Issue 130 - December 2012 - K Koke

december 2012

FRONT COVER

CONTRIBUTORS

Welcome to the Music Matters issue. As you know RWD started as a music magazine just over 11 years ago. In those days, Mis-teeq were Lickin’ On Both Sides, Craig David had more China Bumps on his head than he knew what to do with and the Nokia 3330 was the best media device (as you could change the covers on BOTH sides). Back then people were still wearing sunglasses in clubs but the music scene and everyone’s relationship towards it has evolved.

Take cover star, north west London’s K Koke for instance; he’s been through more than most to make it to where he is today. His perseverance alone is a testament to how much Music Matters to him. It’s people like Koke, who put the work in, that make our jobs as purveyors of good music, that little bit easier.

We’d like to thank those who downloaded RWD+ from the App Store (Android owners, we’re working on your app, promise), we hope you’re spreading the good word about the Devlin X Wretch X LittleBigPlanet cover, the acoustic sessions, and the extra content.

This month expect more of the same; with in-depth Theo Walcott and Kendrick Lamar interviews, a session from Ayah Marar and our cover star, K Koke, a free download from legend S.mouse and much more.

Where’d we be without music? Music Matters. @DannyWalker1

image Kevin Joseph

EDITOR’S LETTER

Name: Matt Glasby What I do: Illustrator/ graphic artist.

Favourite song: Deltron - Madness.

Song of all time: The Beatles - Let It Be. This month I’ve... been part of RareKind Agency’s pop up show in Soho.

This month I have loved... that I am one step closer to co-launching a clothing label.

This month I have hated... the overall state of the world. @matt_glasby mattgillustration.com Name: Jerry Gadiano What I do: Freelance Writer.

Favourite song: B****, Don’t Kill My Vibe.

Song of all time: Nas The World Is Yours.

This month I’ve loved... good kid, m.A.A.d city getting the love it deserves and doing a Breaking Bad marathon.

This month I’ve hated... NBC pushing season 8 of Community back to 2013 (Idiots), and reading 50 (Bull)Shades of Grey on the train. @JGadiano Name: Pharaoh What I do: Photographer.

Favourite song right now: Kendrick Lamar Backseat Freestyle.

Song of all time: The Cinematic Orchestra All That You Give.

This month I have loved... seeing my mates blow up, it’s nice having talented friends.

This month I have hated... nothing. I’ve disliked a few things though. Too many to mention here I’m afraid. @yoPHARAOH yopharaoh.com

KENDRICK LAMAR “You gotta eat! You can’t just sit on yo’ ass all day and watch everybody else go out and get it. So you get up and you go eat!

That’s why only the ones that eat will survive.” good kid, m.A.A.d city is out now. @KendrickLamar

“#EAT” 3

CONTENTS ISSUE #130 FEATURES 40-43 44-45 46-47 48-49 50-51 52-53

K KOKE NEW ERA NFL SPECIAL UNSUNG HERO: NOISSES WHY MUSIC MATTERS WILEY S.MOUSE

REGULARS 6-8 INBOX 10-17 CHECK-IN CHECK OUT 18 ENOUGH ALREADY: GANGNAM STYLE 20-21 INFOGRAPHIC... OFF THE CHARTS 22-23 ONE TO WATCH: AYAH MARAR, A TRIBE CALLED RED, M.O. 24-25 ABOUT TO BLOW: DALEY 64 BE KIND RWD: CRAIG CHARLES

STYLE GUIDE 27-31 PAINT SHOP 32-39 CAMO/ WOODLAND

UNWIND

Photography: Pharoah, Styling: Sophie Robinson

55-58 GAMES 60-61 FILMS 64 LIVE: RED BULL CULTURE CLASH

4 / RWDMAG.COM

INBOX

We’ve linked up with the legends over at Marshall to give all our letter writers the chance to win some brand spanking new headphones – the Pitch Black Majors and White Majors.

You lucky so and sos.

Send your letters to: Attn. Editor, RWD Magazine, W107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipp Street, London, EC2A 4PS or inbox@RWDmag.com

LETTERS OF THE MONTH: RWD! Music matters to me because in life it is the only thing that I allow to change my feelings, Sets the scene in many cases, Can make you wonder, Inspire your day, Give you memories, And make you remember, As much as forget, Music brings people together, And gives that banter, Who’s hot who’s not, And most of all, like I just did, embarrasses you singing out loud.

Tani H Wow, Tani thanks for the words of wisdom. We love it when people take the time to write us poetry! Congrats Tani!

Have some Marshall Majors on us.

Hey guys, Music is quite literally my life. I’m studying to be a production engineer, so I get up in the morning, put my headphones on to keep me company to 6 / RWDMAG.COM

the bus stop; I sit on a bus for an hour listening to music, then get into college and spend seven hours hooked up to my headphones and mixing desk. Home is more of the same. I write music, play more instruments than most people can name and generally am a bit of a bore about music. I’ve lost girlfriends over it, I’ve missed important exams because of it (I was travelling back from an obscure gig in the middle of nowhere and missed a train)... We’ve had neighbours move out until mum and dad soundproofed the attic for me. I’ve done the lot, auditioned for X Factor, been in bands, played festivals, auditioned for The Voice and decided that behind the desk with decent headphones is where I’m most likely to get a career... so here I am with a battered pair of Sennheiser headphones hoping for something way cooler to stop me being a music nerd!

Thomas W Don’t worry Thomas, we’re gonna sort your sonic situation right out with a pair of Marshall Majors. Not sure what we can do about the lack of girlfriend though, we’ll leave that down to you.

Music matters to me because it makes showering more fun. Without music, showers would just be damp necessities. With music, they are true wet dreams. Thank you, music, for making my mornings, my nights, my life.

Jamal P Sounds like you like to live on the edge. I wish that we could give you some waterproof headphones, but I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with an excellent pair of Marshall Minors.

To contact/moan at/send love letters to the team send your words and/or images to Inbox@RWDmag.com

THE MONTH IN TWITPICS It seems that everyone has been seriously appreciating music this month...

@OfficialKozzie Kozzie Ft. Donaeo #NOWAY video shoot Two RWD faves team up and give us live Twitpic updates from their video shoot.

@RWDmag Air horn at the ready for Red Bull Culture Clash.

We were excited about the Red Bull Culture Clash. We went and blasted our horn (pause).

@hattiecollins Music Industry on Trial @chantellefiddy @dannywalker1 @chloemelick Repping at UD’s Music Industry On Trial.

7

RWDMAG.COM Dynamo Talks Magician Impossible

Celebrating Magician Impossible Series 2 on DVD, we sit down with our favourite magician.

BrYntaylor: HOW does he do that?

Perriibaby: That’s mental.

RTDlyricz: I went to school with him man!

ComedyDave: absolute legend. An inspiration for sure.

Reebok x Warehouse Project

Reebok hosted a series of exclusive DJ sets with some of the biggest talent to hit the Warehouse Project to date.

Tcjread: first comment :) DionaP: looks awesome! Wish I’d gone now.

Truesayz: Man at 0:49 needs crep protect!

Fckyeah99: I was there. It was epic.

The Best Wiley Interview Ever Hits RWD TV (Ayayaya)

Wiley talks about his new album The Ascent, working in Drake’s studio, and more.

MAJOR LABELS, YES OR NO?

85%

NO – SMALLER, INDEPENDENT LABELS AND UNSIGNED ARTISTS ARE WHERE IT’S AT.

10% YES –

THAT’S WHERE THE BIG TUNES ARE.

5% DEPENDS – BOTH ARE GOOD.

TOP TWEETS @RWDMAG: 1 @1Xtra: Thanks to @ItsJuliaHardy [@frontmag] @Cameron & @JamesHumphrys 2 3 4 5 6

DaniellaGray: Wiley is such a don...

OfficieneUK: The realist Mdotbirmz: Good interview Flozo254: there’s no way I could do 33 Jagerbombs! Cray.

8 / RWDMAG.COM

7 8 9

[@RWDmag] for this weeks #GameOn #BreakfastClub @PaigeBird_: Love @RWDmag picture of @DevlinOfficial & Wretch32 @AntMAnsWorld: @RWDmag The new cover looks sick! @mrsgleavewannab: @RWDmag love angry boys!

OfficialPlatnum : @RWDmag #doitdifferent thanks for supporting us by dropping the video, rwd been behind us since day 1 nuff love ashterron : Picked up my free copy of @RWDmag in @JDsportsfashion and found myself in there #FaceofJD :) chantellefiddy : The Takeover Sessions with @RWDmag #industrytakeover today at Richmix! jay_bizness: Big up @RWDmag for making my story letter of the month, nice surprise that!

ThatMrChips: think the guys @RWDmag need help

iamaflanagan.co.uk

THE BEST OF RWDMAG.COM

9

CHECK-IN CHECK OUT

STYLE | FILM | GAMES | TECH | SPORT | REFRESHED | MUSIC | EXCLUSIVES

This month’s Check-In, Check Out is your very own Christmas Gift Guide. You’re welcome!

TECH:

SURF’S UP! Bill Gates unleashes Microsoft’s first Windows 8 tablet.

Check out... another “true rival” to the iPad, Microsoft Surface. Preloaded with the opinion-splitting Windows 8, a QWERTY keyboard built into the magnetic case and a 10.6” HD screen. Can the Surface outdo Apple’s all-conquering iPad? Probably not. It’s a contender though.

