Exclusive interview!! New album!! New single with Ed Sheeran and Labrinth
Welcome to DMC towers dude, you are headlining the wonderful Regeneration Celebration down around Bob Marley Way at the weekend. Your home listening when growing up was varied to say the least, Bruce Springstein, Diana Ross, Ghetts, Dizzee, OT and Sharky Major were all booming out, but there was also a big part played by Mr Bob Marley. How much of an influence was the great man?
“I heard a lot of Bob Marley’s music growing up. He’s is one of the people I would hear playing in my mum’s car when I was young. He was definitely a big influence.”
So Sunday looking good, who are you looking forward to checking out on the day, there are some serious artists showing the love as well as Bob Marley’s eldest daughter Cedella (pictured) and son Julian in attendence…
“To be honest I’m looking forward to the show itself and getting to see all the acts performing as well as all the family.”
A busy few months lay ahead, a brand new album swinging our way on October 29th entitles ‘A Moving Picture’ pre-empted by the first single ‘(All Along The) Watchtower’ featuring Ed Sheeran and Labrinth. Let’s start with the album. Can you talk us through it, we hear it’s heavy on the cinematic vibe…
“Yeah we’ve definitely gone for the cinematic, hence the name ‘A Moving Picture’. It’s the big orchestral music that I’ve always liked to rap over since I was younger and now I have the opportunity to do it on a bigger level. I feel like it’s a well balanced album, there is a bit of everything on there.”
Did you feel there is a little less pressure on you with album number two, surely you must have enjoyed making this one more?
“It wasn’t easier than the first album. Album two is always difficult for artist because there’s more expectation. You have years to write your first album and 10 months to write the second so it’s difficult but I enjoy writing and recording music in general so it was all good.”
You are turning into a prolific song writer talking about subjects we can all relate to , do you ever suffer writers block?
“I think everybody that writes a lot of music and thinks deeply about what they’re writing about will suffer from writers block at some point, so yeah I definitely have done.”
Tell us about the video for Watchtower, who was behind this cool little motion picture…?
“It was the director Corin Hardy’s idea to shoot it like a short film. We gave the initial brief of what we wanted and things we didn’t want. Corin nailed it, so we went with it, and I’m really pleased with how it turned out!”
What was it like working with Ed Sheeran, what is about him that you wanted to hook up with in the first place?
“I’ve know Ed for almost 3 years now and we’ve been making music and working together ever since so it’s only natural for him to be on my album. We’re good mates so I enjoy working with him.”
Down at DMC we recognise and applaud the way you have influenced the new generation of MCs and rappers with the lyric depth in your songs. ‘Community Outcast’ for instance was all about giving kids an option – everyone was writing about mindless violence, you actually started to make people think a little a bit about their lives. Why was that important to you, you must have witnessed all sorts of crazy stuff around you back in the day…
“The reason why it was important to me is because that’s the life I lived and saw around me. I didn’t see all the fancy cars and everything, I just wrote about what was real to me and the people from my area.”
What was it like choosing what label to sign to, Island are renowned for their laid back attitude which suited you, but you must have sat with some proper suits elsewhere before putting ink on paper…
“Yeah I did visit a few different labels and speak to different people but when I went to Island it just felt right, me and my management felt it was a good fit so it wasn’t too hard a decision in the end.”
What are the big tunes you are listening to on your iPod right now, is Dusty Springfield still nestled in there?
“Yeah definitely, I will always listen to Dusty Springfield, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen etc. I obviously listen to a lot of rap as well but the old music is the stuff I proper like.”
We were down the front at Lovebox this summer, it must be great for you playing to crowds where you know some people haven’t heard you before unlike your own shows where it’s 100% Devlin. How has the festival circuit been this year, where has stood out?
“I always enjoy the festival season and I love performing live with my band. Evolution in Newcastle and T4 on the Beach stood out to me this year though, generally I always have a good crowd but they were proper energetic so I really enjoyed them.”
What is your guilty pleasure record, a tune you shouldn’t love but do?
“I don’t believe in the guilty pleasure thing, if you like a song then you like it. There’s no song you’re not supposed to like.”
And what was the record that changed your life?
