Issue 121 - March 2012 - Ben Drew/ Plan B

march 2012 march 2012

EDITOR’S LETTER

Editor Deputy Editor Senior Staff Writer Contributing Editor Online Editor Contributors

image by Gavin Watson

The last time Ben Drew graced our cover he was an angry young man spitting stories of Kidz stabbing people in their eye’s with biros. One of our favourite covers, the image we ended up with of a bloodied Plan B, pen behind his ear, proved to be one of our most popular and provocative covers yet. While that album failed to set the world alight in the way it deserved to, it’s more than stood the test of time. Who Needs Actions When You’ve Got Words is a record you need to own if you don’t already. ‘Ahead of the game ‘ to put it simply.

Fast forward six years (wow, has it actually been that long!), and Plan B is a No.1, multi-platinum selling soul singer who has played all over the world and sold 1.2 million copies of his second album, the conceptual The Defamation of Strickland Banks. Not only an acclaimed musician, he’s a respected actor, starring alongside Michael Caine in Harry Brown and with utter legend Ray Winstone in the upcoming Sweeney. But that’s not all. Back in 2006, Ben told us he had designs to become a director. No offence, but every rapper and his dog talks about ‘getting into’ fashion, film etc etc.

Yet, he’s only gone and done it. The multi-talented 28 year-old has written and indeed directed his first feature film, iLL Manors. Despite a small-budget and relatively unknown cast, make sure you see the film this May. With Ben on the cover, we decided to look at other screen talent that are doing the damn thing. BAFTA winning Adam Deacon was a no-brainer, as was Being Human’s Michael Socha and Inbetweeners Emily Atack. We also meet newbies Gabriella Wilde and the drama-courting women of our favourite new show Love & Hip Hop. Outside of the acting world, make sure you check out A*M*E, Smiler and Benny Banks, some seriously talented singers/ rappers about to enter the mainstream in 2012.

See you next month - we’re about to take a page out of Plan B’s book and get multi-tasking. Why do one job well when you can do four brilliantly? Inspired.com.

RWD TEAM @hattiecollins @dannywalker1 @Nardenescott @chantellefiddy @tegosigel Alex Johnson, Ralph Hardy, Greg Bond, Francesca Dunn, Jerry Gadiano, Natasha Parris, Nelson Asare

Art Director Dacre J. Bracey Designer @_wall01 Fashion Stylists PC Williams, Neesha Sharma, Style Pages Editors Irene Asanji Sophie Robinson Style Assistant Cheyenne Davide Illustrators Art Jaz, Jiro Bevis, David Flanagan, Mike Foster Photographers James Pearson-Howes, Andres Reynega, Response London, Adrian Nettleship, Verena Stefanie Grotto, Simeon Coates, James Carnegie, Ravi Sidhu, Kieran Pharoah Publisher Nigel Wells Sales Director Paul LeFevre Senior Sales Matthew Richards Alex Powell Opperations Mngr Martin Ferguson Thanks Bob Austin

CONTACT RWD W107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipp Street, London EC2A 4PS Tel: 020 3176 4299 Email: staff@rwdmag.com

@hattiecollins

CONTRIBUTOR OF THE MONTH ALEX POWELL Southampton born, Richmond residing Alex Powell joined the full-time team this year as our new sales dude! Concentrating on the selling of films, games and entertainment, this D&B head who loves DJing is a big fan of Jaws, Pulp Fiction and Spielberg as well as Aliens and Martin Scorcese. Now he’s at RWD, Alex has plans to take RWD to new heights. “I want to smash sales targets beyond all recognition,” he decides. “I want to make film as big a part of RWD as anything.”

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.

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CONTENTS 01/03/2012

REGULARS

FEATURES

6-7 8-9 10 12-14

INBOX 1&2 CHECK IN/ CHECK OUT ENOUGH ALREADY: STRAIGHT TO DVD ASICS ONE TO WATCH: A*M*E, BARTOVEN, ROMAIN GAVRAS, GABRIELLA WILDE, B.TRAITS 16-17 ABOUT TO BLOW WITH *ECKÕ UNLTD: SMILER 18-19 UPFRONT WITH: KELL BROOK 66 FINAL WORD: ADAM DEACON

38-41 42-43 44-46 48-49 50-51 52-54 56

STYLE GUIDE

UNWIND

21-25 SHIRTS 26-33 FASHION STORY: PRINT WORKS 34-35 FASHION NEWS

59-61 GAMES 62-63 UNWIND INTERVIEW: CONOR MAYNARD 64 FILMS

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COVER STORY: BEN DREW RWD STREET OSCARS MICHAEL SOCHA EMILY ATACK BENNY BANKS LOVE & HIP HOP K.I.G

INBOX

When it comes film/ TV/ slobbing out, you guys know how to do it properly. But for his devotion to art and his favourite UK artists Zander wins this Collector’s Edition of Mass Effect™3 Vault, worth £69.99 that will light up your life...and your console! Get yours from 9 March via Calibur11.co.uk. Send your letters to: Attn. Editor, RWD Magazine, W107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipp Street, London, EC2A 4PS or staff@RWDmag.com MUSIC STYLE SPORT GAMING FILM TECH NEWS

LETTER OF THE MONTH:

Re: Building the Scene, I don’t like pop music but I love the fact that underground MC’s I listened to as a teenager are now dominating the mainstream and getting the recognition they deserve.

Admittedly I’m not always a fan of their songs but I have a lot of respect for how far they have come and the progression of the UK urban scene. It’s this progression that you don’t get to see so much with other genres. I have more respect for the likes of Tinie Tempah and Dizzee who I listened to as a young teen, as I don’t get the same sense of accomplishment and inspiration from the latest X Factor winner. No disrespect to them but MC’s create their own fortune by writing their own music and competing in an extremely competitive industry moulding them into entrepreneurs as well as artists...

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Its often the story of this uprising used in song lyrics along with even the more materialistic lyrics, about money and the finer things in life that inspire me when creating art. I want what they want.

As an artist and designer I’m also trying to be noticed and want success, you get a massive buzz when someone loves something you have created so I decided to use one of my main inspirations as the catalyst of my art work.

‘Building the Scene’ is a poster containing hand drawn portraits of some of my most inspirational MC’s connected by technical drawings and blueprints to represent an ever expanding scene, ‘Building the Scene.’

Zander Gregson What can we say Zander, just like the artists you speak of, you sound mega dedicated and we’ve always got time for dedication. Keep grafting.

RWD Team Hi, I ordered the Migi tshirt for my son for Xmas and still havnt received it. The order will either be under Tara or Ann [surnames removed to protect the dim]!

Thankyou Tar x Thanks for your email Tar, massive respect to you for trying to up your son’s fashion game. We feel it’s very important for you to make sure he looks good at all times. Slight problem with us tracking down your order though, we are RWD mag, we don’t sell Migi garments, you need to contact Dappy. Thankyou!

Regards RWD Fashion Dept.

THE MONTH IN TWITPICS Just when you thought posting a simple pic on the Internet was a private affair, Tego Sigel makes things mega mega public...

@TegoSigel: This is what @dannywalker1 looks like when holding an iPad to his face in lieu of a mobile phone. Got funny looks.

Maybe he should stop walking around like Dom Jolly ? #TriggerHappyTV

@jamaledwards: Bull... Amazing picture.

We’re not sure who we feel more sorry for? The man up against the wall or the man you can’t see, who’s caught in that cloud.

@StuartCamp: The fruits of an afternoon raid on the local toy shop..trying to ignore that it was called KiddyLand!

It’s good to see Ed Sheeran making the most of world domination.

RWDMAG.COM QUICK QUESTION:

@StephDonoghue “Can’t wait for the release of ill Manors... getting impatient!!!”

RWDmag.com Users Cast Their Vote

Each month we give you the chance to answer our Quick Question:

63%

The acting from Plan B (aka Ben Drew), Riz Ahmed, Natalie Press and co

23% Plan B’s feature length film, ILL Manors, will be out later in the year, what are you most looking forward to...

10%

...Another good UK film

5%

@StylistaMaloney “Cast fitting in full swing for @4PlanB Music Video for #IllManors it’s gonna be sick!”

RWD POLLS SHOULD JOHN TERRY BE ALLOWED TO REPRESENT ENGLAND AT EURO 2012?

The music, as it’s bound to be good

The fact that it’s shot in East London

DO YOU THINK HARVEY AND CHERYL ACTUALLY HOOKED UP?

65%

YES, THEY DID AND I BET IT WAS A-LOUD

67% 10% 33% 25%

MAYBE, SHE WAS QUIET YES. INNOCENT UNTIL AFTER THE EMAIL TALK PROVEN GUILTY

LF

iamaflanagan.co.uk

NO. HOW MANY NO, HE’S PAST HIS CHANCES IS THIS GUY BEST LIKE LUMPY MILK GOING TO GET?

TOP TWEETS @RWDMAG: 1 @PacoStJames: @RWDmag is fast becoming a British institution - hats off 2 @Chris11Maflin: Its time to retire to bed. Long day now to catch up on

@RWDmag online 3 @ApeApparel: New @RWDmag cover is totally cold!

4 @monikameme: Hehe @RWDmag retweeted me!!!

5 @Bmitaj55: @dannywalker1 is a great writer :)

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CHECK IN/ CHECK OUT

FILM: TV:

NAPOLEON DYNAMITE We all love Friends and Scrubs, but re-runs get a little bit boring sometimes don’t they? Have no fear - good old Channel 4 have jumped on this little gem.

Check out... everyone’s favourite loser, Napoleon Dynamite. Gosh! The animated version of the smash cult film is coming to Channel 4 very soon, which makes us very excited. Voiced by the original characters, the show should be pretty sweet, we guess. Bring out your old VOTE FOR PEDRO tees y’all. GOSH!

WRATH OF THE TITANS If you see one film this March...

Check out... the definition of epic. Sam Worthington (that guy who fell in love with the fit blue chick in Avatar), the stunning Rosamund Pike, star alongside acting leg-ends Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson and Bill Nighy in the most exciting sequel of the year. If trailers are anything to go by (which they usually are), Wrath... will be just as epic as Clash... Umm, re-release the kraken?

BOOK:

SKAGBOYS Fans of Trainspotting read on...

GADGET:

DUAL SNOWBOARDS Mastered snowboarding? Too cool for skiing? Check these babies out.

Check out... Dual Snowboards. Essentially a snowboard cut in half, these wicked new inventions make moving around easier and open up a whole new world of snowtime tricks. As the bloke on the promo vid says, “All you need is snow and an imagination to have fun with Dual Snowboards”. Sorted.

Available now from dualsnowboards.net 8 / RWDMAG.COM

Check out... a definite future classic.

Massive fan of Trainspotting? Skagboys, the prequel to the cult book-turned-film is due for release on 19 April (yeah, soz, you’ve got to wait a bit). The book follows the group through the ‘80s, as Thatcher’s government destroys working class communities and Mark Renton and co. first turn to drugs. Sure to be a mental read.

WHITNEY IN NUMBERS A homage to the greatest vocalist of our time. RIP Ms. Houston.

FIDDY’S ART (KIND OF):

THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER

Bored of real life? Not sure what to do on your day-off? Enjoyed the Harry Potter films a bit too much?

Check in... at The Making of Harry Potter. For all of you secret Potter freaks (we know you exist), this is surely the making of a dream day out. Head on over to sunny Watford and check out the studios where they filmed the megasuccessful series of films – take a stroll through the Great Hall, get your swag on in Dumbledore’s office and check out Hagrid’s Hut (no homo). As if that wasn’t exciting enough, you can also get up close and personal with the animatronics of the HP beasts. Geek hearts will flutter.

Opens 31 March

The number of awards Whitney won during her career, inc. 6 Grammy’s and 22 AMA’s.

She was the most awarded female singer of all time.

WORLD OF WHATEVER This month: The Big Screen A miracle happened recently. I, Chantelle ‘film phobic’ Fiddy, sat through a trilogy. Making this an even greater achievement, not only did I watch all three films (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo trifecta) but I watched the dubiously titled ‘English audio versions.’

