTION, GOT TO DANCE
JLS ON GAMING
With their new single Hottest Girl In The World currently topping the charts, their fourth album, Evolution, just around the corner and high-profile performances aplenty lined up for the near future, it’s fair to say that the JLS boys are a bit busy right now. So, what better way to give them a wellearned break than to sit them down in a room, with an Xbox and a copy of FIFA 13, and, of course, give them a gaming-themed grilling? Images Pharoah
“FIFA ON WII IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING I’VE EVER TRIED IN MY LIFE. I GET FRUSTRATED AT GAMES – BUT THAT JUST TOOK IT TO A WHOLE DIFFERENT LEVEL.” - ASTON
ON CONSOLES...
JB: For my PS1, it was Ridge Racer and Tekken. I’m a Sony kind of guy. Tekken 3 was the one! I used Law, Eddie Gordo and Lei. Need For Speed and Gran Turismo too - they’re my games. Aston: I’ve always been a FIFA guy. I remember one time I was the only one playing FIFA because everyone was on this Pro Evolution thing. In terms of old skool games, I played Double Dragon on the Game Boy all the time. That was my game! Marvin: Mario Kart Wii for me. When we did the shoot for Nintendo, I was the best on that day. If we had that in today, I’d feel confident. I haven’t played 74 / RWDMAG.COM
computer games for a long time (JB interjects: Married life! He’s not allowed anymore). I miss it though! Oritse: I don’t really have a favourite game as such, but today has been pretty fantastic. It’s just been cool chilling and playing Xbox with my boys!
ON FIFA
JB: The last FIFA I played was probably 2000, but it’s changed a hell of a lot since then. Yeah, you used to just kick the ball and it would go to your player. No having to aim, no nothing (laughs). Aston: This one is actually a lot smoother and you do need to control the ball when you’re running with it as
well, which is obviously not a nice thing. If you press the wrong button the ball will literally go.
ON TOURING...
JB: Playing FIFA on the tour bus? That’s Aston’s thing... Aston: Yeah, I’ve got this little ongoing feud with our choreographer. We play El Classico most of the time. The frustrating thing is, I won’t play for a little while, but when we do start playing, he’s got all these new tricks! He transferred (Sergio) Aguero before he’d even gone to Man City, too! He’s just waiting in the tour bus with his team all sorted while we’re out performing.
FIFA CHALLENGE Four boys. One game. There really is nothing quite like a bit of FIFA-fuelled banter.
To give the lads a break from their hectic schedule we laid out a copy of FIFA 13, an Xbox 360 and a modestly-sized TV in preparation for their arrival. After they bundled into the room and once they’d said their ‘hello’s’, Aston and Marvin jumped straight onto the studio couches and, unknowingly, got the inter-group tournament underway. After just 10 virtual minutes at sunny Stamford Bridge, it becomes apparent that Marvin, playing as Chelsea, wasn’t lying about not getting time to play games anymore as Aston’s Arsenal jumped to a 3-0 lead. As time passes, it becomes clear that there’s only one side in it as the Gunners cruise to a straightforward 8-0 victory. As a dejected Marvin leaves the sofa and a characteristically energised Aston bounces around the room to celebrate his impressive victory, self-confessed FIFA rookies, JB and Oritse, take their places in the hotseat (or hot sofa). After a cagey opening to the first half, JB grabs an early goal, despite being perplexed by the amount of changes that the game has undergone since the last time he played it, 12 years ago. With Oritse struggling with the controls, he concedes another before the final whistle blows. A solid effort from both lads. After some debate over whether or not a 2-0 win for Arsenal over their north London rivals could actually be considered a success, we leave it to the boys to decide who takes the crown of being the best FIFA player in the group. Despite Aston proving himself to be the most talented gamer, the boys decide that Need For Speed fan and FIFA 2000 aficionado JB put on the best performance on the day and is therefore crowned as the inaugural JLS FIFA champion.
“I’M A SONY KIND ON THE WII... Aston: It was great being involved in the OF GUY, SO the Wii campaign. When it first came PLAYSTATION (WAS out it was amazing that you could play a game by waving your arms around, MY FAVOURITE but playing FIFA with the Wiimote is CONSOLE). TEKKEN still the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever tried to do in my life. I get frustrated at 3 WAS THE ONE! I games – but that just took it to a whole USED LAW, EDDIE different level. But to be fair, I do like playing those old skool Nintendo games GORDO AND LEI.” on it, like Donkey Kong, Super Mario and - JB
all that... Marvin: [After appearing on the original Wii adverts] We haven’t got anything planned for the Wii U, but it sounds really cool. I’ll probably get one.
