Month: August 2013

He’s going from deadlines to headlines. 28 year old Shahid Khan, is the tall, big built, chubby cheeked, infectiously excitable new #TEAMUK music star that goes by the stage name Naughty Boy.

JASMINE WITH SHAHID KHAN, AKA NAUGHTY BOY!

In a quiet ground floor studio in the leafy suburb of Ealing, a young Asian man is making music history, and breaking cultural stereotypes simultaneously.
In a world where the biggest celebrities have always had big talent, coupled with a big personality- Naughty Boy is about to join the ranks of those grand players on the list.
The talent of frank Sinatra, Richard Branson, Kanye West and their ilk cannot be denied, but what takes them to transcend their specialist boundaries into household name forte, are their larger than life personalities. NB is very enthusiastic, likable and has a huge personality for a relative newcomer to the music industry.

He’s young, understatedly dressed and grounded but already showing serious signs, of Roc A Fella legend boss, Dame Dash style opulence that threatens to sweep him off his feet.
One of the first things that happen, as I am welcomed into the music-making den, is an ‘extremely important telephone call that NB has to take’ from his sister. He politely explains ‘’excuse me-this could be god news. I lost my diamond ring earlier today, at my mums in her bidet in the toilet, so my sister said she’d search for it’’
Ten seconds later he breathes a sigh of relief and reveals ‘‘that’s amazing, she found it, that’s saved me 10k’’. As I stare open mouthed, he attempts an explanation that still gob smacks me, ‘’I can’t wear gold so I waited until I could afford diamonds’’. That’s cleared that up then.

NAUGHTY BOY MAKING THOSE HITS!

During the 10k diamond ring call, I take it all in. his Ealing film studio based lair, a tiny all black studio, dark walls, sofas, totally cluttered with creativity. A multitude of sights hit you all simultaneously. A large colourful fish tank where previous piranha fish have been overfed leaving just goldfish, a fluffy tiger print cat called Bob, who chills out sedate, whilst all around him the buzzing bee colony works, a lone Emeli Sande plaque for a million sales on one wall, a table over flowing with favourite water to the stars- Figi water, piles of Musicweek magazines which mention NB and his worldwide chart positions (‘’ I’m No 1 in Poland and top 5 in 20 countries!), a remote control helicopter (has rapper DMX been here? That’s a different story!), a piano, numerous computers, flickering screens at various stages of ‘download complete’, left over take away food and a cross trainer right behind the producers chair ‘’I like to hop on for 20 minutes daily to keep myself healthy and give myself a break’’.

NB’S STAIRMASTER AND FISH AQUARIUM.

Stacked up all alongside one wall ,are boxes piled high of Nike sneakers, which also trail along the studios exterior wall. It’s the sponsorship freeness that comes with success.

As he welcomes me to look around, and gestures for me to take a seat, NB proudly states ‘’look! I’m posh, eating bread and olive oil’’. A statement that tells us a million things in eight words.

NAUGHTY BOYS STUDIO TABLE, CHAOS!

It’s clear that whilst he still lives at home with his parents in Watford, this studio space is his first home. Bottles of moisturizer, body wash and scented candles are piled onto the sound desk, muddled with notes about his work with his now colleagues and friends including Alesha Dixon, JLS, Lily Allen, Alexandra Burke Jennifer Hudson. Professor Green, Cheryl Cole, Tinie Tempah and more.
Just a few days earlier, taking my place on the same sofa were American singer Britney Spears, as well as her new albums producer William Orbit ,who NB says he’s always been a fan of ‘’ I’m a fan of Ray of Light which he did for Madonna, so was very excited to have him here at the studios’’. These should be dizzying heights for the new boy on the scene, but he’s taken to it like a fish to water.

Noticing me smiling at the Figi water bottles, he states ‘’oh I like Fiji water because when I went to see Simon Cowell, who said I was a music genius, he had lots. It’s now on my rider along with Grey goose vodka. Oh, and chicken wings’’.
However on the subject of his chicken wings, he’s quick to chortle ‘‘Emeli and me rejected a black card from Nandos (which celebs get free meals with), because you practically have to sell your soul to get one, and then you have to promote it all day long. I personally believe, that once you make a success of yourself, you can pay for your own chicken, and don’t need to pimp yourself out for a free dinner’’. Very admirable. A young star with strict morals, clearly in the game for longevity, as opposed to selling his brand cheaply to anyone who wants a part of him.

NAUGHTY BOYS PARTNER IN RHYME-EMELI SANDE SITS PROUD ON HIS STUDIO WALL.

