Here is an online portfolio of all my best bits and favourite pieces. Published journalism which I’m proud of, consisting of many genres and styles of writing.
All the work here is a testament to my experience showcasing my abilities as a freelance journalist.
Feel free to flick through!
Drillers, Ops, Politicians and Cops: Drill Music’s Power to Reflect a Broken Britain
Originally written with a view to pitch to publications like the Guardian. You can find the entire article here:
As another race for London’s mayor gets underway, many Londoners look back on the crippling years of lockdown and the prospect of getting back to work. One candidate however, has something else on his mind…
Drillminister’s bid for Mayor focuses on curbing homelessness, crime and pollution in the City. The dark horse contender from South East London is in a unique position. As a drill musician and political candidate, he feels he is representing some of London’s most marginalised voices. The voices he describes as “the Britain you’ve forgotten about and chosen to ignore” during a segment on Good Morning Britain. “Drill is Britain’s dirty secret, exposing everything the government doesn’t want us to see or admit to” the rapper said in conversation with Aljazeera. “I want to challenge people’s perception of where crime comes from, as many do not think about the individuals who stand behind these statistics. We need to guide our young people through the obstacles of life in London.”
Whether Drillminister wins the mayoral election or not, he raises poignant issues which have been under-discussed by the political establishment in recent years. While Covid-19 has dominated the headlines other ‘epidemics’ afflicting London — poverty, cuts to youth services and knife-crime — seem to have been forgotten and overshadowed. Drill music now has an avenue to be seen as something more constructive by the media, not just a pair of blood-stained trainers and a lengthy prison sentence.
Drill music originated in 2010 emerging from South Side, Chicago. The genre’s trap-infused beats and violent lyrics emerged in Brixton in 2012. Drill became the perfect conduit to reflect the twisted psychodrama of being young and poor in London. Gangs, crime and violence often feature in the lyrical content, and performers will usually wear masks to protect their identity from law enforcement and rival gangs. Drillminister is no exception. His balaclava always makes an appearance in music videos, interviews and even in his politics. The young rapper doesn’t look anything like the typical candidate for mayor, but neither do the people of London. “The mask is what makes me more real than politicians. I’m from the real dirt of where this culture comes from, where man do wear the mask.” The rapper revealed in an interview with GQ.
The election comes at a time when another drill artist broke the news for more nefarious reasons. Gang leader and rapper, Young Dizz is now facing twelve and a half years for his involvement in the sickening butchery of an 18 year old man, Santino Dymiter. The rapper was charged with conspiracy to kidnap, false imprisonment, blackmail and grievous bodily harm, but not murder.
Young Dizz groomed two school boys aged 14 and 16 to hack Santino Dymiter to death with machetes because of his involvement with an opposing gang. The two young men now face life in prison. “Ultimately, a young man is dead and two people will now waste the best years of their lives in jail. There are no winners.” Judge Richard Marks QC said in conversation with The Evening Standard upon the jury’s verdict. This case highlights the damaging effects of organised crime in our communities, but also the desperation of many who struggle with socio-economic deprivation. The police mentioned that Young Dizz was grooming these youngsters by offering them free meals from chicken and bagel shops in Beckton. When children will commit sadistic acts of violence for a hot meal we have to wonder about their desperation and hopelessness.
Young Dizz is a perfect example of violence afflicting our streets, but our police force and political establishment are clearly out of touch. In late 2018 Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick spoke to the press stating that knife crime in London was “levelling off”. However, according to a briefing paper presented to the House of Commons, there was a 5.9% increase from 2018 to 2020. Despite all the negative media that drill musicians have received and all the unwarranted censorship they have faced, problems afflicting London’s youth still remain. According to these statistics they’re actually getting worse! The Metropolitan Police’s dedication to ousting drill from the world wide web — over 254 songs and music videos — has had little to no effect on violent crime and its victims. Maybe Drillminister is right, maybe this is the Britain that many have forgotten about and chosen to ignore.
With songs titled “NI Backstop” and “No Deal Brexit” it’s clear to see that the Woolich-raised musician has more on his mind than the streets of London. Drillminister’s songs almost seem like a manifesto or a form of protest, with atypical language for a drill musician. Drillminister raps about how the “Bourgeoisie” and the “Nouveau Riche” are grappling for London’s soul. All while recognizing the realities for London’s poorest communities. The very same communities and streets that Young Dizz prowled to enlist his street soldiers. For Drillminister the real criminals are those causing the deprivation amongst London’s poorest. His song Nouveau Riche says it all: “come to the ends, see government failures benefit street load trailers… Crimes don’t see no papers, Bailiffs takin’ beds and trainers.” For the young musician the bailiffs are the thieves, shoehorning the destitute further and further into a life of poverty.
