Neighbourhood Radio

Richard Thomas has over seen the rise and rise of his client Kane Robinson, better known as Kano, for more than a decade. He take us through their journey from the release of the seminal album 'Home Sweet Home' all the way through to Kano's latest offering, the Mercury & BRIT Award nominated 'Made In The Manor'. Outside of the unprecedented music run, Rich also gives us an insight into the world of TV, with Kano featuring prominently in popular drama Top Boy, and bagging the starring role in a Mercedes advertising campaign. A great conversation with a real pioneer.

Alex Hoffman is the Global Executive Producer and Head of Music at Vice Media. He launched the UK arm of online video platform Noisey in 2011, prior to which he spent nine years at MTV, pioneering one of the most ground breaking music shows of the decade in 'Gonzo with Zane Lowe’. Listen to his incredible journey as he takes up back through the years as a young music fan and an ambitious Uni graduate, to sitting atop one of today's most renowned and respected media platforms.

Colin Batsa has 13 strong years in the music industry under his belt establishing himself as one of urban musics trusted, major key players. Label owner, artist manager and Island Records A&R Consultant, Batsa talks in depth about how he got his foot through the door in the music business, starting out at the MOBO Awards, his early management days looking after Ghetto (now known as Ghetts), success with Delvin to building and expending his EGA Label - known for playing a part in the success of Meridian Dan's 'German Whip', signing a mysterious Indie band named 'Oh Wonder' and recent signee Bossman Birdie.

Hattie Collins is a journalist and pioneer in her field, she has documented some of the most pivotal moments in Grime music and played a huge role from the genre's foundations right through to where it is today. Her career sees her tell the stories of artists, movements and happenings in the culture - in this episode we turn the tables on Hattie to tell the story of her own journey. We talk about her early days writing for American magazine Hip Hop Connection, signing on, understanding journalism and codes, her introduction to Grime, favourite articles, how important RWD magazine was, journalistic misrepresentation plus a whole lot more.

Grammy Award winning Fraser T Smith is a certified heavyweight in the music production world, having worked with an incredibly diverse range of talent from Kano to Adele and Britney Spears to Stormzy. Most recently being at the helm production wise of the latter's breakout debut album 'Gang Signs & Prayer'. We caught up with him to discuss his come up, transitioning from being Craig David's guitarist to a superstar producer, the importance of Stormzy's album and producing hit records with Kano, Tinchy Stryder, Adele, Dave and many others.

President of Island Records Darcus Beese OBE joins us for a very rare in depth conversation about his journey and the amazing things he has achieved along the way. He discusses growing up in Fulham, going from tea boy to president at Island Records, briefly losing his job at the company, his first hit signing with Sugar Babes, signing Amy Winehouse plus his stance on where major labels stand in today's ever changing music business.

J2K has lived through the golden era of grime, created a buzz from his early mixtapes 'Heat In The Streets' and had success as a member of legendary Grime crew Roll Deep but where things really took off was his creation and investment into the internationally successful brand Crep Protect. He talks in depth about how the idea came about and gives full details on how and why the product has been so successful. J2K's success and this conversation is about being smart with your money and taking opportunities.

Riki Bleu, esteemed music manager and publisher, takes us through his journey from program director at Channel AKA (formerly Channel U) to discovering Labrinth and Emeli Sande. We also discuss his role managing and guiding the careers of Naughty Boy and Krept & Konan, plus his relationship with the legends Tim Blacksmith and Danny D.

When you talk about A&R's in the UK Music scene, you have to mention Glyn Aikins, A&R Director at Virgin Records. From singing Craig David, Daniel Bedingfield and So Solid in the early days, right through to Emeli Sande, Lethal B and Krept & Konan - Glyn takes us through ascent up the ranks of the British Music Industry.

Mr Shabz has established himself as one of the major keys in the Urban music scene. Starting out as a producer and founding member of So Solid Crew, he talks us through the rise and fall of group, plus managing K-Koke, and his work and on going relationship with Jay Z's RocNation.