Friday, 22 February 2008
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
Drugs Abroad = Alot
TAKEN FROM BBC NEWS: BBC Radio 1 DJ Grooverider has been jailed for four years in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for cannabis possession. The DJ - real name Raymond Bingham - was arrested in November 2007 for flying in for a nightclub gig with 2.16g of cannabis in his luggage. Bingham denied smuggling drugs, claiming he had left the cannabis in a trouser pocket and forgotten about it. "Grooverider has paid a very high price for a serious mistake," a spokesman for Radio 1 said. The 40-year-old has been with the station since 1998 and hosted the weekend drum 'n' bass show with fellow DJ Fabio. The programme, which has broadcast without him since his arrest, will continue under the title Radio 1's Drum 'n' Bass Show With Fabio. Grooverider had been employed on a freelance basis and has not been paid by the station since November. Four years is the minimum sentence for drug trafficking in the UAE. In the last 12 months, 64 British nationals have been arrested in the UAE for drugs offences The DJ, who called his arrest "ridiculous" in an interview last month, has two weeks to appeal. "I must have forgotten the spliff," he said in the interview. "It was a small amount. Back home I would not even get prosecuted."
Sunday, 17 February 2008
H 'two' O Ft. Platnum What's It Gonna Be - Download Now!
Ministry know how to flog a tune - get the group to take their clothes off, plaster it all over The Sun website and Bob's your blimmin uncle, a top 10 hit.
Valentines - Singles
Don't be a hater... just cause I got a dozen red roses and cocktails on Valentines Day
Friday, 15 February 2008
Get Closer
I've been doing some work on the new HMV site about to be launched called Get Closer. Tastemakers and passionate music and film buffs are now being invited to join over at www.getcloser.com.
From my experience with the site, the best way to describe it would be
a social networking site that's focused on entertainment - think along
the lines of a sort of visual wikipedia, with 7 million tracks, 400,000
artists and 200,000 films listed. You can make connections (maps) between artists and films, both mainstream and more underground as well as posting up your own reviews, trivia and background info you may have. In turn, your profile page features your fave bands, films and people.
Anyone registering now will be transferred to the fully functional site
when it's ready to be launched. Get close early and build up your kudos!
Lethal Bizzle- You'll Get Wrapped Feat. Ghetto
One of the better tunes from Bizzle... this reminds me of when grime had energy. And while we're here, if you haven't done yet buy 'Hero' by Ghetto off itunes sharpish
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Thursday, 7 February 2008
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
Black Boys Remix
'BLACK BOYS' - THE REMIX VID TWO - OFFICIAL VIDEO!!!!
Add to My Profile | More Videos
You can watch all five video's over on MySpace
Add to My Profile | More Videos
You can watch all five video's over on MySpace
Make Your Mark
Congratulations to Livity on the Make Your Mark In Music launch on Monday night. Visiting the House of Commons is always a welcome night out. I doubt Sandi Thom is reading this but I hope she didn't think I was going for her, I was genuinely interested to know how it feels as an artist when the press turn on your over night. Great hearing David Laub's management tales, the legendary Feargal Sharkey and Mervin Lyn's rise and rise. Big up Sway and Jenna G too plus was great to finally meet Peter Robinson - definite guru. Was also inspiring to meet a number of young people (me not being one of them anymore) with such fantastic ideas and business ventures going on. Reminds us all to keep on the grind because you're coming for us! Shame we didn't get to ask more questions. Must give an extra special thanks to the two MPs who took myself and the LIVE crew over to the Houses of Parliament and got us in the gallery, and the policeman who gave us the tip offs and allowed us the chance to hook up with Dame Kelly Holmes. Check LIVE 27 for the full run-down including an introduction from Gordon Brown. You dun know how we get down at number 10.
You can check my piece on blogging over at www.makeyourmarkinmusic.org. If you see the advert/hear my voiceover, try not to laugh tooooooo much.
