Contrast Hackney’s Youth Magazine

FREE

DJ Ironik Damien O’brien DJ Abrantee email [email protected]

Interested in journalism, photography, or design? Then joinContrast. You’ll learn new skills, meet celebs and get media training. Come to one of our Tuesday meetings at the Blue Hut, 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ (5 mins from Old Street Station). If you would like us to run a workshop in your school or youth organisation then please get in contact by phone 020 8521 5495 or email [email protected] Editorial Team Contents Contributors Christian Jensen Your Say 6 Esther Ezegbe You ask the questions, Selina Meaden you give the answers Divine Kutuya Ella Bonsu In the Mix Tinesha Adams 8 Elesha Smith Choice fm DJ Fatou Mbowe Tehya Heyman 16 DJ Ironik Kasey Bishop Man with a plan Phoebe Ryan-faal Bria Patel Rachel Eriemo 24 Summer Planner Rhasan Brunner Where to be this Summer Abi Oyéwumi Durelle Stevens Elsa Mampuya 28 Damien O’Brien Lara Akinnawo Magician to the stars Gordon Adeyemi Merzan Roudette Mia Pernaud News

Spending wisely

ackney’s Youth Opportunity theatre, film-making, music, sports, Fund Panel is recruiting for residentials and events. youngH people to join the Grant Makers The Panel is made up of 15 young Panel. You could be responsible for people from Hackney who look at deciding how real money should be applications from young people for spent on projects that benefit young projects and decide which ones to people in Hackney. fund. The Panel meet every 1-2 weeks The Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) on a Monday or Wednesday evening is a special fund run by young people (5:30 - 7:30) in Central Hackney. for young people. It provides money They also meet on a Saturday every (grants) to groups of two or more 3-4 months. young people to do a project that will To register your interest, please benefit young people. So far, over 150 contact Cat Garrett on 07527 385664 projects have been funded, from arts, or email [email protected]. Swim for free in Hackney

housands of young people will be healthy recreational activity that can be able to swim for free at Hackney’s enjoyed by all members of the family.” leisureT centres this summer. Young If you are already a leisure centre people aged 18 and under now have member, you don’t need to register, just access to free swimming during school come along at one of the advertised holidays. free swimming times. If you are not Local pools participating in the yet a member, registration can be scheme are Kings Hall Leisure Centre, done online or at participating leisure Britannia Leisure Centre, and Clissold centres. Registration will be free of Leisure Centre. GLL, a not-for-profit charge before Easter and £1 thereafter. leisure operator, manage the centres Proof of age will be required. Once for Hackney Council. successfully registered, applicants will Mark Sesnan, GLL Managing receive a membership card entitling Director, said: “The scheme will impact them to free swims. on everyone from non-swimmers For more information visit the dipping their toe into the water for Hackney Council website: www. the first time, to competitive club hackney.gov.uk or the GLL website: swimmers. Not only is swimming an www.gll.org essential life skill but also a social and Your Say How would people react if Hackney was one postcode?

“If Hackney changed into one postcode it would have a negative impact on the public. I think that the gangs that are caught up in postcode wars will find other reasons to fight with each other, based on race, religion or culture. Per- sonally I think that abolishing postcodes would only increase the amount of violence.”

“I believe Hackney can change, as in everyone would say the same postcode. However, the post- code wars would still go on but wouldn’t be called postcode wars, they would be called something Ella else.”

“I think the people living in Hackney would join more together as a fam- ily instead of fighting as postcodes that the government made up. But then again, there would still be a bit of violence and drama.”

“If Hackney was one postcode, it may be one family.”

Divine

“There would still be ‘beef ’ because some people don’t care about post- codes, they would just want to be recruited to a certain gang even if it has nothing to do with endz.” Will Obama be a good president?

“Obama has the potential to be a great presi- dent but Obama must realise that he holds a great position in society, because those who Esther hold great power can either use it the right way or the wrong way.”

“I think he will be because he is determined to do anything to help the public and the people of America.” Fatou

“Obama will be a good president because he will get good attention from all races of people.” Elisha

“I think Obama will be a good president be- cause he is the first black president of America and everyone will follow him.” Tinesha

“I think Obama will be a good president for all the wrong reasons because people will follow Selina him just because he’s the first black president of America.”

