Plan B (rapper)
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Paul Ballance-Drew (born 22 October 1983) primarily known as Plan B or Ben Drew, is a British rapper, singer-songwriter, actor and film director from Forest Gate
, London. Plan B first emerged as a hip hop
artist releasing his critically acclaimed debut album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
in 2006. His second studio album The Defamation of Strickland Banks
(2010) was a soul
record and went straight into the UK album chart at no. 1. He has also collaborated with other artists such as Chase & Status
most notably on the top ten single "End Credits
" (2009).
Drew has also had a successful film career as an actor, with roles in Adulthood
(2008), Harry Brown
(2009) and 4.3.2.1
(2010). In 2011, he will release Ill Manors
, his first film as a director.
, East London
. His mother worked for a local authority and his father, Paul Ballance, played in the 1970s punk
band The Warm Jets. Ben was 5 months old when his father walked out, disappearing when he was 6 years old. Growing up, Plan B felt outcast from the rest of the school pupils.
From 11, Plan B attended Anglo European School
in Ingatestone, Essex and after leaving at 15, he was transferred to Tom Hood School
, a specialist Science College
in Leytonstone
, London and left with three GCSEs. Plan B taught himself how to play guitar at 14, first playing Blur
and Oasis
with friends, then going on to write his own R&B love songs. At 18, feeling uncomfortable with R&B, he turned towards rap
and hip hop
music and wrote "Kidz", inspired by the murder of Damilola Taylor
), on the grime
compilation album
Run the Road
(2005). Also in 2005, he released his first single
"Kidz"/"Dead and Buried" as a limited edition 7" vinyl on his own label
Pet Cemetery Records. He soon gained a recording contract
with 679 Recordings
and released his second double A-side single "Sick 2 Def"/"No Good" with his début music video filmed for "No Good".
In early 2006, Plan B released a video-only download
single for "Missing Links", which had to be re-recorded because he did not gain sample
permission from Radiohead
for the use of "Pyramid Song
", and also released his first mixtape
It's Time 4 Plan B in the May 2006 issue of Hip Hop Connection
magazine. On 23 June 2006 Plan B made his first television appearance on Later... with Jools Holland performing an acoustic
version of "Mama (Loves a Crackhead)
". His début album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
, recorded with producers such as Paul Epworth
, Fraser T. Smith
and The Earlies
, was released 26 June 2006 and charted the following week at No. 30 on the UK Albums Chart
. The album gained positive reviews from most critics, including a five-star review from The Guardian
s Alex Petridis.
In July 2006, "Mama (Loves a Crackhead)" was released as a single which became the first Plan B song to appear on the UK Singles Chart
peaking at No. 41. In 2006, Paul Epworth and Plan B collaborated again on the track “More Is Enough” by Epic Man (Paul Epworth). After touring throughout 2006 and playing at festivals
such as Reading and Leeds
, a music video was filmed for "No More Eatin'" and Plan B released Live at The Pet Cemetery EP on 30 October 2006 (with a new version of "No More Eatin'" and two b-sides). On 11 December 2006 he released Remixes EP (which included the Hadouken!
remix
of "No More Eatin'").
During his January–February 2007 tour (which included support from Professor Green
, Example
, Killa Kela
and Hadouken!
), Plan B released his second mixtape Paint It Blacker containing bootleg recording
s of songs by artists such as The Rolling Stones
, Nirvana
, Radiohead
, Coldplay
, Leonard Cohen
and José González
with producers Sem
, Beni G from The Mixologists and Analog Kid. In 2007, Plan B re-released his song “No Good” with new remixes and a music video was filmed for the b-side “Bizness Woman” (featuring beatboxer Kila Kella). Also in 2007, Plan B featured on songs by other artists such as Professor Green, Killa Kela, Skrein, Shameless and The Mitchell Brothers
.
With a supporting role in the film Adulthood
(2008), Plan B recorded three songs for the film’s soundtrack – “End in the Streets”, “On It 08” with Adam Deacon
and “I Need Love” featuring Jacob Anderson. Plan B also featured on the Chase & Status
single “Pieces
”, which topped the UK Dance Chart
in 2008 and reached No. 70 on the singles chart
.
. The single was taken from the soundtrack to Eran Creevy’s film Shifty
(2009) starring Riz Ahmed (Riz MC) and Daniel Mays
. Also in 2009, Plan B played Noel Winters in Harry Brown
and achieved his first Top 10 hit with “End Credits
”, another collaboration with Chase & Status which was used in the soundtrack for Harry Brown.