Yes, Fiddy in dubbed film S.H.O.C.K.E.R! The poignancy of this is that I’m a laughing stock amongst my friends, given the chance of me having seen any film you’re referring to – new or old – is pretty slim. However, what with a massive improvement in British cinema that sheds light on a different kind of city life; RWD join me in saluting Riz Ahmed, Noel Clarke, Adam Deacon, Ben Drew, Ben Newman and the rest.

Thankfully ignoring David Cameron’s ill-advised advice to British film writers (big budget, Hollywood, err recession), actors Ashley Chin and Michael Maris (both of whom you’ll recall from Sket and Anuvahood) are next in line to reveal their offering. “The story of one young man’s attempts to break out of a cycle of violence. A powerful urban thriller about justice, society, self-respect and redemption,” they say of Victim, the first offering from PURE Films. Also starring Jason Maza (Demons Never Die), Letitia Wright (Top Boy), Shanika Warren-Markland (4,3,2,1), the only thing I actually need to do now is watch it. Popcorn for one?

Victim is out in cinemas this spring.

Twitter.com/VictimTheMovie

The age that Whitney released her debut, Whitney Houston.

Million albums sold, 55million+ in the US alone.

Seconds that Whitney sings unaccompanied during the opening of I Will Always Love You.

Godmother, a certain Aretha Franklin.

The year that Houston married Bobby Brown.

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ENOUGH ALREADY: STRAIGHT TO DVD With the UK arrival of Netflix, the popularity and ease of YouTube and Channel 5’s on demand service (the aptly named ‘Demand 5’, where you can watch a variety of Australian soaps and low rent films not even ITV2 would show), you begin to wonder why films are still being released ‘Straight to DVD’. Danny Walker believes these bin-bound B movies have no business being born... image by ArtJaz The cinema is a great experience, despite tickets being the same price as a small car or a return trip to Scunthorpe (Tinie, you must be able to afford one by now). When you’re not trying your best to smuggle in KFC, you’re in the back row lipsing some 15 year-old (may I suggest you’re also around the age of 15 when you do your tonsil tennis, otherwise that’s just weird/ awkward/ illegal).

Anyway, as I was saying, the cinema is cool. That’s how films should be enjoyed.

That’s how we want to watch them. That’s how film companies want us to watch them (partly so they can make billions at the box office and record EVERYTHING in 3D). And lastly, that’s how the actors wish their art be appreciated.

We’ve heard you can also get big screen blockbusters illegally from the Internet or from that guy with the dodgy moustache that comes into your college/ uni/ barbers/ office at lunchtime but we can’t confirm, co-sign or condone such 10 / RWDMAG.COM

ruthless behaviour.

With each year that Danny Dyer grows older, the Straight to DVD section at Blockbuster (no, they haven’t gone bust just yet) gets bigger and brasher. We’re not saying Sir Dyer has been in all the sh*t selections that populate this pile of poor productions... just half. 20% is full of “classics” they shouldn’t have even bothered making; those low-budget, low-rent, low-talent, low-class, low-fat, low-interest, lowbrow, visual effects of a pregnant cockroach being plugged into a Game Boy-type whacktion flick starring Jason ‘Same role’ Statham. Another 20% of the films are soggy sequels, the likes of Road Trip: Beer Pong, Bambi II and the forthcoming “frightfest” Piranha 3DD. The last 10% – this is the worst percentile that only attracts gangsta rapper-turnt-actors or football thug-turnt-Hollywood flops like pre-bankrupt, no self-worth moths to a light of financial redemption – shouldn’t even make it to our recycle bins let alone

our DVD stands. Enough about how Curtis ’50 pence a movie’ Jackson and Mr Hard and Fast Hands-only CPR pay the bills... this is about the film distributors.

If you’re a film maker, producer and/ or director (or you know where one lives) and you think your fail of a flick isn’t going to be well received at the cinema, for whatever reason... DON’T BLOODY MAKE IT. Tell Halle Berry and the cast of Catwoman to go home, invest what little money you were going to waste into a retirement home for failed actors or reimburse the victims of your last flop. There’s nothing worse than renting/ downloading/ streaming a mugoff-of-a-movie that’s gone straight to the shelves, you might as well sit on a shark fin whilst watching Free Willy 3.

Immediately after reading this, check RWD’s Top 10 Straight to DVD Shockers starring Vinnie Jones, Bruce ‘Should Have Stopped at Die Hard 2’ Willis and of course Duke of Dire, Danny

ONE TO WATCH A*M*E She has two stars in her name, and we’re pretty sure it won’t be long before A*M*E is lighting up the charts with her ‘90s inspired sounds. Hattie Collins meets the Sierra Leone born singer/ rapper...

Despite being just 17 years-old, Aminata Kabba has already signed a record deal, made a video, done a schools tour and put out her own Barbie-featuring fanzine, titled The A*M*E. “I’m very driven,” nods the singer and sometimes rapper with a big grin. “I wrote my first song at 13 and since then all I’ve wanted to do is make music.” It took just four rough demos for Future Records to see her potential; now signed to the label, she took her second ever plane trip last year to Sweden to work with big-shots Quiz & Larossi (Cover Drive, The Saturdays), but it’s a collaboration closer to home that is getting her name out there. “I met MNEK through a friend about two years ago,” she says of the superteenage-producer who has made hits for The Saturdays and The Wanted. The MNEK made City Lights, also features his brother, Bartoven [See: below). “It’s a brilliant introduction to me cos it’s fun and it’s in your face,” she says of the cheeky track that catches you from the first chorus. “It’s cool and quirky in a 90s kind of way. I think people will see

the fun side of me straight away.”

The first release from the girl who likes to hang in Nandos (“Bare tragic”), and who has 13 piercings (“I wanted to feel like a bit of a rebel”) it is indeed the perfect introduction to who she is and what she’s about. “I’m doing something different to the stereotypical black, teenage, urban thing, so I hope people appreciate that,” says the Westlife, Madonna, Prince and Rihanna fan. “It’s fun pop music, nothing too heavy or tragic or sad or anything like that.”

After moving from war torn Sierra Leone to south London at the age of 8 - “a

“IT’S FUN POP MUSIC, NOTHING TOO HEAVY OR TRAGIC OR SAD...” massive culture shock, suddenly there was like hills and perfume and stuff” A*M*E, inspired by her musician dad, immersed herself in the music of the decade in which she was born. “I love the ‘90s but my sound doesn’t stay in the past – I’m always pushing towards the future,” decides the fashion fan of future smashes like Heartless. “I think most people will appreciate the fact that I’m trying to bring fun back to the industry. It’s time to get up and dance again!”

City Lights is online now. @ameofficial and Ameofficial.com

BARTOVEN

You might have seen this 18 year-old Lewisham resident in the video of the lady above (A*M*E’s City Lights), or you might have caught him supporting Pro Green on tour last year. Either way, you’re about to be seeing a lot more of Chimezie Bartholomew Emenike very soon. “I produce most of my stuff so it’s a big name to live up to,” says Bart of his Beethoven namesake. “The same way that he was one of the greatest composers of his era, I want to be one of the greatest of mine.” Brother of production whiz MNEK, Bart also has a production company that shoots videos for his “Urban, alternative, unplanned, melodic, merssshh, Marmite,” musicality (check the EP I Am Not Road; next up is The Raggedy Tape mixtape in May, Ft. Joe Black, Cashtastic, Benny Banks). “I look at my songs like art, I don’t know anyone else on the up who creatively handles practically everything in their music career.” Smart, that Bart. @bartoven (HC)

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ROMAIN GAVRAS

French filmmaker Romain began shooting films, shorts and music videos at just 15. The expressive one’s first feature film, Our Day Will Come was released over a year ago to critical acclaim but his most viewed work has got to be the ongoing collaborative efforts with M.I.A; from the thought provoking Born Free to the latest Bad Girls. Without a doubt our video of 2012 to date, the spangly dusty drag racing in the desert not only looks incredible but also comments on Saudi Arabia’s refusal to allow women to drive. Despite being unafraid to embrace political themes, brands still want to be involved with the Gallic creative; adidas have linked up with the director as have J.U.S.T.I.C.E and Simian Mobile Disco for equally provocative and powerful music ‘films’ . As the section says this visual master is most watchable. Vimeo.com/gavras (NS) 13

ONE TO WATCH GABRIELLA WILDE

From art school to The Three Musketeers, Francesca Dunn meets up and coming actress Gabriella Wilde...

Beautiful blonde Wilde was getting creative at art school when she first got into acting. She was asked to audition for St Trinians, and the rest, as they say, is her-story. “It was amazing!” she remembers, “Filming was with other people my age, so it was a great introduction to acting and a really fun film.”

Since then, Miss Wilde has been busy channelling her inner French monarch in 2011’s The Three Musketeers alongside the likes of Milla Jovovich and Orlando Bloom (the most famous

“IT’S A REALLY TOUGH INDUSTRY. SO MUCH COMPETITION, SO MANY BRILLIANT PEOPLE, AND IF I’M LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE INVOLVED...” person Gabby has ever met!). The film was shot in Germany, and the Kurt Vile fan describes the experience as being initially quite scary. “It was a big cast to join! I still can’t get my head around the fact that I did it.”

Back in the day, Gabriella was a successful model. “I definitely prefer acting though– no contest”. With no professional training, she’s just picking it up as she goes along. But with acting in her family, she tells us she’s learnt a lot from her older sisters, who are also on the biz. With no dream role in mind, the 22 year-old just wants to play as many different characters as she can. “I want to avoid playing the same thing over and over. I don’t want to be typecast.”

B.TRAITS

Admiring such acting greats as Kate Winslet and Michelle Williams, the onetime Doctor Who star has high hopes for the future, picking legendary director David Lynch as her ideal lensman.

The young London-dweller has a couple of things in the pipeline in terms of work. “They’re a mixture of big and independent films, but I don’t want to say anything until I’ve fully signed the contracts.” Sensible girl. Plans for the future are to simply keep on working.

“It’s a really tough industry. So much competition, so many brilliant people, and if I’m lucky enough to be involved, that’s great!”

The Three Musketeers is released on DVD on 27 Feb. @gabriellawilde

The first and indeed only lady of Digital Soundboy, Canadian born Brianna-Leigh Price - better known as the house, D&B and jungle fusing DJ B.Traits - is about to make waves with her upcoming productions. Influenced by early dance memories, debut single Fever Ft. Elizabeth Troy has been given the reload regularly by Mistajam, Zane and Ms. Mac. “I wanted to evoke a nostalgic kind of emotion. I mash everything together and see what happens.” Despite some promoters thinking they can take the blonde for a ride, she’s repping for the females. “Being a girl in the music industry, is interesting. I can only hope that more young women get involved.”

With hopes to work with Azealia Banks and Santigold, on top of a further Asian solo tour, you’ll be seeing the snapback bopping head all over 2012. Fever is out 25 March. @BTraits (NS)

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“I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE TRY TO ADAPT THEMSELVES OR THEIR CAREERS TO THE JOURNEY OF THE GAME. YOU CAN FALL FLAT ON YOUR FACE BY DOING THAT BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT STANDING FOR ANYTHING...”

SUPPORTED BY

SMILER With the likes of Wretch currently flying the flag for lyricism, in steps another underground talent bringing his thoughtful lyrics to the masses. Nardene Scott speaks to Smiler about out what he has planned for 2012.

Styling by PC Williams Image by Kieron Pharaoh video by Greg Bond

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Woolwich native Smiler has consistently been providing meaningful hip hop for years now, even before we pointed him out as a One To Watch back in 2010. His mixtape Clarity, which dropped at the top of that year had guest stars from Tinie Tempah to Ghetts and more importantly yielded the featureless and incredibly catchy stand out track Enza, produced

by Nutty P. It seems Smiler and P have a special connection, considering further creations hitting all the right notes. “Me and Nutty work really close together, from Enza to Spender, with Lana Del Ray. I went to his house, he was playing through some beats and I heard Delorean and I was just like ‘Wow’,” the MC recalls, forming a sly grin. “I didn’t know what I was gonna do on it, but I just thought

let me take it.’” It turns out an overdue collab with Wretch 32 saw the chart topper writing his verse whilst on tour and Nutty “Created that sonic feel” on Smiler’s hook to birth the The Back To The Future borrowing Delorean. A hit in the works, Zane Lowe pronounced it as his official Next Hype on his Radio 1 show soon after it hit the ‘Nets.

