Issue 141: November 2013 - Giggs

#141

cover GIGGS

RAP SCENE SAVIOUR NOV 13

steadily gaining respect from his US counterparts and injecting the UK rap scene with some well needed venom. Incoming producer and singer/songwriter Louis M^ttrs tells us why he’s #ReadyForAnything and Liam Tootill has gone full circle, from writing for RWD to being featured as a Duck and Cover ambassador.

Editor’s Letter We have been busy this month, like seriously hectic; of course you would know this if you managed to make it to any three of our events. We helped launch one of the most anticipated games, NBA 2K14; created our very own orchestra with a twist, inviting G FrSH and JIIK to provide their vibes too and ventured to Manchester to witness Supply & Demand winner RIO do his thing.

We’ve had our eye on ClothSurgeon for a while, so we finally took a trip to his studio for an insight into how his bespoke designs have appealed to everyone from GQ to A$AP Rocky. Add to that, our snapshot of the producers on the global scene, Master Shortie breaking down his pick of dating apps and US pop siren Tori Kelly blowing up and you’ll begin to understand just why we’ve been so busy.

Our boy Charlie Sloth hooked up with Mistajam as part of his #CaliforniaLove campaign too, to talk clubbin’ in Cali whilst house supremo Duke Dumont fills us in on his epic year. You just wait until next month…

Besides that, we met up with our old friend Giggs for our cover and discussed his journey to releasing When Will It Stop,

Contributors

RWD Team Editor Feature Writer Digital Editor Contributing Editor Contributors

@nardenescott @moorizzla @tegosigel @chantellefiddy Alex Johnson, Carly Wilford, Kieran Yates, Joseph “JP” Patterson,

Creative Director Designer Fashion Editor Stylists

@PXLpics Sam Hardy Sophie Robinson, Janine Jauvel, Violetta Thalia, Neesha Sharma Art Jaz, Funny Tummy, Jiro Bevis, David Flanagan, Lucas Jubb, Rachel Goslin, Matt Glasby Andres Reynega, James PH Response London, Adrian Nettleship, Jon Attenborurgh, Ravi Sidhu, Sam Bond, Pharaoh, Liam Ricketts Greg Bond, Felix Kemp

Illustrators

Photographers

Video Publisher Commercial Dir. Senior Sales Sales Exec.

Brand Relations Operations Thanks

Nigel Wells Paul LeFevre Matthew Richards Joe Waller Hattie Collins Martin Ferguson Bob Austin

Contact RWD RWD 4th Floor 60-62 Commercial Street Greater London E1 6LT Tel: 020 3176 4299 staff@RWDmag.com @RWDmag

Liam Ricketts

Greg Bond

Felix Kemp

In a word, I’m... normal You’ll normally find me... making pictures This issue… I photographed Giggs!

I’m all about... old BMW’s I’m so over... dunno mate Stalk me via... liamricketts.co.uk

In a word, I’m... turd You’ll normally find me... on Tinder This issue… have a tissue I’m all about... doubt I’m so over... the White Cliffs of Dover Stalk me via... @gregmbond

In a word, I’m... agreeable You’ll normally find me... filming for RWD and also losing my debit card This issue… I will hopefully find my debit card I’m all about... keeping hold of my debit card Stalk me via... @kemp1988

RWD Magazine is published monthly by Rewind Creative Media Ltd. All material copyright (c). All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of the publishers.

RWD Magazine: 25p where sold Disclaimer: While every effort is made to ensure the information in this magazine is correct, changes can occur which affect the accuracy of copy, for which RWD holds no responsibility. The opinions of the contributors do not necessarily bear a relation to those of RWD Magazine or it’s staff and we disclaims liability for those impressions.

Distributed nationally.

RWD is a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations

CONTENTS ISSUE #141 Features 40-43 44-45 46-49 50-51 52-53 54-56 58-61

Giggs #ReadyForAnything: Liam Tootill ClothSurgeon Duke Dumont Charlie Sloth Meets Mistajam Schoolboy Q Producer Spotlight: Bondax, Nez & Rio, Lil Silva, Breach, Balistiq, FTSE, Ryan Hemsworth 62 Rascals

Regulars 10 12-13 14-19 20-21

#WGAF @RWDmag Instagram Check-In Check Out #ReadyForAnything: Louis M^ttrs, Ben Pearce, Little Simz 22-23 About To Blow: Tori Kelly

Style Guide 25-39 Style: Step & Repeat

Unwind 61 62-63 64-65 66-67

NBA 2K14: In Review NBA 2K14: Launch Event B-Boy Championships Supply & Demand: Manchester Launch

INBOX / 12

#WGAF

Clara Amfo

As usual a lot of random stuff has gone down this month; some more interesting and unpredictable than others of course but we can’t just pretend it never happened at all…

Words Carly Wilford Walford Wally However you want to look at it, Eastenders has been twisting our perception of reality for years. A character dies and somehow rises from the ashes to end up back on our TV screens and now the news that Danny Dyer is going to be landing in the square! What does Dot think? And more importantly; is he going to be donning those Fila shorts from The Business?

Kanye Cray With the world taking to Google to find out who exactly Hedi Slimaine was, we all questioned why we hadn’t owned a pair of leather Fendi pants sooner whilst Kanye West went in. Taking over from Tom Cruise’s attempt to add ‘sofa-bouncing’ to the Olympics, his public honesty and indulgence in his empire got the whole world talking, and also lined Zane Lowe up as the next Parkinson.

Sports Banger Most people cringe at hearing celebrity, drug claims and The Sun all in the same sentence but Jon Wright, creator of Sports Banger has used the opportunity to launch an empire. After posting a pic on Twitter wearing a T-shirt saying ‘Free Tulisa’ he was instantly backed by the likes of Rizzle Kicks and Skream who are supporting the N-Dubz star leading up to her court date.

Grime Petition When Rinse FM gave Julie Adenuga a task as part of ‘Activist Week’, they got more than they bargained for. Julie decided to head up a petition to get a statue of Wiley erected on Roman Road, in Bow E3, picking up support from the world of music, as well as features on NME, FACT, Complex and The Guardian. Already Julie has collected over 4,000 names and had backing from Wiley obvs.

Win J. Cole Tickets If you haven’t already seen this producer slash rapper live, then here’s your chance to catch Jermaine Cole spit pure fire as we’re giving away two pairs of tickets to his third and final London date on 3 Dec and final Birmingham date on 8 Dec as part of his What Dreams May Come UK Tour. All you have to do is tweet your favourite J. Cole lyric to @RWDmag using #JColeRWD and we’ll pick out the winners. If you’re unlucky, then have no fear, tickets are still available via aeglive.co.uk for the rest of the tour hitting London 1-3 December, Leeds 5 December, Manchester 6 December and Glasgow 7 December with the final dates at Birmingham 8-9 December.

BBC Radio 1Xtra’s new girl on the block Clara Amfo talks late nights, early mornings and watching the sun come up…

What has been your craziest night out recently?

It has to be Deviation at Carnival, which is Benji B from Radio 1’s night.

We partied until four in the morning!

I just love the music and I think he’s a great DJ. I love his selection and he turns on my ears, as Deviation is always a good spread of every genre.

He pulled in the big guns, EZ, Rodigan and Semtex.

When was the last time you saw the sun come up?

During one of my final weeks at Kiss FM, I was doing early mornings there.

I may have had a night out that spilled into the early morning and went and did the show with no sleep.

Where had you been?

I had been at one of my best mates’ houses gossiping and we went out to a local bar and had a drink up. It was one of those bars that are family run and stay open all night. We left quite early and I went straight from the bar to the studio. It was all good as I didn’t swear and I didn’t turn off any buttons by accident.

What’s the most random thing you have ever woken up next to?

Now that would be telling! The funny thing is I am known for waking up in the most random places. I am quite a heavy sleeper and once my head hits the pillow, I’m out. I think I have fallen asleep in a launderette before with my head next to the machine vibrating, and I slept straight through it.

What is one thing you’ve had to give up doing the 1Xtra Breakfast show?

My Friday and Saturday nights are a bit restricted. If I go to a club, I have to leave by at least midnight or 1am because I have to get up at 4.45am on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s a bit brutal but I love my job.

