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2nd Draft of DPS Article

1st Draft of DPS Article

Flat plans of DPS

Flat plan of DPS from NickLutterodt

Survey Analysis

Music Mag Analysis of Survey from NickLutterodt

Analysis of DPS - 2

Draft of DPS Article

Iceee Fire: My Journey

Only two years ago Jesse Smith was a 18 year old student on the verge of completing his A-Level exams, qualifications which would lead him into the world of work and further education. His avid interest in music and raw talent developed in the last few months of his final secondary school year, going by the name of ‘Iceee Fire’ he recorded and uploaded various  EP’s initially going along with the idea because of persuasive friends however just days before receiving his results he received a phone call from EMI and two other prestigious record labels alerting him of the offers he had on the table, unaware of his musical ingenious Jesse thought of these phone calls as pranks by friends however days later he received letters in the post and several emails from these record labels and that’s when it finally hit home.

Nicholas Lutterodt

Iceee Fire is quite the opposite of his name when you meet him. Sitting outside the entrance of his old college, having just left a record deal meeting with some of the biggest names in the industry, a cheeky smile plastered on his face which screamed confidence and assurance, he appears an unlikely looking mogul in the making. Dressed smartly in a crisp looking suit and tie he doesn't seem quite how you'd expect an upcoming, practically unknown contemporary R&B star to look.

As I approach Iceee he eagerly waves and begins to stroll towards me, bowling confidently like a seasoned pop star he greets me and offers me his hand graciously. As I meet his outstretched hand he beings to pull me closer and hugs me. I begin to retreat and he notices the confused look on my face and says ‘’that’s how we do it round here’’.

We walk towards the local kebab shop however before we enter he stops me and says ‘’this is where it all began, about two years ago, just me and a couple mates messing around with an old camcorder, who’d have known I’d actually become serious and make it big, its crazy’’. As we enter I notice the posters and flyer's advertising his next concert, he looks and me, smiling and says, ‘’the support I receive from round here is immense, my mum always told me to say true to my roots and I think its paid off’’.

It wasn't long until we were off again this time towards a small park, it was heavily graffitied and did not resemble anything you would want a child to play in. ‘’I've loved music since I could walk, talk, sing and dance – as a young man growing up in Newham was quite tough, I mean we all know the stories people tell about growing up in deprived areas and I’m not saying my story is different but don’t you think that it’s all too cliché? Anyway this park means a lot to me because it’s where I was free to do whatever I wanted to, sing, rap, write, literally anything. Usually after school you would see a group of guy’s free styling, some guys over there singing, beat boxing, drumming, you name it, everything musical you could imagine. It kind of inspired me to take my music to another level and with some persuasion from my friends I finally decided that I was going to start taking music seriously and what’s the harm in trying, you know’’

So what made you realise that you were good at singing? ‘’Well, I didn't really need much persuasion to believe that I was truly good at something but when I was around six or seven I won loads of talent shows and that’s when I realised that I could sing but I didn't actually realise my potential’’ Oh you've got potential alright, I have listened to a few of your EP’s and for a man who loves R&B music I can definitely say that your voice is remarkable. ‘’Wow, thanks man, so what do you think of ‘Livorno’s Lost Lamb’? Well, it’s quite different isn't it; I've listened to it quite a few times and in this context different is good. ‘’Yeah, it’s very different; I thought I’d go with something more close to heart and this EP really tells a story’’ Whilst discussing the topic of his name Iceee lets out that he initially wanted to be a rapper, he offers to recite some raps he wrote as a child and begins skilfully rhyming words together which seem to have the natural flow and buoyancy of an experienced rappers verses. ‘’My name is basically a representation of my music in general, R&B means a lot to me however before I was ever interested in it my musical knowledge and influences came from hip-hop and grime which is why I chose the name Iceee Fire. I still try and incorporate some elements of hip-hop into my music but I’d still say R&B is the best genre for me’’

According to Iceee’s managing team several record labels have been on the tail of this youngster however even though many opportunities have come along Iceee has never taken the dive and signed to a label, when I asked him why his response surprised me and also provided me with an insight towards his character. ‘’I haven’t signed any contracts yet, I’m not saying that I’m never going to it’s just down to what they offer me and how it affects my lifestyle but I’ll let you in on a secret; the meeting today was very, very promising and who knows what could happen next’’ he says as he winks at me.

Before we finish he invites me to one last place...