EDITOR’S LETTER If you had asked me ten years ago what I’d be doing right now, writing this editor’s letter would have not been one of my guesses. A famous Hollywood actor would have been the dream, though I could easily have been still working behind a bar. It took a long time and a few career paths for me to become a journalist. I really wanted to be an actor, but the only roles I really saw were the bread ones that I was putting on plates as a waitress! After a little career rethink, I combined my love of music with an (I hoped!) aptitude for writing and came up with music journalist. After three years of more bar work, a bit of signing on and writing about any act for any magazine that would take me for absolutely no money, I finally started to see some relative success. I joined RWD six years ago as editor and I now also write for i-D magazine, GQ Style, The Sunday Times and the Guardian. I’m very lucky to be able to do a job that I love that has taken me all over the world and allowed me to meet some incredible people. But it took time, hard work and being flat-broke before I finally started to get somewhere! This issue we look at some people who are beginning their journey – Daley, Scrufizzer, Tanya Lacey and many more – and those who are in the process of being the next big thing – our footie star cover star Chris Smalling and comedy genius Seth Rogen – as we take a look at going from Underdog to Top Dog! Everyone in this issue has worked long, hard hours to get to where they are. Nothing will ever be given to you; unfortunately it takes grind, grit, determination and dedication to become a rapper, singer, fashion designer, football player or film star. Whatever your dreams and goals are, be prepared to work very, very hard to realise them and also - and this can be hard - sometimes what you want to be and what you will can be two different things. I might not be hanging out in LA on film sets, but I do get to go there to meet Lady Gaga and Dr. Dre! Don’t be afraid to reevaluate your ambitions – you never know where you might end up!
RWD TEAM Editor Deputy Editor Senior Staff Writer Contributing Editor Online Editor Contributors
@hattiecollins @dannywalker1 @Nardenescott @chantellefiddy @tegosigel Alex Johnson, Ralph Hardy, Deena Sompura, Francesca Dunn, Jerry Gadiano, Emmanuel Ezugwu, Natasha Parris
Art Director Dacre J. Bracey Designer Chidi Ubani Fashion Stylists Nasrin Jean-Baptiste, Neesha Sharma, PC Williams Style Pages Editors Irene Asanji Sophie Robinson Style Assistant Cheyenne Davide Illustrators Art Jaz, Jiro Bevis, David Flanagan Photographers James Pearson-Howes, Andres Reynega, Response London, Adrian Nettleship, Simeon Coates, James Carnegie, Eman A, Ravi Sidhu, Kieran Pharoah Publisher Sales Director Senior Sales Opperations Mngr Thanks
Nigel Wells Paul LeFevre Matthew Richards Martin Ferguson Bob Austin
CONTACT RWD W107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipp Street, London EC2A 4PS Tel: 020 3176 4299 Email: staff@rwdmag.com
@hattiecollins
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
CONTRIBUTOR OF THE MONTH RALPH HARDY The infamous east Londoner Kevin Akpobi aka Ralph Hardy has been about for a while; you might see him filming for SBTV, cracking jokes on Twitter and Pardon My Blog or on the very pages of this magazine interviewing MJ Cole and Kano. Ralph was also an incredibly huge help with our DECA 10 exhibition. The self-described “weird, strange and unusual” comedianin-waiting has a lot of plans for the future. “I want to be in the forefront of comical TV presenting/ radio personality but since I’m (extremely) good at DJing, journalism and music consulting (if I do say so myself), I wanna leave this earth knowing I did something I loved and others benefited from it!” @ralphhardy, facebook.com/mrralphhardy and Ralphhardy.co.uk 2 / RWDMAG.COM
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
3
CONTENTS 01/11/2011
REGULARS 8-10 12-13 14 16-18 20-21 22-25 26-31 98
INBOX CHECK IN/ CHECK OUT ENOUGH ALREADY: FAME THIRSTY FOOLS ASICS ONE TO WATCH: DALEY, RIVAL, DILLON FRANCIS, CHRIS FAGE, ELMINO ABOUT TO BLOW SUPPORTED BY *ECKÕ: CARLY CUSSEN ADISLAM PREVIEW CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF RWD FINAL WORD: KELLY ROWLAND
STYLE GUIDE 33-37 38 40-47 48-49 50-51
WATCHES BLUEY ROBINSON FOR G-SHOCK FASHION STORY: THE GETAWAY FASHION NEWS REFRESHED: TUBES
10 / RWDMAG.COM
FEATURES 52-56 COVER STORY: UPFRONT WITH CHRIS SMALLING 58-59 PELE 60-67 *ECKÕ PRESENTS: GHETTS, DRU BLU, KOF, MARGER, SCRUFIZZER, KAPITAL KO 68-71 SETH ROGEN 72-73 PAIGE TYLER 74-79 WHO RUNS THE WORLD? GIRLS! TANYA LACEY, WAR OF WORDS, STOOSHE, FLAVA D, LIANNE LA HAVAS
UNWIND GAMES SENNHEISER INTERVIEW: JASON MANFORD GIG GUIDE: REEBOK CLASSICS PRESENTS..., UK B-BOY CHAMPIONSHIPS: WORLD FINALS, FRANK OCEAN 96-97 ALBUM REVIEWS AND CHART 81-83 84-85 86-87 90-94
INBOX
To be a top dog you need to work hard, focus and rise above everything else. This month Daniel has done so and therefore cops these sick new *eckõ unltd. headphones worth £50 head to jdsports.co.uk/men/brand/ecko/ for more info on the Ecko Unltd range. Send all your letters to: Attn. Editor, RWD Magazine, W107 Holywell Centre, 1 Phipp Street, London, EC2A 4PS or staff@RWDmag.com we believe it is you who is mistaken Mr Holgate. It’s either ANOTHER minor design error that only a pixel perfect designer will notice or RODgate part 2 (for those who don’t know ask Hattie about that). Come on; tell us where it is then. – RWD Mistake Patrol
LETTER OF THE MONTH
Dear RWDmag, I’m not too sure whether this message will get read. However, it’s worth a try. I’m currently interested in creating my own blogging site. I have been looking at different ways in which to do this. I would appreciate if you could reply back with any tips on what I could do or the first step I have to take once I’ve come up with ideas for my blog. Thanks, Daniel H. Daniel, you sound like a top dog in the making. The best advice we can offer you would be to have a look at what’s out there already and see how you could do it better. Use your contacts, social networks and as much exclusive information as possible to produce something different. If you can’t do that, don’t start. – RWD’s Keeping It Real Dept. Most magazines offer a freebie or something of the sort when a reader finds a mistake in the magazine.... and I’ve spotted one. Sorry! Mr Holgate A mistake in RWD? In RWD? No way, 12 / RWDMAG.COM
Dear RWD, I have written a review on last night’s episode of Top Boy which I hope you would be interested in publishing. If not, feedback would also be great... Today’s news ubiquitously depicts stories of London’s gang and drug culture as a vicious circle, which usually ends in one of two results – death or prison. As the first episode of the fourpart drama Top Boy aired on Channel 4 last night, director Yann Demange (Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Dead Set) showed that where some fall, others continue to earn a living. Top Boy is introduced through Ra’Nell’s (Malcolm Kamulete) observation around his home, the fictional Summerhouse estate in Hackney, east London. Through Ra’Nell’s vision, we see Summerhouse members Dushane (Ashley Walters), Sully (Kane Robinson/Kano) and their accomplices carry out a day of trade on the drug market. All is not well in Summerhouse though, as rival group from London Fields, lead by Kamale (MC Scorcher) loot all the stock, leaving Dushane and Sully stumped. Meanwhile, Ra’Nell carries the trouble of looking after his mentally ill mother, who his soon hospitalised. [Heavily shortened for page space...] Perhaps Demange intended homage to great American productions such as American Gangster and The Wire, which resonate through Top Boy. Regardless of influence, the Channel 4 drama is a work in its own right, and a pioneer for future British urban dramas. A must-see. Almass Good stuff, keep it coming.
THE MONTH IN TWITPICS
Robbing the innocence of casually uploaded Twitter images, Tego Sigel selects our favourite Twitpics...
@ChipmunkArtist: Soz for tweeting it so late... But yeah here’s my new tatt...If you know who she is... You know. (Healing) Chipmunk continues his mission for his arms to match his T-Shirt. Almost there Chippy.
@example: Arabic Coca-Cola with a swimming pool in the background We’re not impressed Example. Our local CostCutter sells that can.
@CalvinHarris: ‘Woman only’ parking spaces! Obviously new signs. Nowhere near enough dents... yeah we said it... we’re sorry!
RWDMAG.COM QUICK QUESTION:
RWDMAG.COM USERS CAST THEIR VOTE Each month we give you the chance to answer our Quick Question. This month:
22%
Ra’Nell (Malcolm Kamulete)
20%
Luke “Scorcher plays an angry guy a bit too well, doesn’t he?” #management
Sully (Kane Robinson aka Kano)
3%
Kamale (Scorcher)
Dushane (Ashley Walters)
Who has been the top dog in Top Boy?
NO,THEY CAN’T
4% 2%
Tareek (Sean Sagar)
SHOULD MANCHESTER CITY MAKE CARLOS TEVEZ FIGHT VINCENT KOMPANY AND NIGEL DE JONG FOR A PLACE IN THE FIRST TEAM?
60% YEAH, FIGHT!
12% 29% 88% 11% YES, THEY CAN
Gem (Giacomo Mancini) Dris (Shone Romulus)
Lucie B “Ashley Walters blew the rest of the cast out of the water!”
RWD POLLS DID YOU THINK UNDERDOGS ALDERSHOT TOWN COULD CAUSE AN UPSET AGAINST TOP DOGS MANCHESTER UNITED?
5%
QUITE POSSIBLY
NO, CANCEL HIS CONTRACT
Illustrastion : iamaflanagan.co.uk
44%
TOP TWEETS @RWDMAG:
1.@RompaUrbanNerds: @urban_nerds X @RWDmag Christmas special is looking strong! Early arrival is suggested and advised. 3rd Dec at Macbeth 2.@PXLtweets: @dannywalker1 @TegoSigel @RWDmag hash tagging #management at the end of a tweet leaves even less room for a tweet! 3.@LittleDonatella: Big up @RWDmag alllllll day :) 4.@JadeDragonMusic: Chilling before show, handed the latest @RWDmag. Dope...
14 / RWDMAG.COM
CHECK IN/ CHECK OUT GADGET:
BOWERS & WILKINS The new C5 in-ear noise-isolating headphones are perfect for those audioholics who like to look good... Check out... the craftsmanship, innovation and high quality performance of Bowers & Wilkins noise eradiating in-ears. From the geniuses that brought us the Zepplin and the recent Zepplin Air comes a high grade, iPhone-ready, audio-friendly headphone that won’t disappoint. Not only will they sound the part but they will look the part too, leaving whatever crap that came with your device destined for the dustbin. Using its Micro Porous Filter – which acts as a diffuser – the aluminium finished, Tungsten Balanced, noise isolators utilise a forward thinking Secure Loop design to lock the bud into the inner ear. Treat your ears to superb sound this Christmas. £149.95, bowers-wilkins.co.uk
16 / RWDMAG.COM
ART:
THE BOOMBOX PROJECT In celebration of the ghetto blaster! Check in... to XOYO this month. Back in the day, people didn’t rely on noiseleaking headphones or a tinny Nokia on the back of the No.38 to show-off what they were listening to. Nah, back then, you picked up a massive boombox, popped it on your shoulder and strolled the streets with the sounds of LL, Grandmaster Flash and Rakim blasting out. The street was the club back then and listening to music was a collective experience. In celebration of the iconic piece of old-skool player, New York photographer, filmmaker and beatbox collector, Lyle Owerko, has collated an array of fine art portraits, which are being displayed in the UK for the first time.. Involve yourself in the art world via hip hop by going to ‘The Boombox Project’ by Lyle Owerko. At XOYO from 2nd – 7th December and at Whisper from 9th December – 14th January. whisperfineart.co.uk
BOOK:
SIMON WHEATLEY One of RWD’s most treasured photographers releases a book documenting 10 years of grime. Check out... This absolutely incredible dedication to the grime scene. Integrating himself into the scene over a decade ago, Wheatley’s black-rimmed specs and floppy hair became a familiar sight on the estates of London as he gained the trust of subjects in his own ubiquitous way. This book collates just some of the amazing pictures that Simon took along the way; including both local residents and then unknown MC’s like Dizzee and Tinchy. With some of these images - including that of the now imprisoned Crazy Titch considered iconic photographs depicting the vibrancy of the grime scene, the pictures in Wheatley’s tome are striking, shocking, beautiful and brilliant. From £30. Dontcallmeurban.com
THE MONTH IN NUMBERS
A round-up of this issue in digits.
The number of days we’ve waited, to no avail, for a Joey Essex interview. Non-Reem.
SPORT:
ATP WORLD FIDDY’S WORLD OF TOUR WHATEVER FINALS Tennis lovers descend on the O2 Arena this month (from Sunday 20 Nov – Sunday 27 Nov 2011 to be precise) for some high octane hard court racket play... Check in... to London’s O2 Arena this November as the best tennis players in the world will be at Barclay’s prestigious ATP World Tour Finals. As you know all eyes will be on Federer as he’s qualified for his 10th finale in a row. The likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and our boy Andy ‘Please Win Something’ Murray will all be in the running and only time will tell if Roger will once again be victorious. barclaysatpworldtourfinals.com
The number of Birthday wish tweets RWD received this month.
This month: Historical excursions When Jammer approached me about penning the foreword to the forthcoming Lord of the Mics 3 release, it got me thinking; young guns might not remember a time before YouTube, MySpace, SB, Flava or chart success but there are those that do. The DVD was one avenue that the grime scene originators utilised to bring underground culture to the forefront. It was the first time a number of fans were able to witness the burgeoning scene and its talent. What reminded me of this was a convo I had with the ginger G Ed Sheeran on the eve of fellow RWD contributor Sian Anderson’s 21st birthday. Catching up on Ed’s recent success and the attempts at major labels to create what’s now known as ‘doing an Ed Sheeran’, he reminded me of something important. The Collaborations EP was approached as a fan. After a serious session of importing my extensive collection of mixtapes, Ed and Jake Gosling went away and made the backing tracks with specific artists in mind. He approached it simply as a grime fan who wanted to work with his verbal idols – thanks to the aforementioned mediums. In the same way this is how Jammer appears to have approached Lord of The Mics 3. Keen to provide a similar platform to the one that previously helped a number of MCs to shine, will a new star be born? Time will but tell. @lordofthemics
Seconds that Tego and Greg were stuck in a lift while on the way to interviewing footie legend Pele.
The amount of people who turned up for work the day after our DECA party. The half is Chidi; he really wasn’t all there.
Emails it took to finalise the Who Run The World... Girls shoot; it was a lot!