“I can’t say there’s one record that changed my life, it’s always been a combination of different things that have influenced me in the past.”
In interviews you claim you are naturally unhappy. When are you the happiest?
“I’d say I’m the happiest when I’ve got all my mates around me and everyone is having a good time.”
And finally, will there be a tour kicking off around the album release…?
“Yeah there’s going to be a mini tour starting in November 9th , just after the release of the album. I’m in Birmingham and then on to Glasgow, Manchester and London.”
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Bob Marley’s son Julian Marley celebrates the re-opening of Bob Marley Way in Brixton…
Regeneration Celebration – Bob Marley Way – London
Sunday, 29th July saw the celebration of Jamaica’s most famous son Bob Marley at the re-opening of Bob Marley Way in Brixton. On the eve of Jamaica’s 50 year anniversary of independence the Re:generation Celebration street party was attended by Bob Marley’s eldest daughter Cedella Marley and son Julian Marley, the Mayor of Lambeth, Councillor Clive L.A. Bennett and performances from an exciting mix of contemporary and heritage artists such as Soul II Soul Funki Dred DJ’s, Trojan Sound System, Devlin, Sway, Crazy Cousins, Lady Leshuur with a surprise performance from Maverick Sabre.
Hosted by Ras Kwame with Orange Hill / Mercury nominated TY / Logic MC / DJ Snuff
Surprise guest performance by Maverick Sabre
Devlin / Sway / Crazy Cousins / Orange Hill / Funki Dred DJ’s (Soul II Soul) / Trojan Sound System / Lady Leshurr / Aruba Red / 2morrows Victory / Jacob Banks / Kyra
The Regeneration Celebration was a free, community focused, music-led initiative that celebrated 50 years of Jamaican Independence and British Jamaican culture all in the name Jamaica’s most famous son, Bob Marley. The socially aware event brang music and the arts directly to the people of Bob Marley Way in Lambeth, South London and was be attended by Bob Marley’s daughter and son Cedella Marley and Julian Marley. This social regeneration project was backed by the relaxation drink Marley’s Mellow Mood who worked alongside innovative music organisation Small Green Shoots; who produce unique music events with a community focus.
Statement from Cedella Marley on behalf of the Marley family:
‘We are delighted about the Bob Marley Way celebrations on July 29th. Dad enjoyed many happy times in South London, so I’m pleased Marley’s Mellow Mood is working with this community to create an event that will both entertain and leave a legacy. I’m especially excited that our charitable platform 1Love.Org will be on-site to share news on its on-going mission to promote youth, planet and peace.’
Fusing a mixture of contemporary and heritage music, the Regeneration Celebration featured a diverse programme of Jamaican and urban music acts, including commercially successful artists and DJs, as well as local and up-and-coming performers. The music programme was supported by a range of workshops, live acts and spoken word performances from local and national community organisations. The Regeneration Celebration created an opportunity for local residents to celebrate their heritage and community, have direct access to a variety of art forms and community groups and strengthen community pride.
Social regeneration will be driven by the shared values of Marley’s Mellow Mood and 1Love.Org – youth, planet, peace. The Regeneration Celebration team liaised with local residents and worked with a variety of local and national dance, performance and arts groups, alongside regional community groups and businesses. The event also provided further opportunities for the community by offering a selection of paid, voluntary and work experience roles to local residents, who were looking to gain experience in live events and project management. Youth workshops took place across the day that will continue after the event and there has been a donation to the local community centre from site fees from local traders that attended the event.
This family friendly event was aimed at audiences of all ages, encouraging participation from all generations of the community and featured a music stage, an arts village, children’s area, food and beverage market (no alcohol was sold). To leave a lasting legacy in the area, not only in spirit but also in a physical form – a new street sign for Bob Marley Way was revealed.
Claire Davies, Event Manager at Small Green Shoots comments, “Benefiting communities is at the heart of our organisation and we work hard to leave a lasting legacy with each of our events and projects. Without the support of Marley’s Mellow Mood we would not be able to put on an event such as this. Together we are creating an event that is not only a fantastic celebration of Jamaican culture, but also gives back to the local community of Bob Marley Way.”