Stand Up Tall
Thanks to Ben at 11 Blenheim Street for making me look like a princess. Goodbye to miss blonde roots, hello her brunette highness. On another note, I know some people still actually bother reading my blog, surprising, given my absolute slackness in updating, but I thank you for your loyalty. Since leaving 679 a few months back I've been upping my writing game so watch this space for new developments. Also heard that Kano too has parted company with 679. Fans will be pleased to know he has other alternatives and a new grimey mixtape will be dropping soon, with a new album looking likely for later this year. Plan B has also made a mixtape and had some adventurous projects going on I'll looking forward to sharing with you in the future. As far as new music is concerned at the moment, I hadn't been excited for a long time but Sam Sparro and Tawiah are firm favourites on my system. The ladies are doing it for me right now - the new Cat Power, Estelle, Adele, Jill Scott and Alicia Keys albums comes highly recommended.
Sunday, 3 February 2008
The Hitchhiker
Life's a bit funny at the moment - and I'm not laughing. A wise woman once said to me that at 27, strange things happen to women. According to her prediction, it could be random. Maybe it's some kind of switch flicking inside, or something not so simple, like a change in relationship, moving job or home... I'm not quite sure which path I'm on at the moment. But i'm no longer blonde. I've never set goals as I've found life too unpredictable to warrant it. With the belief happiness is the route of success, I'm some of the way there. We all have our off days, where the stress has us counting down the hours to sleep, just because we don't want to think or feel anymore. However dark it gets though, I remind myself how lucky I am to be where I am and commend myself for the battles I've fought to be here. I don't always smile but it's better to want more than be happy with what you have, in the same way it can be better to hurt than it is to be strong and wrong. With a supportive family and a solid group of friends around you, you have the basis for everything. So even if my route leaves me in a cul-de-sac, I'm sure I'll find the way there.
Tinchy Stryder: SuperSuper (2007)
TINCHY STRYDER
Interview by Chantelle Fiddy
He may look pre-pubescent, but twenty year old Tinchy Stryder is reaching veteran status in the grime MC game. Having perfected his rapid-fire lyrical game alongside his crew Ruff Squad, who have a penchant for sampling pop classics from Billy Joel to Madonna, the baby faced star in the hood is now ready to stride the solo path. With plenty of sing-a-long, gun finger moments to be had, a support slot on Kano’s tour confirmed and an array of neon-coloured new fans on the horizon, Tinchy’s ready to take even bigger steps across this green and pleasant land…
How would you describe Tinchy Stryder to a foreigner?
I don’t even know you know. I’m a grime MC and if you still don’t know what grime is then what we do is like a faster version of rap, it’s British. But I don’t know, how would you describe me?
Any waste guy? You’ve been around a few years but people don’t feel they know you as well as your cohorts Dizzee and Wiley…
From the start they were the main guys but I’m not as mysterious as people think, I just don’t mingle with the industry that much. Dizzee keeps himself to himself, Wiley airs himself in his music. It’s not that I try to keep my business out of my music, it’s just my style and I’ve learnt a lot from other peoples mistakes.
When you surfaced in 2002, people thought you were about 12 years old. Do you still get asked for id when you go to clubs?
Not really anymore but when I’m trying to buy alcohol some shops try it. When I first came out no one asked me my age so I let it carry on. I don’t think it matters how old you are, if you can MC you can MC.
So is your solo music different to what you’d do with your crew Ruff Squad?
It is but more because there’s bare heads, you know friends together, with Ruff Squad but it’s a similar style with the production.
What’s the friendliest thing you’ve done together?
Holidays. We went to Gran Canaria for a couple of weeks, just the man dem. We had arguments about stupid stuff like who was going to pay for a cab. We never argue about girls though, no way.
Do you have a lot of gay fans?
Not that I know of, but I’d play at G.A.Y. If Kylie can do it, so can I. It doesn’t matter who buys your album at the end of the day.