The ‘’Emeli’’ he refers to is the one and only songstress Emeli Sande.
NB is the mad wizard character behind Brit success story Emili Sande. Whilst Emile seemed to fly constantly into our reality around the Olympics, appearing on every live show and TV set, NB was quietly rubbing his hands with glee at their success. I myself was one of the cynical journo’s that was sick over being bombarded by Emeli during that time- until I met NB and heard their story. Now, I’m respectful of their tenacious journey.

The story of how NB met Emeli, and bought her down from her hometown of Glasgow, to record in his little Ealing studio, is now legendary in music circles.
Both were young and struggling. Emile had plans on becoming a doctor, whilst NB had dropped out of a marketing degree, was working as a pizza delivery guy and at his nearby Watford Hospital as well as at the Townhouse Studios as an apprentice, where he would learn to use the equipment when he wasn’t making Elton John and others cups of tea.
After dropping out of uni in 2005, he did two things that both bore fruit. He applied for a Princes Trust grant that funded him £5000 for equipment. Speaking to the Watford Observer in 2009 about the opportunity at the time, NB said “The Prince’s Trust has a scheme where they want to help people who they feel can set up their own business. I wanted to make music but I didn’t have any equipment. They said they wanted to help me’’. He also applied to appear on Noel Edmonds Deal or no deal, where he won a mind blowing £44,000.
With these funds he was well on the way to building his Ealing based music studio, to replicate his mum and dads shed where he usually worked, and spotted Emile singing at industry showcase event ILUVLIVE and from here they gelled. NB put her up in a nearby hotel whilst they made music. The first set that made it successfully to the publics ears, were hits for Chipmunk ‘’Diamond rings’’ and Wileys ‘Never be your woman’, both featuring, a then unknown, Emeli Sande.

Thereafter they continued to make music together, resulting in Emeli getting a record deal with Virgin Records, and subsequently NB song writing and producing the majority of her debut album, Our Version of Events.
With Emeli’s star rising ever higher, record labels wanted the money maker behind her too, and so In 2012, NB signed a three-year publishing deal with Sony ATV, as well as a recording contract to release one album on Virgin. That album ‘Hotel Cabana’ is released August 26th 2013. ‘’Hotels intrigue me cos they’re bad places. I love the idea of what goes on at luxury hotels. Affairs, the fact that they’re designed for sex. Sexually themed. That’s what inspired me. I’m fascinated by it. My album is one man’s journey into Hotel cabana, a fantasy world’’
NB’s debut album features a stellar line up of UK music names. Of course his muse Emeli features, as well as chart topper Tinie Tempah who introduces the album playing the Justin Timberlake role to Jay Z’s Magna Carter. Ed Sheeran also takes part AND NB exclaims incredulously ‘’I’m bringing back Gabrielle!’’ (She of ‘Dreams can come true’’ nineties fame). Everything about NB is different. Even his music marketing. The album already has a trailer hosted by future star George the Poet. Like Jigga famously said recently ‘’New Rules’’

During our chat, NB isn’t alone. I’ve walked in at the end of an all day session he’s having with two young, Caucasian men, Moos and James, who go by the producer duo moniker Mojam. I nod a perfunctory greeting, as NB reveals Mojam are now signed to him, but used to be a part of the huge rabble of young, chart topping boys from Chingford, Essex called Blazing Squad. Suddenly I’m more intrigued! Both seem much more grown up and wizened since their hip hop boy band days, and are clearly a good duo for NB to bounce off daily in the studio, as they banter amicably together throughout our chat.

Whilst there is laughter, whoops and shrieks as well as regular booming music from the speakers, Bob the cat is unusually chilled. NB laughs and tells me Bobs used to it ‘’ Bob is my and Emeli’s cat, we got her as a kitten to keep us company in the early days. He’s the most pampered cat alive. We regularly take Bob to Harrods animal spa where he has blueberry facials. He has many personas. Sometimes he’s Bobby Brown, other times he’s Bob Marley and on occasion Michael ‘’Bob’’ le!’’. With that last statement NB is clearly made for this business and already tiptoeing into Mariah Carey pet decadence areas. (It may amuse you to know that, in disbelief I googled blueberry facials for pets at Harrods and they do exist!). He continues “I welcome and embrace the good life, why not?,I grew up on a council estate. My dad’s a taxi driver’’.