Plan B's second album and film The Defamation of Strickland Banks
was released on 12 April 2010. The lead single from the album, “Stay Too Long
” reached No. 9 in the UK Singles Chart.
He supported Noel Gallagher
at the second night of his solo gigs at The Royal Albert Hall on 26 March 2010, and played in Bangor at the Radio 1 Big Weekend on 23 May 2010 on the New Music We Trust stage.
After the success of his latest concept soul album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, the record company made it clear that they were no longer interested in him creating the music he originally set out to make. In fact, the company announced that they were “over the moon” when he decided to launch the record independently.
“I was offended but I said, ‘Alright, cool’. This is the compromise – I take that hip-hop record, I put it out on my own label and you own none of it,” Plan B told BBC Newsbeat. “I’ll promote it off the back of my soul record and that’s what I’m doing.”
The new album, called The Ballad of Belmarsh, is a hip-hop laden “series of events” that depicts the story of Plan B’s alter-ego, Strickland Banks. He has said that he recognizes the fact that the upcoming hip-hop album will probably not have the same appeal or be as successful as his previous soul album, which has sold over 500,000 copies, which he is OK with.
“I know The Ballad of Belmarsh is not going to work commercially, I know radio ain’t going to play it but I’m still going to put it out there because I love it. It’s a piece of art,” he said. “It’s probably going to sell about 100,000 copies – no more. But I’m cool with that.”
He performed a duet of "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
" with Elton John
as part of Elton's BBC Electric Proms
performance at The Roundhouse
in London in October 2010.
On the 16th February 2011, Drew won Best British Male at the Brit Awards
.
While occupying himself with the launch of his new album, Plan B has also begun working on his full arena UK tour, which will take place in March 2011.
The next single from The Defamation of Strickland Banks is "Love Goes Down". Official music video featuring Andy Crane, Paul Young, Abbey M Butler, Vicky McClure and Kaya Scodelario had its own premiere on 16 November 2010.
, he said: "We’re still promoting this album and I’ve started work on the next one, but I’m really getting into film at the moment. I’m writing this script, and I really want to find some time to focus on it, I really feel that’s what I’m destined to be doing”.
After previously appearing in Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard
’s short film Walking After Acconci (Redirected Approaches) in 2005, Ben Drew’s first major film role was as a supporting character (Dabs) in Noel Clarke
’s Adulthood
(2008). His song “Kidz” was previously included in the soundtrack to Kidulthood
(2006) which led to Drew being cast in the sequel. In 2008, Ben Drew also directed his first short film Michelle which starred Adam Deacon
and Skrein and he also directed the music video for “Pieces
” (his collaboration with Chase & Status
).
In 2009, Drew had another supporting role as Noel Winters in the Daniel Barber
film Harry Brown
starring Michael Caine
. In 2010, Ben Drew appeared in Noel Clarke's film 4.3.2.1
and began production on his musical film The Defamation of Strickland Banks and his first full-length feature film Ill Manors
.
Speaking in March 2010 to noted UK soul-writer Pete Lewis – Deputy Editor of the award-winning Blues & Soul
– Drew expanded on his first full-length feature film 'Ill Manors': "It's a hip hop, music-based feature film which has six short stories that all kinda mix together to make one BIG story – and each mini-story will be represented by a different hip hop track. It'll all be narrated by me, and it'll actually be the reverse of 'The Defamation Of Strickland Banks' – in that with 'Ill Manors', the film will come out first and the soundtrack will come afterwards. And again the soundtrack will be a film for the blind, in that you'll be able to listen to it and it'll tell you the story of the film."
Made appearance at Elton John's Electric Proms show as a guest of honour. Elton introduced Plan B's album as "the best of the year" and said he'd probably be playing it for another 3 years.
In July 2011 Bulmers
cider announced that they had signed up Plan B to help sell their product. An advertisement for the cider was later released featuring a live performance by Plan B.
Forest Gate
Forest Gate is a residential area in the London Borough of Newham, 7 miles northeast of Charing Cross. It is bordered by Manor Park to the east and and to the west lies Stratford town centre. The northern half of the busy Green Street runs through it.-History:...