Listen to @claraamfo every weekend between 7-10am on BBC Radio 1xtra

@RWDMAG INSTAGRAM / 14

CHECK-IN CHECK OUT / 16

CHECK -IN CHECK OUT Real Versus Fake That shy and retiring M.I.A has only gone and designed a capsule collection for Versace.

Check out… what M.I.A plans to drop the same day as her new album, Matangi. Collaborating with Versus Versace on a 19-piece unisex collection, MIA blends digital art with bold colours as an ode to the fakes she indulged in during her teens.

Go all out over on versusversace.com

Rise Up

Ready For Action

Link Up

Add a little retro touch to your feet this month

If you’re a gamer, December is pretty much an indoors affair

Time for another international hook up

Check out… how else Nike are planning to revolutionise the game this winter. Following the drop of their Tech Pack, the Nike Revolution introduces a retro silhouette with a safari print twist and primary colour palette.

Don’t mess around, just grab a pair from nike.com for £140

Check out… the brand spankers Sony PlayStation 4. This next gen console guarantees ultimate connectivity with integrated social capabilities, second screen abilities and of course fuses gaming with all of your other entertainment needs, it’s a one stop shop.

29 November uk.playstation.com

Check out… NYC’s Mishka as they team up with our very own Long Clothing for a typically dark collection of symbol heavy unisex tees, sweats, beanies and caps. Get involved in a bit of the horned skeletons and renown Mishka eyeball motifs whilst they’re still readily available.

Visit mishkanyc.com for yours

RWD Check-Ins

Stomping On ‘Em

Porky Times

These boots were made for swaggin’

Piggy, Piggy, Piggy, can’t you see…

Check out… Timberland’s 40th Anniversary limited edition collection. While taking cues from their archives, the iconic boot makers upgrade the classic 6” Yellow Boots with details like Vibram soles, PrimaLoft insulation and Gore-Tex fabric.

Cool, all over again.

Boots drop in the coming months see timberlandonline.co.uk

Check-in… to the latest drool worthy offering to hit London’s streets. Blackfoot – a restaurant specializing in all things pork opens this month in Exmouth Market. Serving up porchetta sandwiches, smoked slowroasted belly and pork tacos, we’re already in the queue.

Doors open mid November

The Legoman Show

With costume changes, on stage dancers, trippy visuals and money falling from the sky, it’s clear a lot of thought went into making G FrSH’s headline show one to remember. Plus Krept & Konan, Sincere, and Tinie Tempah joined in on the action. Sick.

iTunes Festival

It was a TDE takeover when we chose to head over to The Roundhouse.

Schoolboy Q’s debut London show impressed the crowd but we kind of wish it was somewhere grimy where him smoking on stage wouldn’t have seemed so odd. King Kendrick though? As polished a performance we’ve seen from him #control.

Law and Disorder Directing don Ridley Scott is back with another one Check out… Michael Fassbender crossing over to the darkside in upcoming flick, The Counsellor. Alongside Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt, Fassbender plays a lawyer who decides to make the switch from the right side of the law to drug trafficker, which obviously gets a little messy. Definitely worth a visit to the actual cinema.

The Counsellor is at cinemas nationwide from 15 November

Orchestral Mixtape Project

RWD do not mess around when it comes to events and blending the best in funky (Versatile) and hip hop (G FrSH) and grime (JIIK aka J2K) with a full orchestra, is yet another reason why we stand out amongst the others.

Already talks of a follow up event, you’ll have to watch the video to get an insight into what went down.

CHECK-IN CHECK OUT / 18

Made For It Are you all ready to ‘Meet Your MaKer’?

Check out… leather detailed varsity and bomber jackets and if you’re brave enough, unisex digital mirror print silk shirts in MaKers LDN second collection. We already told you about the talents of Melody Maker so we suggest you jump on board early.

Check out Makersldn.com

Cold World The Hundreds deliver future classics this winter Check out… The Hundreds winter collection full of shirts, jackets and sweaters in a muted colour palette - that somehow reminds us of Jagermeister - of khaki, blues and black with the odd touch of camo here and there. Get your layers up.

No doubt thehundreds.com is going to see a lot of action

Era to Era

iPad DJ

Sole Power

Let your head do the talking

Mix and Play on the go

Check out… the leather, quilted, printed, plaid and embellished caps on offer from head top specialists New Era this winter.

Whether you’re into devilish eye motifs, Aztec prints or pom pom adorned beanies, there are more than enough ways to keep your head warm. neweracap.co.uk has everything you need

Supra head down the unconventional route

Check out… the most accessible DJ decks. The M1X-DJ, created in collaboration with DJ Armin vaan Buuren, links an iPad with the djay 2 app to allow mixing on the go.

Complete with cross faders plus 80W of power from its speakers, it’s Bluetooth enabled, meaning you can connect it to anything.

The Philips M1X-DJ hits select retailers in November

Check out… the rugged Supra Skytop IV. Borrowing from the Supra Skytop silhouette, the IV designed with the help of skateboarder Chad Muska has futuristic additions like the seethrough sole and textured panels, plus the bright red finish, (for the shy ones, black is also an option).

Step into the future for £155

CHECK-IN CHECK OUT / 20

Pro wears White Honey Badger Tee jdsports.co.uk

TEST TO IMPRESS: DATING APPS

Most of us already have our smart phones pretty much super glued to our palms, smart phones have taken over the world and our lives, most recently helping (or hindering?) our chances at finding love. It was obviously only a matter of time before we surrendered our love lives to the ever-powerful App Store, too. Fresh back on the scene our old friend Master Shortie does his best to sort the good from the bad and the ugly as he puts dating apps to the test.

Words Alya Mooro Photographer Liam Rickets

Musical Matters Ahead of the release of his Nobody Taught Me EP, Master Shortie talks inspiration, growth and success with Alya Mooro.

Ok Cupid

Bang With Friends

Bangability: Hollabacks: Useability:

Bangability: Hollabacks: Useability:

Boasting upward of 3.5 million users, members can communicate with others via private messages or an instant messaging chat function.

The creators of BangWithFriends are uni students, or “badass dudes happy to play wingman.”

Trawl through your facebook friends, selecting the most bangable and you’re both notified of the mutual interest.

“This is one of the sites that makes you jump through so many hoops before actually being able to use it. It also appears on your Facebook and stuff which is sometimes a bit awkward.”

“It’s all linked to your Facebook friends, and, obviously, I’ve got hot Facebook friends, but it’s kind of awkward, it just seems a bit desperate really.”

“People have always said my personality and story needs to be more present in my music, so, here it is.”

What’s the inspiration behind Nobody Taught Me? I wanted to make the introduction record that I should have made prior to A.D.H.D. I’ve had two years of trials and tribulations and have been inspired by people all over the world.

People have always said my personality and story needs to be more present in my music, so, here it is.

Plenty Of Fish

Bangability: Hollabacks: Useability:

Bangability: Hollabacks: Useability:

Designed for the more casual romantic encounters, Tinder uses Facebook profiles to link potentially compatible matches in the vicinity.

The online dating site launched an app for iPhone and Android in 2010. 70% of its upward of 40,000,000 users now log-in on their mobiles. It’s estimated over one million babies have been born as a result of the site.

“I was on tour in Arizona a few months ago and first tried out Tinder. It was great in terms of finding people you wanted to speak to near where you are, but it was just so slow! By the time you got engaged in a conversation, I was already onto the next place.”

“There are so many girls in this world, and as the name of the app suggests, loads of them are on this site. It’s so easy to use.”

What are you most excited about people hearing?

I’m excited for people to hear my track with Skepta, it’s special; we were able to play with an old skool Memphis trap beat but still remain very British.

Photography Ravi Sidhu

Tinder

How do you feel your sound has developed recently?

I’ve put a lot more hours into mastering my craft. I am now comfortable within my own skin musically. I have a more distinct sound and energy on tracks... I’ve also sung a lot more.

What’s your definition of success?

This changes all the time depending on my surroundings. The long term goal is definitely just be happy, but I want to have shaken up pop culture and created a tribe that was able to play a big part in influencing my generation. Some may think I’m crazy but I have very big dreams.

Keep a look out for @mastershortie

#READYFORANYTHING / 22

Louis M^ttrs When Chase and Status come across newcomers, it’s never normally by chance and Louis M^ttrs is no exception. Nardene Scott recalls how the Brighton uni dropout and secret former footballer has sung, rapped, performed and produced his way into the limelight this year.