ON A JLS GAME...
Watch video footage of the JLS boys going head to head on the ultimate proving ground at RWDMag.com/RWDTV
Aston: If we were given our own game it would involve flying, kicking, backflips and stuff. It would be on a dance mat with a bit of Singstar involved. My skill (in the game) would be a windmill, back flip manoeuvre. I’d just keep flippin’ around! Marvin can be stretch! >> 75
<< Oritse: Go go gadget NECK. BAM! HEADBUTT! Aston: For Oritse, remember Moonwalker?! The old Michael Jackson game on the Sega Mega Drive? He used to take off that hat and chuck it at people’s heads! That would be Oritse’s thing. Marvin: JB would just confuse people with his intelligence. Throw dictionaries and big words at people! Aston: Or even better, JB pulls a dictionary out, starts reading and the person just falls asleep! JLS’ new album Evolution is out 5 November, Hottest Girl in the World is out now. For more follow @JLSofficial
JLS ON EVOLUTION The boys talk new music...
“WHEN WE DID THE SHOOT FOR NINTENDO, I WAS THE BEST (AT MARIO KART WII) ON THAT DAY. IF WE HAD THAT IN TODAY, I’D FEEL CONFIDENT.” - MARVIN
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Who have you been in the studio with? JB: We got in with Bangladesh, The Runners, Rodney Jerkins - a lot more American producers than usual on this album. It’s given our music a harder edge. Oritse: Personally, my favourite track is Dessert. I love hip hop music and stuff like that. Aston: My favourite tracks are Hottest Girl..., Have Your Way and also Dessert. They are so different from what we’ve done before. The new sound is like you’re coming back to R&B... Marvin: If we would have come out with the album that we’re coming out with now, straight after X Factor, it wouldn’t have worked cos you’d been seeing us come out with commercial stuff each week. We still pushed the boundaries but now we’re a little bit older and we can push it a bit more. And Aston, what is going on? Are you going solo? Aston: [Laughs] This all came from me judging on Got To Dance. It’s weird doing stuff without the boys, but they came down and they loved it because we all know about dancing. It’s good for us as a group because it boosts our profile.
# UNSUNG HERO, DONAEO, FIGHT SCENE, GRIME, VIDEO, ORIGINAL
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SHOOT TO THRILL Just like us here at the RWD Towers, emerging fashion brand Unsung Hero always support up and coming creatives. This month sees grime artist Kozzie, alongside rising video director Darren Rahaman. put together a pretty epic music video and we caught up with the pair to talk treatments...
THE END PRODUCT With the hard work done, the boys can sit back as the YouTube views rack up and the complimentary comments inevitably roll in.
images Pharoah
“I LIKE TO DO MY WORK ON MY OWN BECAUSE YOU NEED TO SHOW YOUR OWN QUALITY.”-KOZZIE
So Kozzie, you’re going to be shooting visuals for your new track, No Way, tell us about how the song came together? Kozzie: I was in the studio one day and I just wanted someone that you wouldn’t expect me to be on a song with and I was just there at Donaeo’s studio, looking through his tunes - because he produced No Way as well as featuring on it - and this one proper sat with me. Darren, how easy was it to come up with ideas for No Way? Darren: I listened to the song and immediately I had a flurry of ideas. I had to kind of whittle it down from four or five ideas to just two to present it but I think some ideas need to be addressed or else they might not be able to be allowed on TV (laughs). How would you describe your directorial style and what’s been your most exciting project to work on to date? D: I just try to bring something cinematic, original and unmissable to the table. My favourite vid is probably Skeen which is by Skillit because that’s got a special place in my heart and... K: ...this is gonna be your new favourite one. [Laughs].
