“MAYBE it’s hatred I spew, maybe it’s food for the spirit,” – Shakespeare or an internationally renowned rapper?
This is just one of the tests Akala poses in his quest to show young people the Bard’s work is not as archaic as they think.
For those who couldn’t work it out, the answer’s Eminem, on Renegade with Jay-Z.
The success of the hip-hop Shakespeare Company – which explores the social, cultural and linguistic parallels between Shakespeare and hip-hop – spearheaded by rapper Akala aka Kingslee Daley, and brother of Ms Dynamite, has not gone unnoticed.
They’ve featured on CNN, there’s a film in the pipeline and they’re due to appear at the Roundhouse Studios during the Camden Crawl (April 30-May 1).
Any trepidation youngsters have when joining a workshop is immediately broken when faced with the Shakespeare v Rapper test.
Kingslee, who grew up in Camden, and went to Acland Burghley School, said: “We ask if they think they can tell the difference between a quote from one of their favourite rappers and Shakespeare and they all say it’d be obvious, Shakespeare’s so different, so old. We do the test and no one can ever tell the difference.
“Once you take the language out of context you start to get a sense of how much your perception affects your treatment of art... Whether you like it or not, that’s just a part of the human condition. You make these judgements not solely based on the quality of the work and that’s what really becomes obvious to people.”
The Company aims to remove the elitism that surrounds Shakespeare, the “ignorant crass stereotypes” that surround hip-hop and to highlight entitlement.
Kingslee was attracted to Shakespeare from an early age because of its parallels to the lyrical music he already listened to: “It just clicked with me this is the same kind of stuff I already listen to – it’s poetry...he captured to human condition the way few writers have,” and is torn between Hamlet and Richard II as his favourite play.
He said: “Richard II is the most rhythmic, it sounds like a rap. Hamlet for the complexity of the story, the betrayal, the cauldron of feelings – it’s maybe his strongest character.”
The project has provided jobs and training for some of the most promising participants. One young writer has gone on to scribe plays for the Young Vic and Kingslee hopes one day to set up a whole institution dedicated to the cause.
Kingslee said: “Ultimately we all want the same thing – young people that can read and write well and are enthusiastic about language. Whatever methods we use that are most effective – that is the most sensible thing to do.”
Kingslee finds the job particularly rewarding.
He said: “When you work with young people in difficult circumstances and they share something with you through a piece of writing and it becomes a cathartic experience for them or they realise they have a passion no-one’s ever stoked in them or they have an intelligence that no one ever told them they have – that kind of ability to help people self discover is the thing I’m most proud of.”
He has just returned from Sudan, where he hosted workshops in-between gigs.
He said: “It went really well. I hate to say it but every time I travel, particularly to countries in the so-called third world, it’s embarrassing the level of education. No disrespect, but they have a much firmer grasp of the English language than most of the young people (he works with here). You have 16 year old kids when we’re talking about Shakespeare, saying, yeah he wrote in archaic English – this is the level of grasp of the language we’re talking about.
“Perhaps because education over there is so much more difficult to obtain, there’s so much more respect for it once it’s gone...They take it very seriously if they get the opportunity to get a decent education.”
And while Shakespeare proved a hit, so did the hip-hop.
He said: “Hip hop over there is as big as it is over here – all over Africa – hip hop and reggae – Bob Marley’s become bigger then he even was in Jamaica. He’s become a larger than life persona throughout the African continent. And hip-hop, particularly the more politically aware socially conscious hip-hop, has really connected, from my experience throughout the continent and the world.”
Kingslee no longer lives in Camden, having left for the peace of Hertfordshire but he’s having a change of heart: “I’m out in the sticks now but it’s a bit too quiet for me. I think I’m going to move back into Camden.”
• Further info from http://www.hiphopshakespeare.com/
Showing posts with label Akala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Akala. Show all posts
Friday, 15 April 2011
Friday, 19 November 2010
TOM JONES' ALTAR STAGE INVASION FEATURING JO WHILEY'S MUM + PULP'S BEST. NEWS. EVER. + BRAINY AKALA + THE REVENGE OF D:REAM
TOM Jones set ageing pulses racing at Islington’s Union Chapel on Monday night as he headlined the first night of the magical Mencap Little Noise Sessions.
At Paolo Nutini’s gig the next night, my spies tell me Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley confessed her mum stormed the stage when the irresistible Mr Jones was playing – bear in mind the stage is an altar – these Jones fans are wild.