The number of bottles of ERISTOFF vodka consumed on our Birthday... 17
ENOUGH ALREADY: Fame Thirsty Fools Do you remember when life was all about studying hard for a good job, having a laugh with the lads and eventually finding happiness with the right person (or at least a decent blowie)? With an influx of “celebstatus” chasers, those days are long gone. Danny Walker investigates the fame whore... Image by Artjaz Fame. It’s a funny ol’ game. In 1968 avant-garde loon Andy Warhol warned the world about it. In the 80s the legging wearing weirdos of the LaGuardia Performing Arts High School sung and pranced about it and in the last few years music artists have even dedicated albums to it (post Lamborghini-gate Chris Brown earlier this year with F.A.M.E. and the Big Monster herself Lady Gaga in 2008 with The Fame). Using 25 year-old Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta as an example it seems EVERYONE wants to be on the edge of glory. With a lethal explosion of reality TV series, WAGs, wannabe WAGs, game shows, no shows, documentaries, mockumentaries, X Factors, Z-list factors, Jersey Shores, Geordie Shores, Next Top Models, Who Wants To Be A Foetal Apprentices, women tanned to within an inch of their lives, ridiculous TV programmes hosted by Jeremy Kyle and the recent chance to be Signed by Katie Price’s Pet Dogs, there are many ways to get your 15 minutes of celebritydom on. But whatever happened to wanting to be a teacher? Whatever happened to shows that didn’t involve eating kangaroo testicles? Whatever happened to working hard and earning an honest day’s living? Castings, signings, votings, eliminations, 18 / RWDMAG.COM
reverberations, regurgitations, sleeping your way to the top, sleeping your way to the middle, sleeping with your brother’s wife, sleeping with a Kardashian, the world has gone quick fix crazy. Distinction desperados are now being seen on MULTIPLE reality shows; X Factor’s love her or hate her (emphasis on the latter) Kitty Bruckface was also in Come Dine With Me and 2011 Big Brother runner up Jay McKray simultaneously appeared in Katie Price’s show on Sky Living (no, we didn’t watch it either). That’s just embarrassing and it’s not just us who think so either. “This is my greatest regret. It’s a disgusting attitude and potentially a waste of a life,” said Ricky Gervais about the quest for superficial success. His new comedy, Life’s Too Short, is all about those who are fame-thirsty and he states it “reflects the more modern age - desperate, fame-hungry monsters who will do anything just to be on the telly”. We hope that meathead Alex Reid (who is actually set to marry reality “star” Chantelle Houghton, after coincidently proposing, where? You guessed... On a talk show) is reading this. If he can in fact read. We hope Alex and the rest of the fame whores are taking this in before it’s too late because they’re only one bad decision away from being Dane Bowers.
presents
ASICS GEL-LYTE III
ASICS.CO.UK/SPORTSTYLE (£75) Keeping on top of this here fashion game ASICS bring to you the vibrantly coloured and retro styled ASICS GEL-LYTE III kicks. They’ll be no time wasted getting these trendy trainers on your feet either with a speed lacing system and once they’re in, comfort is the word, with a specially moulded sole featuring foot shock absorption and a tongue that won’t start wagging. Good news for sneaker addicts; we have three pairs to give away. Email [subject:ASICS] iwannawin@rwdmag.com to be in with a chance of winning.
DALEY
For the past year this Mancunian singer/ songwriter has been popping up on everyone’s radar as the next big thing in UK soul, the new Mick Hucknall and the next D’Angelo... Nardene Scott meets Daley to find out how he does is... Never has the saying good things come to those who wait rung more true. For anyone that’s managed to download the recently released free mixtape Those Who Wait, (and this should be all of you really), there’s not a lot we need to break down about Daley’s vocals; they’re hypnotic yet vulnerable, seductively soulful and more importantly REAL. It’s not just our fine selves that have noticed this either; The Guardian recently told people to file him next to D’Angelo, George Michael and Maxwell - the latter of course is a no brainer following that acoustic cover of Pretty Wings that RWD secretly prefers to the original. It was at 15 that Gareth Daley thought it was time to take music seriously. Even though he still didn’t have the dream of becoming the Daley we know and love today, his influences were no joke. “I started to listen to a lot of Prince, and a lot of neo-soul from the late 90s/early 2000s,” he tells RWD. Due to the indie heavy live music circuit in Manchester, it wasn’t until the Donnie Hathaway fan studied art and design at uni that he found a stage he was comfortable with at ACS events, which progressed into London shows. Performances at ILUVLIVE, Adlib and Sunday Show saw
RIVAL
ears prick up at BBC Introducing... and the next thing you know Damon Albarn’s missus is a fan. “He invited me to the studio to jam, and, yeah...” the super calm singer laughs about meeting the Gorillaz musician. A few months later Doncamatic dropped and consequently landed the stylish one a spot on The Gorillaz world tour. But it was this year when the free download was released via Daley.tv that fans went into a frenzy. It was soulful (Alone Together), it was also quirky (Like a Virgin) and it was most definitely pop (Smoking Gun). “Imogen Heap is a massive influence of mine,” the Little Dragon and SBTRKT lover explains, before telling us about potential collaborations with Emeli Sandé and friends Martina Baker and Jareth. But what gets the writing process started though? “There’s no studio rituals but it always involves food – there always has to be good food in the studio, a lot of take out,” the self-professed chef says, smiling like a schoolboy. Lets hope the takeaways keep rolling out fast because we don’t know how long we can wait for the next Daley release! @daleymusic and download Those Who Wait at Daley.tv
“THERE’S NO STUDIO RITUALS BUT THERE ALWAYS HAS TO BE GOOD FOOD IN THE STUDIO. A LOT OF TAKE OUT IS NEEDED...”
“The angry flow comes from anger within myself and when I hear certain beats, energy comes out and it gets a bit mad,” explains east London native MC Rival when speaking about the venom in his voice. Circulating his tracks and voice on radio in recent months, the self-proclaimed “Forever changing” Ashley has been thinking logically about the next steps. Starting off listening to the likes of NWA and LL, the grime and dubstepper has productions from G.Tank and Flava D with features from Ghetts, Dot Rotten and more to make Lord Rivs ready for the mandem. With I Remember already in RWD’s mental iTunes bank, be sure to obtain the mixtape ASAP. “I grew up reading this magazine. I used to go Rhythm Division when school finished to get it, I had to run there.” None of that anymore Rival - we’re online too! @JusRival. Lord Rivs is out now (RH)
20 / RWDMAG.COM
DILLON FRANCIS
Merging genres isn’t a new trick but doing it well can be seen as a triumph in all its 100-112 BPM glory. Dillon Francis, an American DJ/ producer is running with the Moombahton vibe and running with it fast! The sound that fuses dubstep, Dutch house, reggaeton and more has been shelling down afterparties on the Skrillex tour with its fun, melodic, limb-moving breakdowns. With the Mad Decent familia being family, there’s been remix requests across the board from Chase & Status to Calvin Harris all wanting the Francis special service. But the man still makes time for his own original work; I.D.G.A.F.O.S comes across “poppy” to begin with but then slaps you with a bit of Doctor P drop. After you’ve digested that, keep your ears open for a release on Oslo, Skrillex’s label, and an album in 2012. @DillonFrancis [RH] 21
ASICS.CO.UK/SPORTSTYLE
presents
CHRIS FAGE
From hanging out in skate parks to being hounded by Red Bull’s Mini, BMX rider Christopher Fage talks to Nardene Scott about his steady rise to the top. image by Adrian Nettleship Hailing from Camden, this 16 year-old BMX fanatic has been putting the work in from way back when. “It was probably six years ago when a skate park opened in my area. I decided that it looked fun, it looked scary but I kind of seeked that thrill,” Fage explains of his entry into the riding world. After meeting some elders at the infamous Bay Sixty Six skate park in west London, the college student got serious - so serious in fact that he got straight to work on creating his own super bike. “I got a BMX for Christmas which was better for treks and then gradually I built my own bike,” the laid back rider casually tells us before dropping in the fact his current custom is worth over £1500! Souped-up doesn’t even begin
to unravel the workings of the pimped out two wheeler. “I bought all the parts separately, probably the tyres stand out the most and I’ve got a smaller chain ring than everyone else, which helps the bike go faster.” It wasn’t just the tan tyres that stood out either; his signature back flip is ridiculous and only took a few weeks to perfect, leading to Red Bull pretty much stalking him. Now at the age of consent, the energy drink providers are lining up competitions left, right and centre. “They saw how good I was at riding and they asked me to come to another competition, they started taking pictures, I was in a couple of magazines...” Not bad for a teen who’s just finished his GCSE’s and has been more than lucky not to injure himself up until this point. “I think the most I done was smack my bum bone,” he laughs. Lets hope he keeps it that way! Look out for the BMX Bandit killing comps near you soon... Find Christopher Fage on Facebook
ELMINO
“In my mind I can never really do just one thing,” states the Guerrilla-ector Elmino when talking about his directorial visual being more than your average and getting the “biggest buzz ever.” Doing 150 plus videos this year, it isn’t a surprise he’s fond of “drama situations where I can work my brain, so every shoot that I do I try to reinvent myself”. As well as having an avid passion for videos and executing some of the people’s favourites such as Tribal Skank, Skepta’s Amnesia & Bluey Robinson’s Showgirl, he’s a “fully qualified sound engineer”, plays the saxophone, keyboard, reads and writes music and used to be a rapper. Rah. “I don’t really have a mindset of being the guy at the top.” You could have fooled us! @ElminoMediaGrp (NS)
22 / RWDMAG.COM
SUPPORTED BY
CARLY CUSSEN
It’s no secret that there’s a lack of women in this industry, so when one comes along, does the damn thing and continues to do so, you have to take notice and pay some respect. Nardene Scott speaks to Carly Cussen about her passion for creating out-of-this-world visuals, making fake money, wanting to get a grip of Young Money’s Barbie and what it’s taken to get to the top. image by Andres Reynaga styling by PC Williams hair and make up by Oriona Robb video by Greg Bond
24 / RWDMAG.COM
“I sat down and said ‘Right, I don’t want to do pop videos. I want to have a car crash; I want to run over your girlfriend. Wifey is going to be dead at the end of the video!” the blonde, in-demand director tells us of her very first video project at 17, for Mr. Tinie Tempah. Despite only being in her teens at the time, the groundwork had already been done. A change in career plans came after attending drama school; Cussen went from wanting to become the next Nicole Kidman to the new Peter Jackson - “but I’m not having the sex change” - she points out with a laugh. It’s this assurance that beams from Carly; sure of exactly what she wants and exactly how she wants it to be done, having seen her in action on set, RWD can certainly vouch for the creative. Working her way into the industry via plenty of tea making and assisting at huge studios including Pinewood, plus working under phenomenal directors Max and Dania, the determined character is never afraid to get her hands dirty. “I shot Marching Through The Fog and then POW a couple weeks after that and I spent two months building and rebuilding, painting and repainting, ripping things down and building things up,” she remembers. It’s evident that the visually obsessed one works around the budgets in the underground music scene to make videos the absolute best they can be. Who else stay’s up all night making a fake vault and painting tissue to produce bags of fake notes?! Well, the same woman who although totally comfortable and engrossed in the underground music scene has been through her fair share of uncomfortable situations. “It’s like being on an estate in this industry. I’ve been through a lot, a lot,” she stresses. “I think that made me stronger. It made me understand the scene I was in more.” That doesn’t mean that there’s not scope for future big budget vids though; Cussen has her eye on the big guns too. “Please, please, give me a Nicki Minaj video and I swear to god I would eff up her s**t,” she continues, elated at the idea of working with the YMCMB superstar. “I love personalities. I love working with artists like Ghetts because there is more to it. They’ve got a whole crazy personality going on.” Inspired by Hollywood blockbusters like Lord Of The Rings, it’s obvious the 24 year-old has a
wild imagination. “I don’t like cliché. I’ve done it, but I don’t like it,” she insists. Over the next few months, the work rate continues on a serious upward stream. “There’s On A Level remix with Kano, Scorcher and Wretch 32, some stuff with Lethal B... I’m also shooting some stuff with Lucien featuring Mann, Encore, Harry Shotta...” she streams off the top of her head.
“ORGANISATION IS THE BIGGEST KEY TO ANY SUCCESSFUL SHOOT, DON’T OVER DO IT... AND GIVE IT A NICE STRONG THEME. CONCENTRATE ON ENERGY. EDITING IS IMPORTANT, LIGHTING IS IMPORTANT, CAMERAS AREN’T”. After appreciating the fact that no one was there to offer advice when Carly was on the come up, the talented one drops some knowledge on budding camera controllers out there. “Organisation is the biggest key to any successful shoot, don’t over do it – keep it simple. Think and give it a nice strong theme. Concentrate on energy. Editing is important, lighting is important, cameras aren’t.” Great advice from a woman who really knows; we look forward to seeing Carly hit the big screen very, very soon. @CarlyCussen. To get the *eckõ headphones, head to JDsports.co.uk or head to RWDmag.com to see the video.
CARLY’S TOP VIDEOS We’ve all seen a high definition video or two from Carly. Below she sums up her faves in just a word... Ed Sheeran, Devlin, Yasmin & Griminal Young Gunz “Unity.” Lethal B Pow “Energetic!” Devlin Marching... “Subliminal.” Ghetts On A Level “Experimental.” Marger Ft. Scrufizzer & Nolay Goonz “Militant.” Lethal Bizzle Mind Spinning “Epic.”
25
ADISLAM 18-12-2011
WHO WILL REIGN SUPREME? This month RWD team up with sports specialists, The Street Team and adidas, to present the celebrity basketball tournament everyone has been waiting for - adiSlam! Prepare to see your favourite celebrities as you’ve never seen them before when the likes of TOWIE, Roll Deep and SBTV channel their inner athlete as they battle it out on the courts to become adiSlam champions. images by Andres Reynaga
Taking place at the Brentwood Sports Centre, Essex on 18 December, adiSlam is not just about seeing which celebs will be crowned b-ball champs, you can expect a huge night of entertainment. RWD fave Wretch 32 is set to put in a special performance, whilst half-time challenges and freestylers entertain the crowd. Celebrities confirmed to take part in adiSlam are TOWIE stars Mario Falcone, Sam and Billy Faiers, Roll Deep, DJ Swerve, Hollyoaks and Misfits actress Natalie Emanuel, grime MC’s Maxsta and Koder, Kiss FM, SBTV, Last FM, Urban Nerds, DIY magazine and of course, our good selves who’ll be representing as always. You know that we couldn’t do anything without getting our loyal readers involved so ahead of the tournament expect to see the fully kitted out adiSlam van, or should we say ‘hear’ the adiSlam van wired up with the finest Pioneer sound system as it makes its way across Greater London. We’ll be scouring shopping centres, gigs and the ballin’ hot spots to find the best street ballers around and seeing who can dunk one in the adiSlam hoop. Once we’ve found the baddest ballers in town, they’ll fight it out in 3 on 3 heats ahead of the adiSlam event. The winners then get the chance to join the celebs in the Brentwood Centre for the main affair. Visit adiSlam.co.uk for all of the adiSlam van activity, plus exclusive videos.
26 / RWDMAG.COM
27
ADISLAM 18-12-2011
BIG FEN At the helm of The Street Team, there’s not a lot Big Fen doesn’t know about ballin’ so we spoke to the Essex native about what we can expect from adiSlam...