In the mix One of the many great things about DJs is they love to talk. DJ Abrantee tells all to Merzan Roudette and Gordon Adeymi

How did you get into DJing? I started out in a street group of DJs and organisers called 90% - I used to carry boxes for them, roll with them We embrace and just learn the trade from them. American music We started an event called House “ Party and that’s exactly what it was: we but we need to would just get a house, charge people to come in and put on the music. Then embrace our own we started playing at christenings and as well. If you’ve weddings, bought a sound system and speakers and started putting on major got a flower in your events like Ghana Independence. At first it only attracted about 500 to 600 back garden and you people. Then we did it again and it don’t give water, it’s attracted about 1500, then 2000, then 3000, then 4000. Then other people never gonna grow. started booking us for their events.

How did you get to work for Choice FM? Ghana as well) hand in an African beats I believe that you’ve got to put in 80% tape so you stand out. So we went to hard work and then get maybe 20% our parents and dug out some African” luck. Choice was about being in the music, put it together and submitted it, right place at the right time. We’d done and that’s what got us into Choice. So a lot of events with them, and when always look for a unique approach to they launched 107.1 they were looking whatever you’re doing. for DJs, and you can imagine, 101 million DJs all handed in their R&B What UK artists do you like? mix tapes. A guy who was working for The UK scene is so lively at the Choice said to us, look, you guys are moment. We’ve got all the funky house from Africa (I’m from Ghana and all artists coming out left, right and centre. of the other guys in 90% were from We’ve got artists like Dizzee. We’ve got Sway, Kano, Neo’s hasn’t always been number one and good, Lethal Bizzle. It’s good for the he hasn’t always had hits. I remember UK because it’s important that we have when Dizzee first started and he was our own. It’s all good the Americans begging to come on the stage; for coming over and we embrace their us to give him a mic. Now look, you music but we need to embrace our own can’t even call him! You look back and as well. If you’ve got a flower in your think, yeah, it’s all been worth it. But it back garden and you don’t give water, doesn’t stop. Whatever level you reach, it’s never gonna grow. you’ve got to still keep it moving.

What advice would you give to young Do you prefer DJing in clubs or on the people? radio? Don’t give up on your dream and don’t I enjoy both of them but I think I get think it’s gonna come overnight. All more of a buzz from the club because of the DJs, whether it’s Westwood or it’s live, there are people there, you can Trevor Nelson, they have done so much talk to them, whereas on radio, you just hard work. I know Trevor very well and have to hope people are listening. As a he hasn’t always been Trevor Nelson, radio presenter you have to visualise one MTV, Radio 1. There was a time when person you’re talking to because people Trevor was broke and standing at the are listening all around the world and bus stop trying to find his next 10p. they could be doing anything. But in But he’s continued the hard work and a club you can actually feel the people now he’s where he is. You don’t go and there’s a different atmosphere from success to success. Dizzee Rascal altogether. Quick Bits What happens if you’re late for work? First record I’m never late for work. You remember Oh my days, this is gonna be so when it was snowing really, really bad? embarrassing. The first record I Even that day I made it into work. It bought was Wham - Bad Boys, was crazy. I came out and there was because I was a little bit of a this snow, I was like, what’s going on? I rebel. had to drive my car five miles per hour just to get to work on time. If it was Favourite song any other job I would have phoned in I’m a crazy Michael Jackson fan, sick. I mean, I’ve done a nine to five so probably Thriller. before and believe me, phoning in sick was very easy. But I just love the job so Famous people much, so anything to get there. If I’ve Oh, so many. I’ve done a Jay-Z got a DJ booking and I know that my tour in Ghana, Missy Elliot, Ja set is from 1 till 3, I plan on getting Rule, Kanye, the list goes on. there for 12 because you can’t be late for your set. You just can’t be late. Blagging I don’t want to pay to go We heard you do a bit of acting? anywhere. I’m Abrantee from Before I got into being a DJ and a Choice! Come on, let me in! radio presenter, I wanted to be a TV presenter and an actor. I always wanted Dancefloor fillers to act as a detective in a cop story. I had Jamie Foxx’s Blame it on the this thing about being a plain clothes Alcohol, all Neo’s tunes and detective, like in an action movie. I’ve Dizzee’s Bonkers. always wanted to do that. So I’ve done a couple of short films, which have DJ with the biggest ego been up for some awards, which is Me. Nah, only joking. We’ve all quite cool. got big egos. What is your ultimate ambition? DJ hero I’m actually a qualified chef. My dad Shortee Blitz is phenomenal. wanted me to be a hotel manager, that was his dream for me, so I studied hotel Getting freebies management, so my ultimate aim is to I try and get as much free stuff as own my own club and restaurant. One possible. I kid you not. here and probably one back home in Ghana as well. Meeting Michelle Obama Bria Patel tells Contrast what it was like when the First Lady of America came to visit her school