Not to be underestimated, the Spender spitter recorded in the studio next to a then unknown Lana Del Rey, leading to impromptu vocals being added by the seductive megastar. It also didn’t hurt when it came to signing to Warner recently. None of this however seems to have fazed the down to earth south Londoner. “We don’t deviate too far from the plan; initially it’s just make great

music and continue as we mean to go on, that’s it,” he points out matter of factly on the solitary sofa in the rehearsal studio he’s been tucked away in preparing for the upcoming MOBO tour and Wale support shows. It’s clear from the latest mixtape’s title track All I Know Smiler is refusing to go all lightheaded over the current commercial embrace on the UK rap scene. “I think a lot of people spend a lot of time trying to forecast the direction in which it’s gonna go and try to adapt themselves or their careers to the journey of the game. You can fall flat on your face by doing that because you’re not standing for anything,” he wisely states.

There’s one thing you notice about Smiler instantly; he’s humble, we really don’t think a lot has gone to his head

despite some of hip hop’s finest giving him props; from Nas, Styles P and DJ Premier plus invites onstage from Marly Marl. These are the type of big ups that would make another man’s head swell to bursting point. Quite simply - and in his own words - what you need to know about the far from cheesy Smiler is this: “I’m very intricate with flows, there’s a lot of depth to what I represent and what I convey in my music. At the same time it’s very captivating by tone and feel good too.” We look forward to connecting with even more of Smiler’s emotive music this year.

All I Know is out now and you can keep up to date with @smilermusic and @ ecko_unltd_UK on Twitter. Check out the full *eckõ unltd collection at JD Sports.

WHAT MAKES SMILER SMILE...

Who do you think is the sexiest actress and how would you make her smile?

Hmm I’m a fan of Jada Pinkett and Angelina Jolie. ‘How would I make them smile?’ (laughs) Just by spending a quality day with each one of them. I’m not gonna detail what would go on in that day but just quality time with either of the two and I’m good!

Which actor would you want to play you in a film of your life?

I’d say Morris Chestnut or Denzel Washington What is your favourite line from a film?

Do you know how many quotes are floating around my mind? Let’s go for ‘The world is yours’.

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UPFRONT WITH...

KELL BROOK This 25 year-old lad from Sheffield has made it through 26 matches without a single loss, not forgetting 18 KO’s. Now with the upcoming War Of The Roses dubbed fight around the corner, Nardene Scott gives welterweight Kell Brook a call to talk Hatton, Khan, the birth of his first born and handling the pressure before a bout.

On Amir Khan...

Obviously I’m concentrating on Matthew Hatton, Matthew Hatton is on my radar first. If we can make the fight after, we can make the fight but for now 17 March Matthew Hatton is getting it. Amir is next!

On Hype around Matthew Hatton Fight...

Well, I’ve had 26 fights now and it’s part of me job. I just tend to let it go over my head and just keep focused on training and the job in hand that I need to do. I think he’s gonna bring the best out in me because you know it’s being billed as Number One Against Number Two; War Of The Roses. So he’s gonna keep coming forward and I’m looking forward to really performing on the night in Sheffield and looking the part.

On the Scotts Photoshoot...

It feels good getting everyone pampering me and all around me photographing me, it’s good. I think it’s me looks that attracted Scotts, yeah! Me nose ain’t flat!

On Homecoming Pressure...

Yeah I like it when I’m in my hometown, there’s no pressure there but what can I say, it’s going to be a packed out crowd and I’m looking to dazzle. I’m looking forward to it now. Before a fight, I have

some Drake playing and I get into the zone and then it’s time to switch on and it’s time to fight.

On Ring Entrances...

We’ve used Katy B On a Mission and Tinie Tempah Pass Out before; me and the team come up with the ring entrance tune. There’s gonna be some special things happening for this fight, so I can’t tell you which tune I’m coming out to, but we’ve got things happening with ring walk, there’s gonna be fireworks.

On his Spare Time...

I like doing things that normal people do probably like yourselves, having nice meals, going to the cinema, going for nice walks, visit different places... I’ve got a baby on the way so I’m going to be spending a lot of time with my daughter.

On the G.O.A.T...

You’d have to say Muhammad Ali, just for his all round package. He could talk the talk and he could fight, he had it all. He brought pro-boxing to a different level, so I think Ali has got to be at the top of the list. @SpecialKBrook Kell Brook fights Matthew Hatton on 17 March at Motorpoint Arena.

Buy tickets at matchroomboxing.com.

MATTHEW HATTON AKA MAGIC

Age: 30 Hometown: Manchester, Lancashire Record: 42 (16 KO’s) - 5 (1 KO) - 2 Titles: Former European Welterweight Champion World IBO Rank: 11 What’s Been Said: “Come and fight me,” he said in a drunken voicemail to Brook on Christmas Day but it was deleted straight away by the Yorkshireman.

KELL BROOK AKA THE SPECIAL ONE

VS

Age: 25 Hometown: Sheffield, Yorkshire Fights: 26 (18 KO’s) - 0 - 0 Titles: British/WBO International Champion World IBO Rank: 4 What’s Been Said: “Matt will not be able to cope with my power or speed. Ricky was an unbelievable fighter. They can carry on being promoters but their fighting name will be finished.”

19

STYLE GUIDE STYLE | FASHION | FASHION NEWS | REFRESHED

WHAT TO WEAR AND HOW TO WEAR IT...

THE DUFFER OF ST GEORGE shirt jdsports.co.uk, £40 TOYWATCH toywatch.co.uk, £145 CROOKS & CASTLES blazer threadsaddiction.com, £130

>>

SHIRTNS E P P A H , tripes bray, so or m a h c er it’s t, cam Wheth rduroy, prin mar ten up co idered, s button embro pring with a this s down...

PHOTOGRAPHY: KEVIN JOSEPH STYLING: IRENE ASANJI >> 21

STYLE GUIDE

THE DUFFER OF ST GEORGE jacket jdsports.co.uk, £70 CARHARTT shirt carhartt-wip.co.uk, £65

CANTERBURY shirt canterbury.com/lifestyle, £59 CROOKS & CASTLES jacket threadsaddiction.com, £135

ANYTHING stripe shirt wellgosh.com, £110 THE DUFFER OF ST GEORGE shirt jdsports.co.uk, £40 TOYWATCH toywatch.co.uk, £145 CARHARTT 5 pannel hat carhartt-wip.co.uk, £30 OHW suede shoe 020 7831 1625, £95

SILAS stripe shirt silasuk.com, £80 ALTAMONT stripe shirt surfdome.com, £65

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ANYTHING shirt wellgosh.com, £110 CARHARTT belt carhartt-wip.co.uk, £37

PENGUIN chino originalpenguin.co.uk, £60 FLY 53 Print shirt fly53store.com, £50 CARHARTT Hat carhartt-wip.co.uk, £30

SILAS camo jacket silasuk.com, £170 CARHARTT belt carhartt-wip.co.uk, £60 PUMA trainers schuh.co.uk, £50

SILAS logo shirt silasuk.com, £105 ENERGIE shirt energie.it, £130

23

STYLE GUIDE

MINIMUM shirt minimum.dk, £70 VANS vans.co.uk, £50 KING Oxford king-apparel.com, £59.99

LEVI’S chambray shirt levi.com, £70 LACOSTE chambray shirt lacoste.com, £125

MARSHALL ARTIST Cord Shirt threadsaddiction.com, £80 OHW Boots 020 7831 1625, £110

TED BAKER suede boots tedbaker.com, £95 TRUE RELIGION shirt truereligionbrandjeans.com, £230 FLY 53 denim shirt fly53store.com, £65 CARHARTT hat carhartt-wip.co.uk, £30

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CROOKS & CASTLES shirt threadsaddiction.com, £80 TED BAKER loafers tedbaker.com, £90 CARHARTT shirt carhartt-wip.co.uk, £90

LEVI’S denim shirt levi.com, £70 TED BAKER shoes tedbaker.com, £45

LUKE cord shirt luke1977.com, £80 THE DUFFER OF ST GEORGE trainers jdsports.co.uk, £40

PXL T shirt pxlclothing.com, £25 BOXFRESH shirt boxfresh.co.uk, £60

25

PRINT WORKS

PHOTOGRAPHER: CAMILLA TREHARNE STYLING: PC WILLIAMS GROOMING: LINZI DOWER MODEL: JUNIOR @ AMCK, JORDAN S @ OXYGEN

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Jordan wears shoes

by Lacoste, jeans

by SuperDry, shirt

by Carhartt, jumper

by Marshall Artist, jacket by The Duffer of St. George, hat by New Era Junior wears jacket

by Nickelson, shirt

by BBC, T shirt by Boxfresh, backpack

by Carhartt, chinos

by Marshall Artist, shoes by Puma

27

28 / RWDMAG.COM

This page: Jordan wears jacket

by Bench, jumper by American Apparel, shirt by aNYthing, hat by New Era Opp page: Junior wears jeans

by Bench, shirt and jumper by Ben Sherman, hoody by BBC, jacket by Holly Clelford, backpack

by Jansport, hat by New Era, trainers by Lacoste

29

This page: Junior wears chinos

by Ben Sherman, shirt by Edwin, jacket by Luke, backpack by Nike Opp page: Jordan wears boots

by Dr. Martens, jeans by Wrangler, T shirt by PXL, shirt

by Christopher Shannon, gillet by Luke, hat by New Era, watch by LTD 30 / RWDMAG.COM

31

This page: Jordan wears shoes

by Onitsuka Tiger, jeans and jacket

by Denim Demon, shirt by Topman, hat

by New Era, watch

by LTD Opp page: Jordan wears watch

by Smiley, jacket by Alpha, orange jacket

by Penguin, shirt by Marshall Artist.

Junior wears shoes and backpack by Nike, socks by Bjorn Borg, chinos

by Marshall Artist, T shirt by Volcom, shirt by Beyond Retro, jacket by Mastrum

32 / RWDMAG.COM

33

FASHION NEWS

ART OF NORSE

Our favourite fashionista Irene Asanji delivers news fresh from the world of fashion. For more fashion, competitions and exclusive content, go to RWDmag.com/fashion

Hat Connoisseurs Norse Projects cook up something special for the season ahead...

SALUTE THE ‘60S Two fashion icons celebrate the best of British youth.

CRUZ CONTROL Taio Cruz creates dynamite of a different kind...

Teaming up with RXTR (Riots & Twelve Rebels) and LTD Watch to create an impressive range of limited edition watches, the platinum-selling artist was hands-on when it came to designing this timepiece. Insisting upon high-end sophistication minus the hefty price tag, design-wise expect custom-made gold and titanium bezels, polished stainless steel, and individually numbered pieces.

Give your wrist the sophistication it deserves this year without breaking the bank balance.

The R1 and LTDR1, priced £145, available at Selfridges.com

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Dr. Martins and Brutus Trimfit have been dressing British youth since the 1960s, when Mods and Punks ruled the school, a style still revered by the hipster heads of Shoreditch and beyond today. Digging deep into their archive for their original Trimfit shirt to work alongside the cherry red leather and yellow stitching of the infamous DM’s, fans of cult Brit flick Quadrophenia and This Is England will recognise these style staples instantly.

Pretty amazing how one shirt and a pair of boots have stood the test of time don’t you think? Hurry while stocks last, as this limited edition range won’t stick about for long.

The Brutus Trimfit Shirt, priced at £50, and Dr. Marten boots price £90, available at brutus-trimfit.com

Probably one of the most sought after hat brands out there, Norse Projects have delivered a tasty selection of hats for their Spring collection. Taking it back to the good old days, the brand took note of vintage American Baseball caps and 5-panels too. Using a selection of wools, suede, and cotton on the pieces, they’ve kept it authentic and straight up simple.