Here's Mr Jones with Green Green Grass of Home, his encore.
• My fave up-and-comers, quirky, Louis le Prince play cult venue The Lexington (Nov 24). If you’re looking for one new band to adopt, this is it.
• The Electric Ballroom’s got a mighty list of gigs on its way – Kele (Bloc Party) plays Friday, The Fall (Nov 23) and The Tallest Man on Earth (Nov 24).
• In case you’ve been living on another planet I’d like to point out that Pulp are reforming and headline Wireless next year – Best. News. Ever. My fave song’s Babies, what’s yours? PS 02 Academy Islington’s great club night Feeling Gloomy hosts Pulp’s Wireless launch party on Saturday – prizes, surprises and rare Pulp records played early.
• Akala’s sooo brainy and a good guy, not like those bad rappers you read about in the papers. He’s been teaching schoolkids hip-hop Shakespeare – check out his cerebral lyrical dexterity at the British Library (Nov 26).
• I’ve not been complimentary about D:Ream in the past and it seems they’re taking revenge. The checky-trousered dance act, which I hold personally responsible for the birth of Blair, (Tony, not the one-hit-wonder of Have Fun Go Mad obscurity), have managed to convince former keyboarder Brian Cox now a widely respected physicist to abandon sanity and reform – songs from new album “In Memory Of...” (I’d stop there) will be performed at 02 Academy Islington (Dec 1).
At Paolo Nutini’s gig the next night, my spies tell me Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley confessed her mum stormed the stage when the irresistible Mr Jones was playing – bear in mind the stage is an altar – these Jones fans are wild.
Here's Mr Jones with Green Green Grass of Home, his encore.
• My fave up-and-comers, quirky, Louis le Prince play cult venue The Lexington (Nov 24). If you’re looking for one new band to adopt, this is it.
• The Electric Ballroom’s got a mighty list of gigs on its way – Kele (Bloc Party) plays Friday, The Fall (Nov 23) and The Tallest Man on Earth (Nov 24).
• In case you’ve been living on another planet I’d like to point out that Pulp are reforming and headline Wireless next year – Best. News. Ever. My fave song’s Babies, what’s yours? PS 02 Academy Islington’s great club night Feeling Gloomy hosts Pulp’s Wireless launch party on Saturday – prizes, surprises and rare Pulp records played early.
• Akala’s sooo brainy and a good guy, not like those bad rappers you read about in the papers. He’s been teaching schoolkids hip-hop Shakespeare – check out his cerebral lyrical dexterity at the British Library (Nov 26).
• I’ve not been complimentary about D:Ream in the past and it seems they’re taking revenge. The checky-trousered dance act, which I hold personally responsible for the birth of Blair, (Tony, not the one-hit-wonder of Have Fun Go Mad obscurity), have managed to convince former keyboarder Brian Cox now a widely respected physicist to abandon sanity and reform – songs from new album “In Memory Of...” (I’d stop there) will be performed at 02 Academy Islington (Dec 1).
Thursday, 14 October 2010
WHERE'S JOHNNY? DEPP'S STUNT DOUBLE KNOWS + LITTLE NOISE + BRAVO MOBO NOMINEES AKALA AND N-DUBS
EVER wondered what Johnny Depp’s stunt double does when not risking his life to save Hollywood’s most precious cheekbones?
Turns out Pirates of the Caribbean cast member Scott Sener is a musician. He supports Camden band Earth Prayer – fronted by Heidi Jo Hines, daughter of former Wings guitarist and Moody Blues founder member Denny Laine – at a free gig at Scars Studio, 20 Castlehaven Road, Camden Town, on Saturday.
Sener’s invited cast members so keep your eyes peeled for the genuine article – Mr Depp has been known to pop up at the odd underground gig – ask Babybird.
• Fellow music lovers, it’s all happening. Once you’ve completed the three peaks challenge of Elton, Neil Diamond and Robert Plant at Electric Proms (Oct 28 – 30) – here’s what’s coming up.
• Regular readers will know this is my absolute fave series of gigs, Mencap Little Noise Sessions return to the Union Chapel (Nov 15 – 20) with Tom Jones, Paolo Nutini and Hurts latest headliners to be announced – my pick so far – Hurts. Be there.
• Can’t believe we’re talking about the Camden Crawl already but early bird tickets go on sale at the Bull and Gate launch gig (Oct 28) – The Chapman Family, DELS, Hook & the Twin, John & Jehn, Martyna Baker and the inevitable secret guest tba by Twitter of course!