“My first show was at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in front of 10,000 people and [Chase and Status] were just like ‘Yo Louis, bam, get on the stage and f**king sing,’” the all black everything artist remembers of his hectic summer. These are no exaggerations either, Louis had literally never sung in front of anyone – talk about deep end - his fifth show was headlining the Other Stage at Glastonbury. Who knew a song he wrote and recorded on his piano at home in his bedroom would land in Saul’s hands and become Lost and Found, the lead single to Brand New Machine, Chase and Status’ third album.

“My first show was at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in front of 10,000 people and [Chase and Status] were just like ‘Yo Louis, bam, get on the stage and f**king sing,’” “I started off producing when I was like 16 because my dad is a musician, he introduced me to Pro Tools to make beats and I didn’t really think anything of it,” RWD finds out. As well as top secret work with artists, Sinead Harnett and good friend Elli Ingram are lined up for tracks from the former Brighton & Hove football player, who’s not really into writing to his own beats once he’s slaved away at them.

Although Louis M^ttrs prefers the pub to 36 hour shifts in the studio like the MTA head honchos, (“f**k that, sleeping on the floor and sh*t”); plus is notorious for not finishing things, his recently released Beachy Head EP is just a taster of what the Brightonian has to offer. “I hope people understand my storytelling and really listen to the lyrics because a lot of our generation are just a sucker for a good hook,” he says of the hometown inspired tracks.

The lead single War With Heaven is deep in all aspects, from the songwriting to the visuals, “its just mind blowing,” the newfound singer states of the Josh Cole directed video. Lining up on the EP alongside young guns Felix Joseph and Elli Ingram is heavy hitter Paul Epworth [Adele, Plan B], as the capped one switches from “half rap to almost singing like Andre 3000,“ throughout the four-track release. More interested in the Majestic Casuals YouTube channel and his own stories and imagery than other commercial musical forces doing the rounds, expect Louis’ music to stay unique in just about every way, future bangers on the way.

Beachy Head EP is out now @LouisMattrs

Ben Pearce “That ambient noise in [What I Might Do] is from a poem about cats I found on my laptop,” the Manchester DJ and producer tells us of last year’s breakout hit. The deep house track has been re-released via Chase & Status’ MTA label alongside a huge national TV sync. Only three years into dabbling with production, Ben also runs his own label and agency Purp Soul, as well as a decent DJ schedule and feeling forever pressured to beat his previous hit. “[Producing] came naturally, I immersed myself in the scene, as a DJ you want to play your own tracks to distinguish yourself”.

The now versatile producer is learning on the job and with key collaborations confirmed, expect the unexpected from this northerner. @BenPurpSoul

Little Simz

Tweet To Win! Duck And Cover’s directional take on trend-led menswear always keeps us one step ahead. RWD and Duck And Cover partner up to champion the hottest emerging talent and this month, we’ve met Louis M^ttrs, Little Simz and Ben Pearce who are all #ReadyForAnything. As always, we’re here to make sure your style is on point and are giving away this directional shawl collared knitted jacket in navy, olive or grey.

Get involved in this months competition by heading to Twitter using #ReadyForAnything @RWDmag @duckandcover_

19-year-old femcee Little Simz has seemingly burst onto the scene as of late with her phenomenally wellreceived Blank Canvas mixtape, but it’s been a long time coming for the north London artist. The main objective behind the offering, her fourth (!) was to “break barriers of being good just because I’m a ‘female rapper,” she proudly boasts. Working closely with production duo Balistiq, Simz, who is currently learning how to play the piano and guitar, is on an aspirational tip: “If people could take one thing from my music I’d want it to be them understanding they have the power to do ANYTHING,” she says. “It’s humbling to know I’m a tiny piece of this earth, yet people want to hear what I have to say.” @LittleSimz

ABOUT TO BLOW / 24

About To Blow: Tori Kelly RWD has a chat with the name on everyone’s lips, Tori Kelly, to find out about the ascent that took a three year old, Elmo assisted, wanna-be singer to a YouTube phenomenon managed

by Justin Bieber’s right hand man and sought after by the likes of Pharrell.

“Sometimes all you want to hear is that there are more people out there who feel the same way that you do,” says 20-year-old Tori Kelly on the inspiration behind her recently released sophomore EP. Having burst onto the scene with YouTube covers of popular tracks like Frank Ocean’s Thinking About You and JT’s Suit and Tie, which have garnered 48 million views to date, not to mention her stint on American Idol and her win on America’s Most Talented Kids, the success has been a long time coming.

“If you listen to my music you’re going to hear honest songs... [someone who’s] not trying to put up any sort of front or gimmick.”

“There are some home videos of me singing around the house still in diapers,” she reminisces.

“There was never a plan B,” and evidently thus far, she’s never needed one. The Breaking Bad fanatic has already been in the studio with Pharrell and homegrown talent Ed Sheeran. “If there’s such a thing as being too focused, it’s probably me, and then all these things like the Billboard [21 under 21 list] happen and I’m just really surprised because I’m just in my own head, writing these songs, then these crazy things start happening.”

Now managed by Scooter Braun [Justin Bieber], Kelly has released Foreword, describing it as an “intro to something else that’s about to come, hopefully an album very soon… it kind of feels like an introduction to something new in my life.”

The five-track offering further showcases her vocal prowess, as well as the honesty she is becoming so well known and loved for. “I’ve put a lot of my heart and soul into these songs,” she reveals. “Any subject that’s a little bit darker and more personal, when I’m writing it, I’m kind of like ‘Do I really want to be this personal? Do I really want to give all these things away?’ But that’s one of my favourite parts of songwriting.”

“With this EP, every single song is going to be something that someone can relate to,” she adds, “if you listen to my music you’re going to hear honest songs... [someone who’s] not trying to put up any sort of front or gimmick and singing with their soul.”

The Foreword EP is out now @ToriKelly

STYLE

STEP & REPEAT

Aigle parka coat aigle.com Rains hooded mac rains.dk Original Penguin orange T-shirt originalpenguin.co.uk Samsoe & Samsoe skinny black jeans samsoe.com Hudson leather desert boot hudsonshoes.com

Photography Jon Attenborough Photography Assistant Tom North Stylist Sophie Robinson Styling Asst. Chris McGovern Grooming Charlotte Gaskell Model Kia @supamodelmanagment.com

A.M. SNIPER / 28

Above: Addict orange shearling hooded parka addict.co.uk Minimum stripe knit jumper minimum.dk Minimum orange flannel shirt minimum.dk Bucks distressed denim jeans asos.com

Opposite: Katie Eary orange neoprene leopard jacket Katieeary.co.uk Samsoe & Samsoe black waffle knit jacket samsoe.com Oliver Spencer orange loop knit T-shirt oliverspencer.com Trukfit orange twill jeans trukfit.com Nike Air Max 90s jdsports.co.uk

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Opposite: Crew navy twill mac crewclothing.co.uk Minimum washed denim shirt minimum.dk Samsoe & Samsoe wool blue blazer samsoe.com Anthony Morato blue chino trousers Anatomic blue suede brogues anatomicshoes.com

Above: Supply & Demand navy twill shirt jdsports.co.uk Duck and Cover fairisle jumper duckandcover.co.uk Henri Lloyd quilted jacket henrilloyd.co.uk

A.M. SNIPER / 32

Above: Mishka paisley print green shirt mishkanyc.com adidas x Jeremy Scott Op Art top adidas.co.uk Nike Osaka navy gilet jdsports.co.uk Levi’s black straight denim jeans levis.com

Opposite: PXL aztec T-shirt pxlclothing.com Oliver Spencer waffle knit trousers oliverspencer.com Fred Perry navy parka scottsmenswear.com Palladium blanc hi black boots palladiumboots.com New Era bobble hat neweracap.co.uk

A.M. SNIPER / 34

Above: Le Coq Sportif camo print hoody lecoqsportif.com Weekend Offender khaki green parka weekendoffender.com G-Star drop crotch jeans g-star.com

Opposite: Nike camo varsity jacket nike.com Element camo print twill shirt elementbrand.com Dirty Laundry skull crown T-shirt scottsmenswear.com New Era bobble hat newearcap.co.uk