South London rappers Krept and Konan have also been historic advocates for the infamous genre. “Drill may not, technically, be classed as protest music, but the state should think twice before stifling the genre” they said in conversation with the BBC. “There’s a long history of suffering in black music. That collective expression is important, particularly for a deprived and otherwise voiceless community.” Konan in particular, knows all too well how music can prove to be a solution, not just a problem. “After my stepdad was murdered music was an escape from my former lifestyle” he told the Guardian. If drill music provides a voice for many of those who don’t have the power to speak up, surely censorship can be extremely damaging. Musical aspirations can be an escape route from the bleak and anaemic reality of street crime, and should be treated as such.
Drill’s very own breakout success story, Headie One, captured this point with the music video for “Of Course.” The Tottenham native provides a message to his fans at the start of the song. “Thoughts turn to things. I sat in jail and daydreamed about touring, thank you for turning that into a reality.” It’s a textbook example of music providing a brighter future for those, who are quite literally, imprisoned by a life of crime.
Drill is a spotlight. Shining a light on the problems which exist in our society. All censorship seems to be doing is turning out that spotlight, and all demonization seems to be doing is distracting us from what’s really going on. The voices from London’s rapping aristocracy are just as critical of the media’s narrative. Crawley born grime artist and author Akala is another musician who finds the connection of music and violence a little tenous.
Akala’s responses to the debate on Twitter highlights the hypocrisy “The Krays were banging drill when they splashed my man in the blind beggar, obviously.”
Although a little sarcastic, Akala’s point sums up the whole debate. You don’t need drill to be evil. Hitler wasn’t much of a fan, Rome’s infamous emperor Nero probably wasn’t either. Maybe Drillminister is exactly what this country needs when he says “I’m the last chance for a real democracy.” What we have right now doesn’t seem to be one. At least not for drill.
1917 Film Review: Tempus Magazine
I undertook the reviewing of Sam Mendes film 1917 for the Tempus Magazine, an arts and lifestyle magazine based in Brighton. The link to the issue in question is here.
Is There Such a Thing as the Muse?
I wrote an opinion piece for A Writer’s Bookshelf, discussing the stereotypes of the creative genius and the muse. You can find the full article online here or read an extract down below:
I’m not going to sugar-coat it… There is absolutely no way that the muse is real!
Well, at least Muse the rock band from the south coast of England are real. Matt Bellamy and his strange space rock outfit certainly seem to exist but not the “real” muse! The mythical creative force which influences artists and whispers to writers. All rock bands aside, the question we are left with is this: why do people have an obsession with extra-terrestrial creativity? Although I’ve just cynically denied the idea that a mystical force has any influence on writing, where do our ideas come from? We can’t help but ask this question because the muse is an idea that permeates all of the creative arts.
It’s a fascinating subject and something that I think is a really valuable topic to explore. Is it at all possible a magical dragon whispered to me in my dreams with the idea to write this post? Probably not… But it would be pretty cool if it did! We are in love with the idea of the muse, the magic of creativity so to speak, but is there any truth to it? I guess before we go any further we need to find out where the idea of the “muse” came from.
Where did the Muse Come From?
The notion of the muse seems to stem from the ancient Greek religion, less Leonidas with a spear and more Homer with a pen I’m afraid… I know Leonidas is so much cooler! The Greeks believed that no sane man could create art, at least not ‘good’ art. Any artist, writer or philosopher needed to be under the influence of the muse or be in possession of the muses’. The idea of being at one with the muse was almost like being under a spell of insanity, which is perhaps where we get the tortured genius ideas about creativity too…
Edie Bens Interview: the Argus Newspaper
I caught up with singer songwriter Edie Bens. The piece appeared in the On The Radar section of the Argus, a column which looks at new music in the local area. Check out a condensed version of the interview here:
On The Radar:
University, secrets and churches. EDIE BENS explains how they all fit together. After recording new music in the confession hall the day before, she sat down with ROB COOK, to talk about new ideas for the new year.
To those unfamiliar with you, how would you describe the Edie Bens sound?
I want to say my main influences are country and folk music but my melodies are quite pop based and there’s that indie influence. So it’s somewhere in between all of that.
So I’ve heard these crazy rumours you’ve been recording in a church, what’s the story?
Yes I did, this was yesterday. I recorded a song, I probably shouldn’t say what it is because that defeats the point but its like my most commercial single. we recorded that all live, it’s probably like our biggest sounding song and it was all filmed. We’ve got some other stuff but it’s kind of a secret, the song is being released at the end of winter/springtime, so around February/March.