It’s interesting, you make a nice happy love song like ‘Something About Your Smile’ and everyone thinks it’s cool but other artists from the grime scene have had flack for doing less grimey tracks…
That’s why I like Kano. I don’t think he cares about anything. I love his tune with Craig David. He reps. And if that’s the music he likes to do then he should do it. People take too long talking about what grime is, I understand you don’t want everyone to stop making it, but I don’t know what people’s definition of grime really is. When I record I tune, I work with the tempo (138-140bpm) cause I don’t like slower tempos, but I’m not thinking about the overall feel or how people will describe it.
You’ve gone from doing raves like Sidewinder to festivals around the world like V and Isle of White, how do you find the crowds and has it changed you?
At Sidewinder they know all your lyrics, but at these other events they enjoy the vibe more. You can’t go on the stage with one line and expect a reaction. I wouldn’t say it’s changed me but it’s opened my mind up, I’ll listen to views I maybe wouldn’t have before.
Ruff Squad have always been really popular with bloggers and the style crowds and often had more love from those outside of the grime scene, agree?
Possibly, I’d say people outside grime they appreciate more. Grime heads are happy with the hype and before they didn’t want to listen to deep. That’s changing now though. Image probably plays a part too.
So Is it true you shop in Peacocks?
No but If I shopped in Peacocks I’d proudly say I did though. Where do you shop?
George at Asda, I rep that. Does your mum buy your clothes?
I’m a grown man! I like a designer shop called Choices. Most things I like are designer and I think if you can afford it, buy it, I have to have new trainers every month. The ones to have right now are the Nike Air Max 97s.
Do you have fashion icons?
I like Kanye’s style and I like different designers like Cassette Playa and whatever it is I’m wearing today, but I try and put it together my own way.
Is there anyone you’d like to work with?
I’ve worked with Radioclit, I’d like to work with them again. I met Frank Musik recently and would like to check his music out. I’ve been listening to Kate Nash and those producers Futurecut, I’d definitely like to do something with them, a drum and bass tune might be interesting.
Have you taken any big strides in your life?
My whole music career has been, from when I started MCing to working with Dizzee Rascal and Wiley, getting on a tune with Mike Skinner… there’s been a lot of big steps. It’s been a long journey.
And if you had to retire tomorrow, what nine to five job would you do?
Some kind of office work like an accountant or something to do with money… I like figures.
Tinchy Stryder Star In The Hood is out now on Takeover Entertainment www.myspace.com/tinchystryder
Live 26 Out Now
If you want a copy of the new LIVE Magazine, get yourself to Brixton or anywhere in south London with good connections. LIVE meets Kano, Maniac, Wyclef, Goldielocks, Ruff Sqwad, Bombsquad, learns how DNA Mix are helping young dads, go behind the scenes on Dubplate Drama, looks at slavery in the modern day, focus on martial arts, the darkside of Facebook, and much more.
Shout out to everyone who worked on issue 26 (Mahta Hassanzadeh, 19, Mervin Martin, 21, Corrine Burton, 19, Simone Tagoe, 16, Limara Salt, 21, Sian Anderson, 17, Osman Diallo, 17, Dannyelle Mauvour, 19, Bertan Budak, 19, Mann-Ray Powell, 19, Andre Pierre, 19, Sharmelle Francis, 20, Sofie Ahmed, 20, Tom Carrabine, 20, Melissa Gibbons, 21, Ester Knee, 20, Knowledge, Ashley Savory, 19, Andre McLeod, 21, Diana Nortey, 19, James Benenson, 19, Laura Hyperfrank Brosnan, 19, Richard Lemmer, 19, Mario Akimana, 19, Callemore Golding, 17, Tom Stokes, 15, Jordan Campbell, 15, Diana M, 19, Kieran Yates, 20, Kerrianne Taylor, 16, Harry Low, 19, Peris, 18, Sylvia, 19, Rhea Brown, 19, Chi-Shi, 17, Naomi Passley, 17, Grace Mark, 18 and anyone I've forgotten, forgive but don't forget!)