Any good song needs a good video to back it up, and thanks to this month’s Unsung Hero, Darren Rahaman, Kozzie’s epic Donaeo-featured tune No Way, taken from his upcoming EP Koz The Kid, it got exactly that. After a couple of days of shooting and hours upon hours locked in his editing suite, the London-born director/ producer really came through, producing a slick looking video that does the tune the justice it deserves and wouldn’t look out of place on any music television channel. Don’t believe us? Check out the video for yourself at RWDMag.com/UnSungHero
As well as yourselves there’s many more Unsung Heroes out there who would you say fitted that role in your own lives? K: In mine, I think my Nan deserves a lot of credit because she’s someone in your family that has done a lot but you yourself haven’t really given them that big respect because you’re young and just doing your thing. But as you get older you realise she deserves a lot more respect than you have given. D: My mum and dad without a doubt, and my missus, who is a hardcore primary school teacher and excellent mum to our lil’ rugrats. Hats off to them! Following the premiere of No Way what are your plans? K: There’s the EP, other than No Way I like to do my work on my own because a lot of people in music in general, they’ll do a nice 12 track CD and eight or nine of them have got features. You need to show your own quality, plus it’s an EP it’s not a load of songs. We’ve just got six songs on there, a nice mixture of dubstep, grime and what really goes on in your life. I don’t stop though. I’m not one of these MCs that have a break; I’d
rather just crack on straight away. D: I’ve got a bunch of music videos like a run of four or five due to come out... one being from Skillit’s highly anticipated album, which is long overdue and everyone has been waiting to hear, and then world domination! Thanks for the catch up guys, we’re well aware now. Any final thoughts? K: Big up #TeamKozzie because they support me and it’s the fan base who’ve made me who I am today. I think over the last 12 months, them being supportive has improved my career on a bigger scale very quickly, so I have to big them up. D: Thanks for everyone showing love to my videos but I want more love! Come on give it to me! Continuing to give young creatives that much needed platform, this month rising clothing brand Unsung Hero recognise @OfficialKozzie who wears grey sweater and @DarrenRahaman who wears blue jacket both by Unsung Hero. For more check Facebook.com/UnSungHeroOfficial. For exclusive footage on the set of the No Way Ft. Donaeo, head to RWDmag.com/UnsungHero 79
# FORZA HORIZON, FORD MUSTANG, POINTS ON HIS LICENCE
CREATING A VIDEOGAME SOUNDTRACK, WITH ROB DA BANK Some of you might have read our review of it in the last issue, the observant ones may have seen it advertised, and the super, super lucky ones amongst you might even own it... we are, of course, talking about the slick new Forza Horizon. With the graphics and gameplay taken care of, they’ve added an extra dose of cool thanks to a seriously impressive soundtrack brought to you by none other than BBC radio DJ and founder of Bestival, Mr Rob da Bank. RWD’s Francesca Dunn headed to the game’s preview event to find out how to put the perfect project together...
THE CHALLENGE OF CREATING THE SOUNDTRACK “I’m not the world’s leading expert on games at all, so I was a little bit thrown at first. Then they explained how important the music was and that there was a festival at its core. We started talking about having an actual radio station in the car, and then about what style of music the drivers might be into. We settled on three channels and decided that one of them was gonna be dance, one eclectic/indie and one rock. It was driven by me saying ‘Well, I see that as an Annie Mac-style dance show, I see that as a sort of Zane Lowe thing... and then the middle channel, Horizon Pulse is me. Then it was a case of trying to use classic tracks, but to also spot some that were coming through. I kind of switched off from the fact that it was a computer game, went into radio DJ mode and starting thinking how I could make the driving and the journey more exciting.” 80 / RWDMAG.COM
“I PROBABLY SHOULDN’T SAY THIS, BUT I’VE GOT TO GO TO ONE OF THOSE DRIVING SCHOOLS, YOU KNOW, WHERE INSTEAD OF GETTING POINTS YOU HAVE TO GO ON A COURSE…”
GAME EXPERIMENTATION
“I spent a lot of time testing out the game. Not so much driving, but you know, listening to the engine noises and the bass and them telling me why certain tracks wouldn’t work. So you know, I got a much better idea of what would work. I also got really involved in the actual styling of the game and deciding how the festival would look. So yeah, I was doing the music, but I was also a style consultant. The main stage is there obviously, but what does a main stage look like when you get behind it? The TV cameras, the toilets...What would the tents look like? Pretty nerdy, but I like talking about festivals, so it was a pleasure.”