On April 2nd Michelle Obama visited Elizabeth Garrett Anderson school Michelle in Islington. It was the First Lady’s only public speech whilst she was Obama said in . Students were first told “ they would have a VIP visit a week before, however they weren’t told who that each and it would be. 100 students were chosen based on the contribution they had every one of made to the school. Hackney resident, Bria Patel was one of the lucky 100. us were like She says: “I was chosen because I have 100% attendance and I have done a jewels and lot of fundraising for the school. After receiving the letter there was a rumour that we can going round that it was Michelle Obama, but I didn’t believe it.” “When the day came for her visit create our own we waited for two hours. We could see police officers and guard dogs – it felt destiny like we were in jail and we couldn’t get ” out, there were police cars everywhere and the whole road was closed off. Before we went into the hall we were all scanned and checked, it felt like I was in an airport. There was a real mix of excitement and anxiety. Excitement because we still didn’t know who we were going to meet and anxiety due to all the security.” “Michelle Obama said that each and every one of us were like jewels and that we can create our own destiny and pursue it. Towards the end of the speech, the majority of the girls had started crying but some people didn’t, including me. Afterwards she knelt down to shake our hands. Her four bodyguards surrounded her protectively, as if we had weapons. Then finally, I was face to face with the First Lady and I shook her hand. I felt excited and privileged that she had come to my school.” Home’s Cool Ever wondered what it would be like to learn in your front room? Phoebe Ryan-Faal tells Contrast what an average week is like for her and why it’s cool to learn at home Homeschooling is more interesting tests and exercises. In the afternoon, I than mainstream education: you can learn languages. I learn French, Wolof stick to the subjects that you enjoy (a Ghanaian language)and about most, tell your teacher what kind of hieroglyphics. Thursdays I do drama at work you would like to learn and best the Arcola theatre and also learn about of all; you can build a relationship with Gambian history, fashion, arts and your teacher. crafts. On Fridays, I do maths again I start each week doing voluntary and learn music, then on Saturday I work with a community that grows work at the Arts Factory producing organic vegetables. We sell them on props and costumes. There’s so much Saturday at a market and I get a box of free stuff to get involved in Hackney. organic food to take home! On Monday When you are homeschooled, there afternoons, I go swimming and learn are no other students distracting first aid and how to be a lifeguard. On you, so you can concentrate properly. Tuesdays I attend a homeschooling Sometimes in mainstream education group in Shoreditch, we go on loads of when you’re enjoying something, the trips with other young people, some of teacher might say that you have to the places we’ve been to are Paddington move on or finish the lesson, but when farm, Kew gardens and the Science you are homeschooled you can go on museum. In the evenings on Tuesday, and on learning. Also, you can learn I learn photography and journalism at things that you may not be taught in the Blue Hut. On Wednesdays, I do school, like Wolof or hieroglyphics. maths and do lots of interactive online Tehya

“I miss friends and certain teachers. That’s about it. I would go back to school without certain people there. I left school because of one girl who spread rumours about me to everyone. I’ve sorted things out with those people but not her. It’s easier to learn at home than at school because you have one-to-one time with the person teaching you. You don’t get a couple of minutes and then go and do it by your- self. Out of the six lessons a day at school, I remember about two. I do two and a half hours a day at home but I remember more.”

