ISSUE 3 FREE SUMMER 2010 www.live-east-mag.com LONDON’S FINEST YOUTH RUN PUBLICATION
FEATURING // ABORTION // FASHION SHOOT // FACEBOOK VS. TWITTER // DUMMY’S GUIDE TO PALESTINE
Photograph Laura Gineitaite 17
contents REGULARS /////////////////////////////// 04 Ed’s Letter + Big Ask / 05 Key Playaz 06 What’s On + News / 08 Live Loves + Live Loathes / 09 Facebook Vs. Twitter 10 Olympics / 11 EastEnd-Star 12 Dummy’s Guide to Palestine 14 Lowdown on Abortion 17 Riz MC Breaks Out / 20 Tattoos 22 Fashion-East-A 26 Sound Advice 28 Culture Club / 30 Fully Booked / 31 Short Story / 32 Poetry / 33 Live Advice 34 Opportunities / 36 Recruitment
featureS /////////////////////////////// 12 DUMMY’S GUIDE TO PALESTINE As always, we’re here to educate you and we think this dummy’s guide is definitely going to do that
14 ABORTION It may be something people try to avoid discussing, but we believe it’s important you’re clued up on this controversial moral issue
17 RIZ MC BREAKS OUT! The Four Lions actor and MC gets up close and personal with Live East
22 FASHION-EAST-A With stunning photos from Live East’s first fashion shoot, you won’t wanna miss this section. But then again, how could you miss it?!
Check out more photography galleries online www.live-east-mag.com twitter.com/liveeast_mag
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ED’S LETTER
In this issue we have been working hard on a super hot fashion shoot to get all you fashionistas excited about your summer wardrobe. We’ve also been working on more serious issues such as a Dummy’s Guide to Palestine and an in-depth report on abortion. Celeb-wise, Live East gets cosy with Four Lions star Riz MC, as well as an array of super fresh East London talent.
Kiran
The online team will be busy making sure there’s something new everyday. We’re posting pictures of the week on Mondays; artist of the week on Tuesdays; top YouTube vids and outfit of the week on Wednesdays; health and beauty advice and the Big Ask on Thursdays; and a list of East London events on Fridays. All of this along with regular news, reviews, features and debates. But wait, there’s more! We’ll also be showcasing local talent online, demonstrating the very best in East
live-east-mag.com/kiran
BIG ASK...
It’s a lot to take in, I know. But hey, that’s how dedicated we are to making sure you guys are satisfied. So just sit back, relax, and dive into the wonderful world of live-east-mag.com. Enjoy! Daniel
Having taken a year out to gain experience before she hits university, the lovely Celeste is a regular face in the Live East office. We are very thankful to have her contributing to the magazine! She’s a key player who has worked behind the scenes proofing and subbing past issues. Celeste has also put her skills down onto paper, writing a section for our article on abortion. And that’s not all! Not only is she a wicked journalist, but she’s also a great project manager. Celeste was largely responsible for the success that is Live East’s first fashion shoot. With aspirations to write for Elle, we predict that this talented young individual will definitely be living the dream in no time!
live-east-mag.com/daniel
It’s going to be the biggest shopping mall in Europe and will cost £1.5billion, but what do young people in East London think about Westfield opening in Stratford in 2011?
How do you feel about Westfield coming to Stratford?
Name: Mahmud Rahman Aged: 14
Name: Zaniab Entezam Aged: 19
“I think Westfield is a good thing. Stratford is already a great place to be and it has a great community. When Westfield opens there will be even more places to go.”
“Why is it still called Westfield when it’s something that belongs to East London? I don’t think Westfield will be good for Stratford – it doesn’t represent East.”
Name: Ionias Ali Aged: 15
Name: Shelina Aged: 19
“I like the fact there’ll be more shops so people can buy a variety of stuff. I think it will help the community too.”
“I can’t wait to shop at Westfield. I think loads of local people would love to shop there. It’s right next to home so it’s cool.”