“JAMAL HAS BEEN TALKING A LOT OF SMACK SO WE MIGHT HAVE TO QUIET HIM DOWN AND TARGET FROM ROLL DEEP IS TALKING A LOT OF AIR ABOUT WHAT HE’S GUNNA DO.” What’s the plan for the adiSlam van? The van is amazing, we’ve got a full body wrap, we’re getting rims on it, we’re gunna have a Pioneer system that you’re gunna hear from outside of London. We’re gonna have basketball nets attached, we’re gunna have decks, this is gunna be unbelievable. Obviously you’ve got the most experience within the field, who do you see raising the adiSlam trophy? RWD are gunna win standard because they’ve got Big Fen and I’m sick. Who do you think are the worst team? Jamal has been talking a lot of smack so we might have to quiet him down and Target from Roll Deep is talking a lot of air. So I’m not gunna say they’re bottom but we’re gunna give it to them in particular for talking smack. @BigFenOfficial 28 / RWDMAG.COM
JAMAL EDWARDS (SBTV) SBTV founder Jamal Edwards tells RWD why his Secret Team have got this tournament in the bag... How does it feel to be involved in adiSlam? It’s something where a load of people are coming together and will battle it out and I’m looking forward to it. I was like yes this is a challenge to see who’s the best so we’re gunna see. What do you think is SBTV’s secret weapon? The secret weapon SBTV has is that we can manipulate the media to show that we are the best...nah I’m joking. I know quite a lot of ballers that’s quite secret. SB it stands for secret baller people didn’t know that but I used to
play basketball. Can you drop one name of who’s on Team SBTV? I’ll drop one name that’s Matthew Bridgemond he works at Red Bull and he’s done stuff for SBTV before.Team SB, Secret Ballers or Supreme Ballers. Supreme Ballers up in this! Who are you most worried about? The one I’m most weary of is Flow Dan because apparently he goes in hard. Who do you think Team SBTV should be least worried about? Everyone but Supreme Ballers of course because we’re gunna take over this yeah! adiSlam 2011 Brentwood see you there! @jamaledwards
WATCH EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH THE ADISLAM TEAMS: ADISLAM.CO.UK
DJ TARGET (ROLL DEEP) BBC Radio 1/1xtra DJ and producer Target lets us into his Roll Deep team full of secret weapons... So how did Roll Deep get involved in adiSlam? Obviously I’ve known RWD for a long time, they’ve been doing their thing for ten years and Roll Deep have too. Also, we do a lot of work with adidas so it was a natural thing to get involved in. We grew up in and around the basketball courts in east London; so it was something that we just jumped at the chance to do. Have you got a special team name? I think we’re just gunna keep it Team Roll Deep. We’re not gunna dress it up, we’re just going to let the basketball do the talking! Who’s on your team and who’s your secret weapon? Flow Dan is the ultra nuclear secret weapon...in fact we’re all secret weapons! If you were to liken yourself to a well known baller who would it be?
MARIO (TOWIE) He’s better known for his sewing skills than his dribbling ability but TOWIE’s Mario has a pretty good game plan... How does it feel being on Team RWD? It feels good being involved with Team RWD, apparently they’re the team to be with and hopefully we’ll win. Not being able to play basketball and actually doing well would be quite good. Plus I’ll never let anyone live it down, I’ll be tweeting them! What do you think about the other teams at the shoot today? I met Jamal and Target today and I saw
“I’D BE A CROSS BETWEEN LEBRON JAMES, DWAYNE WADE AND KOBE BRYANT SO I’M AVERAGE, I’M AVERAGE.” I’d be a cross between LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Kobe Bryant so I’m average, I’m average. @DJTarget
them playing around with some basketball’s and seriously I don’t think we’ve got anything to worry about. Do you have any sort of basketball skills going into this? Nah, I have no basketball skills whatsoever. I’m a tailor so I’m fairly good with my hands. Who would you like to get on Team RWD if you could pick? On Team RWD, I’ve seen some of Fen’s team playing they’re amazing and they’re not just about tricks they can actually play basketball really well. He’s got some friends over from Atlanta so hopefully if they’re on my team I’ll stand there looking pretty. I’ll hold the towel and dab down all the cheerleaders (laughs). @Mario_Falcone 29
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF RWD
TEN OUT OF TEN A decade in the game is something to be pretty proud of; teaming up with adidas, the RWD team recently celebrated our 10th birthday with an exhibition, a compendium and a great big, fat, huge party. #DECA became a trending topic in its own right during October, as we were joined by Devlin, Yasmin, Ms. Dynamite, Mistajam and many more during the week long festivities. Join us over the next few pages as we take a look at RWD’s Decade In The Game Celebrations... Creative direction of the Light Sculpture by: Vector Meldrew Interviews by: Nardene Scott Light Sculpture produced and edited by: Greg Bond Light Sculpture Visuals by: Rebel Overlay Light Sculpture by: Mair Burgess Thanks to: Gary, Mike and Paola at adidas, ERISTOFF Vodka & Relentless
30 / RWDMAG.COM
THE PREP WORK Upon arriving at the Old Shoreditch Underground venue just off London’s Brick Lane, we soon realised a lot of work needed to be done. A lot. The venue provided us with a blank canvas for an immersive experience, utilising photography and video. But first we had to prepare it; cleaning, clearing, painting, building, chasing rats away... you name it, we did it. Transforming the old tube station into a gallery space and a live venue, we recreated Kano’s bedroom, installed a sound system, hung some of the most iconic pictures of the scene printed in RWD over the last 10 years and had ourselves a massive launch.
31
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF RWD
THE EXHIBITION LAUNCH Saturday 15 October was d-day. Putting the finishing touches on the exhibition as the crowd literally began queuing, the paint was just about dry as the masses poured in! Once there, party people were greeted with complimentary Relentless Energy Drinks and an array of ERISTOFF Vodka based cocktails. With DJ sets from Fiddy & Collins, Marcus Nasty, Kayper and Rattus Rattus warming the crowd nicely, MC Rankin, Koder & Donaeo, Mz. Bratt and Devlin took care of the bars, while Heartless Crew absolutely smashed the hell out of the decks. Another highlight was J2K and Manga’s impromptu stage invasion during Target’s incredible set! Finishing at 8pm, over 1000 sweaty people passed through the doors, with hundreds more visiting the DECA exhibition in the days to follow.
32 / RWDMAG.COM
THE LIGHT SCULPTURE At the heart of the exhibition sat a unique light sculpture which used cutting edge projection mapping to give an immersive audio/ visual experience based around the progression of the underground scene over the past 10 years. Interviewing high profile artists, such as Heartless Crew, Ms. Dynamite, Newham Generals, Wretch 32 and Tinchy Stryder, it told their stories along with iconic tracks and videos. The structure was used as a multi screen canvas for a unique style of documentary, allowing visitors to relive highlights of the last decade. Many who walked into the exhibition will remember this structure for quite some time.
33
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF RWD
10THANNIVERSARY PARTY Kicking off at the Old Shoreditch Underground, before moving just down the road to the Brickhouse, we were once again aided and abetted by ERISTOFF cocktails and Relentless. The 500 special guests were treated to live performances from up-andcoming stars War of Words and Oh My!, old-skool classics from Robbie Craig, Oxide & Neutrino, Monstaboy and Kele Le Roc and show-stopping sets from Yasmin and Ms. Dynamite. A big thanks also to five of the finest DJ’s in the game – Flukes, Mistajam, Chewy, Semtex and Manny Norte who kept guests - including X-Factor’s Misha B and Sophie, Adam Deacon, Bashy, Daley and the SBTV Crew – moving all night long. It was an amazing night and the perfect way to both celebrate our decade in the game as well as the end of a successful exhibition! Thanks to everybody – especially our brilliant readers – for your support over the years!
34 / RWDMAG.COM
35
STYLE GUIDE STYLE | FASHION | FASHION NEWS | REFRESHED
>>
WHAT TO WEAR AND HOW TO WEAR IT...
BLACK DICE blackdiceindustries.com, £95
G-SHOCK g-shock.co.uk, £120
ICE-WATCH ice-watch.com, £150
HARD WEAR PHOTOGRAPHY: KEVIN JOSEPH STYLING: IRENE ASANJI
TENDENCE WATCH tendencewatches.co.uk, £350
>> 37
STYLE GUIDE
TOYWATCH toy-watch.co.uk, £185
KENNETT kennettonline.com, £180
TRIWA triwa.com, £180
LUKE luke1977.com, £100
38 / RWDMAG.COM
KENNETH COLE watchshop.com, £115
POLICE policebeyounique.co.uk, £230
TRIWA triwa.com, £180
TOYWATCH toy-watch.co.uk, £185
STORM stormwatches.com, £89.99
39
STYLE GUIDE
BREO breo.com, £44.99 BREO breo.com, £24.99
QUIKSILVER quiksilver.com, £50
TRIWA triwa.com, £130
BREO breo.com, £44.99
FLUD 0208 993 1010, £65
40 / RWDMAG.COM
G-SHOCK g-shock.co.uk , £120
AMPLIFYD CONCEPTS amplifydconcepts.com, £300
ROGUE TOUCH tokyoflash.com, £128
NEW ERA X G-SHOCK neweracap.co.uk, £120
NIXON selfridges.co.uk, £100
41
STYLE GUIDE
BLUE NOTE From touring with Justin Bieber to being best mates with David Haye, Bluey Robinson is living the dream! But the rise to the top can be tough, he explains to Francesca Dunn... image by Jake Green styling by Irene Asanji Tell us about The Bieber please!? One time, we were in the cafeteria, and he decided to take off all of his clothes apart from his boxers! (Laughs). He was just sitting at the table eating! It was funny man. I definitely didn’t join in. I didn’t get naked with the Biebster! What’s the toughest part of being a singer? Getting people to understand you, and standing out from the crowd. What’s the toughest decision you’ve ever had to make? I was about to sign to one management company where there was a guaranteed single or two, but it was just me featuring on other people’s work. Then I met my current manager, who was more into what I was doing myself. I had to decide which to go for in the space of a day. When’s the album dropping? Next year, but I’m going to do an EP with a load of collaborations first. Hopefully I’ll get Dappy, Dot Rotten and Ed Sheeran on there. @blueyrobinson. Bluey’s tough timepiece of choice is the GA-110H, £110, part of the Oversize range. The 3D-style time teller ticks all the boxes; from cool factor with its electrifying colourways to on-trend display case, give your wrist mass fashion appeal. Visit G-Shock. co.uk for stockist details
42 / RWDMAG.COM
Ruben wears jacket by Schott, shirt by Merc, jeans by Topman, glasses by Ray Ban, gloves stylists own
THE GETAWAY
PHOTOGRAPHY: EWELINA STECHNIJ ART DIRECTION: NEESHA SHARMA STYLING: NEESHA SHARMA & JOSEPH CRONE GROMING: MAGDALENA TUCHOLSKA MODEL: RUBEN @ MANDP
44 / RWDMAG.COM
45
This page: Ruben wears hat by Crooks & Castles, shirt by Humor, gilet by The Duffer of St George, jeans by American Apparel, trainers by adidas Opp. page: Ruben wears shirt by Humour, jacket by Topman, jeans by American Apparel, shoes by Clae
46 / RWDMAG.COM
47
This page: Iona wears earrings and bracelets Ruben wears jacket stylist by Luke, own, hoody top by AmericanT shirt Freddy, Apparel, by shorts PXL, belt byby BAPE, Icon socks by Brand, jeans Happy by Socks X Giles American Apparel, Amber hat by b-side wears by top by American Wale, glasses Apparel, by leggings Ray Ban by H&M, shoes by ALDO, watchpage: Opp. by Casio Ruben wears jacket by The Duffer of St George, shirt by Carhartt, chinos by by The Duffer of St George
48 / RWDMAG.COM
49
This page: Ruben wears jacket by adidas, T shirt by PXL, jeans by American Apparel, trainers by adidas, hat by crooks & castles @ threads addiction.com Opp. page: Ruben wears hat and jacket Alpinestars, top by Farah Vintage, glasses by Ray Ban
50 / RWDMAG.COM
51
FASHION NEWS Irene Asanji brings us the latest from the world of streetwear..
SLOUNGE LIZARD A combination of the words sport and loungewear, this range by Freddy is perfect for those looking for something versatile. The range, for both men and women, combines a mixture of pieces versatile to wear all day, every day. Freddy are passionate about their sports background, and ease of movement is at the core of anything they do. The range, inspired by physical activity, is for both an individual constantly on the go, and someone looking for something to relax in. There’s no need to let your wardrobe suffer when you’re off duty; kick back the Slounge way. Grey Fleece jacket, £110, Peace T shirt £30 available at freddy.com
DUFFER ROUGHNECK JANSPORT WOOL RIGHT Never satisfied with just giving you any bag, JanSport add a touch of flair to their bestseller. In many ways, The Right Pack redefined backpack design when introducing the suede leather base. The bag has been reintroduced in a various number of ways since, making it a cult icon for backpack wearers worldwide. And the Wool Right Pack is no exception. The bag has a plush wool lining, leather patch and trim detail to finish off an amazing number. Eye catching, practical, and bang on trend this season, load up the backpack and keep on the move in style. Hurry while stocks last. Priced at £69.99, check jansport.com
Fashion heavyweights Duffer Of St. George serve up another slice of the best of British clothing with the Roughneck Jeans. Duffer has gone from strength to strength over the years, and have now added another success story to their history. Introducing the Roughneck, a pair of jeans summarising the Duffer’s dedication to premium quality, The Roughneck are a slim leg, dark denim jean, featuring brown stitch detail throughout, branded rivets and 3 button fly. 100% cotton, ensuring your Roughneck jeans will stand the test of time, no matter what craziness you put them through. Priced at £49.99, JDsports.com
GOURMET X HORWEEN Shoe connoisseurs Gourmet add a spoon of American heritage to their collection with a touch of Horween Leathers. This season, premium footwear brand Gourmet collaborated with fellow American brand Horween Leathers to produce three boots reflecting a dedication to quality and traditional craftsmanship that both Gourmet and Horween Leathers are known for. The 21, The 28, and The Sedici boot - one of Gourmet’s staple shapes - are treated to the finest full grain leather upper, leather and a rubber cupsole. The collab brings you the best of a premium shoe, crafted from the finest materials. Gourmetfootwear.com
52 / RWDMAG.COM
PXL PERFECT PXL are back in full effect with another range of impressive prints to keep you looking your best this season. One of our favourite brands went back to the drawing board recently and have returned with a slick new website, serving up some hot new product this season. The brand, always keen to keep their loyal customers happy, have done it once again supplying some of the finest in quality graphics and limited edition prints, available now. Perfect as stocking fillers for the festive season, or just some hot tees to show off in at the Xmas party. Get clicking... T shirts priced at £25 all available at PXLclothing.com
A STAR IS BORN... Alpinestars have channelled their strong motor sports heritage to bring you some of the best in smart casual threads... The brand continue pushing forward with their range of street-smart menswear with quirky tailoring, motor sports heritage inspired details and a strong offering of flannel shirts, quilted jackets, denim and accessories. It doesn’t matter if you’re just keeping warm, or want to look your best down at the track, Alpinestars are with you all the way to the finish line. Drip Dry Shirt £54.95, available at alpinestars.com
VANS X DENNIS HOPPER Legendary Skate brand Vans pay homage to the life of American acting legend Dennis Lee Hopper, with an intimate collection displaying the icon’s achievements throughout his career. Before his passing, one of America’s film, art and photography icons Dennis Lee Hopper worked with Vans on a special collection to celebrate his timeless contribution to the world of arts, photography and film. Hopper, star of Rebel Without A Cause and Apocalypse Now, was also a celebrated artist and photographer. The collection includes a heavyweight canvas jacket, the Hopper Morocco featuring a photo collage on the lining and premium Vans footwear The Era and Chukka in waxed canvas. Get your hands on some premium threads and remember a legend. Vans.co.uk 53
REFRESHED
Every so often a true legend passes through the ReFreshment Resort (basically a shack in the corner of our office) and Soccer AMs Tubes is just that. words by Danny Walker “I shave every day. I shaved yesterday and look at that [shows chin]. It’s ridiculous. If I have a shave in the morning, by the time I go to bed I’ve got a beard. I hate it. It really annoys me. And I’ve got a fat face as well. When I get a beard it looks even fatter. I look like a white sumo wrestler.” RWD RECOMMENDS:
BAXTER OF CALIFORNIA AFTER SHAVE BALM
“I tell you what. I get in the shower, put some mousse on, shake my hair about a bit, spray some deodorant and then I’m done. Takes me about four minutes twenty to get ready.” RWD RECOMMENDS:
NIVEA FOR MEN DEODORANT SILVER PROTECT
(nivea.co.uk, £3.09 for 250ml) When it comes to the spraying deodorant part of your ReFreshment regime, NIVEA FOR MEN would like to assist you with their anti-bacterial, anti-perspirant, antiodour aerosol. Containing silver citrate this long-lasting spray also includes Vitamin E, which is a natural anti-oxidant for the skin. Coupled with a futuristic look this is definitely one for before and after your Soccer AM performance.