Mia

“We moved to Spain when I was 10 and I went to school there. When we moved back there weren’t any places for me in school. You get more freedom and less hours of schooling at home. One bad thing is that the police can stop you if they see you because they think you’re bunking off school.”

Kasey

“I’m homeschooled because I was tired all the time and had no time for my mum with homework and activities. With all the stabbings, she wanted me in a safe environment. It’s quiet so you can concen- trate and you don’t get homework. However, I miss my friends, a few teachers and my cousins at the school. I still see some of them but not all of them.”

Man with a Plan

DJ Ironik does not want much from life – just the small matter of world domination. Merzan Roudette, Gordon Adeyemi and Rachel Eriemo found out about his new single and how he plans to take over the world

DJ Ironik is quieter than you might imagine. Many performers need to be at the centre of the action, but DJ Ironik commands your attention and has presence without needing to shout about that fact that he has Grime music arrived. doesn’t get me to 21-year-old Ironik is a rapper, DJ and producer. He co-produced where I want my most of his new album, including his single (Hold Me Closer) music to get me. featuring Chipmunk and , Where I want to which reached number 3 in the UK charts. He was nominated for Best get to is worldwide Newcomer at the 2008 MOBO Awards and Best Newcomer and Best domination Music Video for Stay with Me at the 2008 . “ The single was inspired by listening to a sample of Elton ” I think music is in me: whether I’m good or not, whether people like me or not, it’s in me. I’ll never “stop making music

John’s song Tiny Dancer. “I listened to the original Elton John song and it was absolutely crazy. It didn’t make sense. I’m not sure whether he was drunk or what not, because I didn’t get what he was talking about. He was talking about so much different stuff so I focused on the one line ‘hold me closer dancer’ and that sample inspired me to write the track. I haven’t met Elton John yet. Hopefully I’ll get to meet him soon. He’s a legend. I’ve spoken to him on the phone and he” said he likes the song.” The single also features Chipmunk. After both Chipmunk and DJ Ironik were nominated for best newcomer at the MOBO Awards there have been rumours that there is a rivalry between them. However, the pair have known

DJ Ironik with Chipmunk DJ Ironik each other since Chipmunk was 15 and “came together on the new single he started off “listening to a lot of to show that we’re friends” and dispel grime, like Dizzee Rascal and . the rumours of a rift. I didn’t even like R&B and Hip Hop Ironik started out as a DJ when he until I was 18 or 19. It wasn’t until I was only 13 years old, began producing was older that I started listening to grime music when he was 15 and different types of music.” Although a started writing his own lyrics when he fan of Grime music he says: “Grime was 18. He says: “I think music is in music doesn’t get me to where I want me: whether I’m good or not, whether my music to get me. It gets somewhere people like me or not, it’s in me. I’ll but within that genre. It’s not as wide never stop making music.” as I want to get to. Where I want to get Ironik’s music doesn’t fit into one to is worldwide domination.” genre. If you go to one shop and it will Ironik is already on his way to be in pop, go into another and it is in achieving his dream. When we caught Hip hop. It is part of a wave of new up with him in May, he was touring the music people are calling Post Grime UK and had already clocked up over 30 Pop (PGP). Ironik says: “It’s pop music events. He has also performed all over but not like the Saturdays or Girls the world and last year his single Stay Aloud. It’s pop music in a cool way, With Me charted in the top 5 of most the same thing Tinchy or N-Dubz are European countries. It’s clear that even doing.” at 21 years old Ironik may not be too In terms of Ironik’s own music tastes, far off achieving his life’s ambition. Competition You could win a signed copy of DJ Ironik’s single Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer) featuring Elton John and - munk. Simply answer the question below.

What number in the charts did DJ Ironik’s single Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer) get to? A. 5 B. 3 C. 1

Email your answer to [email protected] or post it to Contrast Magazine, 5 Hatherley Mews, Walthamstow E17 4QP, before 31st August 2009 and you could receive your very own signed copy of the single.