, London. Plan B first emerged as a hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
artist releasing his critically acclaimed debut album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
Who Needs Actions When You Got Words is the debut album from UK rapper Plan B.-Writing and recording:The title comes from a line in the Meat Puppets song Plateau, famously covered by Nirvana on their 1994 album MTV Unplugged in New York....
in 2006. His second studio album The Defamation of Strickland Banks
The Defamation of Strickland Banks
The Defamation of Strickland Banks is the second studio album from British rapper Plan B which was released on 12 April 2010. The album is a departure from the sound heard on Plan B's debut album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words, with the rapper's sophomore effort providing a showcase for much...
(2010) was a soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
record and went straight into the UK album chart at no. 1. He has also collaborated with other artists such as Chase & Status
Chase & Status
Chase & Status are an electronic music production duo from London consisting of Saul Milton and Will Kennard. MC Rage & Andy Gangadeen also make up the live band.-2003-2005:...
most notably on the top ten single "End Credits
End Credits
"End Credits" is the first single from Drum and Bass duo Chase & Status' second studio album No More Idols. The single was co-written, co-produced and features vocals from Plan B and was released on 29 October 2009, reaching a peak position of No. 9 in the UK Singles Chart...
" (2009).
Drew has also had a successful film career as an actor, with roles in Adulthood
Adulthood (film)
Adulthood is a 2008 British drama film. It was directed and written by Noel Clarke, who also stars as the protagonist, Sam Peel...
(2008), Harry Brown
Harry Brown (film)
Harry Brown is a 2009 British action drama film directed by Daniel Barber and starring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Jack O'Connell, and Liam Cunningham....
(2009) and 4.3.2.1
4.3.2.1
4.3.2.1 is a British crime thriller film directed by Noel Clarke and Mark Davis, released 2 June 2010. It stars, Emma Roberts, Ophelia Lovibond, Shanika-Warren Markland, Tamsin Egerton, Adam Deacon, Ashley 'Bashy' Thomas and Noel Clarke.-Plot:...
(2010). In 2011, he will release Ill Manors
Ill Manors
Ill Manors is an upcoming British film. The film was written and directed by Ben Drew, starring Riz Ahmed, Nathalie Press and Dannielle Brent.-Plot:The film revolves around four main characters living in Forest Gate, London...
, his first film as a director.
Early life
Ben Drew was born and grew up in Forest GateForest Gate
Forest Gate is a residential area in the London Borough of Newham, 7 miles northeast of Charing Cross. It is bordered by Manor Park to the east and and to the west lies Stratford town centre. The northern half of the busy Green Street runs through it.-History:...
, East London
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
. His mother worked for a local authority and his father, Paul Ballance, played in the 1970s punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band The Warm Jets. Ben was 5 months old when his father walked out, disappearing when he was 6 years old. Growing up, Plan B felt outcast from the rest of the school pupils.
From 11, Plan B attended Anglo European School
Anglo European School
Anglo European School is a self-governing, co-educational state school situated in Ingatestone, Essex. It is a school for boys and girls of all abilities, with 1,306 students aged 11 to 19. It was the first state school in Britain to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma and the first to...
in Ingatestone, Essex and after leaving at 15, he was transferred to Tom Hood School
Tom Hood School
Buxton Secondary phase is a secondary, 11-16 co-educational school located in Waltham Forest, Leytonstone, London. The school holds specialist Science College status.-Students:...
, a specialist Science College
Science College
Science Colleges were introduced in 2002 as part of the now defunct Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enabled secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, science and mathematics...
in Leytonstone
Leytonstone
Leytonstone is an area of east London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is a high density suburban area, located seven miles north east of Charing Cross in the ceremonial county of Greater London and the historic county of Essex...
, London and left with three GCSEs. Plan B taught himself how to play guitar at 14, first playing Blur
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
and Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
with friends, then going on to write his own R&B love songs. At 18, feeling uncomfortable with R&B, he turned towards rap
Rap
Rap may refer to:*Rapping, performance in which rhyming lyrics are used, with or without musical accompaniment ; while an MC performs spoken verses in time to a beat/ melody**Hip hop subculture**Hip hop music...
and hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
music and wrote "Kidz", inspired by the murder of Damilola Taylor
2005–2008: Early career and debut album
Plan B first appeared with the track "Cap Back", produced by DJ Wonder (ex-Roll DeepRoll Deep
Roll Deep are an Urban Music Awards-winning London-based grime music collective. They were founded in 2002, by a group of MCs including Wiley. Roll Deep were also closely associated with Boy Better Know with members in both. Their debut album, In at the Deep End, was released in June 2005...