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style

Nike Tech Pack tracksuit bottoms Nike.com New Love Club palm print T-shirt newloveclub.co.uk Beck & Hersey Fresh Prince T-shirt jdsports.co.uk adidas reversible tracksuit jacket adidas.co.uk New Era satin snapback neweracap.co.uk

e

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Opposite: Luke leopard print T-shirt luke1977.com Katie Eary lobster print shirt katieeary.co.uk Luke quilted grey hoodie luke1977.com Puma x Honey Badger sweat shorts puma.com Puma jersey tracksuit bottoms puma.com

Above: Levi’s denim black jeans levis.com Voi black padded gilet scottsmeswear.com Sonneti black waxed mac jdsports.co.uk Samsoe & Samsoe graphic print shirt samsoe.com

A.M. SNIPER / 40

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Opposite: DOPE graphic print sweatshirt dope.com adidas mono print tracksuit jacket adidas.co.uk adidas mono print tracksuit bottoms adidas.co.uk Luke nylon sleeve waxed hoodie luke1977.com New Era White Sox snapback neweracap.co.uk

GIGGS / 42

UPPING THE LEVELS Nathaniel Thompson aka Giggs has long been the UK’s realest rapper. Being pushed into the limelight for all the wrong reasons, When Will It Stop marks a new era for the Peckham spitter; despite being held up somewhat - awaiting trial for which he was acquitted of all charges - this album easily stands amongst the huge hip hop releases of 2013. Nardene Scott finds out how the bible has given him a new perspective on life, his feelings towards being considered a role model, and the steps it has taken to prove his worth stateside.

Photography Liam Rickets Styling Sophie Robinson Grooming Naiyana Garth

“That was a big deal man, obviously some things I don’t want to talk about but it helped me put a lot of things into perspective. A lot of the time, a lot of the things that you’re going through, the answer is right there in The Bible.”

How have you approached this album mentally and musically considering the time it’s taken to get it finished due to circumstances?

I didn’t really approach it in a different way to any other album or project I’ve ever done. Every project that I do is just about man attacking, so in that sense, things are still the same but obviously I had like ¾ of it done before I went jail and then when I come out, obviously I had different things to say. So, I just got rid of a couple of songs, not saying they were sh*t or anything because most of them were what I was spittin’ on in Fire In The Booth. The journey changed, I was doing my thing and then next minute I was f**king sweeping a landing. I remember when I was actually sweeping and mopping and I was like, ‘How the f… did I get in this situation.’

You’ve mentioned reading The Bible helped too?

That was a big deal man, obviously some things I don’t want to talk about but it helped me put a lot of things into perspective. A lot of the time, a lot of the things that you’re going through, the answer is right there in The Bible. So I was reading it a little more in-depth and it helped me just be a lot more positive. I just look at things different and I’m more grateful.

I always used to think like, ‘Why can’t I have this or that? I work harder than these artists and they always get more exposure than me and I’m an artist, I’m not a f**king criminal, but I can’t get my song playlisted’.

Just silly sh*t, I was always watching but I wasn’t watching what I had so when I was reading that, it just broke it down for me… Look at what you got, you’re always asking for what else you can get. >

Giggs wears PXL snapback and raglan crewneck

GIGGS / 44 Giggs wears Supply & Demand T-shirt and Fire varsity available at jdsports. co.uk, Edwin jeans, Nike Air Max Camo Collection

“See, when you’re rapping about what you’ve been through in your hood and your experiences in life with so much passion the way I am, you know this brudda is telling the truth, it’s not a thing as in he’s a good rapper, it’s like nah this brudda is upset, this is pain.” < You’ve got a solid fan base as well, do you understand how some people could see you as a role model?

I can see why, like when people tweet and say, ‘Your music helped me through a lot of sh*t, so I understand it but I always try and explain, I’m just like everyone else trying to do my thing. I always explain to anyone, just do your thing because they make it out like you can only do certain things in life but you can’t, you can do whatever the fuck you want, so I’m not even trying to be a role model, I’m just trying to crack on and stay off the streets.

Did you keep an eye on what else was going on in the UK music scene because things seemed a bit stagnant? Does that add any pressure considering your latest release?

It looked proper dead from where I was.

Obviously I had that Flava channel and they were just mostly playing pop but when I left, it was kind of dead anyway. I don’t really feel pressure because I love making music. I actually enjoy it, so as long as I enjoy making music, then I’ll be sweet because I’m a proper fan of music. People say, ‘Oh you listen to your own music’ but I love good music, so why wouldn’t I listen to my own sh*t? If I can’t listen to it, then why would I expect others to listen to it? Plus the mandem that I’m around are the most honest bruddas like especially my brother YG. I’m a proper perfectionist, I’m even a critic as well, like I’ll have a song that everyone thinks is a banger and I’ll be like ‘Nah scrap it, scrap it’ and this is after mad hours in the studio. We proper take music seriously but enjoy it at the same time.

The Mark Ronson produced Is It Gangsta (Yes, Yes, Yes) seemed like a slightly different approach even down to the visuals?

I didn’t really look at it like that but from outside I can see how it looks. I just do what feels right and that’s how I approach everything, so whatever pops into my head, I’ll just try and execute it.

Then moving onto Breathe, tell us about how you were feeling when you laid that track down in the studio?

I’m sure I was pi**ed off. A lot of the time it’s not really how I’m thinking at the time, it’s just when the beat comes on and

Breathe has got that kind of painful feeling to it. When I hear a beat like that, it will just bring the pain out of me and it will put me in that mood to attack it.

Both Anthony Hamilton and Styles P feature on When Will It Stop alongside J.U.S.T.I.C.E League and you’ve worked with other American artists and producers in the past, is it hard to get taken seriously as a UK rapper in the US? It’s because there’s a lot of bullsh*t, so you can’t even blame them. Even when I go over there a lot, or more when I used to, there was no respect. One time I was in America and I linked Jay Brown (Roc Nation), he took me to a studio and bounced and the producer is looking at me thinking, ‘Why are you wasting my time?’ He’s showing me bare joke tings beats and I’m fussy when it comes to beats, I want that crack. His bredrin is like, ‘show him this beat’ and he looks back at him like, ‘why you baiting this up?’

Afterwards, he’s making something up on the spot, I’ve gone outside to smoke and he’s gone, ‘Oh we’ve got another session.’

I knew what it was all about, so I left. The next day Jay Brown has gone straight back to them proper gassing and then the same guy mentioned the same beat again.

He puts is it on and I was thinking I can’t f**k this up, you wanted the crack, now you’ve got to represent. The producers all walked out of the room, so I’ve gone, “It’s about to get gritty on a late night, I’m about to get dizzy on the stateside...” By the time I got to the hook the producer had come back in and he’s nodding and skanking. You see the beginning of Take Your Hats Off that was the beat, it was called Love and Anger. When you’re rapping about what you’ve been through in your hood and your experiences in life with so much passion, the way I am, you know this brudda is telling the truth. It’s not a thing as in he’s a good rapper, this brudda is upset, this is pain! I’ve been through that a lot in America. Now a lot of people know that Giggs does his thing.

Like Anthony Hamilton, you don’t even hear about him on US rappers’ tunes, so that just speaks for itself.

When Will It Stop is out now @OfficialGiggs

LIAM TOOTILL / 46

ANYTHING IS

POSSIBLE

Carving out his own niche in the music industry of a consultant, journalist, video producer and Director of SBTV, it’s no wonder why Duck and Cover attribute their #ReadyForAnything badge to Liam Tootill.

RWD speaks to our former colleague about his ongoing travels to the top and the continual need to grow and learn more within the UK’s ever-evolving music scene.

“Whilst I was studying music at university, I found the discipline of ethnomusicology - so how music and culture co-exist – and I wanted to apply the methods to the UK grime scene,” Liam tells us from the Odd Child Recordings courtyard, where his job as consultant for SyCo is just one of the many roles. It wasn’t long before a hands on Wigan lad was messaging a YouTube teen Jamal Edwards for more insight into the grime scene, striking up a friendship and working relationship, what was research for his MA, turned into sending emails on SB’s behalf, writing blogs and producing and directing branded content for the YouTube channel.