(carterandbond.com, £18 for 120ml) Never fear, the Baxter of California is here. This after shave balm might not be able to stop that evening shadow running amuck, but it will hydrate and nourish skin and tackle dryness caused by shaving. It also has tea tea oil (and we know you love that Tubes).
“Right now, Cool Water is a favourite aftershave of mine; I just like to spray really.” RWD RECOMMENDS:
DAVIDOFF HOT WATER EAU DE TOILETTE
(zinodavidoff.com, £48 for 110ml) We all know Davidoff’s Cool Water is a classic as it’s been on more men’s necks than the Kardashians. Hot Water however packs a bit more passion with red basil, absinthe and a warm grainy wormwood top-note. Steeped in freshness, spice and sensual warmth (which we all need from time to time) this is a definite candidate for the bathroom shelf. With Christmas only around the corner we suggest you start dropping hints buddy.
“You know what, when I’m in the shower I like the mint stuff, anything with tea tree. It makes your skin tingle so yeah, I like it.” RWD RECOMMENDS:
RADOX INVIGORATING TEA TREE SHOWER GEL
(be-selfish.co.uk, £1.99 for 250ml) We all love that tingly sensation in the shower Tubes, don’t worry, you’re amongst friends. Luckily Radox know all about invigoration too and have worked hard on their Mint and Tea Tree shower saver to put all of our minds at ease. This shower gel and shampoo will bring a deep cleaning sensation within seconds. 54 / RWDMAG.COM
“When I was younger I used to collect aftershave. I was quite lonely and sad. I just used to buy every single one.” RWD RECOMMENDS:
CAROLINA HERRERA 212 VIP MEN
(020 7494 6220, £50 for 100ml) Just like our 10th anniversary party last month it’s ALL about being on the VIP list (or the VVIP list if that’s how you roll). This new Carolina Herrera fragrance for men sums up that charismatic, fun and sophisticated edge you need to maintain your ‘very important person’ status. Loving the metallic bottle, the zesty lime caviar, frozen mint and chilled vodka ingredients... and the fact that it stinks of exclusivity. If your name’s not down...
TUBES “I like Dove, I think it might be for girls though, it has a lovely smell. I love it. Everyone knows I’m coming though, ‘Who is that, a bird?’ ‘No, it’s that freak from Soccer AM.’ [Laughs].” RWD RECOMMENDS:
JERGENS NATURALS DAILY MOISTURISER
(Available from Boots, Superdrug, etc. £4.99 for 200ml) There’s nothing wrong with smelling fresh, even if that scent is leaning towards the feminine side. Take Jergens Naturals, with all the vitamins and nourishment the skin needs, and you can’t go wrong.
AFTERSHAVE OF THE MONTH DRY BY SUPERDRY
(superdry.com, £55 for 100ml) The nostrils of the office gathered around the first spray of Dry by Superdry (does anyone else like saying that out loud?) As you’d expect from the brand we were impressed; bergamot, red fruits and citrus (both lemon and grapefruit) combine for a clean cut scent that’s complimented by a light woody tone. This unique premium product (with its leather wrapped glass bottle) is good stuff inside and out. Also check the double dry and the dry oil versions.
We know you as the legendary Tubes from Saturday morning’s Soccer AM. But what do you get up to during the week? Ok, so during the week, this season I’m doing shoots with footballers doing four and a half minute interviews. Not just about football, about mucking around and stuff like that. On Saturdays I’m a rapper. [Laughs] Getting your moment to shine. Exactly. Also, I write all of the football interviews and all the clips for the football bits at the weekend. So you do actually do some work. [Laughs] Yeah, I don’t just roll up and do a couple of noises with me mouth and then go home. Unfortunately we know you’re a Chelsea fan. How is the season going for you? I’m loving Villas-Boas. I’m loving it. I mean the signings he’s made, Mata, Meireles and for me Sturridge is a new signing as well. That guy is awesome. And Torres is becoming good. I’m looking forward to it as well; I’m going there tomorrow actually, against Everton. Let’s talk ReFreshed. Are you a groomer, do you groom? Come on mate [points at himself]. I tell you what I did though; I did shave my chest the other day. Here you go [attempts to reveal chest]. I was getting like Teen Wolf so it had to go. It was just coming up there [points to neckline]... Richard Keys hiding under your shirt. Yeah, I just got the ol’ razor out and went for it... but I didn’t do my back so that is going at the weekend, I look like a freak. What are your reasons for getting ReFreshed? For the missus? For the missus, I’ve got to say that. Just to feel fresh you know. So I can do my daily job smelling good and being professional. For more Tubes follow @TubesSoccerAM 55
UPFRONT WITH CHRIS SMALLING
“TO GET CALLED UP IN THE ENGLAND SQUAD AND OBVIOUSLY TO HEAR MY NAME BEING BRAGGED ABOUT AS A POSSIBILITY TO START WAS A GREAT FEELING...” 56 / RWDMAG.COM
Chris Smalling UPFRONT WITH…
In a special extended Upfront With... Danny Walker and the team take at trip up to Manchester to visit one of the UK’s brightest stars. We catch up with a soon to be 22 year-old who’s on a pretty amazing journey himself; United and England’s Chris Smalling. His whirlwind express train – which started at Kent Schools and called in at the Millwall Academy, Maidstone United, Fulham and now the present Premier League Champions – has seen him play against some of the biggest clubs in the world and don the three lions for his country. With such a promising career ahead he exclusively talks to RWD about the season ahead, partying in Jamaica with Lil Wayne and why he ALWAYS puts himself in the first team on FIFA 12... styling by Sophie Robinson UNDERDOG TO TOP DOG
Chris Smalling sums up his rise to stardom... “It’s been a whirlwind so far. One thing after the other. Each stage I haven’t been able to sit down and take it in, though that has probably helped me because if I sit down and try and think about it, or rest on my laurels, then things are gonna pass me by. Cos they’re bringing in some great players and I think it keeps me on my toes to achieve more, I think if I’ve achieved this much in two years, it’ll hopefully lead to more for the next 10 years or so.”
57
UPFRONT WITH CHRIS SMALLING
58 / RWDMAG.COM
Manchester United are one of the biggest teams on the planet. They’ve always found, nurtured and supported English players and it’s renowned as a club in which raw talent thrives. With that being said, we can forgive the central defender for being a little startled at the amazing opportunity he has right now. “I’ve been here for 18 months,” the childhood Arsenal and Ian Wright fan explains. “Just to see the scope and how big this club is, it surprises me.” When we sit down in a bistro not too far from Old Trafford he reveals just how he’s gone from a non-league nobody to a top league top dog in just THREE short seasons... LET’S PLAY THE NAME GAME We pitch a few top quotes from a few top Chris’s to Mr Smalling. So out of Chris Rock, Chris Smalling and Chris ‘Kammy’ Kamara, who said what... “Its official, the Everton number seven is Bent.” who said that? Kammy [laughs]. “This is a great club and in the short time I’ve been here I’ve achieved more than I can ever expected.” That’ll be myself. Two out of two... “A man is basically only as faithful as his options.” Your man Chris Rock. Three out of three!!!
So what was it like for you growing up? I think a lot of the kids always wanted to play football as the games are broadcast everywhere, all over the world. It’s one of those where if you get your chance, you just have to take it. I like to think that I’ve been working hard and I’d like to carry on. It was pretty much close in terms of me, my mum and my brother, so it was close knit. I moved to Kent when I was around five or six from Greenwich and settled from there. I enjoyed it round there. My school was around the corner so it was all pretty close. And with school, were you putting GCSEs to one side to have a kickabout? It was more crowd it around [football] because my mum wouldn’t let me out unless all my homework was done. I did finish my GCSEs and A Levels and I just got the chance to play at a decent standard of football. What was your favourite subject at school? I would say P.E. but that was one of everyone’s, so I’d have to say business studies. That is what I applied for to go to uni. So you had your business head on before your football head? Yeah, it was one of those when ideally I’d have loved to have the football more mapped out but it wasn’t to be and I needed to make sure I had my education so I went to uni and I just tried to work hard. Can you remember your earliest football memory? Can you remember seeing Pele on TV and thinking, ‘I wanna do that...’ When did you realise you had that ‘Always On’ frame of mind... When I was growing up, I was an Arsenal fan and I remember seeing Ian Wright. He was one that definitely stands out in my mind. I had a little statue of him as well – I was pretty young anyway [so RWD can’t take the p***] – but he was one that I always remembered.
pop in a few goals, so I like to think not every central defender can say that. Do you remember your Premier League debut? What was going through your mind? I came on against Everton, when I was at Fulham, for the last 25 minutes and I think I had more nerves than ever cos it was packed out for the last game of the season. It was a baking hot day and it was good to get out and get a chance cos I was on the bench all season. It was good to finally live a dream. Man United must have been the dream move for you. One of the biggest clubs in the world, it must have been amazing. It was a brilliant move. Getting the chance to speak to Sir Alex Ferguson who is a legend in the game, at a club like this for 25 years like this, you got to take your hat off to him. Did you think you’d get on so much and have a pivotal role at the club? When I first joined the pre season was great for me cos I got to feature in six/ seven games and it was a great bedding-in process for me to feature in 30 plus games in the first season was a surprise at first. But when he started to give me my chance, I just felt I really did belong here and this season, since he’s given me that taste, I don’t wanna get left out of the team. What are your views of this season? City are doing very well... are we allowed to boo City here? Are we on the right part of the city? You can boo them wherever. Are they the guys to chase? [Laughs] Obviously we’ve got the history, but hats off to them. They’ve started the season really well and you can’t rule out Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool, they also have a strong team so it just shows that this league is getting strong and it’ll probably go down to the wire like it did last year. Your debut for England against Bulgaria,
“I CHILL OUT TO SOME ED SHEERAN AND JAMIE WOON. SOME GOOD ENGLISH ARTISTS COMING THROUGH. IT’S JUST NICE TO CHILL OUT AND I LIKE TO THINK I’VE GOT A GOOD TASTE.” He is a proper legend. Seeing him do the TV stuff now... everyone loves him now innit. He’s a top guy. What was your first big break in football? I think one of the main ones was when I was in Year 6 at Kent School trials, four of us got through. I then played for the county and other teams started to see me. From that stage, I started to take it seriously and thought, ‘I’ve got a real chance here.’ What type of footballer were you? All the tricks? Kick people off the ball? What was Young Chris like? Young Chris was one who always wanted to get involved but never had the amazing tricks you see Nani and that doing now. But I did go upfront a few times when I was younger and
three lions on your chest and all that... That must have been insane? To get called up in the squad and obviously to hear my name being bragged about being a possibility to start was a great feeling - I didn’t quite expect it at the start of the season. But Fabio just gave me that shot even though it wasn’t in my most familiar position. I just made sure I did the job. Who is your bezzy mate at United? In terms of who I knew, I knew Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck quite well before I joined. They literally live around the corner from me so we’re always catching up and Jonny Evans, he’s one I get along with and it helps that we have a lot of younger people in the squad – a lot of us keep in touch off the pitch so when we get on the 59
UPFRONT WITH CHRIS SMALLING
“THERE’S A LOT OF EXCUSES [ON FIFA] BEFORE WE EVEN PLAY AND THAT’S WITH THE OLD LADS BUT US YOUNG LADS LIKE ME AND PHIL JONES WILL TAKE ON ANYONE.” pitch, it does show that we’re together. This feature is called ‘Upfront With...’ but as you’re a defender if you could play ‘At The Back with...’ any player in the world (past, present or future), who would it be? Probably [German star/ God-type character, Franz] Beckenbauer. I’ve only seen him on the TV and clips, so to be able to see the legend in the real world would be pretty cool. Could you teach him a couple things? I’d like to think the game has developed a little bit since, [laughs]. Nah he’s a legend. Complete the sentence; on a perfect day off, I’d... ... go paintballing and get a little payback on a few of the lads, few of the mates and the missus. I haven’t done it since a few years back when I went for my birthday. I really wanna take out some people [laughs]. You’re really tall for paintballing, you could get picked off from miles... Nah, I’m really agile. Complete the sentence; the reason I bought them trainers/ this t-shirt/ that cardi was because... [Thinks long and hard] Actually, the other day I had a black charcoal cardi. I thought I was actually having it and there were a couple of people that was sort of having it so it wasn’t too bad. A lot of the time we’ll go into the changing room you’ll see... once Rio had a cardi and some dodgy shoes that were not good and they got hung up in the changing room so everyone saw [laughs]. [Laughs] So how do you relax, what do you get up to? We hear you spend your summer with Lil Wayne chilling... [Laughs] I went to Jamaica after the Under 21 Championships with a few mates for 10 days and Miami for three. So it was you, Sizzla, Lil Wayne, just chilling? [Laughs]... It was mad to be able to catch up with some of those people... I went with [Chelsea’s Daniel] Sturridge. He looks like trouble! Is he trouble? Nah, he’s not as bad as some might think. He’s a laugh actually. It was a cool holiday. What music do you listen to when you’re in the gym, training, etc? I’m open to a few different things. A lot of the time in the changing room we’ve got the R&B and hip hop so we have J Cole and Jay-Z, etc., but after the summer, Jamaican artists like Vybz Kartel and Movado. I was already into my bashment but after going there and seeing it in the clubs and everything firsthand, it was brilliant. 60 / RWDMAG.COM
You got the moves down? I’ve got a few. Studge got roped to do a few on TV but nah it’s some lively music and even after a game, I chill out to some Ed Sheeran and Jamie Woon. There are some good English artists coming through right now. It’s just nice to chill out and I like to think I’ve got a good taste. What was the last thing you downloaded... The Ed Sheeran album actually. My favourite track would be Lego House to be fair; I like chilling out to it. We were recently speaking to Ashley Young and he was saying there is a lot of FIFA talk in the club. Apparently Rooney is up there. Where are you in the FIFA standings? I’m pretty high... Boastful talk, boastful talk... But those two are on Xbox so there is a divide on whether Xbox or PS3 is the one. I’ve got an Xbox now so I’m gonna start practicing so I can take ‘em either way. There’s a lot of excuses before we even play
and that’s with the old lads but us young lads like me and Phil Jones will take on anyone [laughs]. Talking the talk, walking the walk, we like it. Who do you play as? I’m torn between Spain and United but obviously I’m always on the United team [laughs] I can’t leave myself on the bench. What do you think of your virtual stats? Last year I wasn’t too impressed but this year it got a bit better. We know a couple guys at EA so we can sort that out. This year they’ve done better to be fair. In FIFA you look a bit taller. I do look like a bit of a beast don’t I! There ain’t much people knocking me off the ball so nah, I’m a bit happier this year. For more on Chris Smalling visit manutd.com to find out what he’s wearing check nikesportswear.com and jdsports.co.uk
INTERVIEW PELE
“I WISH WE HAVE A PLAYER LIKE ZIDANE, LIKE BOBBY MOORE, BOBBY CHARLTON, GEORGIE BEST. THESE ARE THE PLAYERS WHO LAST 10 YEARS.. NOW, THEY LAST ONE YEAR, TWO YEARS AND DISAPPEAR...” 62 / RWDMAG.COM
GREATEST OF ALL TIME
From humble beginnings in Santos, Brazil, Edson Arantes do Nascimeiento went on to become the greatest footballer to ever grace the pitch. Tego Sigel meets the one and only Pelé... At 71 years of age, Pelé may not be the natural fit to launch a new sporting goods and fashion brand, but generations have bellowed the name while hammering contentious match-winners between the clichéd jumpers for goalposts in playgrounds across the world. Not bad for a man who hasn’t kicked a ball in anger since 1977. With nerves at breaking point, we meet-up with The Greatest Player Of All Time™ in Central London, a day after his birthday celebrations to discuss his new venture - the innovative Pelé Sports range which is inspired by ‘The Beautiful Revolution’ - the latest “next Pelé” Neymar, the thing preventing Lionel Messi from being an all-time great and how his passion for football still burns... Why have you decided to embark on your own clothing line? In my career, I’ve given my name to seven companies but now is the first time that I work together with the people who produce, the people who design, this is something special for me. How much input did you have? I think it’s something when you put part of your soul in there. Because what we tried to show is to care about the player, the people who want to use material. Because the biggest companies, of course, they want to make a lot of money, they want to sell the material, but sometimes they don’t care about the people who want to use it. We have a designer who is a professional and he cares about the position of the feet when we talk about the shoes; I’m proud to help them with my name.