• If you missed Tim Robbins at the Union Chapel, you can catch him supporting Paolo Nutini at the Q Awards gigs at HMV Forum (Oct 22).
Also playing are Jamiroquai (Oct 20), Chase and Status (Oct 22) and Mark Ronson & The Business INTL (+ Rose Elinor Dougal) (Oct 23).
• Bravo N-Dubz and Akala for Mobo nominations – find out if they won (Oct 20).
Turns out Pirates of the Caribbean cast member Scott Sener is a musician. He supports Camden band Earth Prayer – fronted by Heidi Jo Hines, daughter of former Wings guitarist and Moody Blues founder member Denny Laine – at a free gig at Scars Studio, 20 Castlehaven Road, Camden Town, on Saturday.
Sener’s invited cast members so keep your eyes peeled for the genuine article – Mr Depp has been known to pop up at the odd underground gig – ask Babybird.
(Can't find a clip of Earth Prayer so here's Heidi Jo Hines on her lonesome).
• Fellow music lovers, it’s all happening. Once you’ve completed the three peaks challenge of Elton, Neil Diamond and Robert Plant at Electric Proms (Oct 28 – 30) – here’s what’s coming up.
• Regular readers will know this is my absolute fave series of gigs, Mencap Little Noise Sessions return to the Union Chapel (Nov 15 – 20) with Tom Jones, Paolo Nutini and Hurts latest headliners to be announced – my pick so far – Hurts. Be there.
• Can’t believe we’re talking about the Camden Crawl already but early bird tickets go on sale at the Bull and Gate launch gig (Oct 28) – The Chapman Family, DELS, Hook & the Twin, John & Jehn, Martyna Baker and the inevitable secret guest tba by Twitter of course!
• If you missed Tim Robbins at the Union Chapel, you can catch him supporting Paolo Nutini at the Q Awards gigs at HMV Forum (Oct 22).
Also playing are Jamiroquai (Oct 20), Chase and Status (Oct 22) and Mark Ronson & The Business INTL (+ Rose Elinor Dougal) (Oct 23).
• Bravo N-Dubz and Akala for Mobo nominations – find out if they won (Oct 20).
Thursday, 23 September 2010
GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER ELECTRIC PROMS + PARTY FOR PALESTINE WITH AKALA, LOWKEY ET AL + SEAN LENNON'S SABER TOOTHED TIGER POUNCES ON THE ROUNDHOUSE + SEASICK STEVE'S BLUES
REMEMBER the great BBC Electric Proms of 2008 – Oasis, Glasvegas and Burt Bacharach at the Roundhouse, Goldfrapp at Cecil Sharp House, the incredible Africa Express marathon at Koko, and The Last Shadow Puppets in Liverpool?
It was the best of the Proms, multi-venue, multi-genre, multi-generational, spanning north and south.
Last year the Beeb tightened its belt and shrank to one venue but still pulled in the huge acts – Dame Shirley Bassey, Smokey Robinson and Dizzee Rascal.
So what happened this year? It’s always fantastic to see classic legends in a venue as concise as the Roundhouse but the Proms has been reduced to three nights, each headliner – Elton John, Robert Plant and Neil Diamond – over 60 and white (or perma-tanned).
Younger names such as Plan B will support but still, the Proms was such a huge event and a chance for surprises and unexpected collaborations – a real celebration of musicians of all kinds remembering what it was like to jam and experiment. A move away from the fuddy duddy traditional proms that clogs up our TVs annually. Did this really have to be a casualty of the cuts?
• Don't miss Party for Pakistan, fave acts on the bill include Akala, Lowkey, Riz MC, and Facejacker – you know who I mean – great cause – 02 Academy Islington, (September 29).
• Who's Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger I hear you ask? Although the musos out there probably know. This is Sean Lennon and girlfriend Charlotte Kemp Muhl's collaboration. Expect beautifully crafted songs from their debut gig (Roundhouse, Oct 13).
• Seasick Steve plays the Blues Kitchen (Oct 7) – it's an oddly-shaped venue but old Seasick can bring any stage to life – do NOT miss this.
It was the best of the Proms, multi-venue, multi-genre, multi-generational, spanning north and south.
Last year the Beeb tightened its belt and shrank to one venue but still pulled in the huge acts – Dame Shirley Bassey, Smokey Robinson and Dizzee Rascal.
