I recently went to a concert in Manchester to watch Plan B (Ben Drew) the hip hop artist on he's tour, and what a fantastic concert it was. I've looked into some background information on this artist, where he comes from, how long has he has been song writing for, why he performs hip hop music, and he's style of clothing.
Ben was born on 22nd October 1983. He is from Forest Gate in London. He is most commonly known as an English rapper, singer and songwriter, actor and film director. He released his first album in 2006, 'Who needs actions when you got words'. I loved this album of Ben's. this was around the time I left school so I remember it well as it was a massive part of my life. Plan B's second album was released in 2010, 'The defamation of Strickland banks'. He has starred in a number of films creating he's own film in 2012 which was 'Ill Manors'. Ill Manors was based in East London and highlighted how life on the streets are in this area. He then went onto release a soundtrack album to his film Ill Manors.
Ben taught himself to play the guitar at 14. He then went on to write his own R&B love songs. But at 18, he felt uncomfortable with R&B and turned towards rap and HipHop music and wrote "Kidz" inspired by the murder of Damilola Taylor.
"The whole reason for calling myself Plan B was that I was doing this sweet boy Justin Timberlake shit, but I never felt comfortable....When I started rapping, it was easier for me to feel comfortable."
Plan B, USA today (15th March 2007)
Plan B achieved his first top ten single with the release of the song 'End credits'. A collaboration with Chase & Status. This song was from the film that he starred in 'Harry Brown'.
In March 2012, Ben released the single and video for 'Ill Manors'. This song told a story and deals with the London riots that happened in 2011. This song tells a story about London and about what was going on with regards to the riots. I have watched some interviews with Ben and he makes it very clear that he's a story teller, and his songs and rap music is art. He's tells stories about kids and people on the streets through song writing and rapping. I can relate to this through my project graffiti as they both use the same outline, graffiti and HipHop music both tell story's but in different ways. It's a way of getting the message out to the public and the communities about what's going on in the society around us. Plan B wrote Ill Manors the song to send a message out to the public and the government about what actually went on with regards to the riots.
Ben has recently set up his own charity based in East London called 'Each one Teach one' (EOTO) This is a charity that aims to improve the life's of young people providing access to new skills and support. They fund inspiring projects to help young people build their skills and in turn improve their life's. Ben said in an interview that he could see the problem within the riots and why they happened. It's because society tell young people from council estates that they are not wroth anything, then the Media tell them they are not worth anything. So these young kids believe that they are not worth anything and act accordingly. Ben Drew feels strongly about this matter which is why he's wrote he's song to tell a story and set up he's charity to try and make a change.
Looking at the style of Bens clothing, he has an urban look and style to the way he dresses. He's often seen in baggy t-shirts, baggy jeans, trainers, braces, and denim or leather jackets. A very HipHop, street style of clothes.
I've been really inspired by researching Ben Drew. He is a very inspirational young person that's telling stories and sending messages out and trying to make a change within society. Just the same reason that graffiti is done and written on walls on the streets.
It's Art that's sending out a message.
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