A lot of people see Lionel Messi as the best player in the world. Do you think he’ll be joining you in the elite club? Sometimes people want to compare different generations but no doubt, we have a young player in Brazil; Neymar is a fantastic player, but he needs more experience. Messi is already well known. Messi when he plays in Barcelona is one player, playing very good. The Messi who plays for the national team of Argentina is not the same player, then we will have to see. But, no doubt at the moment he is a great player. I wish we have a player like [Zinedine] Zidane, like [Johann] Cruyff, like [Franz] Beckhenbauer, like Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, you know, Georgie Best. These are the players who last 10 years, 15 years and unfortunately youngest players now, they last one year, two years and disappear. Do you still feel as passionate about football now as you did back then? Oh yeah! The only problem is now you suffer much more than before [laughs]. One day you stay inside of the field you run, you fight, it’s different. But when you stay outside you can not do nothing, but see your team and suffer [laughs]. Do you think modern players have a better understanding of the outside things, like the politics of the game? I think the media today is more present than before, no doubt. Then the players sometimes play for the TV, for the media and don’t play for the team. A lot of players think fouls, they think penalty kicks because they have the TV and that I think is a little danger to the future of football. The protection for the forwards for example, I didn’t have the same protection, but now the forwards have a lot of protection to play. This sometimes is an overdose for the players, they give the players too much influence. For more check pele-sports.com/trinity
PELE PLAYER STATS
1,283 Professional goals scored:
77 3 Goals scored for Brazil:
WORLD CUPS WON
[The only player to have won three] Pelé scored a hat-trick or more in 129 games during his career.
129+
Pelé’s real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimeiento, named after American inventor Thomas Edison. Pelé scored four goals on his debut for Santos in 1956 at 15 years of age. Pelé is an honourary British Knight. Pelé once said “A penalty is a cowardly way to score.” 63
*ECKÕ PRESENTS...
*ECKÕ PRESENTS... As always RWD are forever watching what’s bubbling on the underground music scene, nurturing budding talent from the get go. So when one of the most successful fashion brands in our culture today, *eckõ announced the launch of their new range we linked up with the artists launching their own range of musical newness for our ears. words by Nardene Scott images by Andres Reynaga styling by PC Williams grooming by Oriona Robb video by Greg Bond
64 / RWDMAG.COM
FOR FREESTYLES CHECK RWDMAG.COM
EXCLUSIVE TO
65
*ECKÕ PRESENTS... GHETTS
Being one of the UK’s grime veterans, Ghetts flies the flag for honest music and honest words, voicing what he feels in the rawest of ways. “We constantly update stuff so if you wanna know what I’m up to... you should come into the viral world really where you have a choice of what to listen to.” Consistently flooding us with virals on his YouTube channel, TheRealGhettsTV - “Big up Ralph Hardy, always” you can find past shows and the real relaxed Justin in his element. New music arrives via Twitter streams, building up to the upcoming album with Ruff Sqwad’s hit-man, Rapid. “Yeah, I linked up with Rapid earlier this year, the chemistry is sick”. The untitled album is set for a March release, which he’ll follow up with a solo project. “When I say ‘I’m not happy with grime’ they think... ‘Argh! Forget Ghetts!’ No, you don’t understand. I hate the scene”. Maybe he’ll jump on the house hype? “I’m hungry for the power... Don’t gas me up!” he says running down the street skankin. @therealghetts
66 / RWDMAG.COM
“I DO FUNNY MUSIC, FOOTBALL MUSIC, PAIN MUSIC, MUSIC FOR THE LADIES… EVERYTHING. I KEEP IT REAL...”
DRU BLU
The UK rap scene is standing up right now, to say the least. The newest star to receive some shine is south London’s Dru Blu, aka Don Strapzy. “I would say versatile because I do funny music, football music, pain music, music for the ladies, you know... everything. I keep it real,” Dru says as he begins unravelling his musical persona to RWD. “Professor Green is on the album. Producers like DaVinChe, Thunder Cats, Slic Vic...” the Man U fan discloses. Considering potential features Blu has lined up with Black The Ripper and English Frank, it should be interesting. One thing you can expect of course is the realness! @dondrublu
67
*ECKÕ PRESENTS... KOF
This smooth Scouse produces, raps and sings so he’s been on RWD’s radar for a while now... “I’m feeling this t-shirt but they said I cant take it home so I’m kinda pi**ed at that but it’s cool,” the cool multi-talented artist informs us. What can we say the garms are fly! Note to journos do not liken KOF to Drake “Aaaaahh why did you have to say that!?” he groans. To be fair though he rides the whole singing/ rapping wave rather well, starting off in the R&B/ hip hop field before moving into electro and then finding a more natural and down to earth home within neo-soul. It takes 20 seconds or so into Looking At Me to realise that KOF’s sultry tones belong within the live instrument arena but before you get too comfortable, there’s a surprise on the way in the form of new single Be Like You. “It has influences of dubstep, D&B, soul, neo-soul,” he squints trying to breakdown his style and natural way of making music. With 80% of the debut album already in the bag, we’re looking forward to what else he has up his denim *eckõ sleeve. @kofmusic
68 / RWDMAG.COM
“THE SOUND IS HARD TO DESCRIBE BECAUSE I’M COMING FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT GENRES… DUBSTEP, D&B, SOUL, NEO-SOUL...”
MARGER
The gravel-ridden pitch of this east London MC’s vocals have garnered a lot of attention over the past year. Add to that Marger consistently leaving the studio with bangers and it’s undeniable this sort of talent will stay underground for much longer. “Big up eckõ coming back strong,” the MC sounds as he shares his view on the new collection. Moving swiftly onto the music, unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, radio stations are all over Shadows and now Goonz is doing more than a lot. “Naturally if the new wave keep going, by 2012 grime will be in the charts. Proper tunes at 140bpm.” We 100% agree. @itzmarger
69
ECKO PRESENTS... KAPITAL KO
Misha B isn’t the only musician currently waving the flag for Manchester at the moment. Another Mancunian ready to stamp the city on the map is rapper Kapital KO. “I Am Legend and first single Shut It Down has smashed down Manchester to pieces and shut down radio,” the proud northerner tells RWD about what’s been happening in the world of KO. Currently riding the underground wave, Kapital is all about the old skool flows when it comes to his spitting style. “I’ve been influenced by lyrical artists from both the UK and America. For me, it’s the raw essence of rapping... that’s where I come from you know.” Expect to see the kickboxer teaming up with fellow underground MC’s this year, spreading his sound up and down the country. The Manchester link is already live with R.I.O, whilst S.A.S represent the southern connection. It won’t be long until he breaks out of the city and KO’s the competition. @KapitalKO and iconx entertainment. wordpress.com
70 / RWDMAG.COM
“I’VE BEEN INFLUENCED BY LYRICAL ARTISTS BOTH FROM THE UK AND AMERICA AND FOR ME IT’S THE RAW ESSENCE OF RAPPING... THAT’S WHERE I COME FROM.”
SCRUFIZZER
The west London MC has been hailed as the next Dizzee. We caught up with him to found out what’s up next. “[I’ve] been music orientated for as long as I remember,” the laid back lyrical all rounder begins to tell RWD about his entrance into the grime scene. “The MCing thing started first but I have always had a passion for making beats,” he affirms. Able to ride a beat without hesitation with his unique Fizzy Flow, it’s clear spitting has become a major factor and jumping on beats produced by Yo Video, MJ Cole and Preditah, it’s clear versatility is not a problem for Fizz. It’s not all ‘lyrics fit for a clash’ leaving the confident artist’s mouth either.“I’m just a guy from my area growing up and displaying it in my lyrics, talking about life situations.” Don’t sleep on this artist! @Scrufizzer
71
INTERVIEW SETH ROGEN UNDERDOG TO TOP DOG Do you remember when you were a curly haired 13 year-old stand up, all determined and naive? Yeah [thinks], I do remember and it was interesting in retrospect to think that I even did that. It’s so much less calculated that it would appear now. Looking back at the fact that I do this for a living it would seem that I had some kind of grand plan of some sort... But I really didn’t. I knew I didn’t want to go to college so I thought maybe if I do stand up comedy I can make enough money that it would make sense that I don’t go to college.
QUOTE CHALLENGE Three quotes from three films but can Seth Rogen guess when he said what... “He’s a freak; he’s the fastest kid alive!!!” What is that? Officer Michaels, Superbad. What about, “No one likes putting a d*** in their mouth that’s why they’re called jobs.” That’s from 50/50. Correct. “Wow, this is the product of baby fucking.” Pineapple Express [laughs hard]. Yep, two out of three! Not bad.
72 / RWDMAG.COM
REVENGE OF THE SETH...
Co-writer of Superbad and Pineapple Express - two modern day classics - world famous actor (Knocked Up, Zack And Miri Make A Porno and The Green Hornet, which he also wrote with comedy partner and childhood friend Evan Goldberg) and producer of dark comedy 50/50 (in which he also co-stars, alongside Inception’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt)... Vancouver’s quirky comedian Seth Rogen really needs no introduction. Despite just giving him a massive introduction, Danny Walker, speaks to the man behind the hair as the recently wedded 29 year-old talks marriage, music and his rise to success from being a mouthy 13 year-old... During a trip to London’s lavish Soho Hotel, where the Los Angeles resident is currently staying on a quick promo tour for his latest role as ‘Kyle’ in cancer comedy 50/50, RWD find spectacle wearing Rogen in fine form... Firstly, you just got married, congrats. How did it go? Ah it went great. It was really fun actually, yeah, I thought it would be much more stressful than it was. It really wasn’t stressful at all; it was just a giant party [laughs in true Seth Rogen fashion, like a small can of laughing gas has exploded in the corner of the room]. Everyone I know and everyone I liked was there. It was really great. And how is married life treating you? It’s no different at all so far. I’ve only been married for like 11 days or something like that but I’ve been with [Lauren Miller] for like six and a half years and we’ve lived together for five years... That is the hard part... I think so too... Yeah, after five years of living together I’ve pretty much figured her out [laughs like Seth Rogen from 40-Year Old Virgin]. At the wedding Jonah Hill was there, Paul Rudd, Adam Sandler was... Adam Sandler wasn’t there [laughs], but I read that he was. All I was thinking was, ‘Which one of my cousins looks like Adam Sandler?’ [Laughs like Seth Rogen from Pineapple Express]...
Uncle Tony? Exactly... Who was the best dressed and who was the worst dressed? Er... I was the best dressed. No matter what. I wore a tuxedo. I told everyone else not to; just to make sure I was better than everybody [laughs like... you get the point]. Yeah, ‘You guys wear trainers...’ Exactly. I think definitely some of my friends from Vancouver were the worst dressed [laughs] but it was ok, it wasn’t that fancy a wedding [laughs]. There were a lot of pot heads there so people were forgiving [laughs]. What was it like growing up for you? Did you struggle with money? Erm... I remember being... well the not having any money never really bothered me, now that I have some I don’t really do anything that I didn’t do before I had the money, but I did feel very creatively frustrated. I remember being really frustrated and upset that people didn’t seem to be responding to what we’d been writing for such a long time. You know, me and Evan [Goldberg] had written Superbad and it was around for years before anyone would make it and Pineapple Express too; we’d take them to studios and we’d meet with people, which is essentially the same as they are now. It’s not like we changed that much and at the same time tons of terrible movies would come out and you’d be like, ‘Come on!!! This is just sitting here,’
“THE LAST FEW MONTHS I’VE REALLY FELT A FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT OUT OF WHAT WE’VE DONE. IT FINALLY FEELS LIKE THIS IS WHAT WE’LL BE DOING, STRUCTURALLY AND AS WRITERS AND PRODUCERS, WE’VE FOUND WHAT WE’RE GOOD AT. IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS THINGS HAVE BEEN NICE.” You fools!!! Exactly. I do remember sitting around complaining a lot that we weren’t getting to make movies. Which we still do [laughs]. Now we just complain that ours aren’t as successful [laughs]. Favourite moment/ film so far? Honestly in the last few months things have been... Well, we have our production company and we have a team of writers that we’ve been working with, we have offices our friends are working in and, you know, they fly us to New York for the premiere, and they fly us to Toronto for the film festival. The fact that me and Will [Reiser, writer of 50/50] – we were literally thinking about this today. It’s weird cos we’re friends [laughs]. In the last few months I’ve been particularly nostalgic, cos it was leading up to my wedding and stuff like that. The last few months I’ve really felt a feeling of accomplishment out of what we’ve done. It finally feels like this is what we’ll be doing, structurally and as writers and producers, we’ve found what we’re good at. In the last few months things have been nice. You mentioned Superbad, that film set a benchmark for us. Whenever anyone 73
INTERVIEW SETH ROGEN came in to the office we’d ask them; do you like Superbad? [Laughs hard] That is awesome. Superbad was crazy. I think even now, years later, I appreciate it more than I did at the time. Now that we’ve had other movies not do as well, I really see how amazing and fortunate we were that that movie did so well and that people responded to it in the way that they did. I do think it could have just as easily not have happened, there are a lot of good movies that come out and people just don’t go and see for whatever reason. I think there is a lot of luck in which some movies become successful and some don’t. There are huge movies where I’m like, ‘Who the f**k likes this?’ Films like? I dunno? [Laughs] Twilight? [Laughs]. I look at some movies which are great and I think nobody likes them so I really... looking back we got very lucky with that I think. We made a funny movie but the fact that it became really successful and popular and I see MrLovin licence plates and sh*t like that. That is something I never expected and I think we really got lucky with that. For the rest of life that will be something that has helped me. Knocked Up is one of my favourite films, so many one liners in there... ‘You’ve gotta read the baby books’... You’ve gotta read the baby books. It must have been really good for you? Yeah, Superbad and Knocked Up came out in the same summer. As an actor Knocked Up will make the rest of my life easier and as a writer and producer Superbad did the same thing. Again, looking back, I don’t think at the time I realised how spectacularly fortunate I was. Also, that people decided that I deserve some of the credit for it [laughs hard]. 50/50 is billed as a tragic comedy; can you even have a tragic comedy? How did you approach it with Will? I think we couldn’t have done it if we hadn’t experienced it. I mean, when Will was sick a lot of funny stuff kept happening. I think we just didn’t want to shy away from it. When you look at movies about illness and things that are inherently tragic, people are afraid to acknowledge when light stuff happens. They don’t show the funny stuff, to us, it was just really strange. Because it was almost equal the really, really sad stuff and the really, really funny/ absurd/ awkward/ strange things. Like 74 / RWDMAG.COM
the chemotherapy scenes; that is a good example of something you’d expect to be really depressing in the movie... but they have a funny dynamic. Why did you want Will to tell his story? There were a few reasons; it felt like it would be a good thing. As we were experiencing it there was no movie we could refer to ourselves... if you’re pregnant, you’ve got Knocked Up, if you’re in high school you can think of Superbad, if you’re a lazy unemployed bowler, you watch The Big Lebowski. That is what
“THERE WERE A LOT OF POT HEADS [AT MY WEDDING] SO PEOPLE WERE FORGIVING [LAUGHS].” really made us think, ‘Maybe this would be an interesting movie. You can’t be the only f***ing guy in your 20s to be going through this.’ In fact I know three other guys who have gotten cancer too so, I mean, it was clear that it was getting more common. We also thought it would be helpful for Will cathartically to write it and I think overall it seemed it would be good if something more positive could come from it. That if we could take this exercise in life, this terrible thing and turn it into something creative that brought joy to people then that would be a good thing also. When was the last time you made your own 50/50 decision and what was it? Left or right? Pants no pants? Or something else... [Laughs] Er... this morning. I went pants. When was the last time you wasted money on what and why? I just went to my friend’s wedding and for no reason I decided to buy a first class ticket. It was 10 times the price of a regular one [laughs]. For no reason whatsoever [laughs]. So the whole of the top floor/ deck/ cabin was you? [Laughs] It’s not even that nice. It’s just microscopically nicer [laughs]. And lastly, what is your favourite item of clothing? Erm... these shoes I like cos I don’t have to wear socks [laughs]. Lionsgate UK’s 50/50 is released nationwide on 25 November 2011. Facebook.com/5050movieuk
WRITER WILL ON ROGEN Seth is joined by 50/50 writer Will Reiser before the pair let us know their opinions on some new music... Will, what was it like when you found out you had cancer... Will: Well I was diagnosed six years ago. I called [Seth] up on the phone, he was actually on the toilet... Seth: I was. I was going deuce. That is what they call it in France. W: That went pretty OK, for someone going to the bathroom. S: As we were experiencing something like that, there is just no movie that was like what our experience felt like. That was really why we wanted to make the movie. It just seemed like something that was completely unrepresented on film. A young guy with cancer that isn’t just miserable and that is also funny and uplifting. Who’s the funniest between you two? W: He is. Most tight? S: Probably Will [room laughs]. Best at computer games? S: Me. I like the Call of Duty games. I’m OK.