Want to get involved? All you need is to be aged between 13-22 and able to meet deadlines. Email chantelle@live-magazine.co.uk for more info.
Love You B
It was with great sadness that I learned Bianca Foster had passed away over Christmas. One of the most beautiful women I'd met, she was also great fun to hang out with and a shining example of how we can come through some really rubbish times. I'm not really into all this RIP on the internet business, but I wish Fontayne, family and close friends my love. And let none of us forget how short life can be. Live it.
Old Wiley Interview (2007)
Do people always expect to hear you make grime?
Yeah if I make one tune that isn’t they do, but I’m at the top of the genre. So’s Dizzee. No one can tell me or him what to make. When you clock your genre you can go to any genre and do it. I love that tune Kano's done with Kate Nash, I’m looking forward to hearing that again.
Highs and lows of your career. It’s a long time span. Do you ever find that times you previously thought were bad times were actually good times?
Life is like that, up and down, definitely. Before I was immature, if something good or bad happened. Now I look back at bad stuff and although I didn’t want it to happen, the fact it all has has helped in a sense.
Was it 96 you started?
Around then, I can’t quite remember.
There was Nicoles Groove, why was that a one off?
It was me and Danny S, together we were Phaze One, he was the engineer. A lot of the time in them days it was just boom, boom. The people I was working with were at a slow pace so by the time you heard Nicoles Groove I was way past it.
Was that the only garage thing you did?
No I did loads. It was an era but that was the one that got signed. Most of it stayed hidden but there might have been some other remixes floating about.
With garage making a comeback are you going to do anything with the back catalogue?
Yeah I’d love to or someone to do it for me under an alias. I’ve been doing funky house under another name too…
Why an alias?
Because I’m not allowed really, I’m such a legend in grime I shouldn’t be allowed to wander off. Well I am, but the scene will get funny with me.
So there’s a lot of pressure on you to stick to grime?
Yes, I can do what I want, but realistically there is. You can only say fuck you to an extent. I look at how they view and perceive me and think I have to stick with grime really.
Where you’ve stuck with grime when other people have perhaps gone off to experiment, is that why you’re still where you are?
Maybe, I’ve dibbled and dabbled but never left.
Pay As U Go was 99, then Roll Deep was 2002, then it was the same situation, creative process done you wanted to move on, as always…
Yeah with the Roll Deep album, we sat down, spent loads of money and made an album for the country and then ‘Pow’ came out and I realised that he did ‘Pow’ which meant top 10 so we didn’t need to stop doing grime to get into the charts.
Why’s there not been another ‘Pow’ then?
There’s not because that was for the time. Loads of people have tried to do Pow’s since then and even before but not with that selection…
Yeah but the MCs on it weren’t even that good…
True but at the time it worked and the beat, Lethals vibe was good too.
How do you feel now you have a daughter?
That’s what I’m tryign to say. By the time she’s 16 I don’t even want to know. I was 13 when I lost my virginity to a 16 year old girl.
Has it changed the way you approach your music or your life?
Yes you have to be careful with a daughter, especially if you’re a man sleeping with this one and that one. You think what if she was doing that? It restrains you from doing it.
And has it made you think more about who you’re choosing as partners because of how easy it is to have a baby?
You won’t believe this but I’ve got another one on the way.
Don’t lie!
That’s why. It wasn’t planned, It’s hard but it’s made me do this. Kids are the best feeling in the world. Me and the girl aren’t together. But when you have a baby it’s your face lodged into their face, they’re beautiful but it makes you remember work. All the time I’m being lazy at my mums I think I can’t be. Jamie rang me about the interview and I have to do it for the nappies.
What’s been the most surprising thing about fatherhood?