Perfect for those looking for something a little more classic and understated, the range has a plethora of colour ways and shapes, but stand-out pieces would have to be the vintage wool cap available in grey and navy, as well as the 5-panel corn print. Pick your throwback piece of choice and enjoy.

Vintage wool baseball cap available in grey and navy £55, and Cornprint 5 panel £46 both available at goodhoodstore.com

RETURN TO SENDER Backpack lovers out there will be happy to know that there’s some hot new bags available this season.

Check out rucksacks from Gola, Eastpak, Converse, and bag connoisseurs Herschel Supply.

Whether it’s a pop of color or a classic color way, we’ve got your back. Popular shapes that have been seen everywhere are much more vintage and have a touch of suede or leather, seen perfectly on the Eastpak and Herschel numbers. Gola and Converse have done well too, offering a great selection of shades to work into the wardrobe. Spacious compartments are a must too, which all these bags have - hey what’s a bag if you can’t fill it ?

Herschel Heritage £55, asos.com, Converse Stuff It Back pack,£29.95, jdsports.co.uk, Gola Harlow , £25, available from gola.co.uk

DOT TO DOT The head chefs add another speciality to the Gourmet menu

WHERE’S WALE?

B-Side introduces the leopard luxe We have always been a fan of Walé Adeyemi. The first capsule collection for B-Side this season features the “Leopard Luxe” print bomber and parka jacket.

Adeyami’s signature style adds a polished touch of glam to essential streetwear pieces, and with animal prints and motifs going strong for another season, this flash collection seems like a definite one to purchase. We can see why the likes of Beckham are long-term fans.

Leopard Luxe Bomber Jacket, £195, b-sidebywale.com

We know what you’re thinking, that’s no regular shoe, but the Gourmet guys are not your regular footwear type of guys.

Probably one of the most sought after and respected premium footwear brands available, Gourmet add another special to the menu. The Dignan, probably the brand’s most off the wall shoe to date, has been seen in subtle colour ways in past seasons but this dotty number has brought the shape to a whole new dimension. Apparently inspiration was taken from the Air Jordan 11 Space Jam, which comes as no surprise as the Gourmet team are trainer fiends and have expressed that their love of basketball sneakers has inspired a lot of their collections. The pop of patent leather alongside the polka dot upper works so well together, making this shoe such a special number. Let the sneaker envy begin!

Gourmet Dignan, priced £95, available at wellgosh.com

35

REFRESHED Everyone seeks a little ReFreshment advice from time-to-time, when will you holla at RWD to get yours? Geordie Shore’s Jay takes advice from Danny Walker and Francesca Dunn illustrations by Mike Foster “I do use a decent moisturiser, face wash and face masks and stuff like that! But it is good. If you’ve never tried one you won’t know what I mean. Your skin feels so much cleaner and softer after.”

RWD RECOMMENDS:

SIMPLE FOR MEN HYDRATING FACE WASH

“I spend a lot of time at the gym, sun beds, eyebrows, haircut. I don’t use fake tan, I use sun beds.

All of that is part of us feeling good to go on a night out.”

RWD RECOMMENDS:

TWEEZERMAN INGROWN HAIR TWEEZER (tweezerman.co.uk, £15)

We know you love to preen Jay, especially when it comes to plucking those brows. If you have any unsightly, misplaced or ingrown hairs this little yellow wonder (also available in silver) can go to town and within minutes you’ll be able to hit the town. Designed with the larger hand in mind this will remove anything embedded under the skin.

(simple.co.uk, £4.99 for 150ml) NEWSFLASH: Face wash is not just for girls! Simple For Men’s Hydrating Face Wash is jam packed with vitamin goodness that’ll draw out your dirtiness and get rid of your dead skin cells. The wash is exactly what it says on the tin Simple - so you wont be left smelling like your girlfriend. Perfecto.

“My biggest fear is getting wrinkles. I don’t use any anti-wrinkle cream or anything like that, but I do go on the sun bed and if you use a sun bed, you are gonna get wrinkles, you know what I mean?”

RWD RECOMMENDS:

BODY SHOP NATRULIFT FIRMING DAY CREAM (thebodyshop.com, £14 for 50ml)

Sunbeds can wreak havoc on wrinkles, this luxurious cream softens the lines of aging and leaves skin with a healthy glow.

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“I used to use [Paco Rabanne] 1 Million but absolutely everybody’s got it so now I use Sean John’s Unforgivable. It’s unbelievable - really good stuff.

There’s not that much of it anymore, and there’s all this new stuff coming out, but I still always get that.”

RWD RECOMMENDS:

VOI JEANS GIFT SET

(thefragranceshop.co.uk, £25 for 100ml) Here at RWD, we reckon that 1 Million and Unforgivable are a bit old skool... If you fancy updating your scent and getting just about as fresh as you can get, check out the new fragrance from VOI Jeans. Refresh yourself with a burst of lemon and spearmint, with added hints of jasmine, vanilla musk and amber. Sweet.

“I use L’Oreal Men’s face wash, it’s like an exfoliating face wash. I use that every day. Then twice a week I exfoliate with a proper exfoliater.

And then I’d obviously use a dead good moisturiser – I use Clinique moisturiser. It’s good stuff.”

RWD RECOMMENDS:

L’OREAL PARIS MEN EXPERT PURE AND MATTE DEEP EXFOLIATING GEL WASH

GEORDIE SHORE’S JAY

(loreal-paris.co.uk, £5.99)

Jay knows what he’s talking about when it comes to keeping his skin in good nick.

L’Oreal’s Gel contains exfoliating microbeads to remove impurities and shine.

Plus, with no soap involved the product is non-drying. You can’t go wrong.

“I make sure my hair is always right, it’s very short so it doesn’t take long to get ready.”

RWD RECOMMENDS:

AMERICAN CREW 3-IN-1

(lookmantastic.com, £14.20 for 450ml) When you want to be first out of the door, American Crew’s shampoo, conditioner and body wash is the one.

Formulated with all kinds of niceness to fix up the scalp, detangle and add shine where shine is needed, this is the multitasking miracle lotion that will stimulate all styles.

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH TOP MAN

(topman.com, £15 for 100ml) What’s this? Top Man have launched their own fragrances?! We want in! The masterminds behind the brand have been doing their research for the past five years, selecting high-quality, handpicked ingredients to create fragrances that really stand out. The two aftershaves - No.16 and No.27 - are both very different, 16 channelling cool fresh air, and 27 being “addictive and distinctive”.

Did you think the first series of Geordie Shore would be so big?

We didn’t realise it was gonna be as big as it is. What’s even more amazing is just walking down the street and you can tell that everybody just knows who yuh [Jay’s pronunciation, not our spelling) are. With the second series, there is nine people in the house - bare in mind there were eight beforehand, so it’s going to be even madder.

If you could remove anyone from the series, who would it be?

Oooh, if I could remove anyone. I think I’d prob-ly have to gorr with Rebecca. Her and the lasses are tight, really, and sometimes it can make it a bit awkward.

In terms of boobs do you like real or fake?

That’s a hard one... I’m gonna go with fake.

What do you like in a girl?

Tall, like a DD pair – nice handful – for me that’s yeah, tall, tanned, dark hair, and sparkly eyes and a nice smile... And a good figure, you know what I mean?

Who would you say is ‘mint’?

Kim Kardashian, someone like that.

How long does it take you to get ready?

To be honest, I’m probably one of the quickest. All I do when I go on a night out is jump in the shower. All the other lads have straighteners, hair dryers and that...

What’s the difference between someone from London getting ready and a Geordie?

Well Geordie lasses, even in this temperature will go out in short skirts. If I went out tonight, I wouldn’t wear a coat, and it’s gonna be minus temperatures. I’d wear a t-shirt probably; what we wear in the summer, is what we wear in the winter.

Geordie Shore, 10pm, Tuesdays on MTV

37

COVER B COVER STORY STORY PLAN LABRINTH

“I WAS GOING TO FESTIVALS AND GETTING PARRED OFF WITH THE SMALLEST DRESSING ROOMS AND WATCHING OTHER PEOPLE THAT WEREN’T DOING ANYTHING NEAR AS INTERESTING AS ME GETTING TREATED LIKE THEY WERE SUPERSTARS. I WAS P***ED OFF AT THE WORLD…”

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MANORS MAKETH THE MAN When it comes to Ben Drew, there’s never just a Plan B; it’s like an A to Z with this guy. Rapper, singer, actor, director, scriptwriter, songwriter...

On the eve of his directorial debut, iLL Manors, Hattie Collins wonders if there’s anything that Plan B can’t do... Images by Gavin Watson When we put Plan B on the cover back in 2006, we thought he was about to be a huge, massive star. His debut album was so provocative, so brilliant, so surprising and shocking and melodic and stark; amongst the angrily spat tales told in first-person of crackhead stepdads, bullied kids, kids who bullied, murders in reverse and unintentional underage sex, there were nods to Skinnyman and horrorcore (in many ways Who Needs Actions When You’ve Got Words preceded the likes of Odd Future et al) but in its own way, Who Needs... was like nothing we’d heard before. We loved it. We predicted big, huge, massive things for the angry young man behind such an incredible debut.

We were wrong of course (it has been known to happen, shocking as that may seem). It was actually his 1.4 million selling second album, The Defamation Of Strickland Banks that saw Plan B singing Motown in a suit that would send him stratospheric. Anyway, we were wrong not once, but twice. During that interview, Ben talked about wanting to make a movie.

He had one in mind apparently and was looking forward to not only making a film but also being in one. Sure, we thought, you and every other musician out there. You want to act, sing, rap, write, direct... blah blah blah. Well, his debut in Kidulthood was one thing; his spotlight-stealing performance in Harry Brown quite another. Plus, what’s this? iLL Manors, out in May, is Plan B’s directorial debut, a film that we know will certify him as one of the UK’s leading filmakers alongside Shane Meadows and Noel Clarke. Created before Top Boy (but sort of similar in content), the Riz Ahmed starring feature is, like Plan B’s debut album, a thought-provoking watch. Violent and shocking he does well, but it’s the storytelling that’s the real star of the show. The low-budget film is really a bit brilliant. With overlapping stories, iLL Manors is about prostitution, drug addiction, drug dealing, gangs and guns, murder, kidnap, fire and selling babies. Yep, it’s that deep. After a screening of a rough-cut of the film, we headed straight to iLL Manors distribution company, Revolver, to talk to Plan B about making a movie, making music and finding time to have a life.

39

COVER STORY PLAN B We haven’t interviewed you for a while.

Are you a big superstar now? Should we have bought you peeled grapes and blue M&Ms? Were those grapes not for me? (laughs). I’m not like that at all, I’m still me. The first record, it didn’t do well commercially, but I got over it. I knew when I was making it that it wasn’t pop and I kind of rebelled against going that way, probably to the detriment of the music. I was quite bitter for a while that more people didn’t take to it cos it was honest music and it was real. I didn’t feel like I got the respect I felt I deserved for it. I was going to festivals and getting parred off with the smallest riders and the smallest dressing rooms.

And watching other people that I didn’t feel were doing anything near as interesting as me getting treated like they were superstars. I was p***ed off at the world and that there weren’t enough people ready for something real; they wanted to listen to manufactured pop bulls**t. But I got over it. So I did the Strickland Banks album and soul music because it allowed me to get into the mechanics of actually writing music.

I’m constantly writing melodies and string parts in my head and that album allowed that part of me that I’d been suppressing to be let out. So back to your original question (laughs), if fame has changed me? Nah. It’s changed me in a positive way, yeah, I want more and I want to achieve more but I’m not fazed by money and material bulls**t.

Really?!

I’m going a bit crazy to be honest, because I don’t have a life like a normal person or like all these celebrities out there that are enjoying their success. I get invited to so many parties, so much cool sh*t. I was asked to go to Milan and sit in the front row of this fashion show, they would send a private jet, kit me out in Armani suits and that. I wanted to do it but it was right at the time when I was supposed to be finishing iLL Manors.