ROGEN’S REVIEWS Katy Perry The One That Got Away S: [Before even putting the headphones on] I can tell you already, it sucks. [Music starts] Yeah. This is great music to get your period to. W: I see 14 year-old girls driving around in a convertible. S: Yeah, the thing about Katy Perry’s music is it makes me want to murder myself. Besides that, she seems pretty awesome [laughs]. W: Yeah, I wouldn’t not buy this. S: Personally, I’d give it maybe a 1 [out of 5]. W: She’s kinda cute so I’m gonna say 2. S: Yeah, this is nothing about her as a person; it’s just my musical tastes. W: Yeah, we know nothing about her. S: Yeah, she might be a horrible person... Wiley Link Up S: [Music plays] This is like a dancehall vibe. He’s like the British Busta Rhymes. Yeah, I like it cos I like Busta Rhymes. W: I like this. It’s like a 3.5 or a 4. Much better than Katy Perry, I could get down to that. Ed Sheeran - Lego House W: [First beat plays] I like it [rest of song into plays] No I don’t. I prefer Katy Perry. S: No, it’s one notch below Perry.
75
INTERVIEW PAIGE TYLER
76 / RWDMAG.COM
TURN THE PAIGE
The weird and wonderful worlds of glamour modelling, cable TV and film often have us staring at a page, screen and/ or centrefold. Buxom beauty Paige Tyler has seen it all, from Babestation to big budget movies, as she has risen from the position of underdog. The South African-turnt-Essex girl lets us in on some industry secrets... words by Danny Walker images by Damien Morley
NOBODY TO QUEEN BEE So far Paige Tyler’s career has gone from strength to strength. But how does she see it? Can you remember a time when you didn’t have fancy things? Yeah massively. I come from a broken home, well my dad disappeared and moved overseas, leaving my mum with three kids. I never had anything growing up. We were just a normal family, times were hard, we got moved schools. My mum got a new fiancé which was really difficult and when I was 18 I packed my bags and I left South Africa and moved here on my own and lived in a hostel for a year. Not knowing anything about England, not knowing anything about London. I studied a beauty therapy course, I worked for Estée Lauder for a year and that’s where I started learning things about make-up. Massive respect. How does it compare to life now? Yeah, it’s all come from a lot of hard work and sacrifice. When I started modelling and doing things for the station I was working a normal job as well. I was working three different jobs at the same time until I could afford to get my own place. Now it’s a whole different game. I can afford more things - I drive a nice car, I have my own place.
in the industry really get on with each other, it’s quite close knit. Not bitchy at all.” So with no bitchiness, the only thing to steer clear of are seedy photographers, right? “Yeah,” she instantly agrees. “When I first started out there was the odd photographer. You have to pick very carefully who you work with. Go with recommendations from other girls. That’s the safe option.” After appearing in Universal Pictures’ Danny McBride starring Your Highness, it’s clear that it’s not the Babestation
“I WORK WITH AMAZING PEOPLE BUT OBVIOUSLY, EVERY CAREER COMES TO A POINT WHERE YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE CHALLENGING AND THAT BRINGS YOU ON TO THE NEXT STAGE.” “Really, really good. Very sexy,” Paige laughs as we try and find out the insand-outs of her latest photo shoot. “I’m excited for it! It is the first calendar I’ve ever done, and it’s for charity as well; Help for Heroes.” After cheekily retorting that a calendar full of scantily clad images is exactly what our heroes need (“Thanks for that Danny,” she smiles) we find out what a shoot entails; Large trailers? Mojitos? Relaxing on a beach? “It is hard work, a lot of planning goes into it, a lot of homework, and for me personally, the photographer I did it with, I’ve known for a long time and I worked quite closely with him. You have to get a stylist, a makeup artist; it’s knowing exactly what goes into it really. A lot of the girls that do calendars are quite wishy-washy, if that makes sense?” But who is Ms Tyler referring to? Jodie Marsh? Katie Price? “I’m ever so professional,” the single lady informs with a stern voice, “and wouldn’t ever talk badly of anyone else.” Damn. So there’s nothing that can be said about Jodie Marsh’s new athletic UFC wannabe look? “I don’t think she should do a calendar. In fact, I think she needs to have a word with herself.” [Insert cat noises here]. After the highs (“my Range Rover Sport,”) and the lows (“I think it’s an industry that’s easily corruptible,”) we get an insight into what glamour modelling is all about. “I think a lot of people have a perception that these jobs that we go on are all catty and bitchy, and don’t get me wrong, there is competition,” the rugby fan says with a smile. “But all the girls
viewers calling Paige, but Hollywood. “It’s probably the best project I’ve ever done. But my hairstyle in it is slightly dodgy. It’s hilarious,” she says of her role, credited as ‘pale skinned beauty’. “I start an acting course in January and that is definitely somewhere I’d like to be, in LA maybe by the end of next year.” In the meantime, she is regularly revealed on Babestation. “It’s a bit of presenting with adult content; it’s basically talking very naughtily down the phone to lots of men!” she laughs hysterically. Any weirdos? “You know what Danny,” the shoe lover begins to confess. “I may as well have ‘WEIRDO’ written on my forehead. I attract weirdos! There’s an in-house joke at Babestation about the type of callers I get. I have a guy who’s obsessed with elbows! A lot of guys do like to wear their girlfriend’s underwear as well.” Nice. “I think it is something I’d like to move on from. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved the experience, and it’s been a learning curve. And I work with amazing people but obviously, every career comes to a point where you need to do something a little bit more challenging and that brings you on to the next stage.” Before Paige heads off to another shoot she leaves our readers with that all-important info; how to get those digits. “I like a man who’s quite business orientated. He has to be a family man and have good morals - that’s really important. And he has to be fun! Fun always wins. I quite like that cheekiness in a guy, a little bit of attitude, but not arrogance.” For more check officialpaigetyler.com 77
WHO RUN THE WORLD... GIRLS!
WHO RUN THE WORLD… GIRLS! Jessie J, Adele, Emeli Sandé... there’s a few ladies that have blown certain man out of the water this year - and next year is not going to be any different! Nardene Scott, Francesca Dunn and Ralph Hardy bring to your attention the females that are going to takeover come 2012... images by Odi Caspi hair and make up by Oriona Robb
78 / RWDMAG.COM
TANYA LACEY It wasn’t just an incredible amount of talent that enabled Tanya Lacey to work her way up and fully into the UK music scene. An undeniable amount of self-belief means her authentic melting pot of hip hop, soul and reggae vibes is now about to be embraced in a big way. “I ended up staying on for three months so I was staying at my friend’s house on the sofa and at the studios I was working at,” the Bristol native describes of her gypsy-like status, following what was supposed to be a few weeks stay in London some three years ago. If your visit to London included a session with Fraser T Smith whilst he worked on Tinchy’s album (the product of which became Spotlight) and then networking your way through the scene, coming across an unsigned Labrinth and Emeli Sandé, it’s definitely time to wave bye to Bristol. Into music since learning to play the violin and steel drums before sing-
“PEOPLE SAW ME AS THIS BRISTOL GIRL WHO LOVED SINGING, BUT WASN’T GONNA DO MORE THAN SINGING IN PUBS. SO BORN TO FLY WAS A TESTAMENT TO SHOW, ‘LOOK, I WAS BORN TO DO THIS.’” TANYA LACEY ing in the school choir, it was after attempting karaoke with her mum that the cogs began to turn in the then shy musicians head. “I was gripping that mic like there was no tomorrow,” she remembers. The fear disappeared after college plans fell through and bar work got a little drab; instead Lacey opted for life with a band on the road. “We would record our jamming sessions and songs would come out of it, so I really definitely immersed myself in raw music and the organic form of making music.” Current singles Letter To My Ex and Born To Fly are examples of just how sure of her sound Ms. Lacey is, from the attitude to the straight up lyrics and the infectious melodies. “People saw me as this Bristol girl who loved singing but wasn’t gonna do more than singing in pubs, so Born To Fly was a testament to show ‘Look, I was born to do this.’” Fresh from performing on a number of Bruno Mars tour dates, and songwriting credits for Loick Essien and Tinchy, this singer/writer looks to the strongest women when it comes to influences. “Beyoncé is an absolute athlete when it comes to performing, I defo respect her artistry... Also, I’m a big fan of Gwen Stefani, Pink, Mary J Blige, Lauryn Hill, Dionne Warrick...” an impressive list and it doesn’t stop there. Tipping everyone from Emeli Sandé, StooShe, Delilah and Ebru to Lady Leshurr and Lioness (the latter guests on Letter To My Ex) it’s obvious that the serious artist, currently tying up her debut LP, is going to be lacing more hits in 2012. @TanyaLacey (NS)
WAR OF WORDS Having graduated from fame factories, The BRIT School and Andrew Lloyd Webber productions, Lucy and Abi of War Of Words met via a mutual friend in the industry. First forming a Motown girl group four years ago, times changed and WoW moved on to early 90s dance music. Combining Abi’s love of R&B such as Lauryn Hill and Mary J Blige with Lucy’s love of Aretha Franklin soul, the duo created their version of powerful 90s girl power. Writing much of their music with Ben from La Roux, and with two singles Battleground and Panic (both about relationships) currently circulating, exciting times are ahead. The band have
a lot of admiration for Beyoncé and Gwen Stefani. “Women who know what they’re about and who aren’t afraid,” Abi tells us. “They look sexy in a cool way, not in a ‘I’m taking off my pants’ way,” Lucy adds. We get you girls, we get you! On the subject of the ultimate girl power song, we’re given Heard It All Before by Sunshine Anderson and the Gloria Gaynor classic, I Will Survive. Currently bigging up RWD regulars Adele and Emeli Sandé, WOW sure do have good taste. Their plans for 2012 involve “Getting our music to as many as people as possible.” Sounds like these girls are really talking the talk! Battleground and Panic are released 4 December. @wearewarofwords (FD) 79
WHO RUN THE WORLD... GIRLS!
FLAVA D How exactly does an innocent looking pint-sized blonde turn into one of the grime scene’s favourite producers? We find out from Flava D herself about the route she took into making the likes of Wiley get the viiiiibe and come aliiiiive... “As a kid I wanted to make beats,” Flava begins to tell us before speeding through the years to being a 16 year-old record shop employee, who watched her boss relentlessly making beats in the back room. “He was at the back on a programme on his PC (Ableton Live) and I saw it and I said ‘What’s that?’ and he burnt me a CD.” Sounds simple enough except that unlike other teens the then budding producer was dedicated to conquering Ableton Live, teaching herself to become a master over the next three years. Being the savvy and focused beat maker that she is, following a good reaction in the clubs, the cap donning one went looking straight away for MC’s to ride her skippy tracks via MySpace (we know, don’t laugh, it was a long 80 / RWDMAG.COM
time ago). Cue Fumin: “It took me a while to get through to him... but once we did that and it got played on 1Xtra, from there my name got around.” So far around in fact, a further million MySpace messages later and Wiley also became a regular Flava D beat slayer. “I sent him about five beats and once he heard them, he was on my case. He gave me his number, rung me up and said he wanted me on Eskibeat,” she shyly beams. The process, she reveals, is a little different to how you might expect a producer to create all types of instantaneous screw face riddims. “What I do is sit in silence for a minute and I’ll hear a whole song in my head and think ‘Quick, go get your keyboard,’” the passionate pulse provider tells us. It’s not just about the hype grime and bassline business. “One of my favourite tracks was probably with Wiley called Home And Away... it was a real UK hip hop sound rather than grime. It got played on Radio 1, that’s the track I’m quite proud of.” And so she should be! It’s the Lady Shivs and Mizz Beats fan’s inability to turn down artists which
is halting solo projects right now, but with the prospect of a Lioness EP and a round up of her finest beats of 2011 on the way, we’ll soon have some flavoursome material to tide us over. @FlavaD_Producer (NS)
“I SENT WILEY ABOUT FIVE BEATS AND ONCE HE HEARD THEM, HE WAS ON MY CASE. HE GAVE ME HIS NUMBER, RUNG ME UP AND SAID HE WANTED ME ON ESKIBEAT.” FLAVA D
WHO RUN THE WORLD... GIRLS!