For more visit microsoft.com/surface 10 / RWDMAG.COM

STYLE:

RED SOX ...and blue socks, and green socks and yellow socks, etc.

Check out... a place where feet are warm and not at all gross. Ever notice that Swedish girls are super attractive? Well Swedish socks are too. Happy Socks come in a trillion different designs – one of which will surely make a great Christmas present for you/your mate/ your dad/your lady friend. In our eyes, socks are a staple Christmas gift.

From £8 at happysocks.com

MUSIC MATTERS IN NUMBERS

TO SCAN VIEWER TRAIL

The music world is full of facts, figures and plenty of dough.

Here are some 2012 music facts for you...

The percentage of RWD staff that pay for music. “I’d spend 40/50 quid a week on music in the day!” Says Art Director, Dacre.

The amount in dollars that Taylor Swift made this past year from record sales. The highest of any artist [insert angry faces here].

GAME:

LOC DOWN Rockstar get set to unveil the game we’ve all been waiting for.

Check out... the incredible artwork from the most anticipated game of 2013, GTA V. If you’re planning to surprise a loved one with a pre-order for a 2013 game this Christmas, you could do a lot worse than by putting your name on the, already lengthy, list of pre-orders that will be stacking up between now and spring of next year. With Rockstar teasing us over and over again with a series of mouth-watering trailers, artwork and gameplay details, we officially cannot wait to hit the streets of Los Santos again. If OG Loc’s return is announced, we might actually explode.

GTA V is scheduled for release in Spring 2013, for more info visit rockstargames.com/V

The number of days Carly Rae Jepsen’s Call Me Maybe stayed at the top of the US charts.

The longest No.1 of 2012. Unsure what we think of this.

REFRESHED:

GAME MO-VER If it’s good enough for Andre 3000, it’s good enough for you...

Check out... this post-Movember necessity. With a good chance that you’re currently sporting a bit of a fur face, this is the tool for you. Whether it’s for an xmas gift to give your dad or for yourself you’re not going to get much better than Gillette’s multi-functional Fusion ProGlide (with razor attachment). £15, available at Boots

The number of issues RWD has given you so far. That’s a lot of fresh and tasty music!

The crazy number of YouTube views that Gangnam Style has (correct at time of print).

The number of views cover star K Koke and Maverick Sabre have for the track Turn Back.

11

BOOK:

PLACES AND SPACES

TECH:

SPECIAL FX

Billionaire Boy’s Book.

Check out... Pharrell: Places And Spaces I’ve Been. Know someone that needs inspiration? Invest. Somehow an allround pro at music, fashion and design, Pharrell has “redefined the role of the contemporary recording artist”. Places And Spaces I’ve Been documents his work and contribution to culture, from jewellery designs for Louis Vuitton and limited edition toys, to graphic designs and skate graphics. Also exploring his various collabs, the book features the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye, N*E*R*D and even Buzz Aldrin (that astronaut), so a pretty cool line up. From the hardback cover available in a range of pastel colours, to the great photography throughout, we can’t get over how good this book looks. £35 online and in stores now

12 / RWDMAG.COM

Major 50 FX reporting for duty!

TECH:

XMAS CARD A giftcard is for life, not just for Christmas.

Check out... a present that just keeps on giving. We all love films right? Who doesn’t love trainers? And we clearly all love music... We’re talking gift cards here. Specifically gift cards from Netflix, the one and only JD, and now, even Spotify are getting in on the action! That’s right, those adverts can be got rid of with one swift gift. What could be better than kicking back on Christmas Day with all this greatness on card.

From £5.99 at netflix.com, jdsports. co.uk and spotify.com

Check out... these bad boys. Our headphones are currently in a sorry state - you know that the end is nigh when you have to hold the wire in a certain position to get sound in both ears - and on the hunt for a new pair, we came across these dudes. The Major 50 FX is a commemorative version of the classic Marshall Major, with bonus boosted sound, gold detailing and mic and volume control. The inner ear caps are lined with a fret design taken from the anniversary line of amps, with London England 1962 (Marshall’s origin) inscribed on the headband. With their technology used in studios across the world for the past fifty years, the people at Marshall clearly know their stuff. The Major 50 FX look and sound great, and an added bonus, they don’t leak sound all over the bus. At all. Perfect!

The Major 50 FX is available now at marshallheadphones.com for £140

FIDDYS WORLD OF WHATEVER COOL:

WHAT AN ICE IDEA Get your skates on!

STYLE:

SAMPLED Sicker than your average sample sale. Easily.

Check-in... to Vibe Bar, Brick Lane on 1-2 December. With loads of great streetwear brands selling their stuff for cheap, the likes of LRG, Volcom, Famou, Mitchell & Ness, Starter, Gourmet and PXL will make great Christmas presents.

12-6pm. Free entry, sampleduk.com

Check-in... to Somerset House in London. As well as the standard ice skating sessions, Somerset House are hosting Skate Club Nights, where festivals, record labels and clubs are due to take over the decks. The highlight for us will be Friday 7 December, when Ministry of Sound Radio take to the ice for the second year in a row, with Sister Bliss and Xpress 2 guest DJing on the night.

For those old enough, there’s even a cocktail bar to encourage some seriously wavy skating. If you’re not gonna be in London over Christmas, no worries, there are ice rinks popping up all over the country. Brighton’s Royal Pavilion ice rink is pretty special!

Open until 6 January. Club night tickets £17, standard skating from £7.50

This month: MC Culture This month we found ourselves asking whether ‘MC culture’ as we once knew it is now indeed DEAD. The following week, it was the hot topic over at Urban Development too. Looking to open up the convo further it seemed only right to put the Music Industry on Trial at Industry Takeover. Imagine a courtroom setup with the audience acting as the jury. Sick we know (big up our mates over at British Underground who attempted something similar a few years back). It got heated as the prosecution team took on the defense (our very own Danny Walker killed it, obvs). But the court case itself isn’t what’s important in this here column.

Just ask yourself these questions: When was the last time you heard a flow you envied on the Top 40 countdown? Where is the training ground for today’s stars of tomorrow?

Have we hit a point where the majority of MCs are starting their careers thinking about clean radio edits? Are our finest MCs just trying to tick boxes?

To succeed do you just need to borrow a vocalist, chorus and hope for the best? Does any of this even matter?

Answers on a postcard. Please.

Join the daily chat with @chantellefiddy and @RWDmag

13

STYLE:

CHRISTMAS JUMPER With less reindeer.

STYLE:

SPRAY GROUND

Check out... the finest and most stylish way to wrap yourself up this Christmas, courtesy of Amsterdam dwelling quality outfitters, Scotch & Soda. Rich in detail, yet affordable in price, you’d be silly not to line your wardrobe with a coupe of these winter wonders.

Sweater £135.00, Scotch & Soda, available at Selfridges

Bag this now.

SPORT:

PRED-SENT MUSIC:

FABRIC DAY See you there.

Check-in... to Fabric for a good time.

Christmas Day is family time. Boxing Day is party time. Back for their annual Boxing Day party, we’ve been promised a big line up including every Rinse DJ. Tickets at £17. Check fabriclondon. com and rinse.fm for details 14 / RWDMAG.COM

With this new colourway comes hope. Hopefully they’ll make you a better player.

Check out... the latest addition to the adidas Predator LZ family. We all know it’s the ultimate boot for controlling the game and the latest pair are no exception. These running white/vivid yellow/ prime blue boots are available from 1 December, no footy stocking will be complete without them.

From £165, for more check miadidas. com for the ultimate personalised football gift

Check out... the NYC based brand that has just landed on our shores. When backpack designer David Ben David (yup, for real, that is his name) went on the look out for interesting bags, all he could find were boring solid colours and shapes. Wanting more from his life and his bags, he developed Sprayground.

With attention to craftsmanship, the practical and stylish bags are perfect for people on the go and have scored many a famous fan, including 2 Chainz and 50 Cent. With both hold alls and backpacks, they have super original designs, from space prints to ninjas and stacks of dollar. Our favourite are glow in the dark, obviously.

Backpack’s from £55. Head to Choice, Diffusion, Richmond Classics and ASOS for yours

WHERE WE’VE CHECKED IN RWD know where to be and when to be there. This month we gave London a lot of love...

BOOK:

M.I.A.

1XTRA BREAKFAST CLUB Where: 1Xtra Studios When: 3 November Who: James With last month’s gaming issue in the can, our very own games guru James headed to the almighty 1Xtra studios to eat breakfast biscuits and discuss his favourite titles of the year with DJ Nick Bright on The Breakfast Club’s Game On special.

Bad Girls and Boyz get involved.

Check out... this super attractive record of M.I.A.’s life. Known for her incredible style just as much as her controversial ways and political activism, she really is a legend. Her book features collages, photos, prints, artwork and more. Basically a must-have for any fan.

Available for £19.95 online/in shops worthy of such greatness

TECH:

BOX OUT Microsoft introduces the final piece in their home entertainment puzzle.

Check out... yet another game changing bit of tech from Microsoft, namely Xbox Music. To coincide with the launch of Windows 8, this service allows you to stream tracks, create playlists and start radio stations based on your favourite artists seamlessly through your Surface, Xbox 360 or home computer. Time to get working on those Christmas playlists!

For more info check xbox.com/music

JAKWOB LIVE TOUR Where: Cargo When: 1 November Who: Frankie Frankie headed down to Cargo to check out Jakwob’s new live show. With dead bodies hanging from the ceiling and Halloween vibes flowing through the room, the show was scarily good. Rocky Nti provided main vocals, with Youngman and Roses Gabor as guests.