The amount of stuff like that that I turn down, it’s actually heartbreaking. iLL Manors might be sh*t when it comes out, nobody might like it, the album might bomb and I’ll never find myself in this position again! But that’s the choices we make in life, innit. iLL Manors. A great film. There’s a really interesting narrative, overlapping stories, you rapping parts of the story etc.

Where did the idea come from?

It was around from before Strickland.... It 40 / RWDMAG.COM

“I ACTUALLY WANT THIS FILM TO BE BRILLIANT. I WANT IT TO BE AMAZING. I WANNA SMASH IT WITH THIS FILM.” was that need to see something visual to the stories I was telling. But storytelling songs were never the songs that the label were prepared to give me a budget for music videos. So it was only the singles that we put out that we made videos for. I felt really frustrated. So I’d written a normal film – well, concept wise, it wasn’t regular at all – it was about a necrophilie cop. A film company were interested in making it so I made a short film to prove I could do it. [We have to abbreviate a long story but basically Ben made two short films, with the idea for iLL Manors being interjected with rap narrative, evolving along the way.]. I made iLL Manors because of the first short film I wrote.

Because I wanted to make that and noone would trust me with their money. So they were like ‘Okay, go and make a lowbudget film that your fans will watch and hopefully we can show the world that you are a capable director’. And that’s kinda how we got here.

Do you think you’ve shown that you can direct?

Yeah definitely. But then, it’s not enough for me; I actually want this film to be brilliant. I want it to be amazing. I wanna smash it with this film.

Talk us through the main characters.

You’ve got Riz Ahmed (Four Lions, Shifty) and newcomer Ed Skrein plays his best mate. They grew up together in foster care and all they’ve got is each other. Ed is a bit of a nasty piece of work and Aaron ain’t. Aaron’s got a good heart, but Aaron is doing... bad things because Ed does bad things. Both of them represent different sides of me.

Ed is the type of guy that will see say a junkie as a lost cause, whereas Aaron feels that there’s hope for this girl. So he’s the heart. He’s a part of me, cause I have a heart and I can feel that way about people. But at the same time, my best friends have been heroin addicts that have let me down time and time again and I’ve done everything for them – given them every possible opportunity to change their lives. So therefore, the character of Ed and Aaron represent

two very different sides of my personality, and the whole point of Ed is to challenge the audience.

What directors are you influenced by?

Nicolas Winding Refn – he just done a film called Drive. It’s amazing. Tarentino and how he makes what would usually be a mundane scene so interesting by his choice of cast and dialogue. I love Shane Meadows because he gets a similar effect that Tarentino does, but from letting the actors improv. It’s a very essential way I want to make films.

And after I wrote my short film, I started having even more of a respect for Shane Meadows and the way he makes film and his approach.

Back in the early days you worked with people that are now doing brilliantly; Adam Deacon, Example, Pro Green...

I admire anyone who keeps at what they’re doing and is happy with what they’re doing. At the end of the day, we all know each other personally. I’ve always separated what we do from who we are. So I just separate what we do, and just have a personal relationship.

I’m proud of them and happy for them.

Next up, as an actor, is The Sweeney.

It was an amazing experience to be a main character and it was a dream come true to be working with Ray Winstone. We don’t hang out enough, cos we’re both so busy. Everything you want a man to be, he is, and more. He proper looked after me, man. Not just because he had to, but because he genuinely wanted to.

What can we expect from the iLL Manors soundtrack?

It’s very eclectic. It’s all original. One track’s by Labrinth, then a lot of stuff

by Al Shux (Empire State of Mind), and then, although things could change, Chase & Status are supposed to be working on things. We’ll see.

Last question; highlights so far?

Directing a film; it’s a bigger achievement for me than selling all them records for Strickland.... Just the sheer difficulties and hardships it’s taken. There was a lot of doubters, and uncertainties and it was really hard. It has almost killed me in a way. I’ve lost my mind a few times making this film, which is why it’s such an achievemen.

Out of all the things in the last couple of years, to me, to make a feature film that’s half decent on that kind of money, that’s an achievement. iLL Manors is out 4 May 2012. @time4planb and @illmanors

BEN’S LEADING LADY Romance. What’s up with that Caggie chick from Made In Chelsea?

Come on! She’s got the same personal trainer as me that’s all.

I’ve never watched the show. I’ve just met her and she’s a nice girl and a really good poet.

She’s a safe girl and I don’t know how she’s been portrayed on the show, but I’ve met her and I’m not gonna judge her on something I’ve not seen. What, am I supposed to be a snob now that I’ve got money and I’m successful? I see her at a club one night and she was wearing a white dress and she had black sh*t all over her arse [laughs].

All the paps were there so I grabbed her hips and walked her over to the smoking bit across the road and they started all taking photos.

So now it looks like me and her are doing a thing. I literally ain’t seen her since. We’re not seeing each other though.

So there’s no time for a lady in your life right now?

There’s time for sex, but no time for that. There’s time for spending an evening with a girl – you can always fit that in. But all the responsibilities – emotional and time wise, giving people attention...

I haven’t got time for it.

41

RWD STREET OSCARS We’re here for the RWD Street Oscars; the first category is; WORST DRESSED IN A FILM OR TV SHOW: And the nominees are...

Fat Boy – Eastenders Michael Madson – Celebrity Big Brother Pat Butcher – Eastenders Luke – Random teen who we bumped into five minutes earlier Who’s going to win? And the winner goes to... Luke...

RWD STREET OSCARS With all of the BAFTA business going on, Ricky Gervais cussing-out Susan Boyle at the Golden Globes (the chubby comedian called sexy SuBo a “mong”, deep), the big bad BRITs and the 84th Oscars also happening in the first quarter of 2012, it’s safe to say that this is officially ‘Award Season’. Being so, Danny Walker challenged Joe Public to see if they could outspeech the famous 45 second limit (before you get cut off and embarrassed by the music)... images by Verena Stephanie-Grotto Let it be known ‘Award Season’ is one of our favourite seasons; it’s like Christmas only without the dry turkey, alcoholic uncles and disappointing presents. The worst thing about it though is the long-off speeches; we HATE when people drag on and the music starts playing; thanking all kinds of losers that worked on the make-up, casting and/ or director (whom they probably slept with to bag the role). Being ‘Awardious Seasonious’ we grabbed a few members of the public to see if they were any good at impromptu speeches for awards that weren’t exactly tell-mum worthy...

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[Clapping starts] I’d like to thank my production team, the clothing department I couldn’t get it done without them as I really needed their help to get sorted, putting all the outfits out for me and helping me decide what to wear. All the make-up everything, putting it all together, helping me with my hair, making me get the worst factor possible. I’m really glad that I’ve won the award and I’d like to thank you all for coming out here to present it to me. I’d love to make a sequel; I think I’ll be even worse next time. Erm, erm... [stutters, as Oscar music comes on] I think I might try something new... wear leathers or something. Try and spice things up a bit. Make things unique, something they haven’t seen before, really give the audience an experience they’ll never forget. [Music gets louder] I just hope it goes well next time, thank you for everything.

And next up for the RWD Street Oscars WORST ENGLISH ACCENT: Ine: [Laughs].

And the nominees are...

Mercy’s Mum – Eastenders Stella Price – Coronation Street Toadie aka Toadfish aka What The Hell Are You Still Doing There – Neighbours Ine – Random girl we just met And the winner is... Ine...

Ok, thank you very much, [talks over severe clapping] I would like to thanks my family, my producer, all the other actors, my voice coach, my best friend, my boyfriend, everybody who helped me to get on top and helped me to create my worst accent ever, this is really a big achievement in my life, I’ll never win this again, I’m so proud, this will sit in a special place in my home and when MTV Cribs comes to my place I will show them [laughs]. Thanks to everyone who has supported me all my life; my teachers, my mum who brought me into the world, my dad who helped creating me, erm... just everybody. [Music plays] My fans... the person who invented the Oscars so I could win this one... erm, who else... maybe the person who invented the camera as you wouldn’t be able to see me [laughs], and I’d like to thanks Belgium of course my native country. Love it there but it’s so cold. It rains too much so I decided to move [music ends and clapping begins].

We’re here for the RWD Street Oscars, woooo [one person in the crowd shouts ‘woooo’], yes someone cares, and now we’re going to announce the WORST HAIR IN A FILM OR TV SHOW: Grant: Ah no [does sad face].

And the nominees are...

Frankie Coccoza – X Factor/ Celebrity Big Brother George Lamb – The Bank Job Keith Lemon – Celebrity Juice Grant – Random teen who we bumped into 10 minutes earlier And the winner goes to Grant... [belated cheer]...

I’d like to thank the production team for what they’ve done. Going up against such big names like Frankie Cocozza, come on. Women’s heartthrob up and down the country, Keith Lemon hilarious, and to get this award against them is absolutely fantastic. As you can see right now, my hair is quite bad, that’s what I’m accepting this award for... I’ve been raised with bad hair and I think that’s what’s given me my star quality.

It’s really good. I just love it me. Love this award, I’d like to thank everybody, and I will actually come back next year and win more awards for worst hair, I will hold this award for many years to come.

I guarantee it [crowd cheers]... I’d like to thank the production team, my mother and father, my brother, everybody that has supported me throughout my whole acting career [music starts to play] I just want to say thank you thank you very much [more clapping starts].

And our final award of the day is for LONGEST THROAT IN THE PORN INDUSTRY: [Our next victim Jitske laughs]...

And the nominees are...

Jenna Jameson – One Throat Too Far Tera Patrick – Throatzilla Jitske – War Horse XXX And the winner goes to Jitske, have I pronounced that correctly? Here you go [award breaks and falls on the ground, shame]...

“AND LASTLY I REALLY WANT TO THANK THE NURSE THAT PULLED ME OUT OF OUT OF MY MOTHER’S YOU KNOW WHAT!” Oooooh my God, I am so happy, I want to thank Jesus, [clapping] I want to thank my boss, I really love him. I want to thank all the men, I want to thank all the women, my mother, my father, my brothers and sisters, oh my God, I’m so happy, I want to thank the university of [insert name of Belgium school here which sounds like a rude word] I want to thank the nature, the trees, the earth, everyone in the whole whole world. [Music starts playing] I want to thank the shops for the lingerie for my bras, my underwear [laughs], I want to thank the guys who love me so much... and the girls of course, yes yes... I want to thank my mum again who created me with my dad (but that is another story) and lastly I really want to thank the nurse that pulled me out of out of my mother’s you know what!

For the video footage check RWDmag.com

43

INTERVIEW MICHAEL SOCHA

HUMAN NATURE After appearing on the big screen in the 2006 cult classic This Is England, Michael Socha is ascending faster than his modesty will allow. With each role – the latest being vacant vampire victimiser ‘Tom’ from BBC Three’s Being Human – the 24 year-old grows in both talent and humility. Danny Walker finds out that this Derby devotee is more about bacon butties than dodgy dogging, his sister is a lucky Misfit and he desperately needs to buy some furniture...

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VAMPIRE SLAYING 1 The most famous vampire hunter was Professor Abraham Van Helsing. He was the main character in Bram Stoker’s Dracula that was written in 1897. ‘Van Helsing’ has been played by over 20 characters including Hugh Jackman in 2004.

2 If you’re going to be a vampire slayer you need four things; garlic, a crucifix, a wooden stake to drive through their dark hearts... and a massive pair of balls.

3 If you need any help in catching vampires you could always ask Wesley Snipes who played ‘Blade’ in 1998. Wesley can be found at Federal Correctional Institution, McKean until 2013, a medium security federal prison in Pennsylvania, for tax evasion offences.

4 Robson Green played a vampire hunting werewolf ‘McNair’ in the third series of Being Human. Robson and his pal Jerome Flynn’s version of Unchained Melody was at No.1 for like three years. Playing the single at full volume can also kill vampires.

5 Vampire’s like the night so always wear a coat and tell your family where you’re going.

44 / RWDMAG.COM

Where would you say people would know you from?

This is England and This is England ‘86, I just think cos it was such a big project, and I had the right hair... that’s when I started getting noticed. All of this has been quite new to me.