Paperback Writer Hackney-based writer Joe Dunthorne talks to Lara Akinnawo in his converted tube train office about prose, poetry and peanuts

What got you into writing? How many redrafts did Submarine go The first writing I did, I was quite through? young, maybe 12 years old. I was really The first chapter must have gone into computer games and I used to through about 30, the later chapters, make text games. They had no graphics, maybe only seven or eight. The first it was just ‘You are in a room’, ‘You chapter you think is much more can see a chair’, and you could type in important so you spend the most time instructions for the characters to do on it, and it was the oldest too so I’d things. ‘Put on a hat’. ‘Go out of the retried it a million different ways with room’. I don’t really know why but my a million different first sentences. But game was called Depression and the it was always in Oliver’s voice. His only possible outcomes of the game voice was the first thing that came and were different kinds of suicide. An that was the thing that held it. uplifting game. Upbeat. Then I was in a band with my friend Dave. We were What sort of language do you like to called Peanuts Are Bad, named after use? my nut allergy. Very edgy. He wouldn’t I like my prose and poetry to be quite do lyrics, so he told me to do them and familiar with swearing and all the that kind of morphed into poetry. fun, weird bits of language. I’ve got a really fun 10-year-old character in the What do you enjoy about writing? book I’m writing at the moment. He When you start writing, you don’t really is obsessed with swearing. It’s set on a know where it’s going and you get to commune and they have tons and tons discover something, maybe not about of international visitors, and he learns yourself, but about your mind. You’re all the different swear words of the just running with a thought and that’s people that come through so he can what I enjoy, the kind of splurging say disgusting things in Swedish and bit of writing. I love the editing too. I all these different languages. There is really enjoy spending ages on a word or so much great linguistic invention that a sentence or an image. comes through playground language. Submarine is being turned into a film. “ The script has already been written and Michael Sheen has been cast as the father and Ben Stiller is executive producer

What are the differences between people are having a conversation while writing poetry and writing a novel? they are eating, so you’ve got all these Prose can be a bit more dull in a way. ”cool little details like how they’re You can’t completely throw out the mopping up the gravy and the bread rule book in prose as much as you can and the different things they’re doing. in poetry. You can’t decide to just cut And everyone is going to relate to the sentence in the middle and skip food. to a different thought, so you’re a bit more restricted and it can be a slightly Is it difficult to write funny material? more arduous process: those really dull I really don’t know how it’s done. I connecting sentences that you need in never thought of myself as a funny a novel like ‘he walked over there to do writer. I knew there were jokes in this’. You’ve got to get your character Submarine, and people told me it was to a place, you’ve got to describe the quite funny but I don’t know how you things in the place to make something make something funny. I think it helps happen. Whereas in poetry, you can be having a funny family - being forced lucky and write a poem in half an hour to have banter your whole life because and it’s quite good. you’ve got no choice if you want to survive in the dining room. What things influence your writing? Music, films, football, snooker, food! What advice would you give to aspiring Food’s probably my biggest influence. writers? It’s very good to write about: two Probably the most boring advice possible: read and write as much as history, which is not true. Whenever they can. Read things that they like, you learn to read poetry, generally discover writers they like, read outside people hate it. But reading poems is of their normal reading habits. Try really important. The ideal process and read challenging, weird, different for me is to hear performance poets things, and write. Try and write, find - they’re young, exciting people doing friends who like writing, write with fun, lively, funny poems – and slowly your friends, write on your own, write work your way back rather than going on the bus. Think of any spare time as straight in with Chaucer. Performance an opportunity to churn out another poetry is the key to the exciting world crap poem and eventually one of those of boring old poetry. crap poems will be a good poem. What next? Is hearing live poetry as important as Submarine is being turned into a film. reading it? The script has already been written and Hearing poetry is great. Everyone Michael Sheen has been cast as the should get to hear poetry read out and father – amazing! Paddy Considine, going to see live poetry is brilliant. he’s a really good character actor, But to say that performance poetry is he’s playing Graham. Ben Stiller is equally as important as reading poetry executive producer and I think they’re is to say that hearing someone read a shooting in October. It’s all kicking off. poem is as important as learning how It’s going nuts! It’s still sketchy, so don’t to understand thousands of years of get too excited but it’s going well. Summer Planner

Sport & Performing Arts Teenage Kicks, Summer football tournament

Sign up for the annual Teenage Kicks football tournament as from now.

