DMC Update: Goldie

VOL 3 • ISSUE 392 • September 3 • 2010

Goldie

Troubleshooter Numero Uno - The Don.

Hi Goldie. Long time dude, not seen you since the Swiss Cottage London days and knocking around with my best mate Gez Bailey from the club night 'Quest'. Some amazing artwork you have produced for Pete Tong's 'Wonderland' night by the way, but before we talk about that let's go back to where it began. A tough start to your life, banded around various child-care homes and several foster parents who were involved in your early years. What are your memories from back then?
"It's all a bit of blur to be honest. I choose to forget a lot of early experiences. I remember my teens and punk era vividly. Going to youth clubs and listening to punk music, that sort of stuff to be honest with you Dan."

Break-dancing a major part of your teens, crews in the Wolverhampton area such as Westside and The B Boys - what was your coolest move that you perfected?
"Everyone knows I invented the West Freeze and busted it on Birdy at CCR. Wicked club, good times."

You made a name for yourself as a graffiti artist all around the West Midlands, your artwork was featured heavily in Afrika Bambaataa's documentary 'Bombing', you also took part in the largest ever British graffiti art battle alongside Bristol artist Robert '3D' Del Naja, who later formed Massive Attack. What made you want to get into the world of art in the first place, what artists influenced you back then?
"It was Brim and Bio from New York who we meet at Shaw Theatre who were doing a workshop in London, and because we made such a connection, they decided to come back and film us in my hometown, because Brim was really curious on what went on outside London in the urban environments - which is how we made those links for the whole Birmingham connection."

So your name Goldie, that is now internationally known twice over, were you christened this name after you moved to the US and selling grills - gold teeth, in New York and Miami?
"I got the name Goldie from my brother Melvin. Because before the Westside crew, we were all Rasta's and I had picky little locks and they called me Goldilocks...that's how it kicked in."

So your stunning artwork for Pete Tong's night 'Wonderland' in Ibiza, what was Pete's reaction when he first saw your work?
"Wow. Three letters. W.O.W."

This is the second year you have done the 'Wonderland' artwork; did you get out to his night last year and any plans to venture to the white isle this year?
"Pete called last minute and offered to fly me out in a private jet, but I was trashed and couldn't even get out of bed. So no."

What has been your best moment ever in Ibiza?
"Playing at Space for Carl Cox. Was an honour".

You sold millions of albums and also have been commissioned to provide pieces to Neneh Cherry, Noel Gallagher, Bjork, James Lavelle, Nellee Hooper, Kevin Spacey, Jason Statham, Pete Tong and Snow Patrol to name but a few - which do you prefer working on, music or art - or do they both run parallel?
"Dan, they both run parallel."

Your first globally released album 'Timeless' smashed into the charts at number 7 in 1995 - a first for a Drum n' Bass record, fusing breakbeats, orchestral textures and baselines common in Jungle. The album's title track was a 21 minute symphonic piece, just beautiful. Six other albums followed including last year's 'Sine Tempus' - what do you think has been your best album and also single from one of the long players?
"AlbumTimeless (FFRR)
Single Beach Drifter (Metalheadz)"

Acting has also played a major part in your life, appearing in the James Bond film 'The World Is Not Enough' and Guy Ritchie's 'Snatch'. What were those experiences like?
"To be honest with you, just a real eye opener to the film world."

What football team do you support?
"Manchester United"

Unlucky in the FA Cup Semi, so...talking about experiences, what was it like being a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother back in 2002 alongside Take That's Mark Owen, 'comedian' Les Dennis, model Melinda Messenger, actress Sue Pollard and TV presenter Anne Diamond? Did you want to scream when you found out who you were going to be holed up with?
"I got to break dance on national, make a lot of money for charity."

What is the best album ever made?
"Rufige Kru - 'Memoirs Of An Afterlife' - forthcoming on Metalheadz.

You have dated some amazingly beautiful supermodels such as Naomi Campbell and Stella Tennant - who do you think has been the most beautiful?
"My current girlfriend Mika."

And finally, what is next from the world of Goldie?
Next up I have my second Rufige Kru album out on Metalheadz entitled Memoirs Of An Afterlife. Which will be available from all good record shops and digital vendors. Then on August 1st & 2nd my first classical piece will be performed at the Royal Albert Hall as part of BBC documentary. Then after that I'm going to have a month out and get back in the studio."

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