SPORT:

REFUEL The FuelBand just got better...

Check out... the new edition Nike+ FuelBand, now available in two new colours, White ICE and Black ICE. Cool. Very cool.

With the FuelBand tracking and scoring your activity each day, there are no excuses for not getting fit in 2013. £129 at nikestore.com and in stores

BAPE 10 Year Anniversary

Where: Alibi, Dalston When: 13 November Who: Nardene and Hattie RWD entered just in time to take full advantage of the free Jim Beam and Magners on offer.

By the time the teen Brooklyn crew, Pro Era fronted by Joey Bada$$, hit the “stage” sweat was seriously dripping off the walls, so you can imagine how it all went down.

15

DOWNLOAD RWD+ NOW! Behold the RWD+ app guide...

Check out... the brand new addition to the iOS App Store, RWD+. We’ve been going on about it for the last couple of months but now it’s ready and waiting for you to download. ‘So what is RWD+?’ we hear you ask. The answer is simple; it’s the future. It’s an Aurasma-powered app which allows our pages to come alive. With exclusive interviews, acoustic sessions, music downloads and much much more, the possibilities are endless.

Take last issue for instance, where we had our cover stars Devlin and Wretch 32 transform into characters from LittleBigPlanet. Not only was that innovative and fun but it was just a taster to what is to come.

1.

Gather these three key ingredients 1 RWD+ app

1 iOS device

1 RWD Magazine

16 / RWDMAG.COM

RWD Editor Danny Walker explains RWD+: “For years RWD magazine have been at the forefront of technology and the relationship it has with printed media.

URLs, QR Codes, Twitter handles; they’ve all been like a dodgy second cousin when it comes to linking our readers with extra features and content from RWDmag. com. Now, with the introduction of Aurasma-powered RWD+ that once tenuous connection is as tight as ever.”

RWD+ is coming to the Google Play store soon too

2.

Once you’ve downloaded RWD+ to your device, open it and wherever you see the RWD+ logo, point the camera and hold it over the content

3.

Double tap videos to see the content in full screen, then enjoy

RWD TEAM Editor Deputy Editor Senior Staff Writer Staff Writer Contributing Editor Online Editor Contributors

RWD+

SCAN HERE FOR THEO WALCOTT INTERVIEW Use RWD+ to see an in-depth interview with England and Arsenal’s fast paced winger...

Check out... the latest RWD+ content.

We’ve linked up with Nike to bring our RWD+ users an interview with man of the moment, Theo Walcott. The 23 yearold talks boots, new teammates and his plans for the future.

Tech savvy, Boy Better Know CEO JME’s view on RWD+:

“NOW LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE TO ME WITH THIS RWD+ APP, NOW I’M WAITING FOR THE NEXT MAG TO SEE THE NEXT HYPE!”

@dannywalker1 @nardenescott @francesca_dunn @jameshumphrys @chantellefiddy @tegosigel Alex Johnson, Jerry Gadiano

Art Director Dacre J. Bracey Designer Sam Hardy Fashion Stylists Sophie Robinson Nasrin Jean-Baptiste, Neesha Sharma, Janine Jauvel, Style Assistant Cheyenne Davide Illustrators Art Jaz, Jiro Bevis, Jacob Armitage, David Flanagan, Lucas Jubb, Matt Glasby Video Team Greg Bond, Felix Kemp Photographers James Pearson-Howes, Andres Reynega, Response London, Adrian Nettleship, Verena Stefanie Grotto, James Carnegie, Ravi Sidhu, Sam Bond, Pharaoh, Odi Caspi Publisher Sales Director Senior Sales Brand Relations Dir. Operations Thanks

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

CONTACT RWD Suite 107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipp Street, London EC2A 4PS Tel: 020 3176 4299 staff@RWDmag.com @RWDmag RWD Magazine is published monthly by Rewind Creative Media Ltd. All material copyright (c). All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of the publishers.

RWD Magazine: 25p where sold

Early adopting Rizzle Kicks were massive fans of RWD+:

“CONTINUOUS INNOVATION FROM RWD, LOVE THAT!”

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

ENOUGH ALREADY: GANGNAM STYLE For the last 11 years music has really mattered to us. We’re a magazine that is plugged into a thriving community who enjoy many forms of high quality entertainment. Therefore, it gives us great pleasure to tighten the noose around the audio atrocity that is Gangnam Style.

Words Danny Walker Illustration Matt Glasby We’re not sure whether it was part of a belated April Fools’ prank, a covert marketing campaign for ear plugs or a vicious video viral initiated by Lucifer himself, but the fast-spreading plague, Gangnam Style, from South Korean pop star PSY has got to stop.

Every time we hear that song/phrase it triggers a little bit of hate-flavoured sick in our mouths. Each moment our eyes are subjected to his perfectly spherical face (it’s like an obese clock that has been stung by a bee with mumps) our hands automatically clench into fists.

After every YouTube view, the beautiful art we know as music gets a kick in the balls – and not one of those light-hearted, comical kicks that you can laugh off at the end of a play fight with a nephew either. A gargantuan, steel capped, punt directly into the left gonad, after a weeklong, Red Bull-fuelled run up. And with 710 million (and counting) hits – making 18 / RWDMAG.COM

it the third biggest video in the site’s history not to mention the “most liked” – music has almost been kicked to death.

We love the fact that PSY doesn’t take himself too seriously (and he dances a bit like a drunken uncle on a three legged horse). We like the reasons behind the song; taking the piss out of jumped up social snobs is always enjoyable, but where did PSY come from and who do we blame for this perpetual pest? Well, those thinking he crawled straight out of hell (and/or one of Simon Cowell’s mansions), please direct all hate male (pun intended) to South Korean record label and “talent” agency, YG Entertainment. They didn’t create the singing, song writing, dancing, record producing, bad dressing, rapper but his last two albums have rolled off their poor production line. They also spearheaded a massive campaign to break the US, UK and European markets even before the song was unleashed,

“AFTER EVERY YOUTUBE VIEW, MUSIC GETS A KICK IN THE BALLS.” culminating in PSY signing to Schoolboy Records – the evil guys who found Justin Bieber on YouTube – and topping the UK chart in September.

When it comes to ol’ plump face, “Gangnam Style” and, ultimately, Korean popular music (K-pop), we’re going to have to throw them in the Enough Already sin bin. The latest in a long list of support, including mainstream media references, parodies, flash mobs, personal appearances (Google: ‘Galaxy Note II launch, Toronto’ and set your face to cringe) and Gangwagon jumping, sees the cast of Glee set to get their “Gangnam” on... Lord help us.

19

# LASSO-WIELDING KOREANS, RYLAN CLARK, UK CHARTS, 621M AND COUNTING

With the end of 2012 fast approaching, we thought we’d celebrate the past 12 months (and our Music Matters issue) with a look back at the facts and figures that have made up the year in music, be it single sales, YouTube hits or download numbers.

Expect surprises, some Sheeran, a bit of Sandé and a podgy guy from Korea dancing around with a pretend lasso...

Words James Humphrys Images David Flanagan

LONGEST AT NO.1 WINNER: Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (5 weeks) Runner Up: Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe (4 weeks )

MOST YOUTUBE VIEWS WINNER: PSY- Gangnam Style (621m views) RUNNER UP:nGotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (339m views)

MOST APPEARANCES IN THE UK CHARTS WINNER: Calvin Harris - (4 times) RUNNER UP: Chris Brown (3 times) 20 / RWDMAG.COM

TO THE FUTURE… We put ourselves on the chopping block and make some bold predictions for the coming year...

RWD COVER STARS ON YOUTUBE WINNER: Emeli Sandé - Next To Me (21.7m views) RUNNER UP: Plan B iLL Manors (4.6m views)

• Ed Sheeran will have the best selling album of 2013, closely followed by a line of fellow Jake Gosling protégés, including Mikill Pane and Nina Nesbitt.

• Take That (including Robbie) will get back together, mums everywhere will rejoice, and then they’ll proceed to dominate the charts for the entire year. Ugh.

• The X-Factor’s Rylan Clark will release a single that will reach the top 10 and then go on to represent the UK in the Eurovision song contest. #nilpois

• Pro Green won’t release an album but will still remain one of the most talked about men in the industry.

• Rizzle Kicks’ follow up to Stereo Typical will remain in writer James’ car CD player for at least six months.

BEST OF ABOUT TO BLOW Our tips for 2012 did big things in the charts this year, but there was one artist that proved our predictions right more than any other...

TOP SELLING SINGLES

Sources: Official Charts Company, YouTube

WINNER: Nicki Minaj - Starships (1m+) RUNNER UP: Jessie J - Domino

WINNER: Redlight - Lost In Your Love (No.5) RUNNER UP: Clement Marfo & The Frontline -Top Of The World (No.38) 21

ONE TO WATCH AYAH MARAR Deeply rooted in D&B, Ayah Marar has fully stepped into the limelight organically this year. It’s been a long time coming but chatting to Nardene Scott, the Jordanian born singer and songwriter assures us 2012 is all about The Real Marar!

“I’ve always been an artist in my own right but it’s been about collaborating to raise profile and I really feel like we’re all in it together,” Ayah talks of how the past year has been going. “I think whoever is at the top needs to be reaching out to the ones at the bottom because otherwise we can’t really keep the scene going.”