(One of my favourite songs ever - I love you Miles Kane!)
So what happened this year? It’s always fantastic to see classic legends in a venue as concise as the Roundhouse but the Proms has been reduced to three nights, each headliner – Elton John, Robert Plant and Neil Diamond – over 60 and white (or perma-tanned).
Younger names such as Plan B will support but still, the Proms was such a huge event and a chance for surprises and unexpected collaborations – a real celebration of musicians of all kinds remembering what it was like to jam and experiment. A move away from the fuddy duddy traditional proms that clogs up our TVs annually. Did this really have to be a casualty of the cuts?
• Don't miss Party for Pakistan, fave acts on the bill include Akala, Lowkey, Riz MC, and Facejacker – you know who I mean – great cause – 02 Academy Islington, (September 29).
• Who's Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger I hear you ask? Although the musos out there probably know. This is Sean Lennon and girlfriend Charlotte Kemp Muhl's collaboration. Expect beautifully crafted songs from their debut gig (Roundhouse, Oct 13).
• Seasick Steve plays the Blues Kitchen (Oct 7) – it's an oddly-shaped venue but old Seasick can bring any stage to life – do NOT miss this.
Monday, 20 September 2010
MS DYNAMITE'S EMAIL REVIVAL
NOTE: Slight delay on putting this one up, event has passed but here's my interview with Ms Dynamite. Tim Robbins interview will be up later this week.
From tomorrow, young people will seize control of Camden Roundhouse, mastering every aspect of the Turning Point festival of comedy, music, circus, cabaret and theatre.
More than 300 artists have been signed up to take over five stages over the next three days, featuring the likes of Professor Green, Toddla T, Ms Dynamite, Roll Deep and Devlin.
So who better to tell us a bit more than Camden institution Ms Dynamite aka Niomi McLean-Daley.
She's been building up her career again but due to some unhappy interaction with the Press, her management have insisted all interviews be conducted by email – beware an abundance of exclamation marks.
So here's how it went:
RG: What’s so special about Turning Point?
MD: It's put on by young peoplel!!! I LOVE THE CONCEPT OF THAT! We commonly talk about young people with such negative and biased views! I'm of the belief that if we 'as adults/society/the authority' etc.
give young people respect, love, faith, time and tools to grow with the things that inspire them, and a chance to fulfil their passion, they will succeed EVERY SINGLE TIME! I know this gig will prove that!!!
I love that it's in Camden and at the Roundhouse, who are absolutely amazing with young people!!!
They offer SO MUCH in terms of music, media and the arts to young people and I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND AND ADVISE EVERYONE TO CHECK OUT WHAT GOES ON AT THE ROUNDHOUSE!!! (under and behind the shows).
RG: What can we look forward to from your appearance?
MD: ENERGY, POSITIVITY and MORE ENERGY!!! Xx
RG: Who are you most excited to see on the line-up and why?
MD: I'm excited to see everyone (not a cop out) but I genuinely like all the artists and am happy to be working along side them in 'this' particular show! I think it'll be amazing!
RG: What do you think of the Roundhouse as a venue?
MD It's amazing, I've seen my brother (Akala) and a few other artist, groups perform/act there... This'll b my first time though, I can't wait!
RG: What are your favourite Camden haunts/ favourite things about Camden?
MD: I LOVE the multi-culturalism of Camden!!! I love the fusion of styles, foods, music, dress codes, ages, energies and beliefs!!!
RG: Any Camden gripes?
MD: Camden have the most HASTY, UNFORGIVING, NO LEE-WAY what so ever TRAFFIC WARDENS, I've ever experienced! Parking is a complete nightmare!!!
RG: What’s it like to have a musical sibling?
MD: All my siblings are musical... I have a younger brother who goes by the name of 'Snooze' he raps, writes, produces, directs, designs websites, films videos etc, a sister named Jessica who has an amazing voice and is an amazing writer and the others are a bit younger (still in school) but all are equally talented in a musical/creative way!
It's the nature of our family, we've never known it any different, my mum and dad ALWAYS have and had music blasting in the house!
We used to make up songs and perform for our parents and aunties and uncles as birthday presents at bbq's and parties... When myself and Kings (Akala) look back, we're just like "how did we ever not see this
happening?"... :o)
RG: Akala told me he’s become vegan and enjoys eating at Inspiral cafe in Camden Lock. Are you a vegan? If not, could you ever be?