NB clearly wants the best for his cat and himself. Defending his decision to pay exorbitant rent in a location as coveted as Ealing Film Studios he justifies ‘’ it is expensive rent but what’s money compared to such an inspiring location? I see them filming Downtown Abbey here, Madonna shoots videos here , I walk past Rowan Atkinson often- it gives me bigger ambition’’

When I probe as to whether he see’s himself as a new producer turned artist like Timberland, Scott Storch and Kanye West before him, he shakes his head violently ‘’Me and Emeli signed to Virgin at same time. I always saw myself as a producer, not producer/ artist. I had an idea for a hotel inspired concept album. So I made it’’.

He loves the music rock and roll lifestyle, but doesn’t like his face to be too prominent, preferring to remain slightly mysterious. Whilst I’m with him, he plays me the then as yet unreleased video for his latest single ‘’lifted’’ featuring Emeli. Neither appears in the video except for a cameo in a picture frame. He is familiar with the concept of over saturation in the media already. ‘’ I’m not rushing in and rushing out of this game. I want longevity. I wanna bring something diff to this generation, I want people to connect to my name. I love art; I could be the Banksy of the music world. I’m excited about art and Banksy. Banksy excites people, I wanna excite people’’.
With this statement, the verbal peddling just rolls faster and faster down the mountain with all of NB’s enthusiasm for life spiraling out ‘’ I also have an alter ego… not a messiah but a naughty boy. I’m cheeky but not bad, I’m mischievous! I couldn’t believe when I did a phoner interviewer this week for an Australian radio show and they swore and said pussy on air!, I’m saving to move my family out to Dubai!. I also want a property in Kensington!. I’m No 1 in the UAE! I’ve gotta get in with the Qatari Prince, that would be a good look!’’

Clearly NB knows who to connect with and who the next new stars will be, months before we do. I ask him to name some. He champions ‘’ a new singer called Charlie- she’s really good, a band called Chasing Grace and a rapper called Mic Righteous’’

NB WITH HIS CAT-THE INFAMOUS ”BOB”

Guts, sweat and years of hard work and skills, have poured the cement, for Naughty Boy to forever stand tall in the walk of fame. He has a firm grasp on what’s new, and more importantly; what’s next. According to the diary on his studio wall, where August 26th is a circled reminder for his albums release to the public- he is!

JASMINE WITH HER OLD NEMISES- GIGGS!

Next it was off to see my old mate Giggs who had invited me to a screening of his brand new video for his Mark Ronson single ”Is it gangsta-yes yes yes”
Directed by Amy Winehouse’ one time boyfriend-the actor and director Reg Travis- the video was like a mini movie and really showed a great new side to Giggs…the actor!
The short film was shot very well, in a classic Only Fools and Horses style where Giggs is seen as an intense, broody character at a card game that gets caught up in a beef but ends up slipping onstage to join his band at a big live performance just in the nick of time. The ending is classic comedy gold!
In the house for the very special east end cinema screening were influential faces like CHOICEFM’s Manny Norte, actor Femi, music manager Trenton, a very suave looking Reg Travis and more.
Giggs and his business partner Buck were both very professional suited and booted slickly,they welcomed us all, thanked us for coming and introduced the film to us very eloquently.
SN1 presented a film and asked ”is it gangsta?”. It most certainly was!

JASMINE WITH HER FRIEND- MOBO CEO- KANYA KING.

I ended the week at the Grand Connought Rooms in Holborn, for the annual MOBO nominations panel. this is my 18th year- yes -i’ve been at every one!. This year it was opened up to a lot more taste makers and music industry peeps. invited alongside me were music managers, record label staff, dj’s, bloggers, writers, music fans and PR company heads.

THE MOBO NOMINEE PANEL 2013!

The debates and banter about who should and shouldn’t make this years shortlist was heated and intense-the way it should be- especially when it came to Best hip hop and Best African categories. Can’t wait to hear the finalists? Make sure you’re at the MOBO nominee party next week!

Meanwhile, KK presented me with a MOBO- for best posing since 1996!

JASMINE WITH ACTOR MUCISIAN SHAKKA AND PLAYWRITER NADIA FALL AT THE NATIONAL THEATRES SHED FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF ”HOME”.

What a cultured week I’ve had. Honestly we live in the best country in the world when it comes to access for everyone to arts and culture! So much of it is free, you just need to know where to look and be spontaneous. This week alone I have seen urban culture reflected in classical music, theatre, literature and pop music.