Is that a weird feeling, walking down the street in Derby?

Yeah, yeah. I’m good pals with Jack O’Connell (Skins) and I was just doing my little bits and he was f**king everywhere. Everyone would be coming up to him and I’d be like, ‘How’d you do it? How’d you speak to all of these people?’ I think Being Human has got cult following hasn’t it. Their fans are quite die hard.

Who is the best actor out of you and your sister [Misfits’ ‘Kelly’ aka Lauren Socha]?

Me [laughs]. Nah, Lauren is f**king incredible, honestly. Out of both of us, I was the one who tried hard and Lauren didn’t put b*gger-all into it, she did a few bits or whatever she could but she weren’t fussed. Then she did a thing called The Unloved and I just thought she was brilliant. I really did. I thought f**king hell, she is better than me.

So you’re saying you worked hard for it and she blagged it?

Yeah... [laughs]... She didn’t blag it like, she was just lucky to get involved in that wonderful project Danny [laughs].

Please sum up your Being Human character, Tom, for those who don’t know...

Erm Tom, I think he’s a gentle lad. Which I think is a bit weird considering he re-kills vampires. I think he’s good, I think he’s loyal... I think in this new series, this is where he grows up. He faces up to life

and faces a few truths.

The last series Tom had a few episodes which developed his character a bit, you must have loved that.

Yeah, ah for me it was buzzin’. He’s a wicked character to play. I feel as though there is a trust in me to say, ‘Go on mate, have a go at that’, which I feel I’ve never had before. I think I’ve been trusted enough for me to get my little input in, or whatever. I love it. I’m so glad and grateful and I do enjoy the part... there is a saying, ‘Never believe you’re on the job until you’re eating the bacon butties,’ I was waiting a few days for mine [laughs].

Can you sum him up in a noise?

Are you f**king real Danny? As a noise?

Ok? Sh*t man... It’s 7.10pm, I’m already halfway there. Erm, ok, are you ready for this... [makes short sharp high-pitched gurgle sound like a Panda is being poked with a wet fish]... I’ll get stabbed if I was caught doing that.

[Laughs] Brilliant, that noise shows he’s strong - yet he has a weak side.

Ah, I’m glad you got that. I think it was my talent that did that.

What will happen in the new series of Being Human, what are you allowed to tell us?

I’m allowed to tell ya that this new series is very dark and very sad. And people are gonna be very upset in this one. It’s all a bit ‘whoa’.

Tell us about the new guy Damien Molony [who plays new vampire ‘Hal’]...

Sound, lovely bloke, I think this is his first job. He’s such a f**king laugh and he’s an incredible actor. He really is.

I think people are gonna be wowed by him.

Did you give him any tips, as a pro?

Was I f**k, he didn’t need none, he’s brilliant. I was going to him for tips!

‘Who’s this new boy?’ I thought you had to start at the bottom and all that.

And is Russell Tovey in this series a lot? In the poster he’s in the corner, hiding...

I got on well with him last year. Him and Sinead Keenan (Nina) kind of took me under their wing. I did a lot of scenes with them. I’d come straight off a job, This Is England ‘86, where it was just a brilliant laugh where we were just all pals so to move to a set with all these people who were already pals, was hard. Well I thought I’d feel a bit sh*t and it would be a bit rough but everyone made me feel at home and welcome. It felt like part of the crew straight away which was a relief.

“PU CEL T ME OR EBRIT IN TH I’LL ANY OY JUN AT NOU DO T F TH GLE THA GHT. HAT F AT. GRU T WIT I’D E OR B.” CHE AT TTY

45

INTERVIEW MICHAEL SOCHA CTS: COMPLETE THE SENTENCE The best place in my house is... I’ve just got a new house so I’d have to say the living room because there is f**k all everywhere else. It’s alright.

Sounds like you need to get on Gumtree and get yourself some furniture... Well, I’ve been let down by the furniture people, I waited in all day and nothing. 7-12 they said they’ll be here. I had me cousin round, we were all ready for it... it got to 12.15 and we’d been there since seven and now it’s coming on 8 February. So I did kick off. I was on about compensation, ‘Do you know who I am? I’m an actor you know!’ [Laughs].

I’d only ever have plastic surgery if... Oh sh*t, have you ever seen Angry Boys? D’you know Chris Lilley? One character, the surfer who got shot in the balls in a gang fight, has a massive problem with his personality. That is what I’d do; if I got me balls shot off, I’d get ‘em put back on like.

My school tie was... Ah, well my uniform changed. At first I used to like it but we used to spice it up. Always Rockport on me feet, and you’d have to wear imitation jeans as trousers and you’d do a thing that Shoreditch kids do now at the bottom. My tie had a sword on it as we went to Catholic school and it had Latin writing, but then when you got to Year 11 we were stuck in blazers and a new tie with a f**king monk. Imagine going into a school fight with a monk tie?

You’d be in trouble!

We had the lord on our side though.

Along with This Is England, Being Human sounds like one of your best roles, what’s been your worst?

Yeah, them two jobs are my favourite of all time. I like them both for different reasons. I’m not gonna lie Danny, there are loads of jobs that I’ve done that I’ve really regretted doing. Sometimes you go on a job that feels like it could be really brilliant and when you arrive on day one and you’re eating your bacon bap, you’re like, ‘Ok, I’m ‘ere but... I wanna eat this bacon bap, put it on the floor and stand on it.’

Do you wanna throw any names out there for us?

Oh, I can’t. I can’t do that. I’ll tell you what, one of me first television jobs was a nightmare, it just felt like I was the smelly kid in school. I walked in to the studio and it was like walking into a western saloon. The doors were still 46 / RWDMAG.COM

“DO MY GGING ROL FIRST ... WA E.” MA S JOR swinging. I was in a proper nightmare.

I’ll throw a couple of your films your way, you can comment if you want...

Dogging: A Love Story...

F**king ‘ell, I forgot about that. That was my first major role in a feature film. My character was a bloke who didn’t have a f**king clue about dogging. It was great at the time because I didn’t. I was 18/ 19 and I found out about all these f**king rules; if you leave your interior lights on, certain lights mean certain different things. Certain things mean you’re up for different things.

That is fair enough. What about Shank we’re massive fans of everyone involved in that film; Mo Ali, Bashy, Adam... but... Well, what were your views on Shank?

I think if the budget was there it could have been different. It could have been quite immense. I dunno. Personally as a

viewer, I wanted to see, I dunno, I wanted it to be a bit darker really.

Any role you wouldn’t do... even for £200,000 an episode...

Erm, d’you know what I’d never do. You know reality-wise, nothing. I’d never do anything like that.

So no Celebrity Big Brother?

I do watch them. But you know what, I’d like to do Shipwrecked or Coach Trip but without the cameras. Just pop me in Slovakia, I’m not bothered. You can take me anywhere. I’m up for that sh*t, as long as there are no cameras. Put me in that Celebrity Jungle or any of that. I’ll do that for nought. I’d eat that witchetty grub.

Being Human is on every Sunday, BBC Three at 9.00pm

INTERVIEW EMILY ATACK

ATACK THE BLOCK “Are you going to hurt me?” As far as one-liners go, Will’s attempt at losing his virginity to Charlotte is one of TV’s lollest lollathons. Those socks! That was The In-Betweeners four years ago, and now Emily ‘Charlotte’ Atack is making her mark in film. Hattie Collins meets the 22 year-old from Bedfordshire... image by Frank Paul

Afternoon Emily. How are you?

I’m good thanks. Well, actually, I’ve got a bit of a cold but other than that I’m good!

Tell us about your new film, Outside Bet? It’s set in the 80s and I play a barmaid who works in a pub where a group of guys, ranging from their 20 to late 70s, all go. They’re all close friends and the pub is where they hang out. One day we’re all fed up, one of them is seriously ill and we all decide to invest in a race horse, - it sounds a bit random! - to make some money and to give us something to be excited about. We train it up and the horse ends up being a really good racehorse and a really good investment.

It’s a feel-good family film.

How was working with the legend Bob Hoskins and our boy Adam Deacon?

It was absolutely brilliant. I was excited enough just to be doing the film and then when I heard the cast list, I couldn’t believe it. With Adam, I’ve watched everything he’s done. Being a young actor myself I look up to him because he’s been so successful at such a young age. With Bob Hoskins – that’s a legend.

I never thought I’d work with anyone that massive. I had to stop myself asking loads of questions! He’s worked with so many amazing people – Steven Speilberg and he was in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

I held back on the questions even though I had so many, because I didn’t want to look like a mental fan (laughs).

Any plans to work with Adam?

I’d love to work with Adam again, he’s brilliant. Everything he does is very successful and he’s a really nice guy, more importantly. He’s really easy to work with, a really lovely guy.

Are you the type of person to take a risk 48 / RWDMAG.COM

in real life, like Katie does in the film?

Yeah I suppose so. In my life so far I’ve taken loads of risks and gambles and so far – touch wood – they’ve happened to pay off. Doing Dancing On Ice was a big risk. I could have broken my neck or my leg – so that was physically very risky! I was absolutely terrified but I conquered a lot of fears.

I’ve no idea. I haven’t heard anything about a new film and I don’t think the boys have either. There’s mild talks in the air maybe but I think for now they’re saying ‘No more’. In terms of Charlotte being involved, who knows, but I wouldn’t hesitate to go back. I love working with the boys. But I don’t hold out for it. If I happen to be involved with it, brilliant. If not I wish them all the luck in the world.

What are some of your memories of shooting the series?

I grew up doing it really. I did it for three years, from being a 17 year-old girl to a 20 year-old woman. It was a massive growing up period for me and I made great friends on it. Having fame at 17, 18, 19, it changed my life that show, it really did. Plus meeting everybody and watching the show develop and become so big has been brilliant.

Is it truth or not truth that you’re actually related to Sir Paul McCartney?

Yeah, it’s weird isn’t it! We went to his gig at the O2 recently. I don’t like talking about it too much. He’s one of the most famous people in the world of course, and some people would maybe use

“I WAS FINE WITH THE [SEX SCENE] BECAUSE IT WAS A GREAT LAUGH. IT’S JUST GETTING THE FIRST ONE OUT OF THE WAY AND THEN AFTER THAT WE WERE SAT IN A NICE WARM BED...!”

Do you still skate?

I’d like to say yes (laughs). I’ve been once or twice, but not really. I wasn’t very good so... (laughs).

Can we talk about the sex scene with Will in The Inbetweeners?

Ohhh (cringes). Do you know what actually, it was absolutely fine. I was 17 at the time so I was very young and so I think he felt more awkward because he’s a lot older than me. I think he was about 24 at the time. But I was fine with it because it was a great laugh. We’d known each other a bit by then and we’d discussed it and we also got on really well so that helped. It’s just getting the first one out of the way and then after that we were sat in a nice warm bed all day! It beats being stood out in the cold, which you end up doing a lot on TV and film sets. So a nice warm bed, everyone was relaxed, it was a laugh and really funny to do.

Are there plans for another film or series?

that to their own benefit, I don’t like to do that. But what I will say is that he’s a great man, a family guy, very nice.

I don’t see him all the time, it’s more family do’s and occasions, but yeah he’s great.

What would be your ideal cast and director if you could choose?

Ohh. It would have to be something like a proper kick-ass woman like Angelina Jolie. She’s such a badarse, kicking men’s bums. Or a Bond film that would be amazing - snogging a nice man (laughs).

What’s next up for you?

I just had a readthrough for a new film called Get Lucky. I’m really looking forward to that. I play the lead girl in that as well, so that’s really exciting. I can’t say who’s in it yet cos I think a couple of people are still being changed around.

I’m really excited about it.

Outside Bet is released in April. Follow @ematack

49

INTERVIEW BENNY BANKS

BANKS ON IT RWD told you to watch out for this north Londoner, now, just a year down the line Benny Banks has toured with Dappy, signed to 679/Warner and he’s currently racking up views for his debut release Bada Bing. Nardene Scott caught up with the lyricist who’s currently doin’ the damn thing...