Well said but we suppose with old mates like DJ Fresh (“we’ve come up together in D&B,”) and Calvin Harris (“he’s like my little brother,”) who the singer once lived with and recently collaborated with on his 18 Months album, it’s not that hard to keep things moving. “We went studio for an afternoon and had loads of tea and biscuits. We used to write a lot together in the past when we were struggling artists, well one of us was... it was really lots of fun.”

You could say Ms. Marar was one of the mandem, “OMG I tell you what, boys rinse you on tour... you are like the butt of all jokes... I never want to say I’m more masculine but I do feel like I can hold my own a little bit with guys.” To be fair the ‘Born To Be A Raver’ tee-wearing star could do with letting her music do the

“OMG I TELL YOU WHAT, BOYS RINSE YOU ON TOUR… YOU ARE LIKE THE BUTT OF ALL JOKES… I NEVER WANT TO SAY I’M MORE MASCULINE BUT I DO FEEL LIKE I CAN HOLD MY OWN A LITTLE BIT WITH GUYS” talking, with Mind Controller, Unstoppable and Follow U all catapulting the musically open artist into the charts, national playlists and hearts of her equally hype fans over the past couple of years.

Look out for the next single to drop from her indie label Hussle Girl Raver and be sure to buy the album The Real whilst you’re at it. Better still, if you’re up for bundles of bass and rooms shaking get yourselves down to a live show ASAP! Follow @AyahMarar and head to RWDmag.com/RWDTV for a special acoustic session and competition to bag yourself some exclusive goodies

FOR SCANIVE L ION SESS

A TRIBE CALLED RED A Tribe Called Red are DJ NDN, DJ Shub and Bear Witness. Having met as DJs in Ottawa, Canada, they joined forces to throw a party for the aboriginal community there. It went down insanely well and A Tribe Called Red was born. Creating anthems by mashing up traditional pow wow and electronic music, they have a winning formula. “We first got coined as pow wow step by MTV... we’re a genre of one. We’re taking the same ideas from pow wow and updating it a little bit – bringing it into the clubs and our modern lives.” Having opened for Diplo multiple times, ATCR have just completed their first European tour. They still host their weekly Electric Pow Wow club nights, events which they describe as “very energetic and sweaty,” and that their national chief (“basically the Prime Minister of the Indians”) has attended. Pretty cool.

Follow @ATribeCalledRed and check soundcloud.com/a-tribe-called-red 22 / RWDMAG.COM

M.O. Annie, Nadine and Frankee are already causing a stir with their Show N Prove produced debut, Wait Your Turn. After premiering on MistaJam’s 1Xtra show, the track (and the trio) have been championed by everyone from Ed Sheeran to Lawson, and the video marks a strong audio arrival too. Despite being from various previous bands (everyone deserves a second chance, right?), it seems the formula is finally fixed and nothing will be holding them back. Currently in the studio with Show N Prove (Ghetts, Benny Banks, Tinchy Stryder), Woz (Black Butter Records), Rack N Ruin (Black Butter Records) and a few more we can’t name just yet, it looks like their modus operandi (“method of operation”) involves getting signed and getting mainstream success. Watch this space as their look, music and personalities just might help them achieve this.

For more follow @_MOMusic 23

#DALEY, JESSIE J, DAYS & NIGHTS, BIG HAIR DALEY ON MUSIC MATTERS

I first got into commercial R&B. That was my way in. My first albums were Usher, Aaliyah and Brandy - really good R&B from the late 90s. I taped stuff off the radio too. But that’s how I found my music, and from then on my taste matured a bit. I still love R&B but that led to soul and neo-soul.

DALEY ON WRITING

DALEY Counting Pharrell and Damon Albarn as fans, it’s fair to say that Manchester-born Daley is doing pretty well. Having now worked with Gorillaz, Wretch 32, Maxwell and Jill Scott, he thought it was about time he linked up with Jessie J too.

Following the release of their collab Remember Me, RWD caught up with the talented 25 year-old to talk peers, signing to Polydor, and making plans...

When I was 15 to 17, I started writing my own songs. My late teens is when I started writing things that were a benefit though. You know when people say ‘It helps me to write about this situation and it made me feel better or think about it differently’. In Manchester I would just sing and be honest and put across emotion. I think that’s what caught people’s ears, from what they’ve said. I try to keep that in mind when I write songs. People love honesty and sincerity and that they’re getting something quite pure.

DALEY ON MANAGEMENT

I met my management on MySpace!

Even before I moved here, I’d be coming to London and doing any open mic at Troy Bar in Shoreditch, places where I could perform without being booked.

My manager came to see me at one and that’s how it sealed the deal.

DALEY ON HIS PEERS

l’d be performing with Maverick Sabre, Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Wretch, and Emeli Sandé. It’s weird. At that time, all of those people were doing those nights.

It’s amazing to see how well they’ve done. I’m a little bit behind, but I hope I’ll catch them up! I couldn’t have done it any earlier. I couldn’t have put my album out when I was in the BBC Sound of 2011. I could have, but it wouldn’t have been right at that time. I wasn’t at that stage. I wasn’t ready. The important thing for me then was to put out a mixtape. I wanted to have a foundation.

DALEY ON HIS MIXTAPE

When we did it, we just put it together.

We were aiming for 500 downloads and it got over 100K and it just... it was good! I think there was enough knowledge about me. I’d done the Gorillaz thing [Daley featured on Doncamatic].

People knew my name but not what music I made - that combination got people intrigued to see what my mixtape was like.

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“I SENT IT OVER TO [JESSIE J] AND SHE SAID, ‘I LOVE IT, SHALL WE RECORD IT TOMORROW?’ WE HAD IT DOWN TWO DAYS LATER.” DALEY ON REMEMBER ME

I sent it over to [Jessie J] and she said ‘I love it, shall we record it tomorrow?’ We had it down two days later. I supported her at Royal Albert Hall Teenage Cancer Trust. She sat me down after and said ‘You need to be doing what I’m doing now. I’m totally supportive. We need to do something’.

DALEY ON SIGNING

I was signed off the back of one demo; Rainy Day. I didn’t have that many songs, so it was my voice really. So the first part of me being signed was just development. Then there was a little bit of label re-jigging, the label I was on under Polydor closed down, so I was moved over to Polydor.

DALEY ON HIS ALBUM

I have all the songs done, and now mixing is the thing that’s killing me. The album is called ‘Days & Nights’; it’s the name of my favourite song on it. It’s future throwback soul. That’s what it is.

I want it to feel like something from now and the future, but with the elements that people love from the old stuff and incorporating all my influences, from here, the US, the Gorillaz, my American soul and R&B.

DALEY ON LYRICS

It’s quite a vulnerable album, particularly Days and Nights; I’m talking a lot about how I felt over the last couple of years, moving away from home and feeling lonely sometimes but also having such amazing experiences and doing exactly what I want to do. It’s a good reflection of my life over the last couple of years.

Daley’s debut single Remember Me Ft. Jessie J is out 9 December. For more follow @DALEYmusic

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STYLE GUIDE WATCHES | CAMO |

>>

WHAT TO WEAR AND HOW TO WEAR IT...

PAINT SHOP

Squeeze your wages a step further and wrap one of these around your wrist...

Images Kevin Joseph Styling Sophie Robinson Top: Superdry Colosseum superdry.com, £94.99 Right: Kennett Challenger kennettonline.com, £180 Left: Luke Geneva luke1977.com, £120

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This page: Top: Luke Sydney luke1977.com, £100 Right: Kennett Altitude kennettonline.com, £260 Left: Ice-Watch ice-watch.com, £150 Opp page: Top: Ice-Watch Altitude ice-watch.com, £150 Right: Superdry Scuba superdry.com, £99.99 Left: G-Shock g-shock.co.uk, £84

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This page: Top: G-Shock g-shock.co.uk, £84 Right: Toy Watch Imprint Chrono toy-watch.com, £140 Left: Ice-Watch Chrono Electrik ice-watch.com, £150 Opp page: Right: Toy Watch Cruise toy-watch.com, £115 Left: Ice-watch Sili Forever ice-watch.com, £100

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AMBUSH Photography Pharoah Styling Sophie Robinson Grooming Joanne Rose Reyes Model William @ AMCK Photographer Asst Shama Anwar Model Josh Weeks @ D1 Models

This page: Bucks denim shacket, Humor leopard gilet, The Duffer of St George Chinos, Herring brogue boots, Lavenham waxed cotton shopper,

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This page: Herring brogue boots, Lavenham waxed cotton shopper, Opp page: Lambretta blazer, Beck & Hersey camo pocket sweatshirt, Denim Demon jeans, Clae camo print black boots (not shown) 34 / RWDMAG.COM

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Luke burgundy gilet, Beck & Hersey blue hooded mac, Humor T-shirt, Denim Demon jeans,

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PXL snapback, Brookhaven jacket, Denim Demon jeans, Duvetica gilet, The Duffer of St George trainers

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This page: The Duffer of St George jacket, Luke polo worn underneath Unsung Hero sweatshirt, Route 1 x Mitchell & Ness snapback Opp page: Marshall Artist denim gilet, Humor camo sweatshirt, PRPS chinos, Clae shoes

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#SNIPPETS OF MY LIFE, PURE KOKE, MTV LISTS, REAL TALK, YOUTUBE VIEWS

It was literally this time last year that Kevin Georgio aka rapper K Koke was released from prison without charge, under a year before that Jay-Z signed the star, already successful in his own underground right, to his Roc Nation label in partnership with RCA. 2012 though has been about stepping out of the shadows steeped in negativity, getting out the third edition of the instant classic mixtape series, Pure Koke, working on his debut album aptly titled I Ain’t Perfect and of course a bit of partying here and there. If there’s anyone that music matters to, its Koke, a constant outlet for life’s pains and strifes, Nardene Scott finds out there’s nothing the north Londoner is afraid of expressing on record.