), on the grime
Grime (music)
Grime is a style of music that emerged from Bow, East London, England in the early 2000s, primarily as a development of UK garage, dancehall, and hip hop...
compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
Run the Road
Run the Road
Run the Road is a series of compilations released on 679 Recordings and Vice. It is intended to showcase a wide variety of grime artists from the genre such as Dizzee Rascal, Wiley and Kano.-Run the Road's Musical Implications:...
(2005). Also in 2005, he released his first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Kidz"/"Dead and Buried" as a limited edition 7" vinyl on his own label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Pet Cemetery Records. He soon gained a recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
with 679 Recordings
679 Recordings
679 Artists is a Warner Music Group-owned record label based in London, England....
and released his second double A-side single "Sick 2 Def"/"No Good" with his début music video filmed for "No Good".
In early 2006, Plan B released a video-only download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
single for "Missing Links", which had to be re-recorded because he did not gain sample
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
permission from Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
for the use of "Pyramid Song
Pyramid Song
"Pyramid Song" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead. It was the first single from their 2001 album Amnesiac and the first Radiohead single released in over three years, after none were taken from their previous album Kid A....
", and also released his first mixtape
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
It's Time 4 Plan B in the May 2006 issue of Hip Hop Connection
Hip Hop Connection
Hip Hop Connection is the longest running monthly periodical devoted entirely to hip hop culture. HHC has earned international recognition and was described by Chuck D as "the best magazine in the world".-History:...
magazine. On 23 June 2006 Plan B made his first television appearance on Later... with Jools Holland performing an acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
version of "Mama (Loves a Crackhead)
Mama (Loves A Crackhead)
"Mama " is the second single by Plan B, taken from his debut album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words, which was released two weeks prior to the single.-Background:...
". His début album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
Who Needs Actions When You Got Words is the debut album from UK rapper Plan B.-Writing and recording:The title comes from a line in the Meat Puppets song Plateau, famously covered by Nirvana on their 1994 album MTV Unplugged in New York....
, recorded with producers such as Paul Epworth
Paul Epworth
Paul Epworth is an award-winning British music producer, musician, and songwriter. His production credits include Adele, Cee Lo Green, Florence and the Machine, Plan B, Friendly Fires, Bloc Party, Primal Scream, The Rapture, Jack Peñate, Kate Nash and Maxïmo Park.-Lomax:From 2002-2004 Paul provided...
, Fraser T. Smith
Fraser T. Smith
Fraser T. Smith is an English record producer, songwriter, mix engineer and guitarist....
and The Earlies
The Earlies
The Earlies are a band formed by Christian Madden and Giles Hatton from Lancashire, England, and Brandon Carr and John Mark Lapham from the United States...
, was released 26 June 2006 and charted the following week at No. 30 on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
. The album gained positive reviews from most critics, including a five-star review from The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
s Alex Petridis.
In July 2006, "Mama (Loves a Crackhead)" was released as a single which became the first Plan B song to appear on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
peaking at No. 41. In 2006, Paul Epworth and Plan B collaborated again on the track “More Is Enough” by Epic Man (Paul Epworth). After touring throughout 2006 and playing at festivals
Music festival
A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
such as Reading and Leeds
Reading and Leeds Festivals
The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, sharing the same bill. The Reading Festival is held at Little John's Farm...
, a music video was filmed for "No More Eatin'" and Plan B released Live at The Pet Cemetery EP on 30 October 2006 (with a new version of "No More Eatin'" and two b-sides). On 11 December 2006 he released Remixes EP (which included the Hadouken!
Hadouken!
Hadouken! are an English grime, electronica, dance band who formed in Leeds in October 2006 by singer, writer and producer James Smith, alongside his girlfriend, synth player Alice Spooner, guitarist Daniel "Pilau" Rice, and drummer Nick Rice. The band name is taken from the name of a special...
remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of "No More Eatin'").
During his January–February 2007 tour (which included support from Professor Green
Professor Green
Professor Green , better known by his stage name Professor Green, is a British rapper. He was signed to The Beats, a record label run by Mike Skinner and Ted Mayhem, until 12 February 2008, as the label went under. He won the inaugural JumpOff MySpace £50,000 battle rap tournament in July 2008...
, Example
Example (rapper)
Elliot John Gleave , better known by his stage name Example, is an English singer and rapper signed to Data Records. His name arose due to his initials being E.G., which is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase "exempli gratia", which means, "for example".Example's third album Playing In The Shadows...