Editor Kiran Kaur, 18 Online Editor Daniel Oniya, 22 Assistant Online Editor Tyrone George, 17 Fashion Editor Osman Ahmed,15 Books Editor Anita Opoku, 18 Design & Photography Team Chenai Tankundwa,15 Corrine Burton, 21 Tom Salter, 21 Matt Hannah, 21 Darryl Daley, 24 Charlene Namakusa, 19 Rebecca Need Menear, 19 Daniel Oniya, 21 Laura Gineitaite, 17
Tyrone is only 17 and already Live East’s newly appointed Assistant Online Editor. It is his creativity and his willingness to be involved which makes him perfect for the role – what better person to help out Daniel?! Aside from contributing to Live East, Tyrone enjoys playing basketball and one of his many ambitions in life is to be an actor. At Live East, we can easily see this happening as he makes the perfect performer, always full of jokes in the office! Apart from his ambitions, Tyrone is currently studying his AS-levels, including Media and Performing Arts. Always popping in the office and bringing his crew along, Mr Popular just can’t stay away – and that’s how we like it! Contributors Kiran Kaur, 18; Haroon Anwar, 18; Laura Gineitaite, 17; Karn Kachiko,19; Deni Toma, 20; Rebecca Need Menear, 19; Therryi Brown, 18; Mata Chan, 19; Hosanna Keflom, 17; Ollie Lister, 21; Irene Amadi, 16; Suliet Oladokun, 20; Damilola Olufemi, 17; Abdou Cisse, 18; Musa Mohammad, 17; Mikaela Spiteri, 19; Tope Kazzim, 15; Samara Straker, 18; Nicole Robinson Gordon, 16; Laura Black, 18; Sami Pontin, 14; Jacqueline Owusu-Boakye, 16; Celeste Morton, 16; Tyrone Oliver George, 17; Oushka Duncan, 21; Alborz Bozorgi, 16; Raziya Gulam, 22; Ralph Hardy, 18; Shizel Wilson, 19; Jennifer Ampen, 17; Zainab Ahmed, 15; Jemilla Russell-Clough, 21; Urban Articulations, 19; Kawsar Zaman, 19; Chitra ‘Ziggy’ Sangtani, 17; Sian Anderson,19; Julie Adenuga, 19; Rickie Davies, 21; Bianca Manu, 15; Damilola Omole, 15; Casey Davoren, 19; Kerrianne Taylor, 19; Emil Ahmed, 17; Caroline Odogwu, 21; Maria Grillo, 16; Esme Sackey, 16; Libby Majumbar, 16; Kathryn Bell,16; Carl Rendora, 17; James ‘Shorty’ Arnold, 17; Camila Karimova, 17; Shiezel Wilson, 21; Rashid Muhidin, 17; Kieran Yates, 21; Jacqueline Eyewe, 16; Alex Darby, 18; Emil Ahmed, 17; Niall MacLaughlin, 15; Iram Sarwar, 18; Lucy Gillfillian; Nadia Meksem, 22; Olawale Okunrinbaye, 20; Natasha Jarrett, 18; Crystal Straker, 20; Albert Harvey, 19; Lucy Gillfillian, 23; Zoe Clarke; Ash Jay, 17; Nashrin Hussain; Kristian Sakulku 17; Natasha Furlong, 17; Sadikur Rahman, 21; Cam-Yan Ha, 18; Melissa Ho, 17; Suhail Zaman, 19; Ajay Nair; Bejjy Mulenga, 15. Senior Editorial Mentor Rahul Verma Design Mentor Mark Calderbank Live Mentors Hayley Joyes; Zena Alkayat; Steve Yates Photography Mentor Heiko Prigge
Anita Opoku
As always…keep it Live (East)
You guys are lucky enough to be the first to experience a pivotal moment for Live East. Finally, after much anticipation, we’ve launched liveeast-mag.com. Woohoo! I hope you guys are as excited as I am, because we have a whole load of stuff to keep your eyes glued to the screen for hours.
London in a variety of fields, as well as a consumer video where one of our contributors will be testing products so that you don’t waste your money.
Tyrone George
If you haven’t read Live East before, then you’re in for a treat as we have loads of amazing features, interviews, comment, reviews and so much more to offer you!
Greetings fellow Live East readers,
BIG UPS
Welcome to the third issue of Live East! There’s beautiful sunshine (we are hoping this British weather holds out) and most of you have your exams, so what better time to settle back and relax with a brand spanking new issue of the mag?!
Remember, our invisible welcome mat is always at the Live East office’s door so whether you are into journalism, design, photography or illustration – or you just want something positive and constructive to do in your spare time – then all you have to do is pop in! Come on guys, it’s summer, so no excuses!
Celeste Houlker
Hey there Live Easterners,
KEY PLAYAZ Anita’s shown her commitment to Live East by always being ready to work on anything. Clearly adaptable, she is full of character and always cracking jokes in the office. Away from Live East, she’s in her final year of A-Levels, including Law and English, and eagerly awaiting university! Here she’s Books Editor, not that we are calling her a bookworm of course, she’s just über-smart and on the ball! So far at Live East she has done some great book and music reviews and also worked on the abortion piece, which is amazing! Apart from her infatuation with her “husband”, aka Drake, she socialises hardcore – she’s developing those PR skills you see! – and good on her.