FORZA-FOCUSSED ROB’S DA BANK’S CARS: “An old VW campervan, a Land Rover, an old classic 1965 Mercedes, and a Fiat 500.” DREAM CAR: “The Mercedes - it was a bit of a treat to myself after Bestival last year.” FAVOURITE CAR ON FORZA: “Ford Mustang. They don’t look so cool in England though.” FAVOURITE PLACE TO DRIVE: “My wife and I hired a Ford Mustang in LA earlier in the year and drove from there to Coachella. It was suddenly like I was actually in the game, listening to some of the music that I’d programmed for it.” FAVOURITE RADIO SHOW: “Oh dear, this is where I make enemies. I don’t know... probably Annie Mac. Electronic music is at the core of
what I do and you know, she’s got a similar taste to me – some of the things she plays I’m not massively into but there’s loads of stuff that we share.” DRIVING LICENCE SITUATION: “I probably shouldn’t say this, but I’ve got to go to one of those driving schools, you know, where instead of getting points you have to go on a course... So, I haven’t got any points! Instead of three points, you spend a day in a driving school. I think it’s a good trade off. I was going like 34 in a 30 or something.” FAVOURITE GAME GROWING UP: “Just driving games in general really. I’m not really a shooter game kind of person, so this is a dream come true really!” Forza Horizon is out now. ForzaMotorsport.net
FAVOURITE TRACK
“Porter Robinson’s Language. It’s really powerful and it’s one that we chose when it wasn’t so big but has since become one of those EDM anthems. I think the game and the designers would say that Coachella has been an inspiration. Horizon’s very much like that when you’re driving out to the festival – it’s got that sort of vibe, that arid landscape with the sun and everything – it’s really epic. I mean, you wouldn’t really want to spend the game going down tiny country lanes to Glasto or Bestival at three miles an hour. Maybe for a future game though, with Morris Minors! I’ve really loved doing this. It’s like a dream just looking at all the cars on the game, cos they’re the sort of cars that I’d never own. I’m not really a boy racer, I’m more sedately paced, but going on Forza Horizon is where I get my kicks!” 81
UNWIND FILMS | GAMES | MUSIC | LIVE
>>
THE BEST OF STAYING IN... AND GOING OUT...
HALO 4
Master Chief’s back on his Warthog and ready to take on a new set of enemies. Is it a welcome return for Microsoft’s cybernetically enhanced super soldier, though?
NO T ’ N I “A IEF” CH
>> 83
# BLACK OPS 2, LITTLEBIGPLANET IN KARTS, ANOTHER GOOD NFS
UNWIND GAMING SPECIAL This month is a big one for games. So much so, we had to expand Unwind just to fit everything in. James Humphrys walks us through...
ORE G. A FOR M RWDM VISIT /REVIEWS COM Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Activision PS3, Xbox 360 It’s back to Black for this series after breaking just about every sales record possible with Modern Warfare 3. The storyline, which was a highlight of the first game, is just as strong as before, while the addition of free-roaming levels and choice-led story strands make the campaign a far more varied experience. As with any FPS, that isn’t where the party’s really at. Of course, we’re talking multiplayer. The team at Treyarch have put in A LOT of thought into the online functionality. Fans of fast paced, straight forward game modes will be delighted to see MW3’s ‘Kill Confirmed’ make a return alongside wager matches (now known as ‘Party Modes’) ‘Sticks and Stones’, ‘One in the Chamber’, and ‘Gun Game’, while newbies can learn the ropes in ‘Combat Training’. For the hardcore CoD players, there’s improved levelling/upgrading and a far more rewarding prestige system. In short, there’s no sign of a drop in form here. 84 / RWDMAG.COM
SOMETHIN’ OUTTA NOTHIN’: WIIMOTE
LittleBigPlanet Karting
Every month we tell you how to make something. With Wii Remotes being so clever, you need to make use of their skills. So, if you’re ever feeling bored/creative/techy, do the following and control your life/ music with your Wii remote...
Sony PS3
Fresh from a successful trip to the small screens of our PS Vita’s, Sackboy is back on our TVs and this time he’s ditched the 2D routes of LittleBigPlanet in favour of the 3D tracks of Craft World. True to form, the world, as well as the vehicles, Sackboy and just about everything else you could imagine are there for you to create, adjust and share as you see fit. As far as spinoffs go, this is definitely more Frasier than Joey. Need For Speed: Most Wanted EA Xbox 360, PS3, PC
After a shaky couple of outings before the turn of the decade, the Need For Speed series has got firmly back on it’s freshly- laid asphalt track in recent years. For the second Most Wanted title, EA have made the wise decision to return to their fed bothering ways, added the biggest set of upgrade options since Underground 2 and ditched the lame storyline that dragged The Run down. Win.