LIONESS No stranger to gripping the microphone and proving she can go toe to toe with any gender by barring out and dropping out on freestyles whilst throwing out tune after tune, Lioness stands strong with her zamps as not just a female artist but as an artist in her own right. Embarking on her music career via her bedroom whilst reciting her brother’s lyrics, there was temporary crew action with Mastermind Troopers, then some brief Channel U fame. But the feline also known as Isabelle Fender didn’t always have dreams to tear down shows. The live scene though has been good to her so far with continuous Biggafish and ILUVLIVE presence, as well as performing during headwear designer Nasir Mazhar’s LFW show. “It’s always been a hobby, even now it still feels like a hobby to me,” the calm spitter says, making sense of her rising popularity. Recently dropping both the roar and the raw ‘ness on the well received Roarness mixtape with features from Ghetts, Slic Vic and her 367 peoples Amplify Dot & Lady Leshurr, Lioness plans to do something different to further cement her name in the books. “Yeah I’m doing videos for all eleven tunes, even the skit - I’m filming everything. I had a lack of visuals over the years so I’m tryna make up for that now,” the south residing one states. The ‘mouthpiece for females’ plans to keep the chat real when working with those in the game, boy or girl, “I feel like I’ll talk about stuff that is real to girls, like I’ll talk about pregnancies and abortions and I’ll talk about cheating, I’ll talk about everything”. As a strong woman in the grime scene, be sure to keep both ears open for her forthcoming album Me And Her out in April but not before the Grimyness EP project featuring productions from Teeza, Flava D, Z Dot and more. There must be something when MTV Iggy put her down as the second best female MC... In the world! “I don’t feel threatened by any female so it’s just like, lets make music and have fun.” Let the games begin. @LionessOffical (RH) 82 / RWDMAG.COM
“I’M DOING VIDEOS FOR ALL ELEVEN TUNES, EVEN THE SKIT - I’M FILMING EVERYTHING. I HAD A LACK OF VISUALS OVER THE YEARS SO I’M TRYNA MAKE UP FOR THAT NOW.” LIONESS
STOOSHE StooShe came to be when Courtney, Alex and Karis all jumped on the same sick track and their all-girl collective was born. Since then, things have been moving fairly fast for the London born and bred babes... “It’s been proper quick,” says Courtney, “We did the video in February, put it out in March and it’s just been mad ever since.” Having been described as ‘ghetro’ (a mix of ghetto and retro), they agree before adding “We’re the most extreme urban pop can go.” The tasty trio are looking to work with “Anyone willing to have fun and let themselves go,” decides Courtney, “Like Ed Sheeran!” adds Karis. Their hugely popular Radio 1 playlisted single Betty has just been released and set to be followed by an album next year. Betty is pretty much based on a true story, although “the
real Betty didn’t die and her name isn’t Betty,” Alex explains further. “It’s basically about women who have loads of children and teenage girls growing up really fast nowadays, smoking, drinking etc. We wanted to get the story across whilst still being entertaining.” They’ve done a good job! Next year’s album is set to feature tracks with Lily Allen and Wretch 32. “We’re tryna keep it within the circle. Whoever wants to have fun!” says Karis. StooShe count Beyoncé and Rihanna amongst their Girls That Run The World. “We recently found out how hard Rihanna works - hard workers are our inspiration.” The girls also confess
their love for old school TLC and Salt & Pepa. “They were so free - they did their own thing!” Not forgetting the classics, Alex adds; “Tina Turner and Shirley Bassey - women who aren’t afraid to say what they feel.” How about StooShe’s female anthems? Alex likes a bit of Whitney Dance With Somebody cheese, Karis bigs up Beyoncé’s Single Ladies and they all share a lot of love for Emeli Sandé and Nicki Minaj in general. Like those ladies, it’s going to be hard to avoid the onslaught of StooShe in 2012 - we recommend you jump on the bandwagon now. @StooShe (FD)
“IT’S BEEN PROPER QUICK. WE DID THE VIDEO IN FEBRUARY, PUT IT OUT IN MARCH AND IT’S JUST BEEN MAD EVER SINCE...” COURTNEY - STOOSHE 83
UNWIND
GADGETS | GAMES | FILMS | GIG GUIDE | ALBUMS
>>
THE BEST OF STAYING IN... AND GOING OUT... ONLIVE
onlive.co.uk The biggest innovation to come to gaming since they invention of the monitor, Cloud gaming is the futur; no DVDs, no Blurays all you need is an ethernet. From just ÂŁ1 you can play the likes of DuesEx and La Noire. Gaming snobs might try to downplay this highend gizomotron, but this time next year we will all be in some sort of cloud. Look out Sony and Microsoft, this is history in the making.
G N I M A G GETS! LIVE
>> 85
UNWIND GAMES
GAMES It doesn’t take much be the top dog in the gaming world; a few unbeaten runs and you’ll go unchallenged...
Add us on Xbox Live (RWDmag) to participate in weekly RWD tournaments...
MONTHLY MUST TRY NEED FOR SPEED THE RUN EA 3DS, PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360
86 / RWDMAG.COM
Never ones to ‘run’ out of storylines, EA Black Box – the team who’ve been involved in a vast majority of the 17 previous Need For Speed titles – have come up with a beauty. OK, so it’s a little farfetched (you play Jack Rourke a guy with nothing to lose and everything to gain as he races across America to avoid being turned into a shish kebab by the mob) but it’s fast and vast, just how racing titles should
be. Starting in San Fran you witness an acute sense of speed, (mainly) seamless cinematics and a whole host of sick cars; the Lamborghini Gallardo from the demo is just the start. This will be running in your machine for a long while yet.
ADVANCE PREVIEW OUT MARCH 2012 MAX PAYNE 3
Rockstar PC, PS3, Xbox 360 The return of the troubled ‘Max Payne’ has been scheduled for March 2012 so we advise that you get all the old games out of the basement, watch a few John Woo movies and celebrate all things bullet time because with Rockstar at the reigns we can assure you Mr Payne won’t be taking prisoners. Already looking like the most polished offering the franchise has had to offer (including the 2008 movie) expect to be knee deep in traumatic memories, split second decisions and dodgy Brazilian gangs. Just another day at the office then.
REVIEWS: APPSOLUTELY FABULOUS: WORMS CRAZY GOLF HD Team 17 iOS
Upon downloading this game – which you’d be forgiving for thinking is below par at first glance – it doesn’t take long to find your feet and get into the crazy, comedic cartoon concoction. Forget the Game Gear graphics and the Gameboy sound as you’ll be working hard to figure out the puzzles, potty power-ups and personal challenges that wait inside.
GOLDENEYE 007: RELOADED Activision PS3, Xbox 360
If you loved the Nintendo Wii version of this reboot, which was released this time last year, then you’re going to love the pixel rich edition for Xbox 360 and Move compatible PS3. Loving multiplayer (even though we were owned for 98% of the time, especially in nostalgic GoldenGun mode), Mi6 Missions and the memories evoked of N64 days. Another guilty gaming pleasure.
WWE ‘12 THQ Xbox 360, PS3, Wii
This unstoppable franchise packs many punches this year. We’re still busy playing MW3 to notice though.
GAMING FACTS: The OnLive platform is already supported by over 50 publishers and titles at launch include Deus Ex: Human Revolution, DiRT 3, Homefront, F.E.A.R. 3 and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. You can also use OnLive on iPad and Android tablets, this brings cloud gaming to a whole new level. Steve Perlman, founder, president and CEO of OnLive, has over 30 years of technology development experience, he owns over 100 US patents and has even more pending in July 2011. He told Businessweek he was “forced to build” his own computer when his parents said he couldn’t have an Apple II. Ahhhhh.
87
UNWIND SENNHEISER
NOT JUST FOR POSEURS! Delivering another must-buy, Sennheiser have teamed up with adidas to update the classic HD 25 range of incredible headphones. Words by Ralph Hardy. Images by James Pearson-Howes, Keren Pharoah and Jake Green
MJ COLE
MJ Cole is a veritable legend from the days of garage; the Sincere and Crazy Love creator is one of the scene’s foremost producers and DJ’s... “I’ve always used Sennheisers because I’ve found them to be the best headphones over the years. For DJing, the HD 25s are the best. I’ve probably been through about seven pairs mainly because I lose them but they’re good as they’re modular – you can stick them together, if one side goes, you can get a new head cup, you can buy a new head band... I’m into adidas as well so it was a marriage made in audio heaven!” 88 / RWDMAG.COM
BBC RADIO 1 AND 1XTRA’S DJ SEMTEX
After starting in 1992 and plying his trade in Manchester, 1Xtra’s DJ Semtex has become one of the world’s biggest and best DJ’s... “The Sennheiser IE6 and IE8s are the perfect headphones when on the move. I use them to check demos and prepare for shows, etc., when travelling. When it comes to the main event though, the HD 25s are the DJ’s choice for the clubs. My advice for up and coming DJ’s would be to look for a true sound, it’s not about the bass or loudness, more about the accurate reflection of the actual sound.”
DJ CHARLSEY
TWEET YOUR HEART OUT
“I’ve tried using all other headphones but they’re just not the ones (laughs). Senns are quality and also look wicked!”
We took to Twitter to see which of your favourite DJ’s preferred Sennheisers...
DJ Charlsey is not only a guest DJ on 1Xtra, he’s also Tinie Tempah’s right hand man.
“OTHER HEADPHONES ARE JUST NOT THE ONES” CHARLIE HEDGES
@ArtfulDodgerDJ I am a Sennheiser man !!!
Charlie Hedges joins Rickie and Melvin each morning on KISS FM’s brilliant Breakfast show.
@Melvinodoom Sennheiser for DJing & Dre’s 4 Bass
“I love them, they are the headphones I’ve always used anyway so they’re like my little best friends. I’ve always used them. What’s great is this new line excels in the three main areas; definitely comfort and obviously sound quality but it’s important for headphones to feel good on you!”
@mistajam Sennheiser HD25’s. @ adidasUK edition. Unrivalled durability, sound quality & versatility 4 a working DJ IMHO. Dre’s = #ImageTing
DJ MANNY NORTÉ
Not only a firm favourite on Kiss FM he’s the go-to turntabalist for Rihanna and Jay-Z... “I’ve been using Sennheiser for years; I love how they sound, how they look and how they fit. I also love the lead as well, the length is perfect. Basically, they’re a DJ’s best friend. I love the adidas collab too because I’m a fan of both brands.”
@WITTYBOYMUSIC for djing I would say seinheisser bro @MARCUSNASTY I’m a dj so i prefer my sennheiser’s Dr Dre headphones are for posers and fashion
DJ SWERVE
The KISS FM DJ and producer extraordinaire made one of our favourite tracks of 2010; D Double’s Street Fighter. Whether on radio, in the club, or in the studio, Swerve always puts it down. He let’s us know all about how to hear the perfect sound... “I’d heard good things about the HD25s and seen so many DJs use them. Plus the adidas styling looks sick! I look for loudness, clarity and ruggedness when it comes to headphones. With so much use and travel they have got be be reliable and most importantly last! These definitely fit the bill.”
Sennheiser are more than skilled when it comes to providing quality treats for your ears (they also distribute the stunning Serato). So to cop the DJ’s headphones of choice, the Sennheiser HD 25 just head to shop. sennheiser.co.uk 89
UNWIND WITH JASON MANFORD
Unwind With JASON MANFORD Known for nationwide stand-up tours, loud shirts and appearing on many a panel show, namely 8 out of 10 Cats, Manchester’s Jason Manford is the epitome of local lad done good. As he tucks into a roast chicken at the Albany pub in Great Portland Street he talks to Danny Walker about Football Manager addictions, all girl afflictions and Premier League predictions. [To dictaphone] Interview with Jason Manford... This is like what they do with the police. So where were you the night of the 5th? I wasn’t anywhere near the crime, officer Danny. [Laughs] Ok, so let’s start. When was the last time you Googled yourself? It was about four years ago and I’d just started 8 Out of 10 Cats and I found a forum discussing comedy. [Laughs] A guy thought I was so unfunny he actually wanted to stab me in the face with a fork. So specific. At least it’s a four pronged weapon, so some of the pain will be spread. [Laughs] I don’t know about that. I don’t know about that. I just couldn’t believe that. That is the opposite reaction I wanted. Nobody sets out to make people angry. You wanna make ‘em laugh. There’s also a site that someone found called fan fiction. This is where people have imagined quite sexually charged scenarios for famous people. It’s all blokes though. I didn’t know the interview was going to take this turn so soon. Neither did I. Yeah, it’s like ‘Jason Manford, Jimmy Carr in a dressing room, they’re kissing and David Walliams is in the corner and goes, ‘Heeeeellllo’. He’s like Jimmy’s pimp [laughs]. Moving on...! Now you’re a father, what will it be like for your kids? Well I’ve got three girls. So that is my biggest worry, if you know what I’m saying. My wife will sort [the homework] out and I’m in charge of boys. I’ll get cameras setup and that, to make sure nobody can get near the house. Who is funnier? The Dave version of you or the live version of you? Erm... that is a good question. I’d say the version of me who’s with his uncles 90 / RWDMAG.COM
and brothers and dad and that at Christmas. Just sat there pontificating about the world, saying stuff you’re not allowed to say on telly [laughs]. Does your wife think you’re funny? [Laughs to himself] Sometimes. She thinks I don’t have the social awareness to turn it off. Basically at funerals... but sometimes some p*** funny things happen at funerals. I say it when I see it. So how do you UnWind? I do a pub quiz with me dad. No way! With cheating on the phone? [Laughs] My dad wouldn’t have any of that. I’m a bit of a Pro Evo and Football Manager fan, proper addicted to that. Other than that I have a kickabout with me mates. What is your favourite film? Erm, [takes a bite of chicken] I just like big blockbusters. Stuff getting blown up and that. Probably Die Hard, love it. I loved 2012 as well. End of the planet and all that. Yeah there are loads of those, Tomorrow Never... Lives and all that... Yeah, Tomorrow’s F***ed... [room laugh]. What do you love to eat and drink? Can I just say, I walked past a Nando’s to get here. [Laughs] I genuinely eat it twice a week. Tell us about your DVD and your book, Brung Up Proper, which “is more than a collection of funny anecdotes...” The DVD is the current tour that I’ve been touring for the last year, and it’s... funny. If you liked the last one, you’ll love this. I suggest if you didn’t like the last one don’t venture into this [room laughs]. That’s what I’ve got on the cover. Obviously I’ve become a dad since then, but I talk about everything; football, swearing on TV, and shampoo; Original Source Mint & Tea Tree shower gel. You know, all the big topics. And the
INTERVIEW IN NUMBERS If you can’t be bothered to read this great interview (or watch the video online) at least read the numerical breakdown.
The number of people Jason Manford would have performed in front of by 29 November 2011 during this tour, which started in June 2010. Amazing. The number of carrots on Jason’s plate when the food arrived. Don’t ask us how we remember this, we just do.
The number of girls Jason Manford’s got, including a set of twins. Nice.
2
Avenues of conversation we didn’t think we’d be talking to Mr Manford about (1 – weird sex forums and 2 – Nando’s black card (“I eat it twice a week,”).
Confession... Jason Manford unwinds by going to a pub quiz with his dad (and they don’t even cheat). “I don’t think that will really relate to your readers [laughs].”
book is a story of my life Danny, there are funny anecdotes in there but with the chronology of my life. It’s a story about a boy done good, people getting punched in the face. People getting alarm clocks stuck in their hair. You haven’t made it unless you’ve been beaten up. Yeah, and deservedly so. I talk about how I started in stand up and those first few gigs when you’re dying a death. I think they’re the stories people wanna hear. They‘ve seen you do well... And lastly, [Manchester] City. Are you guys gonna win everything this season? I think we’re gonna be the new invincibles [laughs]. Jason Manford Live is out now, for more check jasonmanford.com. To watch Jason play RWD’s ‘Wheel of Misfortune’ check RWDmag.com
91
UNWIND FILMS
FILMS The following films have been rated suitable for both underdogs and top dogs...
ANOTHER EARTH 20th Century Fox Cert 12A
What if there was another you living just a couple of hundred thousand miles away on a parallel universe. Wouldn’t that be sick to see what choices you made? If you let your uncle cut your hair when you were younger? If you ever asked that girl out? Well this happens to Rhona [Brit Marling]. An introspective look inside the human mind. Engaging and moving, but slow paced.
MONEYBALL Sony Pictures Cert 12A
Don’t be put off by the baseball premise that entwines its way through the Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill starring Moneyball, this flick is based on a true story and it’s actually pretty good. Bouncing off one another, the main men make a great pair over the 133 minutes. Another great appearance from Philip Seymour Hoffman too, this is definitely well worth the watch.
92 / RWDMAG.COM
ADVANCE PREVIEW AMERICAN PIE: REUNION Universal Cert TBC
Seann William Scott, Jason Biggs and others from the original cast return for what is set to be a rib aching series of events which is American Pie 4. The class of 99 crew in all its original glory get back together for their High School homecoming in ‘American Reunion’, and as per usual, what’s meant to be a nostalgic trip down memory lane turns into a nightmare on pastry street with Michelle, Jim, Jim’s Dad and the rest. With Heather (Mena Suvari) dating a deluded surgeon and Oz (Chris Klein) being the big shot, will Finch will finally get to noog Stiffler’s mum? Due in 2012. (RH)
UNWIND REEBOK CLASSICS PRESENTS
REEBOK BACK... As you know by now, RWD like a party or two - even more so when we don’t have to throw it ourselves! The RWD team headed to the star studded extravaganza that was the Reebok Classics Presents gig...