Retouch Mentor Katie Peabody Livity and Live friends and family Rachel White, Chantelle Fiddy & Ctrl Alt Shift crew, Monique Wallace @ Island Records, Clare Nouvel & Susan Simmonds @ Richmix, Faisal, Jasim and Kimeska @ Thinkstore, Phil Long and all @ YMAG, Anna & Marcus @ Toynbee Hall, Pedro @ FNIK PR, Ahmed Versi @ Muslim News, Rana Reeves @ John Doe PR, Shazia Nizam @ Press Top Creatives, Whitechapel Gallery massive (Elizabeth Flanagan Lucy Panesar Natasha Vicars and Young Curators Group), Michael Carnegie @ Outtakers, Colin Batsford @ Eastside Music, Anna Chapman & Steve Cameron @ Newham Council, Mark Calderbank @Reason Design, Faiza Tayab @ Home Office, Charlee Brown @ Vision, Jade Richardson & crew at Urban Development, Riz Ahmed, Idea Store, Rachel Bee @ Iluvlive, Denise Kodia @ Nang magazine, Ben @ Runmusic, Corin @ Grindstone, Outpost PR massive (Ben, Letitia, Silverman), Alex @ 679 Recordings, Family PR, Natasha @ Revolver, E20 contacts, Toast PR, Nii Sackey @ Bigga Fish, Elle Moss @ Drew Creative, Kay Daylami @ Livity, Hannah Pool @ Guardian, Dan Jones @ Time Out, Bryan Meadows @ Sarah Bonnell School, Matthew Haynes @ Universal, Helen Niland, Bhav @ South Asian Literature Festival, James @ Bigdada, Laura and Aofie @ Anovakpv, Will Jameson and Tom Pouter @ Lake of Stars, Jon Wilkinson @ XL Recordings All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced in whole or part without permission from the publishers. The views expressed in Live East are those of respective contributors and are not necessarily shared by the magazine or its staff. The magazine welcomes new contributors but can assume no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. © 2010 Live Futures
Words Daniel Onyia 21
Words Kiran Kaur 18
The Big Ask Online 4
www.live-east-mag.com twitter.com/liveeast_mag
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Intro to DJing
Underage Festival
Would you like to get into the music/show business or just want to pick up a new party trick for free? DJing could be the way forward for you. In this course you will learn how to blend and mix tracks, how to count beats and much much more. The event will take place from the August 2-4 and applications will be available from Tuesday June 15 on summeruni.org. Sign up and bring the dance floor to life!
THE CHANGING FACE OF GOVERNMENT
BREAKING DOWN NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES
The death of 18-year-old student Aliza Mirza in East London was a national tragedy as well as shocking the local community. The teenager was stabbed in Forest View Road, Manor Park in April. Aliza, from Ilford, wanted to become a journalist, and it is unfortunate her dreams were shattered after sadly dying from a single stab wound. Following her death a 17-year-old male was charged with her murder. Aliza’s father described his daughter as a “diamond” and it is obvious from her Facebook tribute group that she will be deeply missed by many. _KK
The new coalition government’s cabinet has its first Muslim member, Baroness Warsi, 39. One word springs to mind... ‘change’, which is a word that Britain is used to following the recent elections. However, Baroness Warsi’s (the Conservative Party chairman), appointment to the Cabinet provides this without saying anything.
Islamic scholar Dr Muhammed Tahir-ul-Qadri has produced a 600page Fatwa that repels the actions of extremists who claim that their ideologies are part of the Islamic faith. This document gives vulnerable British Muslims a foot to stand on against false ideas that extremists and terrorists use.
PAKISTAN AND BANGLADESH SPIN INTO ENGLAND South Asian cricket comes to England this summer, with both Pakistan and Bangladesh playing here. The Bangladeshis have already played two tests against England and, after leaving to take part in the Asia Cup, will return for a series of one-day internationals in July. Pakistan, who are unable to play matches at home at the moment because of security concerns, take on Australia in two Twenty20 matches and two tests in July, including one at Lord’s in North London starting July 13. Then they play a four-test series and a ton of one-day matches against England. Loads of this is in London, so check ecb.co.uk for details.
Dressed in a salwar kameez on the first day in her new role, she made a number of people proud – whether Muslim or not. Baroness Warsi’s new role means the government is closer to being more representative of our area. So, what does the first Muslim woman to serve in a British cabinet have to say? “To be born as the daughter of an immigrant mill worker in Yorkshire, to have the privilege of serving in Cabinet at such an important time in Britain’s history, I think it is terribly humbling.”_KK
Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri explains, ‘Terrorists and extremist organisations are brainwashing our vulnerable youth, excusing their evil atrocities through misguided politics and mistaken ideology.’ There are many Muslim communities around Britain and the stereotype that most Muslims are terrorists is atrocious; hopefully the Fatwa will break the idea that Islam is a negative, terrorist religion._CS
UNVEILING THE BURQA BAN Following a partial ban in France there are moves to ban the burqa from being worn in public in Belgium. Is this because of the lack of human rights we have as citizens in Europe or because of the lack of human identification the burqa provides? The burqa is Islamic clothing that covers a woman’s whole body, and this whole burqa-banning controversy has provided another negative platform for Islamophobes to stand on. Some people believe Muslim women are coerced into wearing burqas by their husbands and by conservative clerics. But some Islamic women say they choose to follow this dress code because they feel it liberates them from vanity and being looked at sexually. Women who wear burqas in other countries in the EU will fear that their right to practise their religion freely will be taken from them. With Belgium gearing up to ban the burqa, there are fears that other countries may follow. Could it happen here?_CS
Lovebox
News & Views
Black Men Can’t Swim?
