Dubplate Drama 2

It was never an easy decision, but after wrestling my demons I decided to sack off Monday morning in a sterile office block to wander the sunny South Bank as an Extra in Channel 4's acclaimed 'Dubplate Drama'.

Normally I avoid TV like Bernard Matthews turkeys but Dubplate Drama is both unique and compelling. Following the tribulations of a female MC (the talented Shystie) as she tries to progress in the murky, male-dominated sphere of Grime, it is the first mainstream TV show to document London's street culture of the youts dem. The music. The raves. The pirates. The clashes. The violence. The gangs. The drugs. Furthermore Series 1 was billed as the world's first interactive drama, with viewers deciding the outcome at the end of each of the 6 episodes (presented by the ever-suave Rodney P).

The job description of an Extra reads something like: wait around, wait around, shout, clap, wait around. The crew filmed scenes in Royal Festival Hall, recreating the by-gone days of the Urban Music Seminar where the industry would descend on the stately building for a weekend of talks, events, workshops, battles etc. Shystie, Hattie Collins (RWD mag editor), Drama (Genius Cru) and Adam Deacon (Kidulthood) were among those at the 'Q&A'.

It wasn't until the end of the day that things started to kick off, with the filming of freestyles on the South Bank (again UMS style). Top boys passing through included Faith SFX, Bashy, Big Narstie, Duppy (N-Dubz), Micall Parkinsun, Kyza Smirnoff, Pesci and, of course, Shystie. Bars got sprayed left, right and centre. Duppy was pure energy, while Narstie pure presence. The eavesdropping tourists dun know what hit them. Watch out for Killz all up in the shots...

Rise @Finsbury Park

Bored of the 9 to Grind? Skint? Watching sunshine from a cubicle? Wondering why you're on the Tube, crammed up to next man's sweaty armpit... just to sit in that cubicle?! Yeah, Mr Me Too. Perfect timing then to neglect stress and embark on a journey of music-filled goodness.

The day started at the now massive Rise Festival in Finsbury Park, where a cross-section of London's diverse population arrived to enjoy 7 stages of top quality multicultural music. Ken Livingstone maybe a power-hungry, loose-tongued joker at times, but the boy done good.

We touched down in time for Sway, pacing the main stage donning all green with an air of authority. In spite of technicals he held it down well, rolling through trademark joints 'Little Derek' and killing 'Up Your Speed'. The legendary Roy Ayers followed on to bless the set with several classics including a personal fave, '(Everybody Loves) The Sunshine'. Needless to say, the sun poured down.

Over at the Urban Stage, Keisha White was flexing her considerable vocal chords. Sweet voice, watch out for this girl. Faith SFX, Ny and Purple followed - fresh from their groundbreaking work with the BBC Symphony Orchestra - and smashed it in front of an appreciative audience. Faith SFX is a heavy beatboxer, flipping beats, bass, vocals and more over Hip Hop, Grime, Dancehall and DnB. A serious talent, keep eyes dem peeled.

An extended wander to the Cuban Tent saw lively Hip Hop duo Stylo Prohibido impressing with some grimey Latin beats. I even managed to catch Bobby Friction rolling out drum 'n' bass at the Mela Stage, sending the unsuspecting crowd nutz! Pendulum and the Prodigy remixes killed it.

The festival was closed out by the Wailers, Bob Marley's famous backing band. Every yute, lager lout and grandma was singing in unison to classics such as 'No Woman No Cry' and 'Redemption Song'. London United, for real. It was a fitting end to this symbolic, diverse - and trouble-free - festival. 'Exodus' and 'Stir It Up' were particularly great performances.

Apparently though Ayers, Wailers, SFX and Sway just aint enough to shake off a week in a cubicle. Next stop Stratford Rex...