Image by Andres Reynaga

Your F64 recently dropped - 40k views and counting in a couple of days. Are you happy with it did you expect that?

I expected more you know, I was a bit disappointed. I wanted to re-do it because the freestyle was bare blank even though it kind of worked for me, it’s still bars. It took me quite a while to write, I worked on that for a couple of weeks, I can’t even lie. I think that’s the most meaningful freestyle I’ve done since the warm up.

Talk us through Bada Bing.

Yeah, I think it was the first repetitive song I made and that’s why it worked. It’s not like my normal stuff. I think it’s a wicked beat, I’ve got to credit Show N Prove for that but it’s just a fun tune. Bada Bing is very loud and in your face and my words are loud and in your face but in the flesh I’m very humble. So I’d say that’s more of the young side to me, there is a lot more growing up for them to see.

What can we expect from you regarding the next couple of releases?

I think I’m going to balance them, a mixture of both. I still haven’t done nothing for the girls, I might start singing myself you never know (laughs). I wish I could!

Who else are you going to be working with then?

I’m gonna keep it original man, Joe Black, Squeeks, rappers that I normally work with. I keep saying Maxsta, I really like Wretch but I wanna establish myself rather than focus on the features. Anything big, big, big, hopefully I can do it myself.

50 / RWDMAG.COM

What about producer wise, I know you’ve been working with The Elite, Show N Prove...?

Yeah, big up The Elite, we’ve got Show N Prove, we’ve got another producer called Phoenix. I get a lot of producers hollering at me, it’s not a case of saying a producer is not a good producer but if I’ve got a producer that sends me ten beats and I only like one of them, I’m not gonna rush for a session, maybe another rapper will be better suited.

Okay, so you’ve been announced as part of the MOBO tour following on from the Dappy tour, what do you think you’ve learned from Daps?

I’ve learned a bit more from the experience of the Dappy tour. I think that I just want to get into robot mode, my coffee and Red Bull, studio, studio, studio! I want to get a new set done because there’s a lot of good artists performing down there like Clement Marfo, Smiler... so I’ve just got to make sure I’m up to scratch. It’s competitive out there right now, but I’m ready to win. Statistically I am the best. It might sound ignorant for me to say that, but I’ve only just started rapping and the response has been incredible. If I win 5-0 at football, I’m not going to tell you I won 3-0. This is just the warm-up, I’ve got a lot more lined-up.

What are you working on right now?

I don’t think I can even say but I’ve got some good ideas and I’m fully confident, obviously if not I don’t think I would have got signed. I’m grateful, for me it feels

SCREEN SPECIAL What’s your favourite film?

I think it’s American Gangster but I was hurt that he snitched at the end - make sure you put that in because that guy was sick! There’s an Irish film called Angela’s Ashes and it’s proper struggle related. I like a lot of films like all the Friday’s etc.

If you could play any character who would you play?

Some gangsta policeman because I could never do that in real life, it’s just a fantasy!

Who’s the sexiest actress?

I don’t wanna say Kim Kardashian that’s bait, the one from Columbiana (Zoe Saldana). Yeah you know who I’m on about, she’s hot! She’s militant. I’ll let her roll with me - she’ll be more useful than the mandem!

“I WANNA ESTABLISH MYSELF RATHER THAN FOCUS ON THE FEATURES. ANYTHING BIG BIG BIG, HOPEFULLY I CAN DO IT MYSELF” like forever but obviously you’ve got a bag of people that have been doing this for a long time and haven’t got as far, so I’ve got to appreciate it. Without making it sound bad it’s like a job innit, I ain’t got a No.1 yet so it’s not mills. I’m just trying to make something of it but it’s going well and I’m happy, I’m just Benny.

What’s one thing people don’t know about you?

I’m half blind in my left eye... Nah I’m joking! I got a degree in hood economics, I can’t handle jaegerbombs... I kind of tell everything in my music, I don’t really hide nothing. You know me already; it’s the everyday struggle; not having food in the cupboard or hot water for a bath, everyone can relate to that. I’m the best of myself, I’m real to me. I’m the realist. I don’t lie.

Bada Bing is out 5 March. @MrBennyBanks

51

LOVE & HIP HOP

NO LOVE LOST

It’s the most talked about reality show in the US and somehow here too, despite not even being syndicated in the UK. The cynics that we are, Nardene Scott got in touch with Yandy and Kimbella to find out just how much of Love and Hip Hop is actually real... opposite image by Paul Cobo

Kim ‘Kimbella’ Vanderhee went from video girl to Juelz Santana’s wifey; with two boys and a girl on the way, the candid cutie tells all...

How’s the pregnancy going?

It’s going really well, I’m 15 weeks now and about to find out whether it’s a boy or a girl. We really want it to be a girl.

How do you cope with all of the cheating rumours?

People want a piece of that limelight and they want their five minutes and they try to take it from you. Really all I can do is believe and trust. I don’t like negativity and I try to stay positive so I don’t read any of that stuff. It sort of bothers me as a woman, that’s just a natural thing, otherwise, I don’t really care about what people have to say.

Why did you decide to get involved in Love and Hip Hop? Well it was about love and hip hop so for me, I was in a relationship with a huge star, a legend at that. I was like ‘Wow these are women who are pretty much in the same situation as I am’. I feel like I could relate with them and you know find some type of bond (laughs). The only relationship I had pre-taping was with Yandy, she was the only one who I have a real relationship with, and any relationship with.

Did you think it was set up like a lot of other reality shows?

Right, well before actually becoming a cast member I did think it would have been scripted, but as soon as I was with everyone I knew it was going to be what 52 / RWDMAG.COM

it was. Situations and however they were dealt with, with that individual, that’s how it would be done.

Lets move it onto Erica. Do you regret the way that things kicked off?

I don’t regret it, nothing is really buried.

She’s nothing to me basically. She’s pretty much a fan, like she’s basically one of my haters, she’s kind of obsessed with me. Everyone can see she just has this total huge jealousy over me for what, I don’t know? I don’t even think I’m all that so for her to do that is like ‘Wow this is crazy, you’re a pretty girl. Why are you insecure about me’?

Do you think that’s part of being the

new girl, because you had run ins with Crissy and Emily as well?

No the thing is that jealousy and envy and insecureness [sic] comes in all different types of shapes and sizes.

It doesn’t matter because you can be a beautiful, beautiful girl and you still have these insecurities about me. I don’t understand it because I don’t even come across as ‘Oh I’m the sh*t, f**k everybody’. I’m more like ‘Hi, who are you? I’d like to get to know you’. I don’t understand, I hate it.

You’ve got a book coming up too. Is that going to be a tell all affair...?

Actually it’s going to be based on my life, my upbringing up until now, it’s going to be a tell all about myself.

Basically it came about when I saw the feedback from that scene with my mum, people that have been through things I went through as a child. Not really having a mother to really raise me, just doing everything on my own and struggling.

Describe each cast member in a word?

Emily - Fake Crissy - Old Somaya - Cool Yandy - Pud Who am I missing?

Olivia Yeah she’s just in the back, she’s... She has talent, lets put it that way. @kimbellasworld

53

LOVE & HIP HOP

Yandy has worked her way up from assistant to talent manager, consultant and all around businesswoman in the male dominated world of hip hop; we get to grips with why Love And Hip Hop attracted Ms Smith.

What did you expect from appearing on Love And Hip Hop? I went into it definitely not expecting what came out of it. A goal was achieved because I wanted to be motivation for young women to go out there and grind, hustle. Show that you can go to fabulous parties, drive nice cars, look good but you have worked for it.

What were the positives and negatives?

Positives... there are a lot of women who reach out to me and say ‘You’re inspirational, I like your hustle, I like your drive, even in the midst of adversity you still came out shining’. Some of the negative things, Iooking like a troublemaker on the show, which is completely not who I am!

They say I instigated things with Kim by bringing Erica but what the public doesn’t know is that you’re signed up with an ensemble of people and you cannot bring your friends from college, you have to make sure you bring people whom are contracted to be on the show. A lot of times the producers of the show they set up a scene... you don’t necessarily know who you’re taping with so it just looked like ‘Why would I be hanging out with that girl’ or whatever.

What did you think the show represented before you joined in Season 2, and are you signed up for Season 3?

I didn’t think it represented women in a bad light the only thing missing was someone that worked behind the scenes. I’m not taking away anything from Season 1, but do I think I added to 54 / RWDMAG.COM

LOVE AND HIP HOP Watch Love and Hip Hop the same way RWD do - anyway you can get it online! Lets hope a UK channel picks it up soon.

“...YOU CAN GO TO FABULOUS PARTIES, DRIVE NICE CARS, LOOK GOOD BUT YOU COULD HAVE WORKED FOR IT.” it? Absolutely! Contracts haven’t gone out yet so I couldn’t say.

What about if you could add in another person, or maybe take someone out?

I don’t know that’s an interesting question. The season went way beyond our expectations, there were episodes that had seven million viewers so the producers did something right with the cast.

There are so many artists out there that represent hip hop, Maino is a great character, he has great charisma and I’d call Lil Kim. There’s so many elements that go into making a reality show. You want someone that’s not going to be shy.

What was the deal with Jim Jones and yourself parting ways?

It happened during the show. I think the show probably brought out the inevitable and it wasn’t really a situation

between Jim and I, it was more between me and his girl. I think the show just brought out feelings that might have been brewing for years but I didn’t know.

What are your future plans?

I just did my first blog post on Black Enterprise and I’m really excited about that and then I have my accessories line which is turning into more of a lifestyle brand; it’s called Everything Girls Love, so we have a lot going on. I can’t speak for what the future holds but I’m sure it holds some great things.

Describe each cast member in a word?

Olivia - Neutral Emily - Follower Crissy - Misunderstood Somaya - Hustler Kimbella - Ambitious @yandysmith

RWD PROMOTION K.I.G

THE-DREAM We first featured this trio on our cover three years ago. Ralph Hardy catches up with K.I.G to see how life has changed since Head, Shoulders, Kneez & Toez...

What have you been doing since your April ’09 cover?

We’ve been doing a lot of international shows such as France (Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, Montpellier), Ireland, Spain, Greece, north and south Cyprus, Ghana, Guadeloupe, and our favourite, Dubai.

We also released a track called Gimmi More in 2011; we never stopped making music, NEVER! I guess the label was only interested in another funky house dance, which we didn’t want to do.

Head, Shoulders... was a hit for you guys – how did life change?

We didn’t change really, but people around us just looked at us differently.

The best part about making a hit was seeing masses of people around the world appreciate it and sing along, especially when they can barely speak English! The only low was that Head, Shoulders... was becoming so huge that it almost felt that making another tune to compete with that would be a losing battle.

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You’ve gone for the dance/ festival tailored - why the change? Is funky house dead?

House/ dance seems to have always been my strongest productions (Hitty) since 2009. I originally produced hip/ hop and I still do. Head, Shoulders... was really a one-off in terms of funky production, although We’re Rolling... Ft. Wiley had funky elements, I couldn’t get to grips with making a funky track and being totally satisfied. Funky house is not dead, it’s gone back to where it belongs I guess, wherever that is...!

Tell us about your new single Dreams with Kelly Pepper.

It was produced by Hitty and it came about so quickly. As soon as it was played, Kelly clicked with it instantly, and started humming these beautiful melodies; kind of slurry/drowsy smooth dreamy melodies. We all put down our verses on the same day, so it was complete with n a couple hours.

What are some of your naughty dreams?

By the time the dream starts to get a bit naughty, you wake up! It’s so annoying, it never gets to the main event (laughs).

I’m trying to sugar coat this as much as possible!

What do you think of the current climate of UK music?

We’re seeing more and more UK and US collabs so that’s obviously a good thing. We don’t know where we will be placed, we just want to be respected as musicians who do their own writing, productions and recordings. We do everything ourselves.

What’s in the pipeline for you guys right now?

Album, mixtapes and loads of singles to come. When we got signed in 2009 we were going through a learning curve, so we were unaware of what this could bring for us. Now we’re more educated about the scene, our dreams have become more realistic and we can tell if we are going towards our goal. That said, a top ten for Dreams would be nice!