Check out our event listings every friday www.live-east-mag.com twitter.com/liveast_mag
Words Crystal Straker 20
What does it takes to be a good athlete? Is it a question of race or exposure? Come to Dana Centre and explore what it takes to disprove the sporting stereotypes. The event will take place on July 21, 7pm to 8.45pm. Dana’s Centre The Science Museum, 165 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 5HD. To book call 020 7942 4040 or e-mail tickets@danacentre.org.uk
Words Kiran Kaur 18
The Lovebox festival, taking place for three days on July 16, 17 and 18, will be presenting you with exciting performances, a buzzing festival experience and plenty of delicious treats to enjoy at the food markets! The line-up is bursting with big names including the award-winning Dizzee Rascal, Mark Ronson and the refreshing sounds of Ellie Goulding. There’s also something for all you fashion lovers as the one and only Grace Jones, notorious for her unique and daring style, will be making an appearance. The festival will be taking place in East London’s Victoria Park with ticket prices ranging from £45 to £99. Definitely a great way to start your summer holidays! www.lovebox.net
Words Cam-Yan Ha 18
Words Irene Amadi 16
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Words Laura Gineitaite 17
what’s on in east london
What’s the best part of summer? Festivals! Underage Fest for 14 to 18-year-olds is the perfect platform for learning the art of festivaling. On August 1 you’ll feel the pulse of the bassline, the heat of the sun and the exhaustion from standing up for too long. And you’ll love it. Every year there’s a fresh line-up of established and new music, including M.I.A., Tinchy Stryder, Caspa, Chase & Status, Egyptian Hip Hop, Gold Panda, Hadouken! and Lightspeed Champion – and a new wave of music lovers to hear them. So don’t miss out on your chance to be at Victoria Park, Hackney this August. Tickets are £29.50 and Underage Festival runs from 11.30am to 8pm. Tickets: £29.50 11.30am – 8pm www.underagefestivals.com Check out the festival guide @live-east-mag.com
ASPIRING JOURNALIST MURDERED
Daily News Updates www.live-east-mag.com twitter.com/liveeast_mag
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LIVE LOVES >>>
What is worse than an overcrowded bus with people who never seem to wear deodorant? Nothing. If you have ever got on the 254 (en route to Holloway or Aldgate) you will understand what I’m saying._AO
Greggs
Rain
Words Albert Harvey 18
Words Natasha Furlong 17
We never thought we’d say this but Greggs is officially crap. Overpriced, unprepared sandwiches, long queues that replicate the ones in Thorpe Park, moody service and don’t even get us started on the overpriced drinks._AH
Words Laura Gineitaite 17
Words Celeste Houlker 19
Words Iram Sarwar 18
Words Irene Amadi 17
We’re not saying much when we say “British Summer” but c’mon, be good to us! We hate it when we’ve gone out in new clothes, only to be drenched in a shower! Summer is the time to be looking good...rain, get out of here._MH
Facebook is no doubt the most efficient and popular social networking site, and I ain’t bluffing! Millions of people around the world just can’t get enough of what the fabulous site offers. So why is it so popular? What makes Facebook better than Twitter?
Is it all about trends or friends? Live East writers square up over social networking
Firstly, and of course most importantly, the site is completely FREE! Facebookers are able to connect with people from all around the world just by creating a simple profile absolutely cost-free. You can choose what information you want to share with others and who you want to add as friends, be they celebrities, school friends, or even your long-lost relatives! Another great advantage is that you can keep up to date with all your friends and the latest gossip via their status and wall posts. After asking a few friends about their opinion on Facebook this is what they had to say: “Facebook tells you EVERYTHING…you can find out things about people so easily, from relationships to break-ups, achievements to failures, and oh yeah…you can never forget a birthday whilst Facebook exists!” The site also allows you to upload an unlimited number of photos and videos, which can be tagged to share with all your friends and family. The comment system then allows everyone to express their own opinion on the pictures. You can play games by yourself or with a group of friends online – just another excuse to have hours of uncontrollable fun! Facebook is a great platform for businesses to advertise themselves and create a closer relationship with their customers or clients. You can show your support for a particular cause would by creating groups in which users with the same viewpoint can easily join, be it a charity or simply a group for fun. The site is completely open for anything and everything! Boredom is certainly not something you would associate with Facebook! You can sit there for hours and hours just roaming around the whole site, exploring and being entertained immensely… _NH Join our Facebook group by searching Live East Magazine and find out about events.