94 / RWDMAG.COM
Okay before we get started we have to admit we were a little jel when we approached the amazing venue that is the Old Vic Tunnels. Not just because it was super cool and huge but also the custom Reebok carpet we walked down and the laser show which led us there in the first place. With that in mind, before we even entered the warren of tunnels underneath Waterloo Station, we had high hopes for this night, especially considering that the event was headlined by that guy right now, Labrinth. Trays of wine and beer flowed through the maze like venue, so much so, in the main arena the very same glasses
buckled under the pressure of the wobble and bass provided by DJ duo Jack Beats. After a little wander, a random chat to Fatboy from Eastenders and clocking the likes of Etta Bond, Emeli Sandé, Kelly Brook, and countless amounts of celebs in the place supporting Reebok Classics, Bluey Robinson dragged our attention away and to the stage. The Reebok clad singer channelled his inner Michael Jackson for a lively performance; by the time he reached his final number Showgirl, he’d won over the crowd, especially the ladies! Grabbing a bite to eat from the abundant trays on the way to the
“A CLASSIC NIGHT; IF YOU WEREN’T THERE, YOU MISSED OUT IN A BIG WAY!”
Reebok Classics photo booth for that vital Kodak moment - thumbs up to the mini burgers and pizza’s BTW - we were soon summoned by the plumes of smoke and the craziest lazer show ever as the Reebok cap fitted Labrinth emerged from backstage. The talented musician commanded the crowd into a frenzy, going through each hit but it was when Let The Sun Shine dropped and of course Earthquake that people went absolutely crazy! A classic night; if you weren’t there, you missed out in a big way! Keep up to date with all things Reebok over at weRclassic.com 95
UNWIND GIG GUIDE
GIG GUIDE
UK B-BOY CHAMPIONSHIP WORLD FINALS, 02 ACADEMY BRIXTON 16 OCTOBER 2011 The UK B-Boy Championships have been around a long time; I mean they go back, waaaay back, about as far back as your dad’s receding hair line. However, unlike your old man’s impending chrome dome, the B-Boy Champs always stay fresh and every year it excites and dazzles us with both its awesome display of moves and unpredictability. This year was certainly no different. From the south Bronx, New York to Brixton, South London it’s obvious that the B-Boy movement is still as alive and buzzing as ever, with poppers-andlockers, breakers and crews coming 96 / RWDMAG.COM
from all over the world to strut their stuff. As well as trying to amaze the masses at the O2 Brixton Academy these break warriors were also intent to walk away with the judge’s approval and the bragging rights as the best at what they do. It must’ve been especially tough on the judge’s this year because everyone brought their A-Game and as with all judge’s decisions (see X-Factor or the first OJ Simpson case as an example) it’s never the most popular one. As always, taking care of the hosting duties was hip-hop pioneers Crazy Legs from the legendary Rocksteady Crew and Afrika
Islam aka ‘Son of Bambaataa’ - honestly those two should have a television show cos every time they come down to host the Finals they’re just too jokes. The crowd was also treated to a wicked showcase from UK dance troupe Plague and some off-the-wall-amazing beatboxing from ThePETEBOX. But the night was about the B-Boys and B-Girls. Our boy Sunni from Soul Mavericks repped it for the UK in the solo B-Boy competition and reached the final where he lost out to Morris from the USA in a hard fought battle. Defending champion Nelson, from France, won the
THE ASICS GTII
FROM NEW YORK TO LONDON, IT’S OBVIOUS THAT THE B-BOY MOVEMENT IS STILL ALIVE AND BUZZING, WITH POPPERS, LOCKERS AND BREAKERS COMING FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD...
Popping tournament again this year. It was far from easy though as he had some tough competition looking to knock him off his throne, including Japan’s Kite who he had to face in the final battle. But the one that everyone was waiting to see was the Crew Battles. This year was as intense as ever with defending champions Vagabonds, from France, retaining their title with sheer dominance against Korea’s Jinjo (who beat the UK’s Soul Mavericks in the semi finals). So there we have it, another year another great competition and we can’t wait for the 2012 champs. (JG)
Part of being a B-Boy is having the look down to a T. You can have the fancy moves but if you aren’t looking right then the crowd won’t be feeling you. Thankfully Asics have stepped in to provide you with the Asics GTII trainer, to give you that essential B-Boy swag. Featuring Gel Pad technology in the heel and toe it provides shock absorption to protect your feet when you’re doing some off-the-wall dance moves. bboychampionships.com/asics
97
REVIEWS LIANNE LA HAVAS
UKG / GRIME / DUBSTEP CHART BY DJ CHEWY 01 JOKER
Lost And Found Labour of Love
RIHANNA Talk That Talk Def Jam When she’s not casting for Chris Brown lookalikes Ri Ri is one of the hardest working artists in the game. Overly sexual and innovative, it seems on her sixth album, Robyn Rihanna Fenty finally knows what she wants; big beats (Dr Luke, Ester Dean, Dream, Stargate and Calvin Harris), confusing songs about love, and getting men to suck her “cockiness”. This is a short and (very) sweet outing from the Bajan boss. With You Da One backing up the track to check, it will be on rotation for a while. Track to Check: Talk That Talk (DW)
The debut EP from the talented as she is hot Le Havas, the debut opens with a beautifully nostalgic love song between herself and a certain Mr Willy Mason; No Room For Doubt is perfection. A cover of Everything Everything’s Final Form is slightly heavier than you’d expect and proves her versatility. The EP’s five tracks show off LLH’s stunning voice in a way that would make old-school neo-soul legends proud. This cheeky little teaser is a smoking hot warm-up to the release of her full album next year. Track To Check: No Room For Doubt (FD)
On My Mind (4AD Records) Part of one of the most comprehensive albums of the year. 02
DRAKE Take Care Young Money
It’s rather humorous listening to Aubrey rhyming as if he’s got more firearms than T.I. But when he chooses to find the melodic tones in his raps whilst talking about females he’s come across, the Canadian can break bread with the best of them. Drizzy’s new album features the boss Rick Ross on the religiously euphoric Lord Knows, the man who sings underwater, (The Weeknd), and Andre 3k on The Real Her. You have to be in the right mood for it, if you’re not an avid fan of wet music. Track To Check: Lord Knows (RH)
JLS
PREDITAH
GOAPELE
Jukebox
Eightsome EP
Break Of Dawn
Sony
Earth 616
Decon
Such lovely boys – really, just about the nicest guys in pop – but these days we don’t go to JLS for hot tunes. There’s a market for this kinda sound, we realise this, but it doesn’t mean we have to like it. One for 13 year-old girls, clubs in Old Compton Street and anyone else who likes ‘R&B-euro-house-pop’ (and shame on you if you do). We do still love you boys, we’re just not about to bump this anyone remotely near a stereo or pair of headphones. (Ps, the two points awarded are based purely on personality). Track To Check: Er, well, hmmm.... (HC)
After half an hour of sporadic yelps and skanks from a man that has no control over his motor skills, I can now put into words what I was listening to – ‘yah!’ (in that high pitched Scratchy Demus voice). Wolves-town native Preditah keeps it ‘1 hunid’ with the wicked man beat patterns in Nosy Parker. He also brings back the old school garage dance feel. You know, the ones where gyal dem will buss the bogle with diamontes in their slicked up hair. Energetic Grime that’ll make you slap your little brother. Track To Check: Royal Mess. (RH)
The smooth, seductive trouser arousing conviction of Goapele’s tone on Play and tunes like Money make this one for the heart to get warm with. Mixing the cool with the funk creates a pleasant recipe for the 34 year-old R&B songstress’ title track. Though it’s all good music, you do need to be in the mood for her to ejaculate the vibe to the side of your head. Eargasmic indeed. Track To Check: Undertow (RH)
98 / RWDMAG.COM
SWITCH
I Still Love You (Dubsided) This track is getting some heavy airplay. And rightly so. 03 LADY LESHURR
Lego (Gutta Strut Recordings) Some class this as hip hop. No, this is UK grime at its best. 04 FUNKY STEPS
Face Off EP (Promo) Including the anthem Caution, a deep funky gem for DJs. 05
PREDITAH
Rhyme On (Promo) After the success of Circle, Prediath delivers yet again. 06
REDLIGHT
Live Your Life (Redlight Promo) Getting hammered by Marcus Nasty and most of Rinse FM. 07
DISTMANTLE
Kill Dem Sub (Promo) This huge nugget has been around for six months now. 08
NAUGHTY
Naughty (Kicks and Snares) Part of a 4 track EP due out soon, Naughty is the lead track. 09 JESSIE J
Who You Are (Promo) Praise be for the legend Wookie who has over-delivered on this. 10 SCB
Mace (Greenmoney) A minimal house special getting the support of the underground.
BOYZ NOIZE The Remixes 2004-2011 BNR
RIVAL Lord Rivz Grind Game
... Which brings us to our next mixtape; one of aggression, electricity, and new age grime. Rival wasn’t playing around when he compiled beats from Flava D, G Tank and features from Dot Rotten and Ghetts. The former layers vocals on Just A Dream, while Ghetts reflects on Save Me, accompanying the venomous tongue on the 140BPM he’s getting comfortable on. Seems making the transition from a DJ to MC is working for the Rivs. We await the album. Track To Check: Plan A Ft. Lioness & Logan Sama (RH)
PUSHA T Fear Of God Part 2: Let Us Pray Decon Records
To be honest, I felt a little robbed when I pressed play on this CD. Alone In Vegas, Feeling Myself, Raid... it’s kinda like been there, done that when you dropped Part 1 Pusha, thanks. Already this can’t get a rating over 3 since it’s basically half a mixtape AND you have to pay for it. If you’re not into selling drugs or aspiring to, then you’re also not going to get much out of this. But if you appreciate a nice flow and decent beats, download. Just don’t sing along on the bus. Track To Check: Alone In Vegas (Again!!!) (NS)
Boys Noize aka Alex Ridha has been on the electro scene for over a decade; DJing, producing, and putting out some damn good remixes, and here’s the proof. This two-disc showcases talent spanning a massive range of electro styles. Standout tracks include a unique version of Depeche Mode’s Personal Jesus and a banging remix of N*E*R*D’s Hot-N-Fun. You gotta hand it to the man who turns Charlotte Gainsbourg into a slightly sedated Alison Mosshard of The Kills with Trick Pony. Man got skills. Track To Check: Trick Pony (FD)
CHILDISH GAMBINO CAMP Island Records
Since lighting up the sliver screen as Donald Glover, this comedian-cum-rapper is now doing his thing under the alias Childish Gambino. “I’m still not down, but I up the ante,” he defensively sprays on Fire Fly. Indeed, it’s a difficult transition from acting to music and in some senses he’s achieved it. A PG rated Hodgy Beats mixed with the wetness of Drake, yet there’s nothing on here that makes me want to return for more. Track To Check: You See Me (NS)
ALBUM OF THE MONTH MARY J BLIGE My Life II... The Journey Continues Geffen
As someone who’s loved MJB since 1992 (yep, I’m that old) even I have to concede that she’s been more ‘Meh J’ in recent years. How fitting then the New Yorker names her incredible new album in homage to the 1994 classic; brilliantly melding heartbroken R&B vocals with hardknock hip hop, guests like Nas, Rick Ross and Beyoncé and producers including Kanye, Swizz and Danja make this a massive, brilliant return to form for the Queen Of Hip Hop Soul. No offence to the new chicks, but it’s time we ignored the gross Euro R&B house rubbish cluttering the charts and go buy music that not only sounds amazing but actually says something more than buying out the bar set to a Balearic-lite beat. Track To Check: Need Somebody (HC)
RWD’S REWINDS
Azealia Banks 212 (Promo) Woodkid Iron (Green United Music) Lianne La Havas Age (Warner Bros) Lana Del Rey Video Games (Stranger Records) Swindle Ft. Footsie & Nadia Suliman Ignition (Promo) Noisses Ft. Serocee The Don (Ruckspin Remix) (Black Butter) Joe Black & Josh Osho Turn The Page (Black Friday) Marger Evil Alien Muzik Corporal Benny Banks Ft. Ratlin, G Money, Squeeks... I Hope (Promo) Wizzy Wow Ft. Calibar & G FrSH Come Over (Promo) Meek Mill Ft.TI, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Swizz Beatz & DJ Khaled Ima Boss (Remix) (MNG) Koder Come On (White) Amy Winehouse Ft. Nas Like Smoke (Island) Maverick Sabre Ft. Chipmunk & Benny Banks I Need (New Machines Remix) (Island) Rapsody A Crush Groove (White) Sway Ft. Kano Still Speedin’ (Remix) (D’cypha) Shakka God Put A Smile On My Face (Promo)
99
FINAL WORD KELLY ROWLAND
FINAL WORD: KELLY ROWLAND
The X Factor star talks to Emmanuel Ezugwu about her musical inspirations, how she handles negativity and why she hates being called pretty.
“TULISA AND I HAVE SPOKEN AND I STILL FEEL LIKE WHAT SHE SAID WAS WRONG AND AWFUL TIMING BUT WE AGREED TO DISAGREE.” Here I Am is a very sexy album...! I knew what I wanted to portray in terms of where I wanted to go and what writers and producers I wanted to work with and what sound I wanted to establish. I mapped all that out and some things birthed themselves. The sensuality and the grown and sexy part of the record came out as I felt more comfortable in my skin and happy as a woman. What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career so far? It would probably have to be leaving Matthew Knowles and starting over with new management. Matthew had managed me ever since I was a kid but I wasn’t afraid of the starting over process. Looking back I think it was a good move for myself. When you left Matthew Knowles, Beyoncé soon followed. Why do you think that was? I can’t discuss what everybody else has done I can only discuss my experience and it felt like I had to do it. What UK producers do you want to work with? I’m a major fan of Labrinth of course and also I think Harmony is soooooooo crazy! I really want to get into the studio with both 100 / RWDMAG.COM
of them for my next album. Your recent performances have been electric. What are the things you’ve picked up from other performers? Well you can’t be a fan of someone like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson or Beyoncé and not be inspired. Bey is captain perfection and I love that about my sister and I took that chapter from her book and I took that trait on. I got tired of people saying you look nice and that’s it. No one wants to just be told that they look nice. Keep It Between Us is your next single. Not much has been written of your relationships so I guess that’s a motto you strongly believe in? Yes it’s nobody’s business and I try to keep my personal life private but I will say I’m very happy. I’m shooting the video in Paris and I can’t wait. What are your thoughts on the bullying comments Tulisa and Louis made? Tulisa and I have spoken and I still feel like what she said was wrong and awful timing but we agreed to disagree. As an adult you’re supposed to think about what you’re saying and know what your saying is accurate. My heart goes out to kids who are going through bullying so when
you speak out of context and you don’t know what your talking about, you should shut up. Louis said on X Factor that Frankie Coccoza will never be a rockstar. Has anyone told you that you would never amount to anything? Absolutely and ‘Look At Me Now’ (does the dougie)! When someone tells you you’ll never do something, they’re actually telling you what you will do. What’s this about you stalking Kanye West and Drake? I would love to work with Kanye. We haven’t managed to speak about it yet but I would still love to as I love his creative expression. I’d also love to collaborate with Drake for a remix of Keep It Between Us. Maybe my fans can start a campaign on Twitter ! What are your future goals? To develop an accessories and a homeware range as I’m really interested in interiors. That would be a great accomplishment and of course being married and having children. I’d love to be mother and have babies but that’s way down the line in maybe three, four or five years (laughs). Here I Am is out now. @kellyrowland