Controversial rapper turned 60s soul man Plan B has spoken to ClashMusic about his change in direction.
Real name Ben Drew, Plan B was offered up a stark, uncompromising version of British life on his debut album. However since then, it seems that the rapper has mellowed somewhat, with a series of collaborations introducing the musician to new influences.
Working with Chase And Status last year, Plan B battle charged the charts. Focussing on his own music, the rapper has re-discovered his singing voice with second album ‘The Defamation Of Strickland Bands’ demonstrating a love of 60s soul.
“Previously, the motive behind doing the rap stuff and the social commentary was so I could talk about subjects that I thought society was ignoring” he explained.
“Now that I’ve done that, I’ve grown as a musician, and I’m a lot more comfortable with my voice. I feel that it’s the right time to show people this other side, that’s been there from the start.”
The transformation has included Plan B’s clothes, with the new album featuring a well crafted storyline about a man falsely accused of a crime. “I wanted to keep telling stories about struggle and injustice – Strickland Banks is an innocent man. That’s what keeps it a Plan B album, because even though the music is very soulful there is still that underlying dark subject matter that makes it me, you know.”
“I’ve had a great sense of what injustice is from a very young age. I used to get really upset at school when friends would get into trouble for stuff they hadn’t done. Whenever I see injustice, or something I don’t agree with, it often fuels the fires inside of me to write songs.”
Read the entire interview HERE.
