Exclusive: Plan B Interview

Uncompromising East London boy Ben Drew last year made it big with his debut Who Needs Action When You Got Words.

The 22 year old had hits with No Good and Mama (Loves a crackhead) and is known for brutal narrative lyrics and using guitar on his tracks.

We caught up with Ben who exclusively told MTV News the first details about his second record and much more.

Hi Ben, we havent seen much of you lately, what have you been up to?

Plan B: Ive just written a film and Im trying to make it into a reality. I want to direct it but Im gonna make a short film first.

What happens in the screenplay?

Plan B: Its based around a true story- When my house got raided by armed police. When we were kids we were out playing with a BB gun. I went back to my house and four hours later there were police and (real) guns.

They had a sniper on my house- it was f***ed up! Ive adapted it into a fictional story though. It goes through lots of twists and turns.

Why did you decide to do a film?

Plan B: It was just fun writing it. With the songs I have only 3 or 4 minutes to tell the story. Any new ways to tell a story are good. Im having talks with a company now who are hot on it. Its exciting but I know its gonna be hard work.

Hows your new music coming along?

Plan B: Ive got a couple of different projects on the go. Ive written a folk song, its a bit Bob Dylan. Im only gonna do it as a one-off.

I might release it under Ben Drew. Too many people have a preconception that Im an angry white dude.

What about a second album?

Plan B: Me and the band went into the studio and jammed it out. What weve done is record 14 tracks of just music. The beat inspires me to write the lyrics.

What does it sound like?

Plan B: Its still moody but its not as depressing. Its more musical (than Who Needs..) because of the band. This album is gonna have more soul to it.

Its all hip hop but its gonna have elements of reggae and ska. There are a couple of tracks that sound like NERDs Lapdance.

Im feeling positive about the music. Lyrics will come as its the easiest part, I just do it naturally.

Its gonna be a lot more radio friendly. Ive got to get the radio listeners on my side. All I need is three f***ing songs that are radio safe.

Is that what Who Needs Action was missing?

Plan B: My first album was a bit dark and depressing. I want to move forward in a sense that Im not just bitching about things. Now I can take a step back- cos my life has changed and Im not as angry.

Have you got a producer in mind for the new album?

Plan B: Id love to get Liam Howlett from The Prodigy to produce it. In a perfect world Id go to Nigel Godrich (Radiohead/Beck) or Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys/ RHCP).

I want everything to be right. If that means it costing a bit of money its OK.

Are you enjoying playing live?

Plan B: I used to hate it but as soon as you stop being nervous you shouldnt do it. I hate being nervous but I love people going crazy.

I got noticed through doing acoustic performances but my band is sick now! I want a full band to back me up cos youve got to move it up to the next level.

Tom Thorogood

View Plan B blogs and exclusive video diaries at Sonys new online community here

Plan B plays Wireless and T In The Park festivals this summer.