We hope it crosses over to the holiday islands too.

Dreams is out 4 March. Check @ kigfamily and @iamhitty @skitzkigfamily and @jackstackz

UNWIND

GADGETS | GAMES | FILMS | GIG GUIDE | ALBUMS

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THE BEST OF STAYING IN... AND GOING OUT...

GRAND SLAM TENNIS 2 easports.com/grandslamtennis2 Who remembers the film Wimbledon?

Pretty terrible, right? Anyway, it seems tennis can be more than just of the Virtua variety with the launch of EA’s emotionally charged, legend packed, tournament toting, HD rich, racquet waver. Looks good if you ask us.

M A L S Y A W A

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UNWIND GAMES

GAMES Every game should have a film spin off... [Has Doom flashback] Ok, maybe not every game.

PREVIEW

MONTHLY MUST PLAY / COMP!!!

Football Manager Handheld 2012 Sports Interactive/ SEGA iOS

Prototype 2 27/04/12 Activision PC, PS3, Xbox 360 Taking place 14 months after the original, this sequel sees players dropped back into New York City as it struggles to control the Blacklight virus. With new protagonist Sgt. James Heller, players now have more powers and abilities allowing for some new inventive ways of dispatching enemies. The graphics have been spruced up too making this open world game a joy to run about in. Out 27 April, this game will appeal to fans of the original as well as gamers who like to smash. (AP) 60 / RWDMAG.COM

As you know we’re constantly on our iPhones and what better way to spend that time then playing Football Manager Handheld™ 2012. The latest version not only boasts the latest squads and refreshed menus but scenarios/ challenges that will push the best wannabe ‘back of the bus’ managers amongst us to their limit; From saving a team from relegation, stabilising a side through an injury crisis to winning around a dressing room unhappy with your appointment... now for the good news... we’re GIVING IT AWAY!!!

That’s right, To celebrate the launch of Football Manager Handheld 2012 we’ve linked up with Sports Interactive and SEGA to offer one lucky reader a 32GB iPod Touch preloaded with Football Manager Handheld™ 2012.

Also available on the iPhone and iPad, this handheld version is better than ever. Allowing you to take control of the greatest job on earth wherever you are and whenever you want, you decide who plays and who sits on the bench (sorry Heskey). You’re in total control of tactics and substitutions as you follow the match live. YOU make the difference! This year, Football Manager Handheld™ 2012 has that longevity to keep the keen managers on their toes and the pickup-and-play power to keep you coming back for more.

To be in the running to win the preloaded 32GB iPod Touch visit Facebook.com/RWDmagfans.

For more on the game check out sigames.com or footballmanager.com

OUT THIS MONTH: Grand Slam Tennis 2 EA SPORTS PS3, Xbox 360 Apologies for mentioning the film Wimbledon on the intro page but it is the screen special after all. For those who want to get their own Grand Slam on, EA SPORTS’ Grand Slam Tennis 2 is the ace you’ve been waiting for. Allowing you to play the Australian Open, French Open, U.S. Open and exclusive to the game, Wimbledon, this is a welcome debut on the PS3 and 360.

Loving ‘Total Racquet Control’ that lets you control your shots to perfection.

20 PLACES TO PLAY PS VITA The PS Vita is finally here. As you can probably tell from @4been playing Uncharted Golden Abyss, F1 and Wipeout 2048 just about everywhere. Check the games blog on RWDmag.com to find out more.

Darkness II 2K Games PC, PS3, Xbox 360 Visually sick but captured our eyes and not our hearts.

F1 2011 PS Vita Codemasters PSV Developers Sumo Digital (makers of the F1 2009) and Codemasters Birmingham (2011) have joined forces to bring a perfectly tuned, perfectly portable and perfectly playable launch title for the PlayStation Vita. The ability to play a Grand Prix or do Time Trials on your favourite F1 courses are available at the press of a thumb as well as multiplayer and a Challenge mode that will leave even the biggest fans content.

Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D KonamiiOS 3DS 3DS We never get bored of saying, ‘Snake’s back’ and if you’re the same you’ll be pleased to know his latest venture is the seriously stealthy game DS owners have been waiting for. Although repetitive, predictable and shaky at times this title is fun, innovative and interesting to play. We loved using the camouflage photography system where you can take pics of your surroundings and place them on Snake... genius.

RWD TEMPLE RUN SCORES @TegoSigel: 9,209,080 (“That’s the bar, I’ve retired”) @Gr0gson: 4,836,414 @DannyWalker1: 2,359,404 @RalphHardy: 1,081,920 @HattieCollins: 578,181

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UNWIND WITH CONOR MAYNARD

Unwind With CONOR MAYNARD

After racking up nearly 50 million YouTube views covering a string of R&B/pop hits plus topping MTV’s Brand New list with 45% of the vote, 19 year-old Conor Maynard, backed by label EMI, is finally about to drop some original music on us. In his very first interview, Nardene Scott discovers it’s a lot edgier than you might expect.

For people that might not know too much about you introduce yourself?

I was acting when I was only 13, I was in Dream Team on Sky 1. I always sung but as I got older my voice broke and I had my own unique voice. The way that I came to where I am now is through YouTube...the whole internet phenomenon thing. I started doing covers of songs that I liked; Mario, Chris Brown, Usher, the main R&B artists at the time four years ago. O.M.G by Usher was the first one which got like 100,000 views. I actually had fans adding me on Facebook and it was really weird like I kept on asking people, ‘Do I know you...?’ People were waiting for another cover and I thought Beautiful Monster, and a million views secured the place on YouTube.

Cue Justin Bieber comparisons...

I already get that all the time. The way I see it is it can’t be a bad thing getting compared to one of the biggest stars in the world so regardless of what people think of him, to me it’s like ‘Wow this boy’s the biggest star in the world and they’re saying you’re like me’. I think with the music that I’m going to release, it’s kind of a surprise. It’s different to what people would expect. I have those acoustic tracks there but for what people are gonna hear first, it’s very hard hitting and something new and cool.

Who have you been working with then on this new sound?

I write a lot, but obviously if someone writes something I absolutely love it’s kind of cool to be able to say yeah. I do collaborate with other writers as well like The Invisible Men (Jessie J, Nicola Roberts)... I rarely ever sit there by myself and write, I feed off a vibe.

There’s obviously a big R&B influence 62 / RWDMAG.COM

“CONFESSIONS FROM USHER, THAT BROUGHT ME INTO THE R&B WORLD...I WAS THEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO GO OVER AND WORK WITH JERMAINE DUPRI IN ATLANTA.” too? How does a young guy from Brighton get so deep into that?

When I was younger my dad was kind of the one who listened to Michael Jackson a lot, Bobby Brown. When I was so little I didn’t even know what they were called I just knew the tracks on the CD like, No. 8! That’s literally how I got into all of the music that I listen to now. Confessions from Usher, that brought me into the R&B world without my dad having to press No. 8! I was then lucky enough to go over and work with Jermaine Dupri in Atlanta. I was in the same room that that album was recorded and written and it freaked me out, it was the same microphone, so that was cool.

What artists are you looking forward to seeing more of this year?

Rita Ora who I think is amazingly talented. We’ve actually been in the studio, which is really cool as well - there’s no way she can’t already be a star. She’s someone we should be looking out for this year.

Can’t Say No is 16 30 April. @conormaynard

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UNWIND FILMS

FILMS When we’re not watching the TV, we’re at the cinema (or playing FIFA until our eyes bleed)...

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Columbia Pictures Cert 12A Everyone’s favourite flaming head, Johnny Blaze aka Ghost Rider, aka Half decent Marvel franchise on rocky ground based on the first film, returns and once again it’s Nicolas Cage at the chain slinging helm. Luckily special effects have improved greatly since 2007 and visually this is a great improvement. Alongside his ally Moreau [played by good ol’ Idris Elba] this antihero is ready to take on Blackout, the Devil and just about anyone who gets in his way. A decent flick.

Contraband Columbia Pictures Cert 12A When Chris Farraday [Mark Wahlberg] finds himself out of the long, dedicated, time consuming hustle of being a smuggler to settle down with his wife and children, it’s not long before he’s out of the picket fence life when his brother-in-law gets himself in the deep end with the wrong drug-lords, headed by Giovanni Ribisi’s Tim Briggs (to be fair, any drug-lord would be the wrong drug-lord). Jumping back in the deep end heading to Panama to rectify the situation, plans are formulated and then...

Well, it’s a tale of ‘you’re not the only one with a gun’. With glimpses of Taken, the action filled storyline shall have you on edge from early. (RH) 64 / RWDMAG.COM

ADVANCE PREVIEW Streetdance 2 3D Vertigo Films Cert 15 It’s back and promising to be ‘bigger, better and bolder’ than May 2010’s original outing, so if you love all things boogie Streetdance 2 is coming to a big screen near you. With George ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Samson getting a lead role this time – returning as musical mover and cheeky faced ‘Eddie’ – alongside Falk Hentschel – who plays the energetic and enigmatic Ash – this will be an all-poppin, all-locking affair. Following ‘Ash’ and ‘Eddie’ across Europe as they mix with fiery Latin love interest ‘Eva’ to create a whole heap of salsa vs. Street shenanigans. Expect it to be light on story but big on spectacular dance moves, very big.

FINAL WORD ADAM DEACON

FINAL WORD: ADAM DEACON The Anuvahood star/director/ Hackney hero talks to Francesca Dunn about remaking Oliver and winning his BAFTA. images by Kieron Pharaoh

Which actors would you love to direct?

I’d like to work with the cast of This Is England – they’re great actors. But then, I like the challenge of finding new talent.

I used Twitter and Facebook to find kids for the smaller roles in Anuvahood.

What about remaking a film?

I love Babylon, an old film that was made and set around 1980 in London.

At the time it was very underground and controversial – based on the black community in London and how things were back then. It’s still very relevant and there are similarities to Kidulthood and Adulthood. I’d love to take something like that and give it my own touch. On a whole other level, Oliver would be amazing as well. I think I could do a mad little modern remix of that!

What would your dream role be?

I’m probably a bit too small for the part, but I’d obviously love to play Bond one day... or even a Bond villain.

You’ve just won the BAFTA’s Rising Star award. What does that mean to you?

It’s crazy! To be honest, I didn’t even think I’d be nominated. I’ve been acting for so long and I feel like I have a really 66 / RWDMAG.COM

good connection with the young people that have supported me. But at the same time, I never really felt that from the industry. Do you know what I mean?

It’s only RWD and a few other urban outlets that’s backed me. So to win a BAFTA is madness. It’s like acceptance.

It felt good to represent the underdog.

What about the competition in your category? What did you think?

When I first met them, I thought – we’re from different worlds. It was kind of clear at the press conference that there was a bit of a class thing going on. They wouldn’t give me as many interviews as the others, and there was one media outlet that was like “You’re not right for our audience.”

I was like “What do you mean I’m ‘not right’? Because I talk a certain way?” For them to put it so bluntly as well – I was a bit taken aback. I met Tom Hiddleston at the Esquire party the other night – and he’s cool man! What I realised is that even though there might be a class thing, we’re really not that far apart. He made a really good point, that yes, you don’t see me in those very RP English films, but at the same time you don’t see him in hood

films. He was saying that he’d love to play one of my parts, but he still has to prove himself as an actor, just as I do. So we’re both in the same place – we’re both trying to come out of our box, but we have to prove ourselves to different people.

Is there anyone you’ve got a crush on at the moment?

I’ve still got my crush on Beyoncé. She’s always done it for me!

In Payback Season, you play a successful footballer – would you rather win the World Cup or an Oscar?

Definitely an Oscar. I’m not that great at football in real life to be honest, so an Oscar would be amazing!

What’s the plan?

Obviously I hope to keep on acting. I’m writing another comedy at the moment - different to Anuvahood. It’s gonna be another mad film, and based around the music scene. I wanna take the audience that we had for Anuvahood, and take them on a bit of a journey. The character I wanna play is very different too. I’m looking forward to it.

Payback Season is in cinemas from 9 March 2012