When: August Summer School at Circus Space Who: 10-19 year olds Costs: Free Spend an action-packed summer Where: Haggerston Park, Hackney, learning new skills taught by E2 8QH professional circus artists. Try out a range of exciting disciplines within Spread over four Fridays between our world-class facilities and have the August 7th - 28 th from 3.30pm – 8.00pm, opportunity to show off your new skills boys and girls aged 10 - 14 years will at the end of the week in an informal compete in 7-a-side competitions performance. whilst older boys and girls, aged 15 When: 3rd - 7th August, 10am - 3pm Who: 11-18 year olds - 19 years, will compete in 6-a-side Costs: £200 full price, competitions. In addition to the usual £135 concession off-pitch entertainment, there will be Where: Circus Space, Coronet St. N1 6HD exciting new attractions including a Contact: Lydia on 020 7729 9522 street art workshop and food stalls. Athletic Wheelchair racing SkyWay will once again be supported in the organisation and facilitation of this massive event by a team of young Event Saturdays, 10.30 - 11.30am – Children Managers, as well as the invaluable and adults who can self propel support of its volunteers. themselves train to improve stamina If you are interested in entering a team, and fitness. Can meet new people and volunteering, running a stall or any have the opportunity to compete in other aspects of the event then please such events as the Adidas Mini contact Daniel Mussie on 020 7729 Marathon, London Youth Games and 6970, email [email protected] or many other events. Mile End Stadium, visit www.skyway.uk.com. Rhodeswell Rd, E14 7TW. Call Marianne on 07984 815760. Theatre & Dance

Drop in for Drama Marc Brenner

Come and act with ATC on a 2-week acting course. When: Monday 3rd - Friday 7th August and Monday 10th - Friday 14th August Who: Local young people aged 14-25 Where: The Tab Centre, Godfrey Place, E2 7NT How to book: Contact Kendall or Gemma at ATC [email protected] or 020 7033 7360 www.atctheatre. com

Nemesis Street Dance project Krumping Masterclass

Runs throughout the summer at the Monday, 31st July 15.00pm - 16.30pm following venues: Krumping is a new urban street dance- form that began in South Central Tue: 5-7pm Fellows Court Community Los Angeles and has become a major Centre, Weymouth Terrace E2 8LJ part of Hip hop dance culture. It is Fri: 5-6pm (8-12 yrs old) characterized by free, expressive, and highly energetic moves involving the 6-8pm (13-19 years old) Queensbridge arms and chest. Come along to this Sports, Centre Holly St E8 3XW class and learn how to twist, spin and flip! This masterclass will be preceded 6-8pm New Kingshold Community by a screening of Rize £5 (joint ticket Centre, 49 Ainsworth Street E9 7JE for Film and Masterclass). Age group: young people. Rich Mix, 35-47 For more information contact Sonia Bethnal Green Road. London, E1 Bradley, 020 8356 6128 or email sonia. 6LA. Disabled access: yes. Contact: [email protected] Box Office. Email: [email protected]. uk Telephone: 020 7613 7498 Summer Planner

Activities

Domino Challenge

Performance company Station House Opera is seeking 1,000 volunteers to build a 10-mile long giant domino rally made from thousands of breeze blocks for its project ‘Dominoes’. The domino line will topple over on streets, through parks and even on water throughout the five host Boroughs on 26th July - exactly three years before the start of the 2012 Olympics. Find out more about becoming a volunteer for Dominoes at: www.dominoes2009. com Parkside youth centre summer programme Hackney Summer University

Learn new skills, have experiences For those interested in trying and make friends. Our programme something different, BSix, Brookhouse will challenge you in every way Sixth Form College, is hosting the possible from designing video games, ever-popular Hackney Summer to learning self-defence, there’s University for 11 to 25-year-olds. The something for everyone. There is a university is putting on a new range five-week programme running starting of courses and workshops this year - st on Tuesday 21 July and finishing on including dance, fashion, Caribbean st Friday 21 August. cookery, science, public speaking and music production. Opening hours are Monday – Friday For more information and enrolment 12.00pm – 8.00pm forms ring 020 7249 4542 or check out the website: For more information and program www.hackneysummeruniversity.org timetable contact Parkside youth centre on 020 8800 6814. Music & Media

Festivals

Victoria Park is host to some of the biggest and best festivals in London this Summer: Lovebox, DJ uberlegend Tiesto and, would you believe it, Madstock (see press for details on how to buy tickets). There’s also Biggafish, and the Bigga Bloco at the Underage Festival, which takes place on Sunday 2nd August 11am - 10.30pm and is for ages 14 to 18. A carnival float will be created by working with street and graffiti artists. There is disabled access.