, Killa Kela
Killa Kela
Killa Kela is an English beatboxer from West Sussex.-Biography:Kela began beatboxing in his teens with the 360 Physicals crew. He was discovered by DJ Vadim when he sent a tape of his beatboxing to Vadim's now defunct label Jazz Fudge...
and Hadouken!
Hadouken!
Hadouken! are an English grime, electronica, dance band who formed in Leeds in October 2006 by singer, writer and producer James Smith, alongside his girlfriend, synth player Alice Spooner, guitarist Daniel "Pilau" Rice, and drummer Nick Rice. The band name is taken from the name of a special...
), Plan B released his second mixtape Paint It Blacker containing bootleg recording
Bootleg recording
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
s of songs by artists such as The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
, Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
, Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
and José González
José González
José González is a Swedish-Argentine indie folk singer-songwriter and guitarist from Gothenburg, Sweden.González is also a member of Swedish band Junip, along with Elias Araya and Tobias Winterkorn.- Biography :...
with producers Sem
Semothy Jones
Andrew Hughes, better known as Semothy Jones or Sem for short, is an English songwriter and record producer from Islington, London. Semothy first gained attention in 2007 after working closely with old friend Plan B on a bootleg Mixtape called Paint It Blacker...
, Beni G from The Mixologists and Analog Kid. In 2007, Plan B re-released his song “No Good” with new remixes and a music video was filmed for the b-side “Bizness Woman” (featuring beatboxer Kila Kella). Also in 2007, Plan B featured on songs by other artists such as Professor Green, Killa Kela, Skrein, Shameless and The Mitchell Brothers
The Mitchell Brothers
The Mitchell Brothers are a Ghanaian British rap duo from London, England. They consist of cousins Owura Nyanin from Manor Park and Kofi Hanson from Stockwell...
.
With a supporting role in the film Adulthood
Adulthood (film)
Adulthood is a 2008 British drama film. It was directed and written by Noel Clarke, who also stars as the protagonist, Sam Peel...
(2008), Plan B recorded three songs for the film’s soundtrack – “End in the Streets”, “On It 08” with Adam Deacon
Adam Deacon
Adam Deacon is a British actor and rapper from Hackney, North-East London who rose to prominence after starring in the film Kidulthood as well as the sequel Adulthood...
and “I Need Love” featuring Jacob Anderson. Plan B also featured on the Chase & Status
Chase & Status
Chase & Status are an electronic music production duo from London consisting of Saul Milton and Will Kennard. MC Rage & Andy Gangadeen also make up the live band.-2003-2005:...
single “Pieces
Pieces (Chase & Status song)
"Pieces" is the first single by Chase & Status from their debut album, More Than Alot. The song was co-written and features vocals by Plan B...
”, which topped the UK Dance Chart
UK Dance Chart
The UK Dance Chart is a chart compiled by The Official Charts Company from sales in record stores and digital downloads. Although the chart does not currently receive any airplay on the radio or television, the chart can be viewed on the BBC Radio 1 and The Official Charts Company website.Digital...
in 2008 and reached No. 70 on the singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
2009–present: Strickland Banks era and film work
In 2009, Plan B recorded “Shifty” with Riz MC and SwaySway DaSafo
Derek Andrew Safo is a Ghanaian British musician who uses the stage names Sway DaSafo or Sway. He is signed to Akon's Konvict Muzik record label and he is also a producer, establishing DCypha Productions.-Childhood:...
. The single was taken from the soundtrack to Eran Creevy’s film Shifty
Shifty (film)
Shifty is a British urban thriller, from writer/director Eran Creevy. Set on the outskirts of London, it follows themes of friendship and loyalty over the course of 24 hours in the life of a young drug dealer, the charismatic "Shifty", who is based on the original Shifty from...
(2009) starring Riz Ahmed (Riz MC) and Daniel Mays
Daniel Mays
-Early life:One of four boys, Mays was raised in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, by his electrician father and bank cashier mother. He attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts before going on to win a place at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.-Career:...
. Also in 2009, Plan B played Noel Winters in Harry Brown
Harry Brown (film)
Harry Brown is a 2009 British action drama film directed by Daniel Barber and starring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Jack O'Connell, and Liam Cunningham....
and achieved his first Top 10 hit with “End Credits
End Credits
"End Credits" is the first single from Drum and Bass duo Chase & Status' second studio album No More Idols. The single was co-written, co-produced and features vocals from Plan B and was released on 29 October 2009, reaching a peak position of No. 9 in the UK Singles Chart...