MD: I'm not a vegan but am a veggie and can I just say I LOVE INSPIRAL!!! I'd like to become a vegan, but food is still my weakness, my comfort, my addiction & my passion.
I can't help but think about ALL the CRAP I'd miss if I became a vegan... But it is exactly that... Crap! And I will get there one day, soon as I get the discipline my brother's blessed with! Lol!
RG: What’s the strangest gig you’ve ever done?
MD: I've done great gigs, fantastic gigs, amazing gigs, funny gigs, sad gigs and not so good gigs but never really a 'strange' gig?
RG: The Mercury Music Prize has just passed by, who did you want to win and why?
MD: Corinne Bailey-Rae... I love her! She's one of the sweetest, most graceful, ambitious, talented young women I've had the pleasure of meeting!
RG: How has your music progressed since then and what direction do you want to continue in?
MD: Umm, the turns and twists my career has taken since then would fill this whole issue and more!!! Lol!!! There have been many highs and lows but I'm in an amazing position now, totally recognising and appreciating that the lows made the highs sweeter and that its all been equally neccessary to get here where I am today! :o)
RG: What did you think of (winners) The XX?
MD: Yeah, they're cool... I like what they did with Aaliyahs 'Hot like fire' and also the 'Florence and the Machine' cover (of the cover) they did was great too!
RG: Do you think the prize helped your career?
MD: Definitely!!!
RG: Do you think there’s any truth in the belief that the prize can sometimes do more harm than good?
MD: Depends how you look at it?
RG: If you were in an American high school, what clique would you have been in as a teenager?
MD: No clique... I've always been a leader that floated like the wind through different 'groups', I had my days with my 'middle class' friends, my days with my 'hood' friends, days with my 'grungy' friends and days with my super-slick friends, black, white, Asian, Male, Female etc etc, we just did our thing.
I'm me, me has never belonged to 'one group' of people and can't be defined by one style... I've always done me!
RG: What’s the worst trouble you got into at school?
MD: Oh the list is too long!!! Lol! X
RG: Lady Gaga, love or hate?
MD: I'm full of love for 'everyone', hate no-one... a more accurate answer would be "I respect her hustle!"
RG: Tell me something no-one knows about you.
MD: There is genuinely NOTHING no-one knows about me! I LOVE to talk and am not ashamed to chat my business!... I'd tell any-one anything... Other than obvious stuff! If I'm happy, sad, hyper, tired etc. The world knows about it! I've always been like that!
RG: What do you like to do when you’re not making music?
MD: Be with my son!!!
RG: Who would you most like to collaborate with?
MD: Damien Marley!
RG: What’s it like being a famous mum?
MD: I LOVE IT!!! :o)
RG: You’ve had a bit of a reputation for being political in the past., are you happy with the election results?
MD "Yeah, I'm over the moon!".. Lol! I'll leave it to your common sense, xx
RG: If not, who would you like to see as Prime Minister?
MD: I think a group that represents our society (of young, old, rich, poor, English, African/Caribbean, Asian, Eastern-Europen, Spanish, Japanese, gay, straight, religious, athiest, with disabilities, from conventional AND single parent families etc etc etc) that would govern our 'world' with compassion and 'open ears'... Would be a BEAUTIFUL sight!
RG: What are you working on at the moment – what direction are you taking musically and what kind of subject matter are you thinking about?
MD: I'm having fun with music, trying all different styles and directions and am talking about a wide range of subjects!
RG: Who are you listening to at the moment that you’d recommend our readers to watch out for and why?
MD: I worked with Katy B nearly 2yrs ago and am really happy to hear her able to bless the world with her talent/gift! Also Emeli Sande, I can not wait for her album!!!
She's been building up her career again but due to some unhappy interaction with the Press, her management have insisted all interviews be conducted by email – beware an abundance of exclamation marks.
So here's how it went:
RG: What’s so special about Turning Point?
MD: It's put on by young peoplel!!! I LOVE THE CONCEPT OF THAT! We commonly talk about young people with such negative and biased views! I'm of the belief that if we 'as adults/society/the authority' etc.
give young people respect, love, faith, time and tools to grow with the things that inspire them, and a chance to fulfil their passion, they will succeed EVERY SINGLE TIME! I know this gig will prove that!!!
I love that it's in Camden and at the Roundhouse, who are absolutely amazing with young people!!!