1) Firstly, get hold of a Wii Remote, input software such as GlovePIE, and production software such as Ableton. 2) Sync your Wii Remote to your Bluetooth by having your computer search for a new device. Tap buttons 1 + 2 at the same time to make it visible. Lights should flash. 3) Run GlovePIE (other input emulators are available). Paste a special magic ‘device out’ code into your GlovePIE or equivalent; set your Wiimote as one of your Ableton inputs and GET TO IT! Wave the Wiimote around and press different buttons to play different notes, etc. For the special magic code and further info, see one of many, many youtube tutorials. If you happen to have a projector laying around, you can also make your own interactive whiteboard! That’s right, dreams will be made...
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# NEW HITMAN, AGENT 47, FAR CRY IS BACK, MORE ASSASINS, GAMES
PREVIEW Hitman: Absolution Square Enix Xbox 360, PS3, PC, OnLive Plenty has happened during the six year period since Hitman: Blood Money first graced our pearly white, scratch-free, non-red circle of death sporting Xbox. For one, said Xbox has been returned to Microsoft a couple of times and perhaps most notably, IO Interactive spent a couple of years designing the best looking Hitman game to date: Absolution. Now sporting a couple more battle scars than before, not to mention an extra chip on his shoulder, a dare we say it, more ruthless, Agent 47 is back and ready to do what he does best: sneak around various cities/hotels/suburbs, dress up in other peoples’ clothes, and generally f**k sh*t up. On top of Absolution’s Hollywood blockbuster-rivalling single player campaign, the game also features a mode entitled ‘Contracts’ which allows you to create and share tailored missions with fellow Xbox Live users. Replay value? Check. Good things do come to those that wait. 86 / RWDMAG.COM
MUSIC Each and every issue we give you the latest music to download, buy and/or avoid that month..
“Cool compilation”
Calvin Harris 18 Months Fly Eye/ Columbia
Far Cry 3 Ubisoft PS3, Xbox 360, PC
ORE G. A FOR M RWDM VISITM/GAMING CO
From the moment you’re greeted by the sound of M.I.A’s Paper Planes, it should be apparent that Ubisoft have done all they can to distance Far Cry 3 from your generic FPSs, and thanks to beautifully constructed jungle landscapes, interesting free-roaming gameplay and a bunch of enemies that don’t sound like they’ve been watching Rocky IV for the past 20 years, they have, to an extent. However, scratch the surface, and despite the innovations, this is nothing more than the generic FPS it tries so hard not to be. Worth a look, but nothing more.
After hearing the 15 tracks that make up the DJ/producer’s third album, the talent that this 28 year-old has is undeniable. With collabs (and spaced-out singles) from Kelis, Dizzee, Ne-Yo, Example and Florence, it feels a little more like a compilation. Despite this factor, there are anthems inside. (DW) Track to Check: I Need Your Love Ft. Ellie Goulding
“Bassy” Various Artists Dubstep Onslaught, Vol.2 Z-Audio
Assassin’s Creed 3 Ubisoft PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U Exhausting the back alleys and rooftops of Italy and Israel, Ubisoft have given the Assassin’s Creed franchise a much needed change of scenery, dumping you into the hooded get-up of Native American, Ratonhnhake. Different style, same substance.
There’s some absolute tunes on this double CD; Nero, Bar9, Reso and American dubstepper, Skrillex all giving up their biggest beats. Foreign Beggers’ Still Getting It, Skism’s remix of RackNRuin’s Dazed & Confused and every track from Nero leave your ears wanting more. (DW) Track to Check: Too many...