”, another collaboration with Chase & Status which was used in the soundtrack for Harry Brown.
Plan B's second album and film The Defamation of Strickland Banks
The Defamation of Strickland Banks
The Defamation of Strickland Banks is the second studio album from British rapper Plan B which was released on 12 April 2010. The album is a departure from the sound heard on Plan B's debut album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words, with the rapper's sophomore effort providing a showcase for much...
was released on 12 April 2010. The lead single from the album, “Stay Too Long
Stay Too Long
"Stay Too Long" is the first single from British rapper Plan B's second album The Defamation of Strickland Banks. The single was released on 8 January 2010. Australian-British electronic rock and drum 'n' bass group Pendulum also produced a remix, their first in three years, which was used as...
” reached No. 9 in the UK Singles Chart.
He supported Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher
Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, formerly the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and principal songwriter of the English rock band Oasis. He is currently fronting his solo project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.Raised in Burnage, Manchester with his...
at the second night of his solo gigs at The Royal Albert Hall on 26 March 2010, and played in Bangor at the Radio 1 Big Weekend on 23 May 2010 on the New Music We Trust stage.
After the success of his latest concept soul album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, the record company made it clear that they were no longer interested in him creating the music he originally set out to make. In fact, the company announced that they were “over the moon” when he decided to launch the record independently.
“I was offended but I said, ‘Alright, cool’. This is the compromise – I take that hip-hop record, I put it out on my own label and you own none of it,” Plan B told BBC Newsbeat. “I’ll promote it off the back of my soul record and that’s what I’m doing.”
The new album, called The Ballad of Belmarsh, is a hip-hop laden “series of events” that depicts the story of Plan B’s alter-ego, Strickland Banks. He has said that he recognizes the fact that the upcoming hip-hop album will probably not have the same appeal or be as successful as his previous soul album, which has sold over 500,000 copies, which he is OK with.
“I know The Ballad of Belmarsh is not going to work commercially, I know radio ain’t going to play it but I’m still going to put it out there because I love it. It’s a piece of art,” he said. “It’s probably going to sell about 100,000 copies – no more. But I’m cool with that.”
He performed a duet of "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
"I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" is a song by British singer Elton John featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica...
" with Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
as part of Elton's BBC Electric Proms
BBC Electric Proms
The BBC Radio 2 Electric Proms was an October music festival in London run by the BBC for five years, 2006-2010...
performance at The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is a Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London, England, which has been converted into a performing arts and concert venue. It was originally built in 1847 as a roundhouse , a circular building containing a railway turntable, but was only used for railway...
in London in October 2010.
On the 16th February 2011, Drew won Best British Male at the Brit Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
.
While occupying himself with the launch of his new album, Plan B has also begun working on his full arena UK tour, which will take place in March 2011.
The next single from The Defamation of Strickland Banks is "Love Goes Down". Official music video featuring Andy Crane, Paul Young, Abbey M Butler, Vicky McClure and Kaya Scodelario had its own premiere on 16 November 2010.
Film career
Plan B, earlier in his music career, also expressed an interest in working in film. In an interview about Who Needs Actions When You Got WordsWho Needs Actions When You Got Words
Who Needs Actions When You Got Words is the debut album from UK rapper Plan B.-Writing and recording:The title comes from a line in the Meat Puppets song Plateau, famously covered by Nirvana on their 1994 album MTV Unplugged in New York....
, he said: "We’re still promoting this album and I’ve started work on the next one, but I’m really getting into film at the moment. I’m writing this script, and I really want to find some time to focus on it, I really feel that’s what I’m destined to be doing”.
After previously appearing in Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard
Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard
Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard are British artists who create re-enactments of cultural and art historical events. Forsyth was born in Manchester in 1973, Pollard in Newcastle in 1972.-Life and work:...
’s short film Walking After Acconci (Redirected Approaches) in 2005, Ben Drew’s first major film role was as a supporting character (Dabs) in Noel Clarke
Noel Clarke
Noel Anthony Clarke is an English actor, director and screenwriter from London. He is best known for playing Wyman Norris in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Mickey Smith in Doctor Who...
’s Adulthood
Adulthood (film)
Adulthood is a 2008 British drama film. It was directed and written by Noel Clarke, who also stars as the protagonist, Sam Peel...
(2008). His song “Kidz” was previously included in the soundtrack to Kidulthood
Kidulthood
Kidulthood is a 2006 British drama film about the life of several teenagers in Ladbroke Grove and Latimer Road area of inner west London. It was directed by Menhaj Huda and written by Noel Clarke, who also stars in the film and directed the sequel, Adulthood...