Firstly, I was invited by the National Theatre to come and see a play called ‘Home’ at their annual pop up theatre THE SHED. Home is the diversity of stories, of the millions of young homeless youth across the UK. Its told in an engaging and extremely entertaining way. Most of us will take for granted that we live in a safe, secure, stable home, but for thousands of youngsters across the nation this is not the case. The play is set in a cube shaped intimate space, which the audience shares, in a very in- the- round- Brecht- like style. The audience plays the invisible ‘’interviewer’’, who asks residents and staff at a homeless hostel in East London about their stories. The script is taken from real life interviews with homeless youth, at the Foyer in East London. The script uses music like grime, hip-hop, pop and more to tell their stories. It’s a very cleverly written (by Nadia Fall) piece of theatre, which immediately has the audience’s full attention, not just due to the intimate set, but we also become a part of the story. The cast is a small group, of mostly young actors (including up and coming music act Shakka), who play characters that really brought home the horror of youth homelessness. Each actor plays 2 characters, and the way this is done is very clever, simple and effective. The young Eritrean girl human trafficked to the UK, the young man violently abused by his family, young single mothers thrown out of their homes and so many more. The writing is fast paced, sharp and at many occasions even humorous on life in a typical youth hostel. Home is playing on the South Bank at the Shed until September 7th- if you want an evening of entertainment that’s emotional, riveting and musical, I recommend you take the family to see it!

Next I was sent a book titled Feral Youth by Polly Courtney. The book is set in a South London estate and is the story of a fictional character called Alesha who tries to survive life on the streets without a home, making money in a gang, befriending her school piano teacher. It’s not just another urban hood street life book. It’s told from a young girls perspective of life in the inner city in 2013 and the reasoning behind so many young peoples actions. It was such a gripping, easy read, that I finished it in 48 hours. I simply couldn’t put it down, so enticed into Alesha’s world and her next steps was I. I was carrying it around in my handbag reading in shopping queues, whilst making breakfast and even in the car in case I could take in another chapter. By the last chapter I was on the edge of my seat and teary as the story came to its conclusion. A brilliantly captured story about the minds of young people living very desperate lives today. A great read for both the young and adult alike.

JASMINE WITH WRETCH- THE STAR OF THE BBC URBAN PROM.

A most coveted ticket was gifted to me, by Robert Pascoe (Universal Music) and his brother Richie, for the first ever, BBC URBAN PROMS, at the Royal Albert Hall, where Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra alongside Bigga Fish, hosted an evening, which brought together the two worlds of classical music and urban music.
The BBC Orchestra were absolutely amazing, led by Jules Buckley, whilst the urban acts were all presented to us by our wonderful hosts- BBC broadcasters, the very quickly rising star Charlie Sloth and the ever husky voiced stunner Sarah Jane Crawford. Both looked amazing with Charlie keeping it hip-hop by juxtaposing his slick blazer and shirt with jeans and trainers, whilst Sarah Jane glowed in a classy long ball gown. They did a cracking job but presenters can only ever be as good as the scripts they are reading from, and there was general consensus that air both DJ’s are very articulate and informative, so their urban proms script seemed pretty poor with awkward, immature, stilted banter, rather than engaging the audience with a few fascinating facts of distinction about the upcoming acts.
However that didn’t detract from the greatness of the evening, which saw Maverick Sabre, Laura Mvula, Fazer, Lady Leshurr, Wretch32, Jacob Banks and Labrinth put on a once in a lifetime show. Each act performed around 3 times each, scattered through the running order.
Fazer’s name alone brought repeated screams from his fans, he switched from a casual beige sweater and trousers look to a more formal suit in his sets and really showed off his production and musical skills as he both played the piano and rapped with intense energy.
Maverick sabre was confident, strong and held the audiences every mood, singing his hits ‘Let me go’, ‘These days’ and ‘I need’, with the gravitas of a seasoned performer.
Many of the younger audience members were more excited about host Charlie sloth than the acts, and many a young fan (to my amusement!), was heard to be screaming ‘I love you Charlie’ as he spoke.
Newest kid on the block, Jacob Banks mesmerized the crowd with his powerful, deep roaring vocals. I overheard someone behind me claim, “he’s the new generation Marvin Gaye!”
There was a standing ovation for Laura even more she opened her mouth to sing-such is her following growing in every demographic. She calmly let her voice command the royal albert halls attention and gave the whole event a really magical, dreamy vibe with her tracks ‘Sing to the moon’, ‘Father, father’, and ‘That’s alright’.
The stand out break through act of the night for me was most definitely Lady Leshurr who was the first to really get the audience participation going with her dynamic, explosive, energy. She was the first act to really bring the “urban” with her Usain Bolt paced, patois, spitting lyrics, and had the crowd chanting and clapping! Go girl! She really had us smiling incredulously as she spun the whole orchestra back again as if in a dance, by rewinding her track ‘’Look at me now’’, a mash up of Busta Rhymes and Chris Browns hits.
The social responsibility angle to the night, came in the form of a group called ‘’7 chapters’’ brought together by Fazer (apparently), who ‘wanted to find a group of talented young artists to give them a chance to perform with the BBC Symphony Orchestra’ at this event. Whilst I’m certain it gave the seven youngsters involved a great experience, and a BBC3 TV show to be screened next month will also come of the project, I’m not sure it really worked. I think having each youngster perform 16 bars with each of the established performers may have worked better. In action this part of the show felt awkward and more like a community voices box ticking exercise.
Wretch32 was, as ever, the charismatic chilled out, established, big name of the night, who kept it presidential in his first set where he donned a white shirt with black cap and trousers, to perform ‘Blackout’ where he had the whole RAH audience chanting his catchphrase ‘’ah yeah!’’, then later a more casual sporty look. Wretch’s energy on ‘Tracktor’ brought the show to its peak as audience members finally stood to dance and bounce in their formal attire before the whole cast reunited onstage to sing the classic Bob Marley hit ‘One love’.
It must be mind blowing for any music act, not only to hear their work being performed on such a huge scale by a critically acclaimed orchestra like the BBC’s, but also at a venue this historic. The sound was most definitely panoramic and high definition and this was most certainly a huge achievement for all involved!.