Young London: Into Music

Into Music is a new urban youth festival aimed at developing the next generation of talent in east London. There will be a series of five events in the five Olympic and Paralympic Host Boroughs.

When: 26th June, 7pm, 14-17 July, CYM Xtra! 9am-5pm, 16th July, 7pm, 23rd July, 7.30pm, 2nd August, 11am-10.30pm. New project that gives young instrumentalists the chance to create Age group: 14 - 25 music together and to work alongside professional artists. If you play an Email: Letitia@outpostmedia. instrument, are Grade 4 and above, co.uk or telephone: 020 7684 and want to join the orchestra, choir 5635 or view the website for more and ensemble groups. Call 020 8820 details www.createlondon.org/ 7410 or visit www.hmdt.org.uk younglondonintomusic Pick a card Rhasan Brunner finds out what street magician to the stars, Damien O’Brien, has up his sleeve and what it’s like performing for celebrities like Kano and 50 Cent

What was your first trick? would end up stuck to the wall. One The first trick I learnt drove my mum day when I was practising that trick, my crazy! I’d take a card out of the deck, mum came home and there were cards show it to everyone and then put it back. stuck to the walls all over the house, and I’d take a rubber band, wrap it around she was like: ‘what’ve you done to my the deck, then throw it and the card living room?!’ Do you have a favourite trick? I have a lot of favourite tricks! I could it’s great to look never pick just one, but one I really like is where I take a crushed-up drink can,“ back and think rub the top and shake it, and all the dents come out, it seals up and then I that I had my open it and it’s full again! moment and I When you were younger and your friend Richard Bellers introduced you to magic, did it change your life? didn’t waste it It changed my life completely. I didn’t perform at their events. grow up in the nicest area, a lot of people were getting into trouble: fighting, steal- What is the gig you have most enjoyed? I really enjoyed the first time I went” to ing cars and that sort of thing. Magic helped me to steer clear of all that. It the Brits, in 2006. It was the first time captivated me. I just wanted to do magic I ever did a big event, and it got me all the time, I loved the responses and thinking, ‘yes, I really can make it’. It the reaction I got. I don’t know where was crazily exciting. I remember seeing I would be now without magic, I might Kelly Clarkson and Dizzee Rascal and be in trouble, like some of the other kids entertaining them all. from my area, I certainly wouldn’t have the great life I have. It sounds like a cool job, are there any downsides? You earned your first break by blagging There were more downsides when I your way into a VIP event, what was it? first started. I’d go through dry patches The first VIP party I blagged my way of not having many gigs. Sometimes I into was a friend’s party, a celebrity don’t get to spend as much time at home thing for charity up in the West End. I or with my girlfriend as I’d like to. Hav- walked up to the bouncers and said, ‘hey, ing to come up with new tricks all the I’m the magician for the night!’ They time could be hard – but I think that asked me to show them a trick if I was a if you’re a creative person then it hap- magician. So I did! They told me if I did pens, I love coming up with new stuff. one more I could get in, so I did, and I Sometimes it can be hard when I just asked, ‘where do I pick up my VIP pass want to have a normal night out with from?’ and the bouncer said ‘I’ve got a my friends – people will come up to me spare one here’ – and he just gave it to and recognise me and try to get me to me! I wandered around all night doing do tricks, when I just want a night off! magic tricks for people, and then loads It’s the same when people ask me what I of people started asking me to come and do for a living and I say ‘I’m a magician’ – they always want tricks! It comes with David Blaine and idolise them. I’m the job, I guess. trying to be the world’s first Damien O’Brien, not a copy of someone else! When you look back at what you’ve achieved, how does it feel? What’s next for you? Incredible. It was a really big struggle The DVD – my biggest ambition has al- to get where I am today and I’m still ways been to show the whole world what achieving now. I feel really grateful, be- I can do. I truly believe that if you’ve got cause I know there’s a lot of people who a talent, you should show the world. haven’t had the opportunities I’ve had – I’ve also got the O2 but it’s great to look back and think that lined up and a lot of other awards cer- I had my moment and I didn’t waste it. emonies.