(2006) which led to Drew being cast in the sequel. In 2008, Ben Drew also directed his first short film Michelle which starred Adam Deacon
Adam Deacon
Adam Deacon is a British actor and rapper from Hackney, North-East London who rose to prominence after starring in the film Kidulthood as well as the sequel Adulthood...
and Skrein and he also directed the music video for “Pieces
Pieces (Chase & Status song)
"Pieces" is the first single by Chase & Status from their debut album, More Than Alot. The song was co-written and features vocals by Plan B...
” (his collaboration with Chase & Status
Chase & Status
Chase & Status are an electronic music production duo from London consisting of Saul Milton and Will Kennard. MC Rage & Andy Gangadeen also make up the live band.-2003-2005:...
).
In 2009, Drew had another supporting role as Noel Winters in the Daniel Barber
Daniel Barber (director)
Daniel Barber is a British director. Having begun his career as a highly successful director of commercials, he was nominated for an Academy Award in 2008 for his short film The Tonto Woman. In 2009 he directed Sir Michael Caine in Harry Brown....
film Harry Brown
Harry Brown (film)
Harry Brown is a 2009 British action drama film directed by Daniel Barber and starring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Jack O'Connell, and Liam Cunningham....
starring Michael Caine
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
. In 2010, Ben Drew appeared in Noel Clarke's film 4.3.2.1
4.3.2.1
4.3.2.1 is a British crime thriller film directed by Noel Clarke and Mark Davis, released 2 June 2010. It stars, Emma Roberts, Ophelia Lovibond, Shanika-Warren Markland, Tamsin Egerton, Adam Deacon, Ashley 'Bashy' Thomas and Noel Clarke.-Plot:...
and began production on his musical film The Defamation of Strickland Banks and his first full-length feature film Ill Manors
Ill Manors
Ill Manors is an upcoming British film. The film was written and directed by Ben Drew, starring Riz Ahmed, Nathalie Press and Dannielle Brent.-Plot:The film revolves around four main characters living in Forest Gate, London...
.
Speaking in March 2010 to noted UK soul-writer Pete Lewis – Deputy Editor of the award-winning Blues & Soul
Blues & Soul
Blues & Soul is a British music magazine covering black music. Genres covered include soul, R&B, jazz, hip hop, reggae and world music. It was first published in 1966 and is known for first using the term Northern Soul....
– Drew expanded on his first full-length feature film 'Ill Manors': "It's a hip hop, music-based feature film which has six short stories that all kinda mix together to make one BIG story – and each mini-story will be represented by a different hip hop track. It'll all be narrated by me, and it'll actually be the reverse of 'The Defamation Of Strickland Banks' – in that with 'Ill Manors', the film will come out first and the soundtrack will come afterwards. And again the soundtrack will be a film for the blind, in that you'll be able to listen to it and it'll tell you the story of the film."
Made appearance at Elton John's Electric Proms show as a guest of honour. Elton introduced Plan B's album as "the best of the year" and said he'd probably be playing it for another 3 years.
Advertising
In June 2011, Hewlett-Packard signed up Plan B as part of their advertising campaign for its laptops, which featured a UK cinema shown film of Plan B in a recording studio. In its 24 June issue, the British satirical magazine Private Eye made reference to the ad in its Ad Nauseam column and voiced the magazine's view that Plan B's involvement in the commercial seemed to be at odds with his comments at the Ivor Novello Awards regarding music promotion and criticising what "...has to go on in order to get your music to get played to the masses."In July 2011 Bulmers
H. P. Bulmer
H.P. Bulmer is a brewing company founded in 1887 in Hereford, England. The founder was Percy Bulmer, the twenty-year-old son of the local rector at Credenhill...
cider announced that they had signed up Plan B to help sell their product. An advertisement for the cider was later released featuring a live performance by Plan B.
Discography
Studio albums- Who Needs Actions When You Got WordsWho Needs Actions When You Got WordsWho Needs Actions When You Got Words is the debut album from UK rapper Plan B.-Writing and recording:The title comes from a line in the Meat Puppets song Plateau, famously covered by Nirvana on their 1994 album MTV Unplugged in New York....
(2006) - The Defamation of Strickland BanksThe Defamation of Strickland BanksThe Defamation of Strickland Banks is the second studio album from British rapper Plan B which was released on 12 April 2010. The album is a departure from the sound heard on Plan B's debut album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words, with the rapper's sophomore effort providing a showcase for much...