Images Kevin Joesph Styling Sophie Robinson Grooming Shreya A

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“I’M JUST TRYING TO NOT DO WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING… TRYING TO KEEP MYSELF EXCLUSIVE, THAT’S IT, MAN. IT’S JUST ALL THE SAME STUFF AND IT’S BORING, I’M NOT WITH IT, SO I JUST TRY AND CHOOSE WHAT I DO CAREFULLY.” 44 / RWDMAG.COM

COVER SHOOT FACTS Here’s an insight into what went into creating this month’s cover...

Pounds spent on KFC, the studio literally stunk of chicken.

Sugars K Koke has in his coffee, that’s a lot of poison bruv!

Genre on the playlist, strictly hip hop, we vibed to Kendrick Lamar, Nas and Joey Bada$$.

Emails that enabled the organisation of the cover. That’s pretty good going folks, believe us it was a breeze!

FOR SCANIVE L ION SESS

During the photoshoot 27 year-old Koke is cool yet upbeat, joking around with management, there’s even the odd skank in there too. Whilst psyching himself between shots in front of the lens, it’s clear and evident in the number of interviews the wordsmith does that he prefers his music to talk for him. “You know what it is,” he explains.

“I’m just trying to not do what everyone else is doing... trying to keep myself exclusive, that’s it man. It’s just all the same stuff and it’s boring, I’m not with it, so I just try and choose what I do carefully.” It’s crazy to think that it’s only been a few years since music became a serious career path for the Stonebridge native, the alternative being, “probably roadside and nothin’ else.”

So from filming freestyles on the

“I SAY WHAT’S ON MY HEAD...

I’M NOT GONNA HOLD BACK ON ANYTHING, IF THINGS ARE TOO DEEP TO TELL, I’M GONNA LET IT GO REGARDLESS.” block and brushes with the law to appearing on the same roster as the likes of Rihanna, Calvin Harris and Jay Electronica, hopefully his reflection in the mirror is beginning to say, it is working and crowds at this year’s London Wireless Festival will vouch for that! The same progression can be found in the music, if Vol. 1 of his mixtape series was full of angst and rage, then Vol.2 was about coming clean and accepting his position and Vol. 3 making a mark. But he’s very frank about his team’s hard work to get to this point. “I think it’s too early to say that the label has put in any input,” the capped rapper smiles. “To say that they’ve put me somewhere that I haven’t got myself to, so far, it’s probably too early to say.”

The metaphor ridden, Fire In The Booth freestyle [on Charlie Sloth’s show] is still clocking up views to add to its 3.5 million open tab, when asked about how he felt before walking into the BBC Radio 1Xtra studio, Koke laughs heartily, “I went in there with my cup of liquor and I just had fun, that’s all it was, real talk.” Whilst Pure Koke Vol. 3: The Missing Tapes fulfilled the appetites of fans from the boastful bars in Power and I’m Back to the reflective Destiny and future bound I’m Ready, the free download also proved there are many a side to the storyteller.

“You see me, I say what’s on my head,

so if I have something to say then I’m gonna make sure that everyone knows that,” the father of two assures us before further confirming his lyrics are no joke.

“I’m not gonna hold back on anything, if things are too deep to tell, I’m gonna let it go regardless,” Snippets Of My Life, the camo adorned artist admits was the most difficult track for him to pen, “that’s a real deep song and you actually know, really how man was growing up and that.”

Since Pure Koke Vol.1 the first solo project (outside of his USG families’ output) managed to push 10,000 copies, this uncompromisingly autobiographical stance has been what sets Koke apart from the competition, even if there is a big hook, it’s been carefully thought-out. Take the debut single Turn Back featuring the soulful Maverick Sabre, an artist whose style he genuinely feels and also lends Sting’s legendary Shape Of My Heart riff, something the huge hip hop fan wasn’t afraid of sampling, regardless of Nas and Jay-Z preceding him, “I wasn’t scared about using the sample before I never really took in anyone else’s ones too much...

I just did whatever I felt like at the time and brought out what I was feeling. I wrote on the spot, me and Mav in the studio.”

Having come second to Wretch 32 in MTV’s Best of the Best MC’s he’s equally humbled and unfazed by his positioning, “it’s early innit, I’m just touching road, my first single ain’t even dropped as we speak, so time will tell, whatever happens happens,” don’t be fooled by all of this nonchalance though. The laidback lyricist has just been announced as one of MTV’s Brand New For 2013 acts and the upcoming album will surely secure his stance as one of the UK’s best MCs. Featuring personal producer Red Skull, plus US power house Jahlil Beats and J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, cards are more than close to his chest, matter-of-factly summing it up, “I can tell you that it’s called I Ain’t Perfect it’s coming soon and it’s got me all over it.

It’s 100% raw but you’re gonna see growth in the music and you’re gonna know that things have gone up a step... if someone sends me a hit, I’m gonna f**k with it.”

Lastly, why music matters, “Music in general just gets me through stuff... so I try to make my music do the same for others,” with a dedicated fan base (you all saw that tatted fan in our July issue, right) and co-signs galore, we don’t doubt that it will continue to, Koke.

Turn Back Ft. Maverick Sabre is out now.

You can follow the rapper @Kokeusg and watch his series on youtube.com/kkoketv 45

#NFL, NEW ERA, STEVIE JOHNSON, KELVIN SHEPPARD, MARCELL DAREUS

TOUCHDOWNS, SACKS AND SNAPBACKS Whether you’re au fait or not with the game of American football, the subtle intricacies in rules, tactics and psychological warfare, you’ll no doubt be aware of the god-like status afforded the elite players of the NFL. With the game growing in the UK year on year, Tego Sigel was excited to sit down with three of the game’s most exciting talents, Buffalo Bills star’s Stevie Johnson, Kelvin Sheppard and Marcell Dareus to get a sense of why they’re some of the most respected athletes in one of the fastest growing sports in the world...

Event images Verena Stefanie Grotto

“THE GAME OF FOOTBALL WAS THERE SINCE I WAS A KID. I ALWAYS HAD THAT LOVE FOR IT” Age: 26 Height: 6ft 2in (1.88m) Weight: 207lb (94 kg) Born: 22 July 1986 @StevieJohnson13: 117,567 followers

Age: 24 Height: 6ft 2in (1.88m) Weight: 244lb (111kg) Born: 2 January 1988 @KelvinSheppard: 18,488 followers When did you first realise that you wanted to dedicate your life to American football?

I started playing when I was five and haven’t missed a year since. My dad was my coach in pee-wee football growing up and you don’t really start realising the NFL insight until the later years in high school and college really.

Do you think the NFL can do more to engage with UK fans?

I love to travel; my biggest thing is getting out, seeing new places, seeing new things, so why not do what we love in new places?

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So tell us, what is American football’s killer attraction?

You guys in the UK have football and I see when you guys score goals it’s the same enthusiasm as when we score a touchdown, so I guess you’ll have to just turn the TV on and see if you’ll like it. It’s different but it’s similar in a lot of ways.

And when did your love for the game start?

The game of football was there since I was a kid. So I always had that love for football.

I only played the game because I loved it! I loved playing with my friends, that’s pretty much where the love all started.

You’re out here with New Era who are official partners with the NFL, are you guys fans of the brand?

For the most part I always have a New Era fitted, on or a snapback. Right now, back home, I’ve got the Golden State Warriors snapback and Sacramento Kings so I’m representing the West Coast when I’m wearing my New Era caps.

NFL LANDS ON BRITISH SOIL We like to embrace the odd bit of American culture here and there and after the food, of course, comes the sport...

“NEW ERA BROUGHT A WHOLE NEW KIND OF SWAG TO THE NFL, BRINGING IN A BIT OF FLAVOUR I WOULD SAY,” Age: 22 Height: 6ft 3in (1.91m) Weight: 331lb (150kg) Born: 13 March 1990 @marcelldareus: 36,613 followers When did you first realise American football was the one?

When I got to high school where people were trying to dog me and put me down because I didn’t have much, but I kept believing in myself and kept playing hard and no matter what anybody said I was like, ‘I can make it...’

Do you think there’s a single event in American football that could make someone a fan?

If somebody ever saw me get a sack, you’d instantly be a fan! I haven’t had anybody who saw me and wasn’t a fan. I think a sack is the most dominant play in the game, period. It looks even better for me because it’s just a self-motivating thing; I can look at two grown men and say ‘Y’all two grown men couldn’t stop me!’

And you’re a fan of New Era? When I was growing up, I’m from Alabama but we wore New York hats and Atlanta Braves and teams like that. New Era brought a whole new different kind of swag to the NFL, bringing in a little bit of flavour I would say.

Providing the official on-field headwear for the NFL, New Era have been going hard on their promotion of American football recently, thanks, in part, to the big game between New England Patriots and the St.Louis Rams, which hit the capital a few weeks back. We headed down to JD in Westfield, Stratford, to join a whole host of NFL fanatics (and appreciate the cheerleaders, because they do work hard don’t they?) rejoicing in a rare glimpse of US football stars on this side of the pond. Have no fear though, for your own slice of the action head to New Era to cop a cap from the exclusive NFL range.