Design Sadikur Rahman 21
Think paint slopped on the wall, sprinkled with sand for that lumpy look, then re-coated. Some ladies do this and worse. Is it a drag queen, or Marilyn Manson? No, it’s low self-esteem and poor application technique. The saddest bit is they think it’s sexy._IA
There’s simply nothing worse. Take a walk down the street and you’re bound to see blobs of gob everywhere. Not a pretty sight. It’s disgusting! You wouldn’t do it at home, so keep it in or stay in!_IS
Words Anita Opoku 18
Personal hygiene on public transport
Too much make-up
Spitting
Words Melissa Ho 17
Fantastic atmosphere, passionate fans and beautiful pitches, The World Cup is the biggest stage for the world’s best players to showcase their skills._AH
<<< LIVE LOATHES
Just think how hard it is convincing people to part with their hard-earned cash! So next time you see one, don’t pretend you can’t see them, stop and have a chat – they don’t bite._IS
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The World Cup
K-pop is Korean pop, which fuses great pop hits with a funky edge that only the Korean scene manages to produce. We’re hooked on the catchy hits, and love the dances that are a must-learn for any K-pop fan! I’m sorry British and American Top 40, but I like my pop Korean._MH
Facebook...is what friends are for
Words Nashrin Hussain
K-Pop
With the holidays just around the corner summer music is an absolute must and the quirky, indie-pop sound of The Drums is perfect. Their laidback, catchy tunes would fit enhance idle summer afternoons, long drives to the beach, or even just on a wintry iPod that needs a touch of sunny fun._NF
Ignoring street fundraisers
Do you feel your body is full of saturated fat? Then swap the cheesecakes for Nutri-Grains, throw the sinful doughnuts away and get active! Summer is the perfect season for building up the muscle, so enjoy the fruit and the sunshine, loosen up and live the season before it’s all over! _LG
The Sims 3 is not just a game for ordering animated people about. It is a creative outlet allowing you to modify the game to yours and other users’ needs. The Sims 3 online gaming community is the largest in the world with thousands of websites and forums dedicated to helping you build your perfect game._CH
The Drums
vs
Healthy Eating
The Sims 3
Bored? Got no money? From blackjack to snap, rummy to poker, cards are the best! You can whip them out just about anywhere. They’re a great icebreaker and provide hours of endless fun and cheap laughs._IS
Words Melissa Ho 17
Cards
Twitter, tweeting and trending topics Let me start by saying that if you don’t know – get to know! Twitter is the new way forward; if you’ve not signed up yet, then you’re not making any moves. I was a Twitter-sceptic but I’ve amended my naïve ways and got myself hooked up to this big bad boy! Twitter is the don of the game. Even the celebrities know where it’s at. The simple signing-up process, headache-free layout and convenient ‘Follow’ and ‘Reply’ option are the only things you need to wrap your head around. You see someone you like? You like what you’re hearing? You want to hear some more? Then ‘Follow’ them! You don’t even have to send them one of those ‘friend request’ things. The majority of the Twitter population make their tweets public, and if you do come across someone with a ‘friends locked’ page then just send them a little request to follow and view their tweets. Anyway, public is the way forward; we are a big tweeting family at the end of the day. Sharing is caring! Speaking of community, if you really want to get stuck into Twitter Central then I suggest you have a nose around the ‘Trending Topics’. If you want a live commentary during EastEnders then tune into Twitter. The tweets are full of jokes, rants and, surprisingly, even the odd insightful comment! You’ll be informed of what’s hot and happening every day. The latest in news, current affairs and pop culture often make it to the top of the list. Who said we were turning into virtual aliens, switched off from the world? What more could you want? Twitter isn’t bait. If you haven’t received the memo yet, let me inform you: Facebook = Baitbook. There isn’t any harm in sending out a tweet. Go ahead, inform, entertain and inspire people! Although there’s a character limit; it’s there for your benefit. It encourages you to think before you tweet! And we all know you need that. Yes, all you lot who want to be heard, sign up to Twitter and tweet away! Who knows, maybe your words of wisdom will spark up a fan base._MH Follow us! Twitter.com/LiveEast_Mag
Join the debate www.live-east-mag.com twitter.com/liveeast_mag
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Our regular page brings you the latest news and interviews as we countdown to the London 2012 Olympics
Tower Arcelor Mittal Orbit
Words Iram Sarwar 18
10
Words Lucy Gillfillian 23
The Olympic Village in Stratford welcomes a 115m-high spiral structure (22m higher than the Statue Of Liberty), called the Tower ArcelorMittal Orbit. Designed by famous sculptor Anish Kapoor, it’s been nicknamed the “Hubble Bubble”. Mayor Boris Johnson feels the £19 million monument will attract visitors to Stratford following the Olympics. Seven hundred visitors an hour can access the tower that will enable them to view the stadium. Could money have been put into community projects that benefit lives rather than an oddlooking statue? The Hubble Bubble will bring a certain elegance to Stratford and people will be intrigued, but will the novelty eventually wear off?_LG
Nathan Williams, aka N@thstar, is one of East London’s finest drummers. Anita Opoku finds out more
How excited are you about London 2012? You want time to go as slowly as possible because you want to get as good as possible in the small amount of time left before 2012. Now it’s a case of time’s running out, but I’m training hard to get through.