“MellowSwag“ MellowHype Numbers Odd Future Records Being in OFWGKTA generally means that you can take your pick when it comes to features. Numbers sees Hodgy Beats and Left Brain get Earl Sweatshirt, Mike G and Frank Ocean on board. Stand out tracks are the super raw Untitled L and the stringladen Snare, which features a seriously cute sounding child’s vocals. (FD) Track to Check: Snare
“The best kind of school“ Joe Syntax Medical Mix Med School Mixed by Joe Syntax, Med School’s latest Medical Mix is just great. Fracture + Neptune kick things off with super chilled liquid D&B, before the likes of S.P.Y, Icicle, Enei, Stray, Lung, etc. take things a little heavier. The hourlong mix is perfect. (FD) Track to Check: Circa - Ida
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# HALO 4, FORWARD UNTO DAWN, CORTANA’S BACK, SPARTAN OPS BANG BANG
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HANDS ON: HALO 4 When we go in, we go in. The latest hands on is with Microsoft and 343 Industries’ lead title, the all-powerful, Halo 4. Fans of the series will be pleased to know they’ve done a great job...
ENEMIES SEEM MORE ORGANISED, MORE AGGRESSIVE AND SMARTER. THEY WAIT FOR LESSER CHUMP-LIKE CREATURES TO DIE IN A “FIRST WAVE”. It’s been a while since we donned the suit of Master Chief, so it was an eager trip to Covent Garden to take on the new look covenant. Continuing with the game’s hero, Petty Officer John-117, waking up from hibernation, (“Wake up chief, I need you,” Cortana exclaims as the UNSC ship ‘Forward Unto Dawn’ is soon overrun with crawlies.) It’s been four years, seven months and 10 days since he was last in action. With improved AI, Halo 4 challenges from the moment it kicks off. Enemies seem more organised, more aggressive and smarter (especially the Promethean Knights, who wait for lesser chump-like creatures to die in a “first wave” style attack before they wade in with their advanced weaponry). Graphics are rich and gameplay is even richer as we soon remember the times Halo was the one. After playing the first mission of campaign (Dawn) we soon had our hands on a later level (Forerunner) and were dabbling with multiplayer before our customised Tritton Halo 4 headset even had time to register what was going on. Coupled with a live-action web series, Spartan Ops – Aaron Helbing and Todd Helbing, and directed by Stewart Hendler (Sorority Row, Whisper) – this is a welcomed return of a great series.
INTERVIEW: FRANK O’CONNOR We sit down Halo’s Franchise Development Director and find out about Halo 4’s welcome return...
How would you sum up the new look Halo 4? It’s really an evolution of the series. It’s like a sport where people have a set of rules that everyone understands, that people are accustomed to when they get into the game. With Halo, we honour what people like and expand on it. When you’re creating such a large title like Halo 4, do you look at other titles around you? You do but you’ve pretty much carved in stone what you’re going to do long before. Halo is Halo, so I think it would be dangerous to take from other games. Master Chief has been “away” for four years, let’s say he was doing a regular job in that time, what do you think it would be? [Laughs] Well he is seven foot tall and he weighs nearly half a tonne, so I’d imagine he’d be bending bars on a construction site [room laughs].
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# CALL OF DUTY, HEADSHOT, N00B, BLACK OPS II
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# WRECK IT RALPH, BROTHER’S BEING DEVILS, JAKE GYLLENHAAL
FILMS Want a break from your console? Try these... PREVIEW Wreck It Ralph Disney Cert TBC Everyone knows our transatlantic cousins get everything before us. It’s not fair, but we have to live with it. Video games, films and now, films about video games. Confusing, but all will become apparent once you step into the 64-bit world of Wreck It Ralph, in the US from November onwards, or for us Brits, February 2013. Ralph, the protagonist, voiced by Stepbrothers’ John C. Reilly, manages to escape from his job as a video game bad guy after growing tired of always being the villain. Cue adventures across parodied Call of Duty and Mario Kart worlds and a desperate bid to save the arcade from a threat that he may well have caused. All the makings of a solid plot, we’re sure you’ll agree, and thanks to cameos from the cast of Street Fighter, Super Mario, and a certain iconic blue hedgehog this has secured a place on our ‘must watch’ list for 2013. 92 / RWDMAG.COM
MUSIC More music for you to fill up your little generic MP3 player with or steer clear of completely...
“Must-buy”
ORE G. A FOR M RWDM VISITOM/FILM C
My Brother The Devil Verve Pictures Cert 15 Scoring rave reviews at Sundance Film Festival, Sally El Hosaini’s My Brother The Devil is one to watch. Following the complicated lives of a traditional Egyptian family in Hackney, this is a coming of age film with an artsy edge. Like hood films but wish they were shot well? Then this is a must.