(2010) - The Ballad of Belmarsh (2012)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Adulthood Adulthood (film) Adulthood is a 2008 British drama film. It was directed and written by Noel Clarke, who also stars as the protagonist, Sam Peel... |
Dabs | ||
| 2009 | Harry Brown Harry Brown (film) Harry Brown is a 2009 British action drama film directed by Daniel Barber and starring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Jack O'Connell, and Liam Cunningham.... |
Noel Winters | ||
| 2010 | 4.3.2.1 4.3.2.1 4.3.2.1 is a British crime thriller film directed by Noel Clarke and Mark Davis, released 2 June 2010. It stars, Emma Roberts, Ophelia Lovibond, Shanika-Warren Markland, Tamsin Egerton, Adam Deacon, Ashley 'Bashy' Thomas and Noel Clarke.-Plot:... |
Terry | ||
| 2011 | Turnout Turnout (film) Turnout is a 2011 British drama film written and directed by Lee Sales. The script was also written by cast members Francis Pope and George Russo and the film also stars Ophelia Lovibond, Neil Maskell and Ben Drew.-Plot:... |
John | ||
| 2012 | The Sweeney | DS George Carter | In production | |
| 2012 | The Devil's Dandruff | Jason Cook | Pre-production Also writer |
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Walking After Acconci (Redirected Approaches) | Lead role | Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard are British artists who create re-enactments of cultural and art historical events. Forsyth was born in Manchester in 1973, Pollard in Newcastle in 1972.-Life and work:... |
Short film |
| 2008 | Michelle | Himself, narrator | Ben Drew | Short film Also director |
| 2009 | "Sour Times" (by Riz MC) | Himself (cameo) | DNR Films | Music video |
| 2010 | "Let You Go Let You Go (song) "Let You Go" is the second single by drum and bass duo Chase & Status from their second studio album No More Idols. The song features the singer Mali and was released as a digital download on 15 August 2010 with the CD single released the following day. The single debuted on the UK Singles Chart... " (by Chase & Status Chase & Status Chase & Status are an electronic music production duo from London consisting of Saul Milton and Will Kennard. MC Rage & Andy Gangadeen also make up the live band.-2003-2005:... feat. Mali) |
Drug dealer (cameo) | thirtytwo | Music video |
| 2010 | "2 Minute Silence" (by The Royal British Legion The Royal British Legion The Royal British Legion , sometimes referred to as simply The Legion, is the United Kingdom's leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to those who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces, and their dependants.-History:The British Legion was... ) |
Himself (cameo) | Matthew Donaldson | Music video |
| 2010 | "Raver" (by Shy FX Shy FX Shy FX is the pseudonym of Andre Williams, an English DJ and Producer from London. He specializes in Drum and Bass and Jungle music.-Biography:... feat. Kano Kano Kano is a city in Nigeria and the capital of Kano State in Northern Nigeria. Its metropolitan population is the second largest in Nigeria after Lagos. The Kano Urban area covers 137 sq.km and comprises six Local Government Area - Kano Municipal, Fagge, Dala, Gwale, Tarauni and Nassarawa - with a... , Donaeo & Roses Gabor) |
Himself (cameo) | Andy Hylton | Music video |
| 2012 | Strickland Banks | Ben Drew, Daniel Wolfe | In production |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Michelle | Short film |
| 2008 | "Pieces Pieces (Chase & Status song) "Pieces" is the first single by Chase & Status from their debut album, More Than Alot. The song was co-written and features vocals by Plan B... " (by Chase & Status Chase & Status Chase & Status are an electronic music production duo from London consisting of Saul Milton and Will Kennard. MC Rage & Andy Gangadeen also make up the live band.-2003-2005:... feat. Plan B) |
Music video |
| 2012 | Ill Manors Ill Manors Ill Manors is an upcoming British film. The film was written and directed by Ben Drew, starring Riz Ahmed, Nathalie Press and Dannielle Brent.-Plot:The film revolves around four main characters living in Forest Gate, London... |
Post-production |
| 2012 | In production | |
Tours
- Who Needs Actions When You Got Words Tour (2006–2007)
- The Defamation of Strickland Banks TourThe Defamation of Strickland Banks TourThe Defamation of Strickland Banks Tour was a concert tour by British musician Plan B in support of his second studio album The Defamation of Strickland Banks...
(2010–2011)