Nathan Williams’ first experiences of playing for a big audience was at his church, but his big break was with the S Club Juniors aged 15. Since then he’s played for Tinie Tempah, Cassie, Shaggy, Estelle and Lauryn Hill. Despite playing with famous names, Nathan admits his biggest inspiration is actually his father. “He’s taught me a lot, how to stay grounded and humble no matter how much money you get or what your status is.”
Has sports always been a passion? I’ve always been into sport and watching sport. Before it was just about getting involved, I never thought I’d find something I was properly good at, but I suppose I have now!
Sign up for Tickets Tickets: Miss it and you’ll miss out! Millions have already signed up for tickets for the Olympics and Paralympics two years in advance! A massive third of applications came from London, with the remainder coming from the rest of the UK and abroad. Around 8 million tickets are due to go on sale in spring next year, yet over a million Olympic fanatics have already registered for their ticket update at the official website tickets.london2012.com. So if you don’t want to miss out on the event of the century, get online and get registering. You’ll regret it if you don’t!_IS
What is a typical training day like for you? I do mad hours. I turn up in the morning and do stretches to get flexible and then do the hurdle session, which is followed by running because you’ve got to be quick. Then you get into an ice bath to recover! Lots of famous athletes have come out of East London such as Christine Ohuruogu. Has this inspired you? Yes, in many ways. Training at Lea Valley I’ve met a lot of top internationals and top GB seniors. We’ve got to train with people who have made the team. I actually got to train with Christina Ohuruogu. Describe yourself in three words. Driven, humble, dedicated! Where do you see yourself in five years’ time? Preparing for the 2016 Olympics. How serious are you about making it? Very serious, it’s what I want. When you see your team mates on the podium and you hear the national anthem, that’s what you live for and that’s what you train for. Do you think London is the right place to host the 2012 Olympics? Where would your ideal Olympics happen? Miami beach. Really? No, I’m playing! London is great. It would be crazy to be in the line before the race and have that home support._LG
A NEW WEBSITE?! YEAH, WWW.LIVE-EAST-MAG.COM
Nathan had a busy 2009, touring, playing at festivals such as Glastonbury and appearing on TV dating programme Take Me Out. Nathan upped his profile for this one: “It was acting! I got given a script,” he says. “It was my first acting experience. Last year was a good year, but this will be even better. I’m just trying to spread my wings and be more than just a drummer, show young people that you don’t have to sell drugs or stab each other to earn money or be successful.”
Rochelle De-terville, 20, recently worked as a producer on feature film Don’t Call Back. Tyrone George catches up with this hot new talent When did you realise you wanted to act? When I was about five, I started acting and did more and more. I then did a BTEC in Performing Arts, and then went to college for a National Diploma, so I’ve practically been doing it my whole life. You filmed in Leyton using local talent. How did it come about? The team was made up of young people from The Prince’s Trust, people we thought would benefit from involvement. What is Don’t Call Back about? It’s about a mind-control device that spreads around an office from hell. At first the office workers don’t work at all, then one by one they get ‘got’ by the device that makes them work, work, work and not go home. Are you hoping to make another feature film? I’ve been working on a TV drama script for about two years. Once it’s finished, I plan to get a cast of young actors to work on it.
Acting Up, interactive comedy show, presenters Ashley 23, and Tee-J, 23, talk to Kiran Kaur about growing up on stage.
J,
How and where did you meet? AJ: At Stratford East’s youth theatre about nine years ago. TJ: We’ve been friends ever since. We started presenting shows, then doing comedy sketches together.
Oversized geek glasses, washed out denim jacket and sporting a hi-top fade, Jermaine Ricardo Robinson’s style shouts ’80s fantastic with a sprinkle of urban badboy. After starting his own fashion label, London Bonkers, at the age of 15, Jermaine definitely ticks all the boxes for being one cool kiddo ahead of his game. His clothing line has already been shown at London Fashion Week. London Bonkers has a simple cut and a sense of playfulness. Jermaine recalls his aunty as a major influence: “She used to wear a lot of different clothing because she’s been through the ’80s, ’70s and ’60s. I used to like looking through her wardrobe.”
Do you get compared to Ant and Dec? AJ: I don’t want us to be the next Ant and Dec, we’re the first Ashley J and Tee-J. Is your family supportive? TJ: In between work my mum was sorting out my contracts, learning how it all works. She was that supportive from day dot. Do you think people in East want instant fortune? AJ: I hear that a lot. They have to understand success is a gradual process. TJ: A lot of young people, when they watch TV they see Kanye West – they’re not seeing the preparation that’s been done beforehand.