JASMINE WITH TOP BOY’S LEAD ASHLEY WALTERS!

Channel 4’s gritty mini series Top Boy, returns this month with its second series. A mind-blowing ratings success for the broadcaster, its lead characters Dushane and Sully are back with their daily grind, about inner city life in East London.

Series 1 had the fans praising the incredible cinematography (continued by director Jonathan van Tulleken in this new series), as well as the really real story line. It also had its critics citing glorification of gangs, drugs, black male stereotypes and violence. Many middle classed journalists actually questioned the storylines and suggested they were unreal and exaggerated. That’s the golden nugget right there. To many, this is fiction that they refuse to believe is happening mere meters away from their own doorsteps. To others, this storyline is their day-to-day reality. Every neighbourhood in London has its ‘’pharmaceutical warring areas’’, even the more affluent locations. Notting Hill and Holland Park have Ladbroke Grove, Canary Wharf has Hackney, Hampstead has Kilburn, Dulwich Village has Peckham and on and on and….

If you grew up in London, then you can relate to every storyline and character in Top Boy. The mentally ill mother leaving her son to raise herself, junkie parents that are so desperate to earn a living they resort to illegal activities, the excluded student paying bills by selling weed, the Chinese men-not just known for selling DVDs in the hood- but having the best weed, the bullied child wanting to fit in and be a part of the crowd, the parentless kids who need a sense of family so fall into the arms of the local gang. All of these, an everyday reality for many. Other untold stories are even more tragic.

THE TOP BOY PANEL DISCUSSION POST SCREENING AT THE BFI

One of the reasons Top Boy has been so successful, is that it’s not simply a shoot em up gangland visual fest. It’s an extremely well written drama by Ronan Bennett, which has also been nominated for a BAFTA. In series two, life on the Summerhouse Estate comes head-to-head with the world of organised crime, property development and corporate greed – and the police start to close in on past crimes committed. One of the criticisms of series one was that there was no police presence in the drama. Oh the irony! In reality, this façade takes place across inner city neighbourhoods daily, and there tends never to be a police presence tackling it! So series one was actually nearer the truth than acknowledged. However, Top Boys writers did address that point and series two immediately shows a much stronger police presence in the storyline from the jump off.

Another area, which is more balanced, is the notion that criminal activity at this level is never just made up of fully black youth. Watching series one you may have thought that the case, however series two brings in the Albanian gangs, the Chinese weed barons and a more diverse, realistic reflection.

Screen one at the BFI was sold out on Monday night as Channel 4 and Cowboy Films held a screening of the first show from series two, and it stood up to being just as gripping with its storylines unfolding cleverly from scene to scene.
After a rapturous applause for the cast and crew, the two main characters Dushane and Sully, played by actor/musician Ashley Walters and music star Kano took part in a Q&A session with the director and a moderator.

JASMINE WITH MUSICIAN/ ACTOR KANE ROBINSON- TOP BOY!