“I constantly looked back at SBTV and I felt like there was just masses of potential, university gives you more than academic skills, it gives you people skills, responsibility but more than anything, it can make you more receptive to things.” Following stints at our very own HQ on the editorial team and i-D, who flew Tootill out to New York for a Nike

campaign, which saw his images and text printed in the infamous style mag; all knowledge fed back into his growing role at SBTV. A fundamental figure with the online broadcaster working on commercial projects just ten months in for the likes of adidas, NSPCC/Childline, Outlook and Wireless festivals, Nandos and Channel 4, the long term Labrinth supporter was also putting his own skills to good use outside of SBTV. “I’ve interviewed Pharell, put questions to Snoop, even as far as being employed

by Syco as a consultant, which I got from working with Cher Lloyd.” It’s clear every opportunity is seized by the savvy one who amongst his proudest moments, his eyes fully dilate when he remembers, getting the chance to play fooball at Wembley in association with Umbro.

But what does he think attracted trend led outfitters Duck and Cover to approach him to become an ambassador? “Earlier this year I was in LA and Buenos Aries for innovation forums to

“Earlier this year I was in LA and Buenos Aries for innovation forums to brainstorm ideas for brands like Cadbury’s and Trident Gum. I’ve played so many different roles not just at SBTV… in my consultancy role and freelance roles, I think it just made sense [to become a #ReadyForAnything ambassador].”

brainstorm ideas for brands like Cadbury’s and Trident gum. I’ve played so many different roles not just at SBTV… in my consultancy role and freelance roles, I think it just made sense.”

Known for motivational speaking (amongst the rest) what knowledge can the twenty-something all rounder pass on to the younger generation, “I think young people should definitely aspire to be their own boss and see what isn’t there and try and fill the gap, using their out of the box thinking.”

Looking forward to the future, according to Liam, the achievements are endless. “I still feel like I’m developing as a person with his own tools and skillset, so because I feel like a person in development, then I never want to be too closed with what I’m gonna say is my potential. It feels mad but I still feel like I’m learning”.

Read more about @LiamTootill on his #ReadyForAnything blog at duckandcover.co.uk

CLOTHSURGEON / 48

CUTTING EDGE Just ten months into trading, ClothSurgeon - named so due to Rav Matahru’s scalpel cutting ways - has already built up an impressive clientele. Linking the bespoke end of things with streetwear allows ClothSurgeon to provide quality timeless pieces that the likes of A$AP Rocky and Tinie Tempah can’t seem to get enough of, even King Kendrick has to make an appointment!

Words Nardene Scott Photography Pharaoh

How and why did Cloth Surgeon begin and did you expect it to grow to the level it has over the past few years?

The name came while I was at college studying fashion a few years back, I would always cut my pattern pieces with a scalpel, and my tutor said ‘You’re like a surgeon!’ So the name was born and ClothSurgeon began trading 10 months ago. I needed a new lease of life design-wise; I wanted to create my own vision and brand and thought it was time, so I ventured out on my own. I didn’t know what to expect, I just aimed to release products I believed in and was 100% happy with.

Considering you’re a fairly new brand, what would you say is the hardest part of your role?

Well I pretty much do everything from pattern cutting to post, it’s just me and now my wife Parv has come on board to help. It has been really hard work, but most things worth having you have to work hard for. Having a small team helps me keep control on everything, but the business is growing so will need to expand.

Can you remember where your first experience of pattern cutting or designing came from?

I would always sit and design or draw from a young age but the earliest recollection of me being serious about design was about eight when I drew a trainer. It had a Swoosh, air bubble from Nike, Torsion bar from adidas, Hexalite and Pump from Reebok, I pleaded with my mum to send it to Nike. Luckily my designs today are somewhat more refined! Pattern cutting, I remember watching Jason and the Argonauts (1963) while my family

was watching, I ran upstairs and created a toga imitating Jason, cutting up one of my mum’s dresses. I must have been about seven; it was a very masculine Toga (laughs).

What is the ethos behind ClothSurgeon and how do you think you’ve grown as a brand since you first begun?

The brands ethos is heavily based on quality.

Understanding each process of making a garment I feel is very important, and integral to what you produce. The growth itself has been very organic nothing has been forced.

What difference do you think the celebrity endorsements have made to the popularity of your brand on a whole and which acts/celebs in particular have been great to work with?

The acts/celebs have projected what I do to a worldwide audience, its been great working with all of them; the same applies to all customers/ clients, as they have their own ideas, some more decisive than others. With the unlimited options it’s sometimes quite hard to make a decision.

That’s where I can evolve the client’s/customer’s initial idea and develop it into something unique and personal, to the customer’s fit, details, and fabric choices.

You seem to perfectly align yourself with both the streetwear and high end world. How difficult has that been and do you feel this is the way streetwear is heading, into a more bespoke area, using luxury fabrics and limited edition lines, etc.

I suppose I like to generically modify the >

â&#x20AC;&#x153;[When I was eight] I drew a trainer. It had a Swoosh air bubble from Nike, Torsion bar from adidas, Hexalite and Pump from Reebok, I pleaded with my mum to send it to Nike. Luckily my designs today are somewhat more refined!â&#x20AC;?

CLOTHSURGEON / 50

< men’s wardrobe, taking classic shapes and silhouettes and adding a ClothSurgeon touch, may it be through fabric, fit or details. I feel streetwear is at a luxury comfort level right now.

What is it about your brand ClothSurgeon that you think attracts the high end customers that it does?

I think people can see the quality and hopefully the passion I have and put into my work which attracts a customer that desires a highly considered quality product.

What can we look forward to this season from ClothSurgeon?

I will introduce more tailoring and a more grown feel to the collection, continuing the use of luxurious fabrics and classic streetwear staples. The initial inspiration is from the movie New Jack City, my muse being Nino Brown [Wesley Snipes]. Early 90s is an era I am still obsessed with.

What is your style tip for the AW13 season?

Spend a bit more and buy quality timeless pieces.

What advice would you give to other people trying to build a brand here in the UK? Build a brand that stands for something. Have a brand philosophy and educate yourself in all fields of fashion before you start a brand, just to make a quick buck.

What has been the most surprising thing that you’ve picked up whilst working in the UK fashion industry?

I guess it’s been quite surprising and overwhelming how the brand can be known worldwide in such a short space of time.

Over the next few years, where do you see ClothSurgeon heading and would you collaborate with any other brands and/or artists?

I hope to continue working with artists and developing great relationships, there are a number of collaborations I would like to do, but building the brand alone is the most important thing.

What has been your proudest moment so far in your career?

I have had some incredible people visit and reach out to me, who are in design, that appreciate what I am doing. This makes me extremely proud, happy and content to get recognition from people who I respect within the industry.

Keep informed on what’s new with @clothsurgeon and make an appointment for something bespoke via clothsurgeon.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Build a brand that stands for something. Have a brand philosophy and educate yourself in all fields of fashion before you start a brand, just to make a quick buck.â&#x20AC;?

DUKE DUMONT / 52 Duke Dumont wears Lacoste Hawkline trainers - exclusive to jdsports.co.uk/lacoste

GRAND DUKE With his Number 1 Need U (100%), hard working house music veteran Duke Dumont has helped bring real house music to the masses. We catch up with the currently countryside dwelling producer to get an insight into his forthcoming album, the legacy of Lacoste and his process of making music.

Photography Jon Attenborough

What is your creative process?

On the production side there is a slight method to what I do. If you’re making club music, one of the most important elements is that it has really good low end to it and by low end, I mean bass and just the way it can make people move. With house music, it has to have its own groove and feel to it. To me the best sounding house records are the ones that are six minutes of the same loop over and over.

When I make music I try to spend a lot of time just listening to that same loop and if I’m not cutting my wrists after an hour, then I know it’s going to sound okay. But you have to have a good pallet of sounds.

The one thing I have done for 10 to 15 years is build a sample collection of different drum sounds and synths that I’ve recorded, I just tap into that and build something up. I usually operate in a studio near my house but when I’m on the go, I use a laptop.

What do you think is behind the success of Need U (100%)?