It was also originally his aunty who taught him to sew from the age of seven. A West Ham boy, Jermaine also regards London as a place of inspiration. “Walking down London you see a lot of different things, different people…North, West, South, East, everywhere is different. So many people here just doing their own thing. Everyone has their own kind of style.”_CZS
Words Chitra “Ziggy” Sangtani 17
See the Olympic Park take shape before your very eyes. Located in the heart of Stratford Greenway (E15 2PJ) the View Tube is home to one of the most spectacular sights in London… namely its neighbours the Olympic Stadium, Velodrome, Aquatics Centre and Stratford. In a nutshell, it’s ‘somewhere you can rest, take in the view, use the loo and have a brew!’ The View Tube, made completely from recycled shipping containers not only provides a great place to hang out, but also hosts teaching programmes for schools with its own café!! Check it out or get involved www.theviewtube.co.uk_IS
Eye on London 2012
EastEnd-Stars
Words Anita Opoku 18
The View Tube
Emmanuel, 19, is a GB Junior, Commonwealth Youth Games Finalist (2008) and 2009 reigning English schools 110m hurdle champion
Words Tyrone George 17
There is great news for all under 18 Olympic fans. The organisers of the London 2012 Olympics have made a U-turn on the plan not to allow under18s from becoming volunteers for the games. So this is an opportunity for under-18s all over East London, and the whole of the UK, to show their skills and patriotism for the country. The plan originally excluded under18s but that was criticised by young people, especially the Young Mayor of Newham, who urged Lord Coe to rethink the ban. My advice is for under-18s to make use of this great, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity._IS www.london2012.com
Words Kiran Kaur 18
Interview with Olympic Hopeful
UNDER-18s CAN VOLUNTEER AT LONDON 2012
East London Talent Online www.live-east-mag.com twitter.com/liveeast_mag
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Palestine, also known as the Occupied Palestinian Territories or Palestinian Autonomous Areas, the small, Middle East territory, home to four million people, is hotly contested both by Arabs and neighbouring Israelis, many of whom regard it as their national homeland. There has even been speculation that a military conflict over Israel and Palestine could spark a wider war. To understand the conflict, we need to go back to the 19th century, more than half a century before the modern state of Israel was founded in the Middle East in 1948. Jews, historically persecuted and spread around the world, have for a long time aspired to Zion, the land of Israel, which they regard as the land of their forefathers, a place where they can live together and be safe. The huge first wave of modern immigration began in 1881 as Jews fled anti-Jewish riots, known as pogroms, in Eastern Europe. Those who sought a homeland for Jewish people came to be known as Zionists. During the 1930s and 1940s, Britain – the colonial ruler of the Mandate of Palestine ever since the Middle East was divided up between Britain and France following Word War One – found itself in fierce conflict with the local population, both Palestinians and Zionists. Thousands of Jewish refugees escaping Nazism and Fascism in Europe sought shelter in Palestine, where they came into conflict with the local population.
belief that the occupation is illegal, Israel continues to hold most of the land, building Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The Jewish influx gathered pace as the truth of the Holocaust emerged, a calculated attempt by Hitler’s Nazis to wipe the Jewish people off the map of Europe that left six million Jews dead, murdered in concentration camps during World War Two.
After the Six Day War, some Palestinians took up terrorism to advance their cause, hijacking planes and, notoriously, assassinating several members of the Israeli Olympics Squad in 1972. More recently, they began a wave of suicide bombings, targeting crowded streets, cafes and buses in Israel. Israel’s powerful military invariably responded. In the early ’80s, Israel invaded Lebanon, determined to put an end to the repeated attacks launched from there by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). More massacres followed, with Israel’s allies responsible for the brutal murders of Palestinians at Sabra and Shatila. In the ’90s the PLO and Israel reached an agreement on Palestinian self-government, the Oslo Accord, with the PLO recognising Israel’s right to exist for the first time. In return, Israel afforded the Occupied Territories a measure of self-government.
By 1947, the British government was unable to find a solution acceptable to both Arabs and Jews and relinquished the mandate in 1948. At the same time the Jewish leadership declared the new state of Israel. In 1948, the Zionists won a battle for the control of most of the territory. Many Palestinians fled, and still more were forced out by Jewish militia, an unofficial volunteer army. In places such as Deir Yassin, Palestinians were massacred. Armies from neighbouring Arab countries Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt invaded, securing territory on the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza, setting up a chain of events that still destabilises the region today. During the Six Day War in 1967, Israel seized more territory in the Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The Sinai was returned to Egyptian control by 1982, effectively sealing a peace deal with the most powerful Arab neighbour. Despite United Nations opposition, and the widespread
Dummy’s Guide to
Since then both sides have been locked in a cycle of distrust and suspicion. The Palestinians, denied full statehood, point to the continued growth of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem
1917
The Balfour Declaration gives official British support for an Israeli homeland in Palestine
1936-39
The Arab Revolt in Palestine against British rule and Jewish immigration leaves thousands dead, most of them Palestinians
1948
Israeli declaration of independence, as the British leave Palestine and Arab neighbours invade
Palestine is possibly the most controversial place on earth right now. And one of the most dangerous. Here we explain why...