When I first had it I thought yes, get mature, but at first I got madder, out clubbing and drinking but then you realise you don’t want your child to grow up and hate you, your child to grow up and resent you, your child to grow up and be like you…. I used to be like ‘dad, where was you?’ You don’t want your child to do that and it makes you not as judging towards parents.
One thing you just said that made me laugh, you know how you always contradict yourself, you said it makes you more wary being with a girl but then you reveal you have another baby on the way…
Yeah but when the other one came on the way as I’m just getting used to the first one, it was a kick. I wasn’t nothing. I’ve got one already who’s one, now I’m having another one in October so I’ve got to work twice as hard. At first I was shocked.
Is It harder having releationships because you’re Wiley...
I can’t lose a clash because someone does that (or something with my girl), I will rise above, you can’t be afraid to say anything. I wouldn’t want to put the girl in anything and I would try my hardest not to mention something about theirs…
Is that a strength to not want secrets?
Well guess what, I don’t think that… Some people do lyrics and I think 'you didn’t need to say that'. What you’re doing, that wasn’t on your brain but now you’ve said it to yourself, your brain, you’ve made it an issue. Something that's bad on my brain I’m letting it go. Some stuff people say I’d never say. I do understand. ‘MCs are pride and ego’, and some are. What we’ve all done with the grime is connected, we all know each other, whatever, but one thing is once you get past a certain age you have to let go. If you do music and I do music, it’s who you meet, and why shouldn’t it be?
Were you much angrier when you were younger?
Yes because I couldn’t understand, people would do stuff to me that I’d done to them and I couldn’t understand why.
Is there any one point in your career that stands out as being the most important?
Yeah I think it was the day when NY, Dizzee and me were in the studio in Sheffield and Dizzee was recording his 1st album… obviously she was my girlfriend and Dizzee might have liked her slightly, he’d probably say he didn’t, but I was a bit jealous he might like her and that day I made a decision… Nick was the manager and I could see he was stirring stuff so I told him I was leaving and he was no longer my manager… which was a bad move and a good move. Sometimes I think I shouldn’t have done that.
But don’t you think it was inevitable that either you or Dizzee would have to sack Cage?
Yeah.
As much as you didn’t want to be seen as rivals you were and you are…
Exactly. It was about sales.
And do you remember when you were stabbed the last time, you said to me ‘it’s the first time you realised you could of died from a stab wound…’ I was thinking, it’s taken you to be stabbed this many times for you to realise that! Did that have a profound effect on your life?
Definitely, it was a wake up call. You can still end up in beef but it was a wake up call like ‘stop pretending you can’t die’ and I realised I could kill or be killed. So walk away. When I was in the hospital bed I was upset, why am I going through all of this, But it was my fault. If I’m going to say on the mic ‘i’m going to do this, leng you down, I hate you,’ the more I say the more I’m drawing it towards me.
So have you stopped all that?
I’m still saying it partially. I’m not over every issue.
But all the times you’ve been stabbed is over silly stuff…
Before you get to the stabbing, the argument might have been anything but the stabbing comes naturally. It’s the mentality. It’s normal, it’s not bad.
You don’t think it’s bad?
I can’t judge someone who’s stabbed me when I have once pulled out a knife... That’s what it is. It feels so horrible and it’s maybe why it happened back to me. It’s a horrible feeling. Anyone who glamourises it is a dickhead. An idiot. You feel silly after. The ones who brag and boast about it I don’t know what happens to them.
I couldn’t judge something on something I’ve done myself.
So you’ve been stabbed 14 times?
Seven one time, seven another. Two occassions. Oh and I’ve been poked and got scars before.
A lot of people who’ve been through what you’ve been through would have opted for the quiet life and thought ‘fuck this’ and be really bitter. You don’t seem to be either?
I am bitter inside. Because the truth is, any day I could snap or turn, that’s what it’s done to me. Any one split second, with my friend, or not my friend. It’s a combination of stuff I’ve done and stuff other people have done to me.
People throw a lot of shit at you – paedophilia and coke or crack…
I don’t really hear crack.