Yeah, so a lot of stuff. The plan is a couple of singles starting from the end of winter onwards and then… we’ll see what happens.
Can I ask why you decided on a church of all places?
I really like how stuff sounds when it’s recorded live because it keeps all the feel in it, I struggle to go in a studio, a lot of people’s ideas kind of take over, everything’s multi tracked, there are clicks on it; I don’t like how sterile it is. You go to sing on it and it never sounds like it does when it’s live. So that’s why we did it. it’s atmospheric. I think naively I was that songwriter person that was kind of like “its gonna sound great! Cuz it sounds great in churches! And there’s loads of reverb!” I refused to listen to the mix of it because it freaks me out, until it’s been condensed I hate it! If I haven’t heard it like all condensed and neatened up I’m like “Ohh No! What have I done?” So I haven’t heard it yet.
Your writing process, I’ve seen you play in a really stripped back setting does it always start with you and a guitar?
I write it in my room normally at 2am or 3am. I spend a whole day being like I waent to write a song and it doesn’t happen, it’s like 3am or something ridiculous! Trying to finish it before I actually fall asleep! Sometimes if I think it’s good I won’t record it and if I remember it then I know it’s good, and if i’ve forgotten it then it’s in the bin. That’s game over for that song.
I know you’ve got some gigs coming up soon, what’s in store for us?
Yes I do, Hope and Ruin on the 16th of December. I’m supporting Ryan Burman and a folk band called Beacon which is exciting! I’m looking forward to it.
Why Does On The Road by Jack Kerouac Belong on Every Writer’s Bookshelf?
I wrote an opinion piece and breakdown of Jack Kerouac’s infamous novel “On The Road.” You can find an extract down below, but click here to view the whole article on my blog “A Writer’s Bookshelf”.
Kerouac, you either love him or you hate him. Regardless of how you feel, he’s one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century. On the Road, was published in an America that was divided and exceedingly paranoid.
Kerouac and his fellow beat writers stood as catalysts for change. Precursors for the hippie movement and an opposition to the criminalisation of communism in the USA. On the Road focuses on the America that Jack Kerouac saw, an America full of drugs, adventures and sleazy jazz bars. On the Road has now become one of literary history’s great enigmas, with the original scroll appearing in many museums and exhibitions. As writers, the novel offers perspective into a stream of conscious style, pacing and the American culture. Whether you’ve read the book before or have no idea who Jack Kerouac is, I’ll try to explain why I believe that On The Road belongs on every writer’s bookshelf.
Easy Time Press Bio
I wrote a press bio for the Brighton based indie rock band Easy Time. This bio was used during their press campaign in 2019.
Emerging from the seaside resorts of Brighton in 2019, Easy Time are an exciting new addition to the city’s prominent indie scene. Composed of Josh Robinson, Meg Helstrip, Ben Turner and Lloyd Wilson. The band established their sound on the street. Busking, crafting and moulding their sound on Brighton’s prestigious seafront and the city’s mysterious winding lanes.
Now, Easy Time are taking their sound from the street to the studio. With a new single entitled “Give It Up” and a live launch event, on August 25, the band are set to explode onto the musical map. With their latest single “I Don’t Care” eclipsing over 5,000 streams, Easy Time are keen to grow their audience further and bring their streetwise sound to the centre stage.
With a ferocious and powerful vocal delivery under Josh Robinson, Easy Time possesses a youthful and exuberant sound reminiscent of Catfish and the Bottlemen and fellow Brightonians the Kooks. Meg Helstrip, on lead guitar, provides evocative and longing reverberations through her playing, beautifully contrasted with the boisterous rhythm section of Ben Turner and Lloyd Wilson. Easy Time are a band with something to say, speaking with the distinctive voice of Brighton’s busy bustling streets.
Fireman Poem
Every story starts somewhere, and this is the start of mine! I wrote this poem when I was ten years old and it featured in a young writers poetry anthology. I thought I’d include this for a bit of fun! It also reminds me of how far I’ve come!
Slowly the heat appears warning you of the danger,
Hatred, jealousy, anger and destruction from the fire,
A screaming fiend jumping out from Pandora’s box,
Its a magical phoenix, flying through the room,
Slowly it warns you!
Palls of heat stagger forwards, reminding you of Guy Fawkes,
Its like an oven,
it crackles like rice crispies and it warns you of the danger,
It reminds you of past memories,
slowly it warns you,
It feels like a gateway to the devil,
Boiling heat reaches you and drags you in,
A masked figure walks towards you,
He pulls you out and the fire is left to rot,
in the burnt damned room,
Robert KJ Cook 