Do you have any tips for young magi- How long did it take you to teach youself? cians? At the beginning, it used to take quite a Control your nerves. If you control your while to work on new tricks but now it’s nerves, you can control your audience. Be quicker ‘cause a lot of tricks are variants absolutely confident, just go in there and of other ones – similar hand movements. believe in yourself, believe that you’re a I’ve always been quick at picking things performer and the best magician in the up. I’m actually doing hypnosis now and world, and you’ll be fine. I learnt it in one day! I learnt street hypnosis, which is what What’s one of the best things about mag- Derren Brown does. You can make peo- ic? ple forget their name, or feel like they’ve One of the best things is that you can had ten shots of vodka – it’s an amazing talk to anyone, they just get drawn in. feeling of power and my friends some- They could be a superstar or an 8-year- times get jealous! old kid – it doesn’t matter, once you start One of the key things with magic is doing magic for them you’ve got them that you’ve got to have patience. Some hooked. You just learn to treat everyone people will learn a trick and then try to like a normal person. perform it straight away – and they’ll mess it up, people will think it’s rubbish Who inspires you? and they’ll be put off. But with me I kept I get a lot of inspiration from my mum. practising, and kept practicing, and kept She always has the theory that you practising, and for ages the only person should never give up and always keep I ever showed was my mum. trying your hardest. She was a single To find out more about Damien mum and she never gave up. O’Brien and see him in action visit his In terms of magicians, I’d love to be website www.damienobrien.com or one of the world’s most popular ma- MySpace page at www.myspace.com/ gicians but I don’t look at people like damiensmagic Directory

Keep it Moving Aims to get 16 to 18-year-olds from Hackney Shelterline back into education, training or work. If you Shelter’s free housing advice line are out of work or education and would like 0808 800 4444 some help please call Emma or Ismael on 07872675570 Volunteering

Crimestoppers Hackney Voluntary Action Call anonymously with information about Charli Faux crime 020 7241 4443 0800 555 111 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Childline Programme of personal development Help and advice at any time for any problem 020 8826 9393 0800 1111

Contrast is published by Social Spider. Social Spider is a Community Interest Company regis- tered in England, No 4846529 The views expressed in Contrast do not necessarily reflect those of Social Spider or Hackney Council . © 2009 Social Spider Community Interest Company ISSN 1754-0623 Contrast is printed on paper that comes from sustainable sources and is monitored by the Forest Stewardship Council, an international organisation that promotes the responsible management of the world’s forests.

Advertising: If your organisation is interested in advertising, please call Stephen on 020 8521 7956 or email: [email protected] Download our media pack from www.socialspider.com/contrastmediapack for information on our rates and specifications. Printing managed by: Ten Alps Publishing, 9 Savoy Street, London, WC2E 7HR Tel: 020 7878 2300. Contrast editorial team: Abi Oyéwumi, Christian Jensen, Durelle Stevens, Rachel Eriemo, Elsa Mampuya, Rhasan Brunner and Lara Akinnawo. Contributors: Esther Ezegbe, Selina Meaden, Divine Kutuya, Ella Bonsu, Tinesha Adams, Elesha Smith, Fatou Mbowe, Tehya Heyman, Kasey Bishop, Phoebe Ryan-faal, Bria Patel, Mia Pernaud Contrast assistant designers: Merzan Roudette and Gordon Adeymi. Contrast staff team: Mark Brown, David Floyd, Stephen Gardiner, Laurie Penny, David War- rington & Anna Selby. The Contrast team would like to thank: SkyWay, Agnes Marquis & Jimmy the wheel Contrast is funded by Hackney Youth Opportunity Fund, which is managed by young people in Hackney Youth Service. Contrast is supported by: SkyWay, Hackney Libraries, Hackney Youth Parliament and Ex- posure Organisation Limited.