End of Watch StudioCanal Cert 15 Energetic Street cops Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña take on the Mexican Drug Cartels moving into South Central, Los Angeles with a spree of gruesome murders and assaults in Training Day writer David Ayer’s slightly more positive spin on the LAPD, End of Watch. Could have been longer, but very satisfying.
“Oh D.E.A.R”
T Williams Rinse 21 Rinse
The D.O.T And That The Beats
That kind of house that makes you want to cut a couple of shapes stat has been mixed up with funky cuts from Dusky and Disclosure alongside Aphrodisiax, Breach & Midland plus Roska and Williams remixes and of course Bashmore’s Au Sevre made the cut. Williams is defo one to watch. (NS) Track to Check: MTD & Dutty Don Date Oh Eight
Mike Skinner off of the Streets and Rob Harvey off of Music, linked up to become what is now known as the D.O.T. Their first album is basically marmite. #notafan. Listening to the album is not a pleasant experience. It’s messy and mashes up sounds and genres in ways that shouldn’t be mashed... Yes, that’s actually the artwork. (FD) Track to Check: Erm
“Kinda OoRITE”
”Real R&B”
C4 OoRITE The Mix CD 2 BBK
Miguel Kaleidoscope Dream Sony
Allowing a deeper insight into the life and grind of the OoRITE artist, beats come from bro Preditah, Bassboy and Rynsaman keeping it all local whilst the bars and notes are on point. Mostly centred around pushing through the scene, C4 assures fans he’s in this for the long run. (NS) Track to Check: Runnin Out Of Time
Adorn has been my tune since I had a BlackBerry but after seeing and meeting the dream lover, it’s obvious there’s so much more to come. Although rooted in R&B, the slick singer/songwriter who MJB tipped and Alicia Keys provided BV’s for - is all about out of the box. (NS) Track to Check: Kaleidoscope Dream
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# B-BOY, BIGGER AND BETTER, PIONEER STEEZ, POPPIN
UK B-BOY CHAMPIONSHIP WORLD FINALS One thing you can always rely on to showcase talent is The UK B-Boy Championships World Finals in Brixton, and with the Pioneer Steez as partners, it couldn’t have been any bigger. This year’s tournament was in no short supply of thrills and skills with French B-Girl Mufasa winning the Hip Hop Freestyle Solo competition and picking up the first ever female ‘Chief Rocka’ award. The UK B-Boy’s represented well with our boy Brooke reaching the finals of the Poppin’ category and Soul Mavericks going all the way to the finals in the Crew competition after a duel with USA’s Havikoro. Unfortunately both fell short, with Brooke going out to Greenteck from Canada and the Mavericks losing a hard fought battle with comp favourites Jinjo from Korea. Despite the home grown disappointment, the crowd were still enter-
tained and left astounded by the skills and techniques that were on display. We’re pretty sure that the UK will walk off with championship glory next year and RWD along with the rest of the UK, will be there to witness it. For more check bboychampionships.com
THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENT SAW FRENCH B-GIRL MUFASA WINNING THE HIP HOP FREESTYLE SOLO COMPETITION AND PICKING UP THE FIRST EVER FEMALE ‘CHIEF ROCKA’ AWARD.
Winner of Freestyle Hip Hop: Mufasa (France)
Winners of the Crew Battle: Jinjo (Korea) 94 / RWDMAG.COM
Winner of Fresh Awards: Miss Eleanor (UK)
Winner of Popping: Greenteck (Canada)
Winner of B-Boy Solos: Kareem (USA)
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# FLOWBOARDING, DACRE ON TOUR, FLOWBARREL 10, AFTER PARTIES
FLOW RIDER Just when we thought that winter was well and truly upon us, RWD were invited to check out this year’s World Flowboarding Championships and everything got a bit brighter.