Grab yours from jdsports.co.uk and keep up with all the action @ New_Era_Europe

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#UNSUNG HERO, PRINCE, GREEN TEA, DANCING, SOUL

IN SESSION If you’re not familiar with the name, you soon will be, as once again we go in search of this month’s Unsung Hero. After scouring the UK for the best music makers, producer and DJ, Noisses - who’s been drilling the underground for the past few years - was top of the pack. Currently working with a range of homegrown talent from double time spitter Lady Leshurr to gutsy singer Nicole Jackson, the busy bass lover is steadily bubbling up to the surface. Ahead of creating a bespoke track for Unsung Hero we got to know a little bit more about the musical rising star.

Words Nardene Scott Image Adrian Nettleship

What I’ve been up to recently in a nutshell is... my last release Run Your Mouth featured RTKal, Lady Leshurr and OV from Foreign Beggars. The track has done really well, and the video even went on to pick up Best Urban Budget Video Award at the MVA’s, which is cool.

Future tracks planned with GFrSH, Nicole Jackson, RTKal and possibly another one with Lady Leshurr all to come in the New Year, so keeping busy.

My Unsung Heroes are... RTKal, he’s one of the most talented lyricist’s in the UK, DJ Klose One is probably one of the best DJ’s I know, and Shadow Child is killing it with the tunes right now.

In the studio I always need... green tea!

In 2013 I will be... playing in a venue near you!

The reason I’m called Noisses is.. it’s my old DJ name since I was 16, but backwards....

I currently have... Kendrick Lamar, Dusky, Kidnap Kid, Rack N Ruin tracks housed on my laptop.

The quickest song I ever made was in...

15 minutes.

If I wasn’t working in music I would probably be... a rally driver or a clothing label owner.

One thing people don’t know about me is that... I’m not bad at basketball.

The most important thing about my music is... it has soul. music has nothing.

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“THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT MY MUSIC IS IT HAS SOUL. WITHOUT SOUL, MUSIC HAS NOTHING.” The most prized piece of music I own is... the tattoo of my Dad’s track on my left arm.

The best place I ever played out was... probably Glastonbury Festival because it was a childhood dream.

I’d describe the first beat I ever made as... basic! But hey we all gotta start somewhere!

In the studio I mostly use... Logic! ogic.

This Unsung Hero track is going to be... a bouncy banger!

Continuing to give young creatives that much needed platform, this month, rising clothing brand Unsung Hero recognises music producer and DJ @_NoisseS who wears long sleeved polo by Unsung Hero. For more see Facebook.com/UnsungHeroOfficial and Noisses.com plus to see Noisses creating a special track in his studio head to RWDmag.com/UnsungHero

WHY MUSIC MATTERS It’s a frustrating place to be on the road to stardom. We caught up with a few artists that managed to break into the music industry, to unravel exactly what tunes got them through the tough times, why they make music and what life could have been like if the musical route had never transpired into success.

Words Nardene Scott Images Lucas Jubb (lucasjubb.co.uk)

JESSIE WARE Singer Age: 28 From: London If music didn’t take off, I would probably be an English and Drama teacher. With my music, I get to make it with people that I care about and trust. Right now, experimental music is being celebrated and so is a good singer. There are so many great voices out there at the moment.

KENDRICK LAMAR Rapper Age: 25 From: Compton, L.A. There’s a DMX track called Slippin’ “I’m slipping. I’m fallen. I can’t get up,” I really felt them lyrics, he was telling his story about being an outcast and not being wanted by the world and you know every teenager has them moments when they feel like they need to rebel. That album was deep.

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DISCLOSURE Producers/DJs Age: Howard 18, Guy 21 From: London We’ve never thought of jacking music in as we’ve only been doing it professionally for around two years. Howard had to quit college for it but we’ve had a great time so far. The most important thing about the music we make is the fact we are quite critical of harmony and tuning.

KOF Singer/Songwriter/Producer Age: 23 From: Liverpool I was 17 when I started getting into neo-soul, Tupac, Biggie and Rocafella. Coming back to Liverpool gave me more of a dance music influence... That’s why I always have my MacBook with me, so if I can’t catch a vibe in the studio, I might just jump on my BMX and ride to the docks and catch a vibe there.

PREDITAH Producer/DJ Age: 23 From: Birmingham I was going through a very tough stage in my life a few years back and the song We Fall Down by Donnie McClurkin helped me to stay positive! If my own music didn’t take off, I’d still be just as excited as I am today about it, just for self-satisfaction. The most important thing about my music is that it’s for everyone.

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#JÄGERBOMBS, TINIE TEMPAH BLUEPRINT, UK DOWNFALL, ANGEL, WINNING

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PLAYTIME IS OVER Representing east London during The Olympics with his single Heatwave topping the charts twice, Wiley has already proved exactly what music means to him, concocting a Team GB tracksuit for his forthcoming album Nardene Scott discovers the Bow boy isn’t planning to do it on his own.

“Yeah we got there in the end... where it would have got signed wasn’t really the main thing for me because I just put so much effort into the album, I was happy wherever it would have come out it will do its stuff,” Wiley talks of the Twitter outburst regarding his album deal. When the track listing dropped via a screen grab of his Mac on his heavily followed @EskiDance account, it was clear why it meant such a big deal. Features are in abundance from Emeli Sandé, Ghetts and Angel to Tulisa, Griminal and Chimpunk, the grime originator has ensured The Ascent will live up to its name, “It’s what I always would have done, what people forget is I’ve grown up on that same album track list,” the MC/producer explains the idea behind the collaborations. “When I listen to Jay Z’s album, he’s got a track list like that... they’re just allowed to work with each other but in England, what happens is one person gets through the door and runs off.”

Now more than ever though, it’s all about #TeamGB and Mr Cowie’s recent Live Lounge proved that, teaming up with his favourite artist right now Angel and BBK bro, Skepta, dropping bars over Preditah’s Circles there’s definitely no reason to keep working alone, a tip he’s picked up from his peer. “Tinie Tempah is my peer you know, it’s no joke, I should be his peer or Dizzee was his peer, let’s be real but time has passed,” the Eskimo Dance founder honestly states before going a little deeper. “Obviously we look at him and respect what he’s done, now let me wake up to myself and do what I’m meant to do because I can’t be copying him but if he didn’t do all that, I’d still be peeing around in the underground and chatting rubbish on Twitter probably and I’d be gassed so big him up.”

It’s not all about the hard work though. No matter how obsessed Wiley is with going to a studio (wherever he

“I WAS TWEETING IT, LIKE 5 JÄGERMEISTERS, 10 JÄGERMEISTERS, 15, 20, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS ON 33… I COULDN’T REALLY BREATHE.” touches down in the world), the raving schedule hasn’t been too shabby but the hangover is a myth according to a recent Jägerbomb-infested night following a long stint in his beloved Dubai.

“Ah man, crazy! When I come back, I got off the plane, went to rave at Proud2 to see Pharoahe Monch, imagine that?

I was just excited to be back, I started drinking... I was tweeting it, like 5 Jägermeisters, 10 Jägermeisters, 15, 20, and then all of a sudden I was on 33,” yes no typo, 33 shots of Jägermeister and Red Bull. “I couldn’t really breathe, I had to drink water and then the next day I went to another club feeling sick from the night before and everyone is trying to buy me champagne, so I drank that and the next day I went back to Dubai because yeah, I just killed myself.”

Having also learned a lesson with Heatwave (“You get a hit when you’re not chasing it... I just recorded it blind, I didn’t write a word, I just stood in the booth with the mic and it came out of my brain,”) the outspoken spitter has teamed up with Tulisa, Ice Kid and Chipmunk for the next single, Hands In The Air. Whilst continuing to forge the relationship that kicked off the day he took Chip and Ice to Tim Westwood, Wiley is always ready to prove that music matters.

If you’d like to be entertained in the meantime follow @EskiDance and Wiley__ on Instagram. Hands In The Air is out soon and The Ascent is out 4 February

NUMBERS IN ACTION We let the numbers do the talking...

The date that Wiley, alongside BBK, roll out on their #BBKTour.

MCs appear on SkillZone, which include Ghetts, Griminal and Double S.

Our Eskiboy tops the cover star tally, having managed to feature on the front of RWD, on a solo tip three times.

The Ascent is the tenth studio album from the Eskimo Dance founder, now that’s a serious work rate.

Amount of views on Wiley’s YouTube. The homepage is a random man skanking on a bus too.

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# S.MOUSE, S.CHRIS LILLE, S.ANGRY BOYS, S.KANYE COPIED

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FOR SCAN E FR EOAD L DOWN

S.MUSIC MATTERS

Angry Boys creator, Chris Lilley, is a man of many characters but none more controversial/funny/perfect for our special “Music Matters” issue than S.mouse. Danny Walker rinses out his phone bill to speak to one of Australia’s biggest exports. The actor/comedian/ writer/producer talks silly songs, worldwide reactions and Kanye possibly copying him...

“THERE’S A CHRIS BROWN AND KANYE WEST SONG [DEUCES] WHICH CAME OUT A WHILE AGO AND PEOPLE WERE COMPARING IT TO S.MOUSE’S SLAP MY ELBOW.”

REALLY? AN ANGRY BOYS ALBUM?!?!?

Chris explains all...

“I guess the soundtrack evolved as I released it as an iTunes thing and then it won an ARIA [Australian Recording Industry Association] award. It’s like our National music awards [likened to the BRITs], then I started doing little remixes of S.mouse songs and then people started sending me remixes. Then I just compiled them all with the theme music and the score; if you’re a big hardcore fan you get all that and a DVD as well.”