A lot of people think you smoke crack...
Nah I know about coke but I’ve never even tried crack. I’ve sold crack and heroin, to me they’re scary. Never ever. Cocaine I sold it but the curse is trying it. I’ve never even had a pill. I only started smoking weed when I was 20. I was late to it but selling drugs from 16. Weed makes you paranoid, snap… I’ve slowed down. I think with or without weed you are who you are. I don’t smoke cause I’m down, I use it for studio. I’m even past drugs, I’m past all of that, none of that can bring me down.
You’ve been broke before?
I’ve been at zero. I’ve made about 250,000, maybe more out of the back of my boot but it’s how much I’m work. I’m not getting shitter at what I do. I’m getting better. All the money I’ve spent I’ve cried about before, I can’t cry anymore, it’s how much I’ve shelled out and an much. Now I’ve got to earn the money back and not spend it so in 10 years I can say ‘oh shit, I’ve been working for 10 years and still have money left from 2008’.
But isn’t it harder ot make the money now?
Nah. People say that, but it’s not, I’m Wiley. I’ll be making money until I’m dead. I’ve got mix CD’s, a record deal. I look at myself as a commodity, a brand, ‘hang on you’re Wiley, you’re Kylie, you’re Eskiboy, you’re someone’ sell your self and your product. Look at how Jamie’s doing it with the T-shirts.
Is there a formula?
I’ve got a million formulas. Ice Pole remix with the gliding snares was a formula, the tune Scorcher done about labels, that beat was a formula. My formula is more in the beats than the lyrics. I can’t be touched when it comes to beat making in this country. There are people who are good, more musical than me, whatever, but look at what I’ve done.
Does it frustrate you to think where you might be if you lived in another country, say America?
I’d be like the master of the lords but it doesn’t, cause I earn my money and go to America and my money doubles up so I’m smiling.
Who’s your equivalent in America?
There isn’t an equivalent of me in the whole world. There’s no one like me. Timbalands spitting level is no where near mine.
Have their been certain people you’ve bought in, taken under your wing so to speak, then found out they’re not your friend?
Yes cause they’re not. They might look at me in the same way. Mates, friends it’s just a word.
They say to you girlfriends come and go but friends are for life… it’s a bullshit saying don’t you agree?
Yes, some of your friends will sleep with your girl. Families are the only thing that are constant, they bicker but they’re blood and they’ll always be a connection.
So the Dizzee situation, to a lot of people it seems like you and him are still going on about it 3/4 years down the lie…
Obviously they still care about each other or they wouldn’t say a word.
I thought you and him had spoken and sorted things out?
We did. I bet you if I went to Devons Road now and saw him he’d say ‘hello, what’s going on?’
Do you ever get bored of clashing?
Yeah but then I get bored when im not doing it. It’s a bit of a mad one. I’ll clash anyone because I feel that confident. And it’s not about what could be said, I might clash just for the skill factor.
Sales wise, Kano, Dizzee and you have different markets, some people would say in terms of grime you’re the best but you’re probably going to sell the least?
Yep and that’s the wickedest ting – I am not going to sell less. I am more powerful than both of them. I told the label to release me on the same day as them but the whole thing comes with what you’ve done before, where you’ve toured, what you’ve sold before.
Do you think the record companies play a major part in it?
No they’re idiots. See record companies all they are is money, they lend you money to make you believe you are someone. It’s like going to the bank. They want to get their money back.
So it doesn’t make a difference which label you’re with?
Nah, I used to, look at Kano on 679, they’re not bigger than Sony but he looks like he’s on Elektra the way they’ve made it look. He’s on that Def Jam game. Maybe it’s brain power within the label. Worthington is not an idiot. Mike Skinner. Not an idiot. I don’t have to bread or like them but they’re not idiots.
Why don’t you release vocal versions of your old stuff?
It’s often what the label wants. I understand what you mean but on a lot of that material I don’t know what to say yet.