They offer SO MUCH in terms of music, media and the arts to young people and I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND AND ADVISE EVERYONE TO CHECK OUT WHAT GOES ON AT THE ROUNDHOUSE!!! (under and behind the shows).
RG: What can we look forward to from your appearance?
MD: ENERGY, POSITIVITY and MORE ENERGY!!! Xx
RG: Who are you most excited to see on the line-up and why?
MD: I'm excited to see everyone (not a cop out) but I genuinely like all the artists and am happy to be working along side them in 'this' particular show! I think it'll be amazing!
RG: What do you think of the Roundhouse as a venue?
MD It's amazing, I've seen my brother (Akala) and a few other artist, groups perform/act there... This'll b my first time though, I can't wait!
RG: What are your favourite Camden haunts/ favourite things about Camden?
MD: I LOVE the multi-culturalism of Camden!!! I love the fusion of styles, foods, music, dress codes, ages, energies and beliefs!!!
RG: Any Camden gripes?
MD: Camden have the most HASTY, UNFORGIVING, NO LEE-WAY what so ever TRAFFIC WARDENS, I've ever experienced! Parking is a complete nightmare!!!
RG: What’s it like to have a musical sibling?
MD: All my siblings are musical... I have a younger brother who goes by the name of 'Snooze' he raps, writes, produces, directs, designs websites, films videos etc, a sister named Jessica who has an amazing voice and is an amazing writer and the others are a bit younger (still in school) but all are equally talented in a musical/creative way!
It's the nature of our family, we've never known it any different, my mum and dad ALWAYS have and had music blasting in the house!
We used to make up songs and perform for our parents and aunties and uncles as birthday presents at bbq's and parties... When myself and Kings (Akala) look back, we're just like "how did we ever not see this
happening?"... :o)
RG: Akala told me he’s become vegan and enjoys eating at Inspiral cafe in Camden Lock. Are you a vegan? If not, could you ever be?
MD: I'm not a vegan but am a veggie and can I just say I LOVE INSPIRAL!!! I'd like to become a vegan, but food is still my weakness, my comfort, my addiction & my passion.
I can't help but think about ALL the CRAP I'd miss if I became a vegan... But it is exactly that... Crap! And I will get there one day, soon as I get the discipline my brother's blessed with! Lol!
RG: What’s the strangest gig you’ve ever done?
MD: I've done great gigs, fantastic gigs, amazing gigs, funny gigs, sad gigs and not so good gigs but never really a 'strange' gig?
RG: The Mercury Music Prize has just passed by, who did you want to win and why?
MD: Corinne Bailey-Rae... I love her! She's one of the sweetest, most graceful, ambitious, talented young women I've had the pleasure of meeting!
RG: How has your music progressed since then and what direction do you want to continue in?
MD: Umm, the turns and twists my career has taken since then would fill this whole issue and more!!! Lol!!! There have been many highs and lows but I'm in an amazing position now, totally recognising and appreciating that the lows made the highs sweeter and that its all been equally neccessary to get here where I am today! :o)
RG: What did you think of (winners) The XX?
MD: Yeah, they're cool... I like what they did with Aaliyahs 'Hot like fire' and also the 'Florence and the Machine' cover (of the cover) they did was great too!
RG: Do you think the prize helped your career?
MD: Definitely!!!
RG: Do you think there’s any truth in the belief that the prize can sometimes do more harm than good?
MD: Depends how you look at it?
RG: If you were in an American high school, what clique would you have been in as a teenager?
MD: No clique... I've always been a leader that floated like the wind through different 'groups', I had my days with my 'middle class' friends, my days with my 'hood' friends, days with my 'grungy' friends and days with my super-slick friends, black, white, Asian, Male, Female etc etc, we just did our thing.
I'm me, me has never belonged to 'one group' of people and can't be defined by one style... I've always done me!
RG: What’s the worst trouble you got into at school?
MD: Oh the list is too long!!! Lol! X
RG: Lady Gaga, love or hate?
MD: I'm full of love for 'everyone', hate no-one... a more accurate answer would be "I respect her hustle!"
RG: Tell me something no-one knows about you.
MD: There is genuinely NOTHING no-one knows about me! I LOVE to talk and am not ashamed to chat my business!... I'd tell any-one anything... Other than obvious stuff! If I'm happy, sad, hyper, tired etc. The world knows about it! I've always been like that!
RG: What do you like to do when you’re not making music?
MD: Be with my son!!!
RG: Who would you most like to collaborate with?