Kane Robinson, known to his music fans as Kano admitted that with so many people constantly asking him if the drama was returning there had been some nerves returning and wanting this series to be as strong as its predecessor. Director Jonathon enthused “its a gift to get given a show that’s so amazing I had to make it as good as series 1”. Ashley, known to his music fans as So Solids Asher D, added “we were so keen to return we happily shot in winter in the snow, it was tough’’

What was it about season 1 that gripped people? Ashley seems to be as flummoxed about its success as many others and attributes it to good timing. ‘’We as a nation were depressed. We’d had the UK riots. Tensions were high, especially in London. The show had captured everyone’s desperation and frustration. Kane and me asked ourselves whilst filming all through series 1 “will this ever make it to air on channel 4 or get sold cheaply to channel 5!”
Kane added-‘’a lot of people could identify with this. For others it was an eye opener. Seeing Ridley Rd Market in that context for a lot of people is scary’’.

Ashley was obviously displeased having to defend the storyline and drama in regular interview’s with the mainstream press ‘’. We don’t question Only Fools and Horses about sterotypes, why do they question us? We all know it goes on. It’s the first thing I’ve done that I feel is really real. We worked on the script to ensure it was as realistic as possible. ” Between myself and Kane We’ve already done 28/31 years of research so know how real this storyline is! ‘’

Asked about how much fun compared to his other roles, acting the part of Dushane was, Ashley admitted “I love being on the show but my characters boring compared to Sully. On set the others are fighting, shooting and doing stunts. I’m always the big man on the phone going ” where u at LOL?”

The great thing about urban culture in the UK is, that since our British music acts started charting successfully, youth have aspired to musical directions. Similarly when urban comedy started making a name for young urban comedians like Eddie Kadi and Kojo, youth were shown another road to success. Nowadays with leaders in their fields like actor/director Noel Clarke having proven that urban dramas work commercially, Top Boy is a whole new platform for new, young acting talent. Watching series two, its clear that there are even fresher, new faces than before. Young Brits being given roles that haven’t acted before. (You may recall the pandemonium in Hackney a few months ago at an open audition where hundreds gathered desperate to get their first big TV break)

Director Jonathon added ‘’Cowboy films gave me a lot of power to cast series two. We had too many good people to choose from. Music acts Bashy and Nolay and Roxanne are still to make their Top Boy debuts.

The director also revealed that many of the scenes are improvised so that the youngest actors don’t sound as if they’re reading lines. This makes for an even realer script and slanguage within the show. It also leads to a variety of comedic one-liners that weren’t anticipated. Kane actually burst out laughing at one scene, which apparently wasn’t meant to be funny when shot, but had a classic comedic moment as the whole of the BFI chortled loudly.

Of course, the music journo’s were keen to hear when we could expect new music from both the lead actors-if ever… Kane offered “I’m in the studio now finishing up my new music. I started enjoying the acting halfway through shooting season one, I found a love for it and if the right film script came along I’d consider it’

Ashley, who seems to be onscreen acting in a new drama or film regularly, was more realistic about his endeavors back to the music industry “its difficult juggling music and acting. Sometimes the music world can be very unforgiving. I’ve made some very bad publicly seen decisions in the past that I’m still paying for. I can’t consistently put out music with my acting and kids. You have to focus on music to make it really work”. Ashley also explained why he loves acting in TV more than the film world citing “TV is better to development a character for me than a 3 hour film”

Asked about his own transformation from criminal to screen star Ashley admitted “everyone has a moment of enlightenment. The hardest thing was for me to turn my back on some people that were in my social environment. I wouldn’t ever tell anyone what to do, for me it was watching my father die, prison and needing to feed my children that were life changing moments”

You can just imagine how much fun filming a drama like this must be. Director Jonathon described it as the type of fun that soldiers have in the trenches together, but you can see the banter and camaraderie between them all is strong. Throughout the Q&A session Kane would regularly heckle Ashley. A particular stand out moment was when Ashley mentioned he had “dabbled” in this Top Boy world as a kid. “Dabbled!!?” Kane loudly questioned much to the audience’s mirth.

One of the strongest elements of the way Top Boys shows are structured are the Eastenders cliffhanger endings at the end of each episode. Director Jonathon said he was aware of how powerful these had to be to bring the viewer back gagging for more. And they are gagging. The Internets been trending #TOPBOY throughout its first run and will no doubt be bigger, better and stronger than ever on its second outing. Be sure to tune in. its not the prettier side of life, but it is happening right here, right now. Ignore the realest reality show on TV at your peril.