When it started, I was making a series of EPs called Play Only, so every day I was trying to record as many ideas and as many demos and ended up making the instrumental to Need U (100%); it was an eight minute house track. I knew, heart of hearts, that it could possibly cross over into the mainstream if I got a good vocal on there and structured it in a certain way. Before that was done, there were certain acts like Rudimental and Disclosure getting a lot of airplay and I think it really helped to change the year of radio. I think if it wasn’t for Disclosure, to a degree, it might have been a little harder to get airplay. So the timing of it was really spot on. We recorded the vocal with A*M*E and there are two or three hooks in the song; once I got it back the whole pop formula was already there. Then it was a case of working with the label who did an amazing job and that resulted in getting a UK No. 1 for two weeks. It

“[A UK No. 1] was completely new territory for me, it was scary but I appreciate everything it has bought me and I’m working hard to keep the plate spinning.” was completely new territory for me, it was scary but I appreciate everything it has bought me and I’m working hard to keep the plate spinning and making good music, so hopefully this time next year I’ll have two songs in the Top 40.

You’re wearing the JD exclusive white croc Lacoste Hawkline trainers, what do you think about Lacoste as a brand?

I like Lacoste, it’s on the smarter side of casual. Within the fraternity of producers, I don’t know one who doesn’t have a Lacoste T-shirt. There have been a lot of things I’ve been asked to pose with or wear and I won’t because I wouldn’t wear it in everyday life. With Lacoste, it’s a very natural thing and I don’t feel like I’m faking it. I’m liking these Hawkline trainers, they’re cool, clean and casual.

How would you say your personal style has changed over the years?

The more notoriety you get, you start paying more attention, especially if there is a camera crew on you, but I think it’s an age thing as well. I think the more your looks go, the better your dress code gets. As an artist nothing has really changed. When I’m DJing I’ll still throw on a T-shirt. I think the best musical crowds you can play to are the ones where people don’t really care. It’s girls in jeans and T-shirts, that are dressed to sweat and don’t really care what they look like, just as long as they are having a good time.

Catch @DukeDumont on tour with Annie Mac in November. Watch the in-studio video with Duke at rwdmag.com now

MISTAJAM / 54

CHARLIE SLOTH MEETS

MISTAJAM

This month Charlie Sloth hooks up with his BBC Radio DJ mate Mistajam to discuss West Coast legends, crazy and not so crazy Californian ravers, the recent ‘radio wars’, plus upcoming plans for his successful venture Speakerbox. Whilst the Midlander stays seriously secretive about his producer guise.

Photography Sam Bond

Mistajam wears K-Swiss Classics

Which artists would you say have inspired you most from the West Coast?

Probably Snoop Dogg and I’m not just saying that because I’ve worked with him before! It was an honour supporting him on his UK Arena tour in 2011 and doing the Throw Your Dubs Up mixtape with him because I’ve grown up listening to his music and he was one of the first rappers to make such an impact on me. I remember listening to Doggystyle on the bus going to Primary School.

“They’ve only just got club and festival culture [in the US]; we’ve had it in the UK for generations; so there were some people going ridiculously crazy while others didn’t quite know what to do.”

What would you say are the differences between a Cali crowd and a UK crowd?

The music scenes are a little more fragmented over there. I played in California a couple of years ago as part of my US tour at an EDM festival called Beyond Wonderland and it was a real eye opener. They’ve only just got club and festival culture over in the states; we’ve had it in the UK for generations; so there were some people going ridiculously crazy while others didn’t quite know what to do. With the urban crowd, as the USA is the home of hip hop and R&B, those kind of clubs are the kind you see in the music videos, lots of ballers ‘in the clurb poppin’ bottles of bub!’

It’s common for US artists to want to jump on grime and dubstep and even house tracks now, but who would you want to see from the US linking up with a producer from the UK? There’s already plenty of them – from Kanye on Hudson Mohawke beats to James Blake working with Chance The Rapper to Chase and Status getting Pusha T on their album – not forgetting our own ex-pats Dready and Alex Da Kid working with Dr Dre & Busta Rhymes respectively.

However I think the Holy Grail is Jay Z. He rhymed on Pow back in the day at his concert, so he knows what to do with one of our kind of beats. I would love to see that happen!

Obviously you’re a great DJ but there’s also a producer guise you wear from time to time, what’s coming up next?

That’s all pretty much under wraps at the moment. I’ll put some stuff out when it’s ready.

With recent changes and added competition in national radio, what is it that you think makes Radio 1 and 1Xtra stay on top of its game?

I don’t know really. It could be the consistent commitment to specialist music during prime time that no major commercial stations could even consider doing because their output is so much dictated by advertisers.

Commercial stations only ‘play the hits’ and tend to push their specialist shows to graveyard shifts; BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra make the hits and are instrumental in building careers.

It could be because all of the broadcasters who work there are at the top of their game and constantly striving to be better – and that’s not to say DJs who work at other stations aren’t great broadcasters because a lot of them are. I just find that on the whole the broadcasters at Radio 1 and 1Xtra are across the board consistently good. It could be that Radio 1 and 1Xtra consistently creatively innovate at a time when the commercial sector prefer to duplicate. Truth is, it’s probably all of those factors and more!

What’s coming up next for Speakerbox after your summer residency in BCM and endless festival dates?

We’ve taken full control of everything we’re doing so the focus is on planning for 2014’s club/warehouse, festival, Ibiza and Mallorca shows. Hopefully we’ll have another volume of the compilation series out in the New Year and we’re developing the acts we’re working with behind the scenes too, so watch this space!

To find out how else Charlie Sloth has been spreading the #CaliforniaLove and to see @Mistajam take the Charlie Sloth challenge, check facebook.com/kswiss.uk, K-Swiss.co.uk, follow @KSwiss_UK on Twitter and @kswissuk on Instagram. Tune into Mistajam 7-10pm Mon-Fri on BBC Radio 1Xtra and 7-9pm Saturdays on BBC Radio 1

SCHOOLBOY Q / 56

WEST SIDE STORY South Central’s ex-pusher, ex-gangsta, ex-baller Schoolboy Q rolled into London last month for the first time. If you’re not already a fan of the groovy rapper, born Quincy Hanley then, well, you’re about to be…

Words Nardene Scott Photography Liam Rickets A dingy basement gig where feet stick to the floor and the air conditioning is way past its best may have been preferable for Schoolboy Q’s introduction to the UK but following his iTunes Festival support slot, the bucket hat obsessive assures us he’ll be back for some of that when his album, Oxymoron drops.

Not willing to wait, we stepped into his 5-star hotel room decorated with empty Krispy Kreme boxes, some seriously loved plates courtesy of room service, untouched bottles of white wine and a scattering of a pretty dazed entourage. “I trash the place everywhere I go because I usually get hit with the smoking charge, so I make them work for that little money they’re going to get.” So with the curtains drawn in the potently scented suite - that towel under the door trick never gets old – we found a perch to have a chat.

“I really studied my craft, I learned about music and connected with music in a way I had never connected with any other things I’d tried before; like selling drugs, gangbanging or playing sports. I never connected with any of those.” Q starts to fill us in on his rags to riches story briefly. “I was broke for a long time. Then one day it just happened for me. All those bad days are memories; I really don’t even remember it, all I remember is the good now.” Spending weeks at a time sleeping on the sofa in the TDE studios, it’s been a crazy journey for the MC - named Schoolboy for his bookworm ways back in the day.

“I’m my own hero. Why should another person give you inspiration to do something? You can give yourself inspiration,” he concludes after admitting he used to bootleg Martin Luther King although he didn’t and still doesn’t know what he did. We really want to think that’s a joke, so move on to digging around the Habits

“I trash the place everywhere I go because I usually get hit with the smoking charge, so I make them work for that little money they’re going to get.”

SCHOOLBOY Q / 58 and Contradictions follow up. Still staying tight-lipped about his upcoming major label release Oxymoron, you can be sure of just one thing, he won’t be singing no hooks, “It’s not your typical super soft [album] with melodies all through it, it’s back to 90s gangster rap music, it reminds me of Doggystyle, I love that album.

I want it to be how LA should really sound in 2013.”

Quincy is known for being a joker, (just watch his vine war with Mac Miller and Action Bronson or the Noisey Back and Forth videos with tour mate A$AP Rocky) but there is this gangsta past, so the most important thing for him and this release is that people get it, “I’d be happy if they just understand the project and the title and why I called it Oxymoron… Life period [is an oxymoron], just live to die, go so hard at whatever you’re doing, just to die.”