MD: Damien Marley!
RG: What’s it like being a famous mum?
MD: I LOVE IT!!! :o)
RG: You’ve had a bit of a reputation for being political in the past., are you happy with the election results?
MD "Yeah, I'm over the moon!".. Lol! I'll leave it to your common sense, xx
RG: If not, who would you like to see as Prime Minister?
MD: I think a group that represents our society (of young, old, rich, poor, English, African/Caribbean, Asian, Eastern-Europen, Spanish, Japanese, gay, straight, religious, athiest, with disabilities, from conventional AND single parent families etc etc etc) that would govern our 'world' with compassion and 'open ears'... Would be a BEAUTIFUL sight!
RG: What are you working on at the moment – what direction are you taking musically and what kind of subject matter are you thinking about?
MD: I'm having fun with music, trying all different styles and directions and am talking about a wide range of subjects!
RG: Who are you listening to at the moment that you’d recommend our readers to watch out for and why?
MD: I worked with Katy B nearly 2yrs ago and am really happy to hear her able to bless the world with her talent/gift! Also Emeli Sande, I can not wait for her album!!!
Thursday, 2 September 2010
ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINCK, EARTH, WIND & FIRE, REALLY? + I AM KLOOT AND AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT'S UNION VISITS
ENGLEBERT Humperdinck. Earth, Wind & Fire. What are these words? Who are these people and why are they even on this page?
• They’ve been nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize and now they’re off trying to seal the deal by playing fave venue, Islington’s Union Chapel (Sept 29). Then again, I Am Kloot may not even want the
ill-fated award, which has been known to dampen an act’s career (see Speech Debelle).
• Last year the Camden Crawl won best digital campaign at BT’s Digital Music Awards. The awards are looming again (Camden Roundhouse, Sept 30) and we’re hoping the crawl will continue its winning streak. As I’m yet to get hold of an iPhone, I can’t nominate for new category Best Music App so instead I’m trying to guess who will top Camden rapper Akala’s 2009 performance this year.
• Former Record of the Week contenders Airborne Toxic Event play an acoustic show at the Union Chapel (Oct 3). Their single Sometime Around Midnight is timeless. One not to miss.
As much as I’ve looked out for the next big thing in San Francisco, I haven’t been near a radio, I’m staying in a flat without a TV and with people who don’t like guitars/electro, or any music I like.
So this is all I’ve got so far. Apparently 74-year-old lego haired Humperdinck – once famous for his version of Release Me (your parents/grandparents may know it) is still alive and singing in the wine country of Sonoma, California, early next month – I know, I saw his name in shiny lights as we drove past.
Also, I’ve been talked into seeing veteran disco kings Earth, Wind & Fire in a vineyard somewhere – think I might slip away and check for young blood among the grapes.
• They’ve been nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize and now they’re off trying to seal the deal by playing fave venue, Islington’s Union Chapel (Sept 29). Then again, I Am Kloot may not even want the
ill-fated award, which has been known to dampen an act’s career (see Speech Debelle).
• Last year the Camden Crawl won best digital campaign at BT’s Digital Music Awards. The awards are looming again (Camden Roundhouse, Sept 30) and we’re hoping the crawl will continue its winning streak. As I’m yet to get hold of an iPhone, I can’t nominate for new category Best Music App so instead I’m trying to guess who will top Camden rapper Akala’s 2009 performance this year.
• Former Record of the Week contenders Airborne Toxic Event play an acoustic show at the Union Chapel (Oct 3). Their single Sometime Around Midnight is timeless. One not to miss.
Sunday, 28 March 2010
THE CAMDEN CRAWL - HOW ARE THEY COPING AND WHY THE SUGABABES??
THE Post-its are flying all over the place and staff at the Camden Crawl HQ are slowly being buried under a pile of CDs.
We’re only weeks away from one of the biggest events in the music calendar (May 1 and 2) – and with the ever-expanding daytime programme, it’s beginning to give the Edinburgh Festival some serious competition.
There’s the big names: LostProphets, We Are Scientists, Calvin Harris and The Drums. The oldies: Teenage Fanclub, Babybird and Cornershop. The dubious pop choice: Sugababes. The cool- as-ice Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, The Delays, New Young Pony Club and the most important to me, Camden’s home-grown talent – Akala, Ms Dynamite and Man Like Me.