“Soulja Boy is hilarious,” scoffs a lively Chris Lilley via the clearest of connections from Down Under. “People have done little mash-up videos of S.mouse and him; that’s why I pursued the character because it’s the one that has evolved the most from [Angry Boys].”

After commenting on one of the rappers that may or may not have inspired the humourous Australian comic, it soon becomes apparent that it’s not just a one way streak.

“Since recording all of those songs [that appear in the series and on the forthcoming soundtrack/DVD], stuff has come out which is so similar,” the comedian states with conviction. “Nicki Minaj had the track Sh*t On You, I was like; ‘I’ve done this!’ There’s a Chris Brown and Kanye West song [Deuces] which came out a while ago and people were comparing it to S.mouse’s Slap My Elbow.

Rather than me being some kind of Nostradamus, that just shows how music just goes around in circles.”

So what would (a post-house arrest) S.mouse think about the current state of the music industry? “That’s a tricky one. I don’t know,” laughs Chris. “I think when I launched that character I wanted to toy with the UK hip hop industry but it’s evolved into heavily being influenced by the US hip hop industry. What is going on with the music industry right now? It just seems like it’s the same thing over and over again. I can imagine an artist like S.mouse popping up now.” Imagine.

As he says this, an instant reminder of a certain record-breaking YouTube video comes into question. “S.mouse was like

the Gangnam Style of its day. The idea of him was that he was this manufactured thing so the record companies go, ‘Ah, hip hop is taking off; let’s get this young guy in. It doesn’t matter if he’s got any talent, we’ll just write him a single.’” But with a little more controversy? With Chris – a white male from Australia – playing S.mouse – an African-American – there was bound to be some race-based commotion when Angry Boys went out across the world. “Erm, it’s come up a little bit,” he recalls. “I get more negative press for other stuff. In America they got that but they had issues with other stuff.

There is a scene where Jen [Okazaki, a softly spoken, crazy, manipulative Japanese mother] gets this little girl a drinks bottle and it’s in the shape of a d**k. There were heaps of articles saying I was promoting paedophilia.”

For those who watch the show on BBC Three, you’ll know that it cuts very close to the bone but at the same time it has a huge cult following. So will we be seeing more? “This is the problem for me.” He starts by throwing us off the scent. Nice. “I just love bringing the characters back. So I’d definitely love [S.mouse and Jen] to come back at some point but I’d have to choose carefully. After Summer Heights High it was really nice because everyone wanted those characters back but I wanted to do new ones. There are a couple of characters who I think have run their course but S.mouse is definitely one I loved doing and would love to have back.”

For more Chris Lilley check out the Angry Boys soundtrack and DVD 55

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UNWIND FILMS | GAMES | MUSIC | LIVE

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

F1 RACE STARS

They may look like weird little Lego-esque cartoon characters, but it’s all part of Codemasters’ plan to make F1 Race Stars appeal to everyone. With all the drivers, teams and excitement of F1 with added Mario Kart-like craziness, could this be a surprise hit?

JOIN ON LT HAMI THE AND NG! GA >> 57

#FUN WITH F1, TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT, SONIC’S GOING IN, WII U

GAMES

We keep saying “Music Matters”, but so do games. Games matter!!!

MONTHLY MUST PLAY

F1 Race Stars Codemasters PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U “Ah, is this that Mario Kart game with F1 drivers?” was heard a few times this month as we rigorously put Codemasters’ first kart-based racing game through its paces. Rather than correct the ill-informed, we simply agreed. Minus the technicalities, rigidity and “witty” commentary of its bigger brother - the officially licenced driving sim, F1 2012 - what ...Race Stars lacks in general anal dross it makes up for in fun. As well as having all 24 drivers from the 2012 season, you can take the likes of Hamilton and Alonso on 11 tracks from across the globe, using various skill levels; 1000, 2000 and 3000cc. Taking elements from the official tracks they’ve introduced loop-the-loops, crazy sky roads and even monster trucks to add zany elements that keeps you coming back. With “pit stops” that help you fix your smoky/broken car and more power-ups than we could ever imagine, this is a game that will bring both family and friends together.

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ORE G. A FOR M RWDM VISIT /REVIEWS COM

MUSIC More music for you to fill up your little generic MP3 player with or steer clear of completely...

Family Guy: Back To The Multiverse (preview)

Activision Xbox 360, PS3

Cartoons don’t traditionally translate well to games consoles, but thanks to the promise of a crossover that stays true to it’s televisual counterpart, there’s every reason to get excited over Stewy and Brian Griffin’s time-travelling, console-based misadventures. As well as a hilarious single player campaign, there’s also a crazy/intense/ manic multiplayer mode which will no doubt make this a must have for fans of Seth MacFarlane’s work.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Sega PS3, Xbox 360, PC, 3DS, Vita, Wii U Searing at inhuman speeds, transforming across a barrage of tracks, terrains and transportation variations, this high octane speedster starts out very well. With a bag full of All-Stars (including Tails, Knuckles, Beat (from Jet Set Radio), Ralph from Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph fame and many many more) it makes for an easy on the thumb/mind, pick up and play racing game. For a bit.

“Haunting (in a good way)”

“Funky... very funky”

Laura Mvula She EP RCA

Various Artists Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club Freestyle Records

With light, airy poetic vocals drizzled across subtle instrumentation (provided by Steve Brown (Rumer) and co.); the elegant introduction to Birmingham’s Laura Mvula is a great addition to any playlist. No wonder she’s tipped by everyone from Zane Lowe to The Guardian. (DW) Track to Check: Can’t Live with the World

“Levels!”

Various This Is UK Grime: Volume 3 Defenders Ent. The third in the series of the This Is UK Grime compilations sees yet another big line-up from Footsie and Teddy Music to Wiley and Skepta so you already know the basslines, bars and beats simply can’t be beaten. (ST) Track to Check: Wiley – Where’s My Brother

Robot-loving, Be Kind RWD star, Craig Charles had gone and created a compilation of funky, soulful music from all over the world.

6 Music fans will be aware of his Saturday night show that explores these vintage genres each week. It’s not our usual kinda thing, but it’s good. (FD) Track to Check: The Apples

“Ridiculously epic” Reso Tangram Civil Music

Reso’s debut album is so videogame soundtrack worthy it’s unreal. Seriously it’s ready to accompany anything. With a couple of super chilled ambient tracks alongside the sample-littered, sci-fi dubstep mania of Creature and Exoframe, we are fans. (FD) Track to Check: Simple Pleasures

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THE BIG REV-U

No company has as rich a history in console gaming as Nintendo.

After wowing us (for at least two weeks) with the revolutionary motion controls of the Wii, the Japanese gaming giants are back with a brand new piece of kit that’ll have parents across the globe opening their wallets to shell out £200+ to keep their littl’uns happy over the Christmas period. That’s right, the highly anticipated Wii U is here, but how does it handle? We went hands-on to find out.

Words by James Humphrys

THE EVOLUTION OF THE NINTENDO An abridged history of the iconic game manufacturers’ home consoles...

COLOR TV GAME When: 1977 Top Game: Block Breaker ‘The what!?’, you say? The console Nintendo released which ushered in the beginning of their dominance over the console market.

NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM/FAMICOM When: 1986 Top Game: Super Mario Bros The NES was the first worldwide console release for the Japanese giants, and introduced us, for the first time, to Mario.

The GamePad: Bringing together touch and traditional controls, and a whole host of fancy bells and whistles, the Wii U GamePad is, without doubt, the most impressive part of the Wii U.

Pro Controller: Not into using a tablet to control your console?

No worries, Nintendo have the no frills Pro Controller which, unsurprisingly costs a lot less than the GamePad.

As you’ll well know, the Wii U’s killer feature is it’s all singing, all dancing GamePad which features a built-in touch screen, a front-facing camera, motion sensors, near field communication and, of course, a couple of buttons and joysticks just for good measure.

In practice the pads feel quite alien to hold, especially if you’re crossing over from an Xbox 360 or a PS3, and despite giving it a chance, even after an extended playing session, the controller just didn’t feel right.

On the non-gaming side of things, the Wii U has taken great strides since the days of the bleak standard definition, grey and white interface of 60 / RWDMAG.COM

The Console: With a graphics card powerful enough to rival its current gen competition, 2GB of RAM and the option of an 8GB or 32GB hard drive, the Wii U has the spec to compete. its predecessor. A huge catalogue of gaming and entertainment apps are split between the GamePad and your TV and available to switch as you wish.

Nintendo have been busy working with the likes of YouTube, Amazon and Netflix to create their feature-packed Tvii app.

Verdict: While the Wii U is not the complete next gen package that a lot of people were waiting for, it is a hugely impressive piece of kit, which, with the right support, could easily replicate the early success of its predecessor, despite its hardware limitations. Plus, who can honestly say they’re not excited by the prospect of Mario Kart U?

SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM When: 1992 Top Game: Super Mario World If ever a console warranted the prefix ‘super’ it’s this. Selling almost 50 million units worldwide, this was THE system for the early 90s.

NINTENDO 64 When: 1997 Top Game: Super Mario 64 With console gaming at his peak, the N64 was a very worthy rival to the all-conquering PlayStation, especially with GoldenEye.

GAMECUBE When: 2002 Top Game: Super Smash Bros. Melee Taking on two of the biggest consoles of all time (PS2 and Xbox) wasn’t going to be easy task, but the GameCube held its own. For a bit.