Following good kid, m.A.A.d city, the South Central lyricist has been intent on making crazy noise, already whetting appetite’s with the Kendrick assisted Collard Greens, Hell Of A Night and the Boi-1da produced Yay Yay. Plenty more are still lined up in this sample clearing stage; Danny Brown, Snoop, Action Bronson and TDE homies join Pharell, THC, The Alchemist, Nez and Rio, as well as in house beat maestro Sounwave for the father of one’s third album.

Refusing to get involved with any generic tour antics you’ll normally find the laid back G at the back of the bus smoking and chilling until the next city. Even the

“I really studied my craft, I learned about music and connected with music in a way I had never connected with any other things I’d tried before...” studio is a stripped back vibe, “[All I need is] w**d, backwood’s, a TV on mute, I always record with my shoes off and not too many people in the studio.”

It all seems like the standard life for a gangsta turned rapper, but it’s the little things that hurt, “I fell on stage before, I was trying to turn up, wasn’t paying attention and slipped over the speaker. I flipped and rolled and hurt my finger really bad… it was hurting for a couple of months. I think it’s on YouTube.”

Don’t let that put you off we’re convinced when Oxymoron actually drops – rumoured a January 2014 date – the level of competition in TDE will have somehow stepped up another gear, “You got to have talent, you got to have drive, and you got to have that great mind state to be the best. That’s what TD stands for really, being the best.”

Collard Greens featuring @kendricklamar is out now.

Check @schoolboyq for updates on Oxymoron.

SHOP PXLCLOTHING.COM

PRODUCER SPOTLIGHT / 60

BONDAX

SETTING THE

SCENE Every once in a while you have to take a snapshot of the scene to realise just how much is going on. We delved into the artists of the moment, producers across the worlds of R&B, hip hop, bass, tech and house and experimental ish we can’t even classify.

Words Nardene Scott

Considering these teens hadn’t even been to a festival this time last year, producers Adam and George have risen rapidly up the ranks.

“Our music hasn’t become cool out there yet,” George tells us of the summer highlight, their US tour. “I think that’s great because we get a genuine reaction, like they don’t know how to dance to it or what’s going on,” they both laugh. Most recently though, they’ve been sending house parties into a frenzy courtesy of Red Bull, who also allowed them to record their album at their studios, although we’re reminded, “the craziest house parties are still in Adam’s barn.”

Giving It All, the latest feel good anthem from the pair was heavily disco influenced, “I think it’s sick, it’s the type of music that is so happy you can’t not like it, it can p*ss you off, if you’re a miserable b**tard.”

Having witnessed an anything from sober Bondax out at festivals this year, we wonder how those DJ sets have been going down. “Craig David, Kendrick Lamar into Aaliyah, there’s no real basis to what’s going on,” the Lanacaster lads affirm. One thing that is on the way next year is a London Grammar tour slot and an album whose features they straight refuse to unveil.

Giving It All is out now @Bondaxuk

These producers hailing from the windy city are kicking up a storm on the hip hop circuit For anyone familiar with Schoolboy Q’s Habits and Contradictions album, you’re already a fan of Nez and Rio and you don’t even know it. Their trippy sounds align with the TDE member’s off kilter flows, “he really is crazy talented, we’ve moved out to California so it makes it easier to get in the studio, the chemistry we have is second to none,” state the Chicago musicians both brought up playing instruments and performing in church. Chance The Rapper and King Louie are just a couple of the names the Ill Treated Crew members have been in with, “we’re not just a beat supplier, we have an idea of flow, the drop, the intro, the tone and we’ve had that from the beginning so becoming artists is just the next step.”

Obviously being Chi Town natives they’re also fans of Kanye’s necessary rants, “he’s a trailblazer, one of the very few of our generation, he’s pushing culture out there and saying things that people are afraid to say or just don’t know. It’s going to inspire people.”

“For us, making a beat should be as painless as possible,” they say before expressing future hopes and dreams of working with Adele and James Blake, moving slightly away from the hip hop affiliations.

Give @nezandrio a follow and look out for more music

NEZ AND RIO Known to the most for his heavily bass infused productions, 2013 marks the year of the melody for Bedford producer Lil Silva.

“I didn’t want it to be like everything I’ve done before,” the shy one begins talking about the changing soundscapes delivered via his Distance EP. “So I guess working with Jamie Woon and Sampha has made me able to express myself more laying down vocals and getting more melodic.”

Remixes put on the backburner this year other than the re-imaginings for Sampha and Storm Queen - Silva is naturally progressing into a balanced producer, still staying true to his bass roots whilst exploring other avenues. Working closely with fellow Good Years artist LA singer/ songwriter Banks and moving on from melodies sang into his iPhone to literally adding his own vocals to tracks (with a gentle push from Sampha and friends), the future has a heavy focus on writing.

LILSILVA

So the process hasn’t changed? “The process being no sleep and I’ll work through the night,” he laughs. Other than avoiding the internet, the sound of the music itself has a greater importance. “I’ve learnt how to be more creative, I’ve opened up to emotions… Back in the day I was just catering to that brand of hard heavy music but there is another side where I do more than a heavy bassline.”

Whatever you do, don’t sleep on @Lil_Silva

#GIRLSONTOP 62 PRODUCER SPOTLIGHT / 62

Breach aka Ben Westbeech is no newcomer to UK music but this year has been something really special.

It appears moving from London to Amsterdam has given the talented musician a fresh outlook, resulting in one of the biggest tracks of the summer, Jack. “[It’s given me] a new energy and sound and inspiration and just perception on life. Musically, its made my stuff a lot deeper and now my sound is diversifying.” Despite every high street, festival, radio station and car in Essex blasting out Jack, Ben is more than happy to keep his sound underground which you’ll here on the DJ Kicks collaboration. “I’m not a commercial artist. I just want to do some stuff that makes me happy… I’ve been following it from when I was 15, it’s a ubiquitous mix, you can play at any time.”

BREACH

Not one for wasting, even the b-side to Jack, Lets Get Hot was actually a recycled remix for Infinity Ink’s Infinity. No hard feelings felt by Breach, we’re convinced there are more bangers on the way.

Jack is out now @benwestbeech

BALISTIQ East London hailing duo Balistiq have produced wonders for Tinie Tempah, G FrSh and Etta Bond.

“It’s like tennis,” says Ryan, when asked how the duo put together their sought after sound. Having begun working together in 2001 by sending content back and forth over MSN (“RIP” jokes Andrew), the duo have set up their own music label, working on their own content and producing tracks for

the UK’s freshest artists.

The guys pride themselves on doing things differently, so much so that they even avoid listening to music too often. If they had to choose though? The Neptunes are their biggest inspiration: “Everything they were doing was against the norm, it didn’t sound like anything else on the radio… that’s how we like to do stuff.”

Keep up via @Balisitq

Meet the self-professed Midland nolander whose experimental subdued sounds are crossing seas.

Husband, father, vocalist and producer, Sam Manville isn’t your average egotisitical musician. There’s one thing the AlunaGeorge supporting artist is sure about though and that’s his sound, “they have to give people [comparisons] but sometimes it gets a bit lazy. Someone said I was ‘geekstep’ and I have no idea what that is and I don’t want to be associated with it.”

FTSE

From a Pixies and Van Morrison fan, you’d expect his music to be a little rock led but there’s more R&B/hip hop fusions than guitars in both EPs released so far. “I can’t even remember what the last thing I downloaded was… I just listen to miserable sh*t, it’s just a reflection of what I see around me,” FTSE says of his listening habits. “There’s definitely an evolution, I finished [the album] and thought, this could easily be released on a major and that’s something I never thought about,” not that that was his aim of course. Why not explore music with a concept and some depth? Here’s the perfect place to start.

FTSE 2 is out now

Get to know the Canadian Internet crusader who is all about synth and space based beats.

“It’s kind of like ‘huh?’ It’s weird, I thought you were supposed to be consumed by the industry and sh*t at this point,” Ryan shares of the year that has seen him play at New York Fashion Week and kick back with Riff Raff.

The Remix Ryan Gosling and/or Internet Zach Morris (according to his Twitter bio) has recently dropped album Guilt Trips, comprised of sexy cuts from Sinead Harnett and Tinashe alongside trippy ish from rappers Lofty 305 and Kitty. “Just a slice of me, I guess,” the Drake fan begins explaining the album.