The albums going to come out on Big Dada, a 50/50 split?
Anyone could ask for 50/50 it’s all to do with what you take up front. I took a much smaller advance than I needed to. What is made from net profit is what counts. They’ve also got an option on the next album but that won’t be solo, that would be all collaborations with the scene.
Outside of the album?
Eskiboy Recordings, Tunnel Vision 6-10, I sell about 2 or 3,000 of each one. Roll Deep’s Rules & Regulations has sold 10,000 already. That’s my main source of income at the moment. I’m going to keep bringing through new people, wants you know who you are you’re a prick. Once I rub off on you you become a prick.
So you think you’re a prick?
That’s how people perceive me. A young person rings me for a beat and I don’t give it to them, they think I’m a prick. That’s because I know who I am. The kids are tomorrows world, the people out there now will get licked down by these kids because I’ll put them on a path and they’ll be past someone who’s been in it for 7 years.
Lastly, the album...
I’m only 28, I’ve got a better album in me. Dizzee will go to the studio, make an album, it gets refused. I’ve never been refused.
Tim Westwood
Tim Westood interview (in full)...
You won another MOBO, does it still mean something winning awards?
Oh yeah, I can’t remember how many I’ve got now, I thought it was three but somebody said to me it’s four. It’s a beautiful thing man. In this scene there’s not much proper celebration or recognition. A lot of people are quick to have an opinion on MOBOs but then a lot of people are quick to have an opinion on me.
There were obviously a few boo’s…
Yo, there’s a lot of DJs who ain’t won man and if I was them I’d boo me too. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
It’s fair to say you are to hip hop what John Peel was to rock, would you agree?
That’s a beautiful title man. I met John up at Radio 1 and he was one of the coolest guys. I’ve got a lot of love for John. It’s such a blessed life, It’s been such a blessing being on radio, I’ve had a tremendous time.
Some people think you’re a comedy genius, is it intentional, are you playing up to the stereotype people have of you?
Nah, it’s a lot of fun. Some people don’t understand and that’s their loss. We’re up there having fun. People that ride for us, listen and support, that come to the parties, buy the albums or whatever, it’s all love. It’s entertainment not a news show. It’s some of the most powerful, dynamic music in the world and you want to marry that with a style that’s fun, entertaining and reflecting how people live their lives. It’s not a documentary man.
How do you feel about the move to 1Xtra?
Ah it’s a beautiful thing, there’s so much energy up there.
You seem to be playing more grime…
You see on Radio 1 there’s a big audience, you can get a million people listening on a Saturday so you have to reflect and cater for those people chilling in the crib, or going out in their cars. With 1Xtra you can just do the show you want to do... On Radio 1 on a Saturday night you might not want to hear that (freestyling for 45 minutes) but on 1Xtra on a Sunday you can do that. The shows 80% freestyle. On the first one with Boy Better Know I was so amped to be there. I’m very happy.
How did you get involved with Dubplate Drama?
It’s the hottest street TV out there, really creative, a lot of people are playing themselves or roles they can relate to so it’s a real natural thing. They got me in to do what I do, one scene I’m on radio presenting a clash, then a gun gets produced… it’s not really acting, I’m just being me. There’s another scene, like a spoof of Pimp My Ride where it all goes wrong, there’s a lot of comedy there.
I do remember you reversing some girls car into the garage on Pimp My Ride…
To be honest, I did wreck a few cars. I’ve got the spoofs on youtube.com, my own situation youtube.com/timwestwoodtv. All the radio shows up there.
I just heard Mike Skinner got a deal for Beats TV, is that a road you might go down?
We’re doing it because we have no TV outlet, some of our stuff has 400,000 hits and the channels had 2 million hits. In this new media world you just have to go and do it, you can’t sit around hoping to get a TV deal.
If someone came to you with a proposal would you be up for it?