(Teenage Fanclub, who play this year's Camden Crawl)
The day starts early with impromptu gigs, theatre shows, countless quizzes to tax even the brainiest muso, mind-bending spoken word performances and real comedy from real comedians. On top of all this there’s a series of free events for residents with a street party in Hawley Crescent, and free gigs at the Hawley Arms and the Primrose Chill. There’s also a programme of free live music in four pubs: The Queens, The Lansdowne, The Engineer and the Princess of Wales.
But right now organisers are preoccupied with the Emerging Talent Awards (ETA). And they’ve had a huge task to whittle down 1,000 hopefuls with stars in their eyes to just 45. And now the work begins, picking the eight best bands to play the ETA stage at the Ice Wharf.
Event organiser Chris Jakubiak said: “If the weather’s good we’ll have the doors open. The standard’s been really high, much higher than we’ve anticipated. The prizes are amazing.”
The finalists will be announced on April 12.
Barring Madness’s takeover of Inverness Street last year, this will be the first time the Crawl’s put on an official street party.
Chris said: “There’ll be a road closure in Hawley Crescent, from Kentish Town to Stuckley Place. We’re putting a Red Bull stage at the Kentish Town Road end and the space on the street is licensed to hold 2,000 people. That part of the event is 14-plus and accessible to Crawl wristband holders and also a few local residents will be invited. We’re going to look after everyone.”
So why did they book the Sugababes for the Crawl?
Chris said: “What’s a typical Camden Crawl band? It’s about diversity. They’ve got new material, a new line-up, the show will be very interesting. Very special guests will be announced next month."
Each year there’s the odd surprise gig – last year Graham Coxon played The Spread Eagle and Chris hints there could be more to come: “I’m almost certain that there’ll be something like that, but we never know until close to the time.”
But right now, the Crawl staff are busy turning the cogs.
Chris said: "I’m covered in Post-it notes and I’ve got stacks of CDs I’m
listening to. We’re working late into the night but it’s always an
enjoyable experience."
We’re only weeks away from one of the biggest events in the music calendar (May 1 and 2) – and with the ever-expanding daytime programme, it’s beginning to give the Edinburgh Festival some serious competition.
There’s the big names: LostProphets, We Are Scientists, Calvin Harris and The Drums. The oldies: Teenage Fanclub, Babybird and Cornershop. The dubious pop choice: Sugababes. The cool- as-ice Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, The Delays, New Young Pony Club and the most important to me, Camden’s home-grown talent – Akala, Ms Dynamite and Man Like Me.
(Teenage Fanclub, who play this year's Camden Crawl)
The day starts early with impromptu gigs, theatre shows, countless quizzes to tax even the brainiest muso, mind-bending spoken word performances and real comedy from real comedians. On top of all this there’s a series of free events for residents with a street party in Hawley Crescent, and free gigs at the Hawley Arms and the Primrose Chill. There’s also a programme of free live music in four pubs: The Queens, The Lansdowne, The Engineer and the Princess of Wales.
But right now organisers are preoccupied with the Emerging Talent Awards (ETA). And they’ve had a huge task to whittle down 1,000 hopefuls with stars in their eyes to just 45. And now the work begins, picking the eight best bands to play the ETA stage at the Ice Wharf.
Event organiser Chris Jakubiak said: “If the weather’s good we’ll have the doors open. The standard’s been really high, much higher than we’ve anticipated. The prizes are amazing.”
The finalists will be announced on April 12.
Barring Madness’s takeover of Inverness Street last year, this will be the first time the Crawl’s put on an official street party.
Chris said: “There’ll be a road closure in Hawley Crescent, from Kentish Town to Stuckley Place. We’re putting a Red Bull stage at the Kentish Town Road end and the space on the street is licensed to hold 2,000 people. That part of the event is 14-plus and accessible to Crawl wristband holders and also a few local residents will be invited. We’re going to look after everyone.”
So why did they book the Sugababes for the Crawl?
Chris said: “What’s a typical Camden Crawl band? It’s about diversity. They’ve got new material, a new line-up, the show will be very interesting. Very special guests will be announced next month."
Each year there’s the odd surprise gig – last year Graham Coxon played The Spread Eagle and Chris hints there could be more to come: “I’m almost certain that there’ll be something like that, but we never know until close to the time.”
But right now, the Crawl staff are busy turning the cogs.
Chris said: "I’m covered in Post-it notes and I’ve got stacks of CDs I’m
listening to. We’re working late into the night but it’s always an
enjoyable experience."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