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Not only is Magaluf the place to be if you’re up for a certain type of holiday, it’s also home to Wave House, Mallorca - the first Wave House to hit European shores. Along with the beach-side wave fest came Europe’s first FlowBarrel 10 (a 10-foot barrelling wave that simulates catching the real thing) as well as its own hotel, surf shop, restaurant and bars - meaning that it’s pretty damn big. After an early Saturday morning flight to Maga, RWD headed straight to the beach (obviously). After taking some time out, it was time for our flowboarding lesson. It takes some getting used to, but is a fun way to ride the waves and lets you get immersed in the action much quicker than
“FLOWBOARDING IS A COMBO OF SKATING, WAKEBOARDING, SNOWBOARDING AND SURFING.” surfing. Flowboarding is basically a combination of skating, wakeboarding, snowboarding, and surfing. As a new sport, it was only fairly recently invented, but is slowly getting love worldwide. Sunday was competition day and we were amazed by the skills on show. Categories included; strapped,
“EVERYTHING’S BETTER WHEN YOU’RE FLYING THROUGH THE AIR.”
unstrapped and the old classic, bodyboarding. As the sport is still in its infancy, the tricks are really inventive and fun - taking a lot of inspiration from skating. The strapless finals were won by Greg Laz, while 17 year-old Eric Silverman (USA) claimed the strapped board and Over-All world title for the second year in a row. On his sport, he said “Everything’s better when you’re flying through the air.” Makes a lot of sense. Daytime beachfront parties go down three times a week, with top DJs including he likes of Seb Fontaine, Roger Sanchez and Jeremy Healey fronting the nights. An epic time was had by all! Head to wavehousemallorca.com for more info and to book tickets 97
# SONIC, RACING, CHILLI DOGS, SANTA CLAUS CREPS
BE KIND REWIND RWD SONIC THE HEDGEHOG What a perfect finale to the games issue. An exclusive with a RWD-favourite, ol’ red shoes himself, Sonic the Hedgehog...
Hello Sonic... Hey RWD [he says after unfurling from being curled into a ball]. Sonic, you don’t know this but RWD and yourself go way back; we’ve been gaming with you for decades. You’re one of our favourite characters, but we bet you get that all the time. Only the third time today, but no, I’m glad you’ve all been fans. It’s nice to see people support you outside of Green Hill Zone [laughs]. How old are you? Because we remember you from the Sega Mega Drive – which was released in the early ‘90s – yet you don’t look a day over nine years-old? [Laughs] I’m 15 years-old, man, but I can still kick [Doctor] Eggman [aka Robotnik, his arch-enemy]’s ass. It feels like I’m older though as I’ve done so much; comics, cartoons, games... Think you should credit that youthful look to all that running. Do you ever get tired of running? Is that why you’re in vehicles for your latest venture, Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed? I’ll never get tired of running. I’m officially the fastest video game character of all time too. If you look in the Guinness World Records book you’ll see my achievements [makes inaudible “zoom zoom” noise]. On Sonic & Mario at the London 2012 Olympic Games you were really fast; do you think you could beat Usain Bolt? 98 / RWDMAG.COM
BE KIND RATING Words we had to get in: Chilli Dogs: Success. He loves ‘em apparently. Bet he eats about 60-a-day. Those super Sonic farts must stink. Quote we had to leave out: There was a 20 minute rant about Mario owing him money that we couldn’t put in. What we learned: Sonic is a cool little chap. Be Kind Rewind RWD Rating: High, we were very kind to Sonic; he’s like the little brother we never got to annoy.
I’d love to race him. Better than staying in and cleaning my room. What would you say your best feature is? [We hope he doesn’t mention his hair, even Pat Sharp can diss Sonic’s hair, don’t mention the hair]. These... [points to his iconic red shoes, phew]. Where did you get the inspiration for those... Santa Claus [we laugh]? Yeah, I did in fact [gives us a look of stone]. What are you trying to say, man? Na, they’re cool. They’re cool [we back off... love those shoes]. We hear you’re a massive fan of chilli hot dogs. Yeah, love those chilli dogs. Did you see me in that advert with Mario, where we were at the dinner table? I ate loads that day. There’s nothing I like better than to eat those and run.
When and where did you meet Tails (sorry, Miles Prower, to give him his real name)? He’s been hanging on to you for a while. Have you ever tried to ditch him? Say at a house party or something (he goes one way you go the other)... I first met him when we did a game together called Sonic the Hedgehog 2, remember that? [Does an impression of grabbing rings] He’s like my best pal; you can’t ditch a pal, can you? We’ve ditched many-a-pal, just pretend you’re going to the toilet and then climb out the window... it’s a classic move. [Laughs]. And lastly, what is Doctor Robotnik’s problem? What is his actual problem? You tell me RWD. You tell me!!! Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed is out 16 November. For more check sonicthehedgehog.com
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