I’d love that man, we used to do that on Channel U back in the day, we had the grimy, gritty how we lived our lives which I thought was tremendous. Channel U got crazy and when I started on MTV with Pimp My Ride they let me go, which was a shame cause I thought we were doing hot stuff. MTV were cool with it it was Channel U who acted up.
Best memory from filming for Dubplate?
I was just happy to be involved. I really liked those people, it was nice to spend time with them. They were so focused, a lot of artists showed serious commitment and I think it’s great on TV.
It’s quite unusual cause it’s interactive, is that the future of TV?
I mean I like that but to be honest I don’t see it as necessary cause it’s so strong you don’t need to do that. That’s just a clever twist. Dubplate Drama in it’s own right is hot.
Would you like to do more acting, maybe a movie?
I’d love to, no one’s asking I’m just being real with you. People love Russell Brand, the big celebrity types, no one’s giving me scripts to read. I’m just a small local DJ.
But you’re not. Kids, men, women… you’ve got a wide fanbase…
And I think that fanbase is bigger now than ever. With Pimp My Ride, kids the age of 6-12 who I wouldn’t normally have access to cause they’re too young to listen to radio or go to the clubs, they know me through that show. A lot of parents watch it with them, like family viewing. It’s different for me out there.
Is there a new series of Pimp My Ride?
It’s been a massive success over here but they’re not making anymore in the states so I don’t know. It’s a shame cause that was such a beautiful thing to do, so much fun.
If you could be in any show what would it be?
I’m the greatest fan of The Sopranos so it would have to be that. I like that real stuff.
What else are you working on?
The youtube situation is a beautiful look, so we’re paying attention to that. We’re always on tour, we’ve got a situation with Durex where we’re giving away free condoms…
Hang on, you’re not part of that bootlegging outfit that’s going on in London?
Nah we’ve got the official Durex Westwood condoms which say ‘strap it up before you slap it up’. It’s all safe baby!
Does it make you feel weird that loads of people are having sex with Westwood?
I’m missing out on a lot of things there, but that safe sex thing is important cause there’s a lot of people getting drunk in the club having fun. You need to pay attention to what’s going on and we do it in a really cool way. We’ve given away 100,000 this year, we feel good about that.
Do you think you’ll go on forever?
I’m not married, I don’t have a family, this is my life, this is what I do I love work.
Don’t you ever get broody?
Nah I don’t think I would have survived with all that additional stuff. I wake up, go to work, come home at night, go to bed, get up… it’s all I do, it’s how I define myself. I live for it. This is me, it’s all I’ve got. As long as I keep connected and stay relevant. You see for DJs it’s different to artists, DJs can grow in this game and every years been better for me. This year Pimp My Ride has been on Channel 5 every Friday night at 7.30pm, it’s a beautiful thing, it doesn’t stop for us. It’s a blessing, I’ve lived such a blessed life.
Don’t you ever want a quiet life?
Nah, I’ve struggled for so long and hard the fact that I’ve made it now I need to celebrate it.
Is it harder to stay there then get there?
I think in this changing world, when you start to achieve, it’s a new set of struggles from when you’re the underdog. I feel really positive about things, it’s definitely a gift.
How would you describe yourself in a lonely hearts column?
The big dawg wants to pimp your ride.
What are you listening to right now?
Jay-Z is dropping a new album, I’m really happy about that. But where hip hop’s at at the moment, Atlanta is making great music for the clubs. My favourite record is Soulja Boy ‘Crank That’, that’s the biggest for me. But UK artists are on fire at the moment; Boy Better Know, Roll Deep, Chipmunk is mind blowing… we filmed him when he came to the show and that’s had 200,000 hits on youtube. There’s a lot of creativity going on.
Have you heard much of that ‘Juke’ music?
I’ve got some which I think is cool but I don’t mess with it. What’s mad with it is that it’s fast like a house beat, but it gets played in gritty clubs, not white house clubs. It’s for the hardcore, ghetto spots. That’s there but I’m trying to embrace the UK as best I can.
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