“My thoughts, the people I’ve surrounded myself with, and the gamut of things I’ve felt. It’s also borderline creepy the sh*t I put into the songs, which I’ll maybe explain some day.”

Guilt Trips is out now @ryanhemsworth

RYAN HEMSWORTH

RASCALS / 64

CLASS IS IN SESSION Since dropping the Lil’ and just rolling with Rascals, the underground collective currently signed to a major label are all about pushing their sound forward but launching new company Class 90 proves business is just as big a focus.

“We have learnt a lot on our journey, being in the situation we’re in has meant we had to mature quicker… On a business level we now think more about the bigger picture as artists.”

So talk us through your new brand Class 90?

Lots of our fans often say how they rate and respect us for chasing our music careers since we were young kids. They say it inspires them to chase their own dreams and not to give up. We’re still chasing, but the difference is, we’ve all realised that if you want something the best way is to just do it. For us, Class 90 is a movement that we hope will inspire everyone. We could definitely help others think on a business level, getting the best deals and also encouraging them to think for the future, past music.

Over the past year, how do you think you’ve grown as artists?

We have learnt a lot on our journey, being in the situation we’re in has meant we had to mature quicker.

Having tried out lots of different things musically, we have finally found our sound. On a business level we now think more about the bigger picture as artists.

Ahead of your debut album next year you’re releasing a Class 90 Vol. 1 album, tell us about putting that album together?

We wanted to give our core fans some new material before our debut album comes out. The Class 90 Vol.1 album will give fans a a little insight into our new sound and style, it also showcases us individually a bit more.

Seeing as you’re set to tour again this winter as part of the launch of Class 90, tell us one tour story?

We were doing a sound check on the Kendrick Lamar tour and Kendrick was next door doing his daily training routine when he heard material from our album.

He stopped what he was doing to come and join us on stage to tell us that he loved what he was hearing. We were surprised and this was obviously a good feeling for us because we always rated Kendrick.

The Class 90 Vol.1 album is out 25 November. Class 90 is a JV and Defenders partnership with Community Youth London. See rascalsofficial.com for tour dates

SHOP PXLCLOTHING.COM

UNWIND

BASKETBALL DIARIES -

More than just another multiplayer sports sim, NBA 2K14 is filled with the jump out of your seat moments, live reaction strategy and high-tension that make it one of the great pick-up-and-play banter starting games of the year. But there’s also a depth to the title that has us absolutely transfixed.

Basketball’s growth in the UK over the last 24 months has brought with it a love of the culture through its styles, its stars, its slick, high-octane presentation and all of its associated glamour. Never struggling to match the sport’s energy or wow factor, it’s in NBA 2K14’s My Career mode, with its depth and strategy, which takes the game from being a fun, technical and brilliantly packaged multi-player title to a genuine must own.

Starting with the Rookie Showcase, your career path is dictated not just by your performances in games, but also in meetings and press conferences. Your unbranded trainers, your fill-in status behind one of the sport’s superstar names and your own reputation within the team are all obstacles you’ll have to overcome in the finely tuned mode that we can’t stop coming back to.

NBA 2K14 / 68

NBA 2K14 Launching one of the most anticipated games of 2013 is no easy feat, so naturally we went all out in bringing the basketball gaming must have to the masses. Gamers competed on one half of Nike’s Regal Court whilst celebrities battled it out against one another on the other side with some real life skills.

Photography Sarah Ginn

The waft of onion laden hot dogs and freshly popped popcorn was accompanied by the chants of rowdy beer guzzling gamers and the sick sounds of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s DJ Target down at Nike’s epic south London court this month. As the likes of SBTV, GRM Daily, Capital Xtra, Roll Deep, Renowned and Black Butter battled it out in high-pressured (they really took things seriously) 3-on-3 games; the competition grew more and more intense by the minute.

Talk of ringers in certain industry teams only hyped the players up even more, if a player wasn’t dunking on the other team, they were clowning around trying to distract the competition (ahem, Kojo) but more importantly the crowd were entertained equally with bants and great games as well as their own 3 point throw

contest, with GRM Daily eventually lifting the golden cup.

Gamers weren’t left out of the equation either competing on the other side of the court for their own trophy by proving their skills on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of NBA 2K14. Even those only there to witness it all were kept busy as cheerleaders, beat boxers and freestyle ballers kept up the momentum during game intervals and the pace was kept throughout the night by the totally unbiased Roll Deep member Target behind the decks.

A great night had by all, the free food and drink vouchers were merely a bonus for an event that will surely go down in gaming and UK basketball history.

Head to RWDmag.com to see the full highlights video. NBA 2K14 is available now on XBox 360 and PlayStation 3

Believe The Hype!

“Basketball isn’t as big here as it is in the States so what this event does is good for the culture.

I don’t remember anything like this happening when I was younger, so it’s a great merger.”

Jacob Banks

We let the real gamers give you the inside scoop on their exclusive play of NBA 2K14…

“Good graphics and a great atmosphere, NBA 2K14 is definitely better than the last one, it’s like FIFA because you can buy the players”

“It’s a little bit more difficult to get your shots off than the last edition of the game and you have to be on point with your defence in this game as well. It’s a lot more realistic than NBA 2K13, so I’m enjoying it”

“It’s stepped up a lot since the last one, the gameplay is ridiculous, the graphics are incredible and it’s really really, realistic.

I was addicted to the last one, so I’ll definitely be addicted to this one!“

PROFESSOR GREEN / 70 B-BOY CHAMPIONSHIPS

WINNER TAKES ALL We’ve been building up to this finale for a few months now and finally RWD witnessed the world’s best B-Boys battling it out over in Birmingham’s o2 Academy at the B-Boy Championships World Finals 2013.

Photography Paul Hampartsoumian When you’re being judged by the best of the best, aka the likes of legendary footwork maestro Crazy Legs, it’s time to show out. So equipped with the B-Boy trainer of choice Onitsuka Tiger, just a few managed to proceed through the rounds in full effect, letting their feet literally do all the talking. Japan’s Taisuke rose through the ranks nicely fending off the fierce competition with his power moves to win the coveted Chief Rocka Award. Homegrown B-Boy Shadow didn’t disappoint either, hyping up the crowd with his unique freestyle resulting in the hip hop battle win. The atmosphere was beyond; each round the crowds hollering louder and louder until the finals of each competition just seemed like a steady roar. If you haven’t yet made it down to B-Boy Championships, we suggest you mark your calendars for 2014 and get a taste of some real hip hop culture.

For highlights of the battles check bboychampionships.com The B-Boy trainer of choice, The Harandia, is a silhouette of a classic running shoe fused together with a modern midsole; combining performance with casual lifestyle perfectly. For more check onitsukatiger.com

A.M. SNIPER / 72 #SUPPLYANDDEMAND

CHAMPION SOUND Launched just this summer, Supply & Demand have been setting a whole new pace in the UK streetwear scene.

Not only are they on-trend with the latest designs, they’re keen to support the wider underground culture and over the past few months have given artists the opportunity to perform at exclusive club nights across the country.

Manchester all around artist RIO beat fellow northerners Blizzard and T-Man to perform at the sold-out night Bass Face at Sound Control in his hometown, here’s what went down.

Photography Sam Bond

Three heaving floors of Hustle T-shirt sporting bar staff serving a sweaty full on rave; we hit Bass Face, the event adored by students ready to wind down on a Wednesday. Most were there to see Ms Dynamite and enjoy the heavy bar discounts, but whether they knew it or not, most would leave as die-hard RIO fans. Amongst the DJ’s on all three floors doing their best to hype up the willing crowd it was the Supply & Demand adorned RIO who sent raucous top floor ravers into raptures when he pounced on stage to recite his banger Hideout complete with his own dance. With the girls pushed up against the barriers close to fainting, RIO returned hatless to the stage, after venturing deep into the crowd, barely making it out.

Definitely a rightful winner, the rapper rewarded fans by launching Supply & Demand T-shirts from the stage. A hard act to follow no doubt, but Ms Dynamite knew how to get things going, “I asked the crowd if they were ready and when I looked at them, I thought, ‘Am I ready?’” It’s fair to say Manchester held their own that night.

Watch the full round up video including the @riomusic10 performance on RWDmag.com.

Supply & Demand is available exclusively via jdsports.co.uk and BANKfashion.co.uk