WII When: 2006 Top Game: Block Breaker The Wii was a surprise hit as its sales surged ahead of its rivals in the early stages thanks to its never-before-seen motion controls.

#DJANGO, JAMIE FOXX, THE BLOKE FROM TITANIC, WESTERN

FILMS Music may matter, but what about films? You’ve got to love films, right?

PREVIEW Django Unchained Sony Pictures Releasing Cert. TBC Taking a little closer look at Quentin Tarantino’s Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L Jackson featuring venture into pre-abolition Mississippi, we’ve officially put this western on the map. It’s not just the stellar cast either but dialogue, cinematography (both of which we’d expect to be exemplary) and the fact that DiCaprio is playing a role – of plantation owner Calvin Candie – unlike any role we’ve seen him in, makes this a film worth noting. We rarely like taking a visit to the Deep South but once again it looks like Foxx’s acting is more than onpoint. Recent performances in Due Date, Law Abiding Citizen and even his cameo in Horrible Bosses have kept us onside, but this already looks to be Ray worthy.

Although the UK audiences get Django Unchained just under a month AFTER the States, this looks like one of the first flicks to see in 2013.

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MUSIC Each and every issue we give you the latest music to download, buy and/or avoid that month...

ORE G. A FOR M RWDM VISITOM/FILM C

Argo Warner Bros.

Cert. 15 It’s great when a simple film like Argo comes along. Strong storyline, great premise (based on an interesting rescue attempt) and decent cast (anything that includes Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, gets marked up). Brush aside Affleck’s smarmy aura and you’ve got yourself a good movie.

The Man With The Iron Fists Universal Cert. 18 Feeling like a project RZA (of Wu Tang fame) has been working on all his life – not just since 2005 when he originally conceived the idea – this homage to traditional martial art greats brings Russell Crowe and Lucy Liu along for the ride. With warriors and crazy flying henchmen... it’s almost got it all. Too bad it’s predictable in places.

“Steamy”

“Classic”

Alicia Keys Girl On Fire RCA

Kendrick Lamar good kid, m.A.A.d city TDE / Aftermath

Ms. Keys is back and as her single will tell you, she’s on fire!

From the expected piano laden ballads including Fire We Make alongside the unfaltering falsetto of Maxwell to the less expected reggae vibes of Limetedless, Alicia delivers a grown album here. (NS) Track to Check: Listen To Your Heart

If you’re a proper fan of the Chicago-born, Compton raised artist then you’ll already be well aware of his talent.

But even from a super fan stance the album - or better still, short film - has surpassed expectations and injected a necessary boost of realness back into the world of hip hop.

Salute. (NS) Track to Check: Just press play

“Memorable”

“Barring”

Amy Winehouse Amy Winehouse @ The BBC Island / Lioness

SP Coming Along: More Imagination Free Download

This super 4-disc package has just about everything a Winehouse Stan could ever want.

DVD footage from early appearances on Jools Holland, remastered sets from BBC Sessions and a documentary to boot. Perfect Xmas gift. (NS) Track to Check: Love Is A Losing Game (Jools Holland 2009)

Since appearing as One to Watch SP’s been in the studio cooking up tunes with Swifta Beater, SNY, FuntCase and more. Leading up to his debut album Coming Along, this EP sees him delve into his past and open up. Jump on the bandwagon now. (NS) Track to Check: Negative to Positive

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#RED BULL, WEMBLEY ARENA, BBK, BEST SOUND WINS

LIVE: RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY CULTURE CLASH Nardene Scott witnessed the Red Bull Music Academy Culture Clash. The rules were simple too; four sounds, four rounds, best sound wins, read on to see how it all panned out.

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ANNIE MAC PRESENTS MAGNETIC MAN

Well to be honest, on paper, Mac and MM’s stage looked cray, like a rave within a rave, considering their special guests (deep inhale) Rudimental, P Money, Maverick Sabre, Katy B, Example, Redlight, Disclosure, Ms. Dynamite (and exhale)... wait do the obese batty shakers in the gold lame speedos count? Anyways they did a lot but it all seemed a bit formulated!

CHANNEL ONE

Firstly they’ll be nothing bad said about a foundation sound like Channel One. Let’s not forget they were the champs going into the clash. But when BBK tried to tell rastaman they were looking

to eat pork, a certain retort wasn’t expected, when they baited up a certain BBK member about having watched their nappy being changed when they were still sound man. But anyways, we appreciated hearing a few actual instruments and if anyone had won on banter they definitely did.

MAJOR LAZER

Diplo and crew were secretive about their special guests only dropping Rita Ora’s name at the last minute and keeping word of ATL’s Usher completely silent but to be fair that didn’t go off as much as when they went in on the bashment.

Also Diplo’s attempt to zorb surf through the crowd #dressshoesonplasticfail #notenoughgasinthetank... but anyway,

“WE HAVE TO GIVE A NOD TO WHOEVER EDITED THAT VIDEO SWAPPING A BLACKBERRY FOR A DILDO, THERE WAS NO WAY DIPLO COULD COME FROM THAT!”

TO SCANTCH WA HES CLAS

let’s just get on to the crew who did the damn thing? Why you still reading this?

BOY BETTER KNOW

Grime’s favourite crew most definitely came to vibes and vibes they did from the jump. Frisco was on a wavy one, Skepta was jumping up and down like the floor was on fire, Jammer was launching himself off of speakers, Solo 45 was stripping from the top down to the toes (real life toes fam), Shorty was overly moeshin’ whilst Wiley was in his own zone, especially when Eskimo dropped and JME’s pumped up chest presidential stance was just too much. In short, BBK represented grime to the fullest, Wiley got the crowd hyper like a baby... we never got there because it got wheeled

of course, Skepta told the sounds about themselves and didn’t even need a backing track to do so. Twas nuts. That Gangnam Style x Spookfest dub (shakes head) the bass, the accompanying skanks, the shocked faces of the other sounds #ISSMADD. Guest appearances from Lethal B (who brought along Frimpong) and Chip didn’t hurt either but let’s face it, they were the deserved winners, Maximum kept it moving on the decks and despite Giggs not even being there he said a lot and we don’t reckon Skream and Benga will be able to come back at him to be honest. The first time grime has been involved in the clash and they only go and bloody win it! Boy dun know now.

For more follow @RBMA and @RedBull 65

#SCOUSER, ROBOT WARS, FUNK AND SOUL, TAKESHI’S CASTLE

BE KIND REWIND RWD CRAIG CHARLES Craig was around a lot when we were growing up. With our older siblings watching Red Dwarf in one room, us kids would watch Robot Wars and Takeshi’s Castle in another (Editor: Or watch both, like a G)... not forgetting Corrie and his show on 6 Music!

Craig Charles was there for us when our parents weren’t.

How does it feel to be a cult figure?

I’m dead lucky aren’t I? I don’t know how I did it! It wasn’t the plan or anything!

Do you still have the big leather jacket you wore on Robot Wars?

I’ve got all the Robot Wars jackets and all Lister’s jackets from Red Dwarf as well!

I’ve got a games room and [whispering] I put them on mannequins. I’ve got all the jackets on mannequins... You know what, I think I need therapy!

As long as you’re not talking to them!

[Laughs] No, I don’t talk to them. Which jacket were you talking about? The one with tassels?

No, just a big Matrix-style one...

Oh, that was a German flying officers jacket from the RAF in 1917! That’s what German pilots wore when they were dropping bombs.

Wow! Do you have a favourite robot?

Hypno-Disc! It was so destructive when that wheel went round. Vrooooooooom!

So, Red Dwarf is back with a new series.

What was it like getting back with the cast again? Feel old?

We’re old and raddled. We’re like four broken down TV stars, stuck in a room, and it’s just wrong! You should take us out to a barn with a double-barrell and blow us away! Jesusss. No, it was good fun getting back together. I started Red 66 / RWDMAG.COM

BE KIND RATING Words we had to get in: leather, robots, old, poetry Quote we had to leave out: “Have you seen the size of Kryton now? How much software can you get into a robot?!”

What we learned: Craig Charles is a legend with a weird games room.

Be Kind Rewind RWD Rating: High. We didn’t bring up any naughtiness.

Dwarf when I was 23, and I’m 48 now!

I’ve known them longer than I’ve known my children! We’re all great mates and we make each other laugh.

How hilarious was Takeshi’s Castle?

Well that’s what we call ‘Say What You See TV’. I had the tapes, a TV, a microphone and a tape player. I’d just play the tape and literally say what I saw. I can’t believe I got away with saying some of the things I said. Stuff like ‘she’s on her hands and knees. Big, black balls bouncing off her bottom!’

Music obviously matters to you. What’s so great about funk and soul?

It’s the backbone to my life really – the ultimate party music. My radio show deals with black American music, so I can never play a bad song, because they’re all classics! We also deal with the response to that, so most of the album is new music.

The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club is out now. Why should people invest in the album?

It’s not much money to invest for so much fun!

All of your bands have had seriously great names – Craig Charles and the Beat Burglars, The Songs of Gordon Gekko, and Black To The Future... Why Black To The Future?

Black To The Future was a band that we put together quite recently. What we decided to do on the radio show was to do the history of Black American Music from 1945 in three hours... WE FAILED. Before all of this, you started out as a poet. Can you recite a poem right now?

Like a lonely fish finger I lie in bed, pulling the breadcrumbs over my head.

The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club is released on 26 November. Follow Craig at @CCfunkandsoul