LEB MEDITERRANEAN SEA
SYRIA
WEST BANK
GAZA STRIP ISRAEL
JORDAN
Are you currently aware of the conflict in Palestine? Shah, 18 I’m aware of it a bit. It’s good to know about what’s happening around the world. Young people should be aware and know what the government is up to.
1956
Suez Crisis sees Israel, in collaboration with Britain and France, launch attack on Egypt in retaliation for nationalisation of Suez Canal and its closure to Israeli shipping
1967
Israel, claiming self-defence, attacks Egypt, and conquers the Sinai, later taking West Bank from Jordan and Golan Heights from Syria. United Nations resolution 242 calls for Israeli withdrawal
1973
Yom Kippur War. Egypt and Syria attack Israel, but Israel eventually pushes them back
1979
Egypt and Israel sign Camp David Peace Accord
1981
Egyptian president Anwar Sadat assassinated by Islamic fundamentalists angered by Camp David
as proof that the Israelis aren’t serious about peace. In turn, the Israelis point to Palestinians’ continued use of terrorist tactics and the 2004 vote for Hamas, a fundamentalist Islamist group with an anti-Semitic charter and strong ties to terrorism. Israel continues to see itself as an isolated democracy, surrounded by enemies, and has built a security wall round their territory in selfdefence, though in places it encroaches on Palestinian land. To the north in Lebanon, the Shia militia Hezbollah, largely funded by Iran and Syria, threatens their security. Despite the withdrawal of Jewish settlements from Gaza in 2005, rocket attacks continued on Israeli territory, prompting a massive invasion of Gaza early in 2009. The invasion was condemned by most other countries and now even America, Israel’s main ally and financial backer over the years, seems to be running out of patience, following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s insistence that settlement building in East Jerusalem will continue. With Israel concerned about Iran’s nuclear programme (especially since their leader Ahmadinejad has talked of “wiping them off the map”) and the Arab world furious over Israeli intransigence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the prospects for peace look as far away as ever.
1982
Israel invades Lebanon
2002
1987-93
Israel launches Operation Defensive Shield in retaliation for repeated suicide bombings
1995
2004
First Palestinian intifada (uprising) Oslo Accord. PLO recognises Israel, Palestine granted limited selfgovernment. Israeli leader Yitzhak Rabin assassinated by Israeli rightwing extremist
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat dies
2000
2008
Second intifada begins after Israeli right winger Ariel Sharon makes provocative visit to Temple Mount
2005
Hamas win elections in Palestine. Israel removes Jewish settlements in Gaza After repeated rocket attacks, Israel launches invasion of Gaza
2001
Ariel Sharon becomes prime minister of Israel
Tahmina, 19 I’m not aware of it, but I think the media should keep us informed because they are not telling us things that we should know, we just hear about what celebrities are doing and stuff like that, which I think is not important. Nazia, 18 Well, I am pro-Palestinian and I believe that what’s going on there is completely wrong and it’s not getting the coverage that it should. With every other country we know more about it, but with this we have to find out for ourselves what’s going on. The situation would have been fixed if other countries actually helped.
EGYPT
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Words Suhail Zaman 19
SAUDI ARABIA
HAVE YOUR SAY AND JOIN THE DEBATE AT LIVE EAST www.live-east-mag.com
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Abortion divides opinion. Whether you are antiabortion (pro-life), open to the idea (pro-choice) or unsure how you feel, abortion is an issue that needs to be brought into the open as it affects young women who may not know the full story, says Kiran Kaur
Body Talk
t u o b a k l Let’s ta
Celeste Houlker breaks down exactly what an abortion entails
ABORTION
Words Celeste Houlker 18
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Words Kiran Kaur 18
Focusing more on religion and cultures, most view it as a sin. For example, we found the following statement on www.islamonline.net: ‘Muslim jurists have agreed unanimously that after the foetus is completely formed and has been given a soul,
• The pill can never be 100% effective – in fact, it is 98-99% effective • According to research specialists DMAG’s London borough stat-pack 2009, 61% of teenage conceptions in London led to an abortion. Newham had the lowest rate of abortion in London, along with the borough of Hounslow, with a rate of 51% • One in five teenage abortions in Hackney was performed on a girl who had already had one or more terminations, compared with a national average of just one in ten.
According to Brook Clinic, who offer free and confidential sexual health advice and services specifically for young people under 25, teenage pregnancy rates are actually declining. When asked about the current state of teenage pregnancies they said: “We know what works to make a difference to young people’s sexual health. We must have good quality sex and relationships education at schools and in the community, sexual health and contraceptive services in the right places and open at the right times, and support parents in talking to young people about relationships.”
“A young woman is capable of giving her consent to having an abortion even if she is under 16”
• Over a third of abortions in Hackney are carried out on 15 to 17-year-olds.
Artwork Chitra “Ziggy” Sangtani 17
But why do people feel so hesitant about discussing abortion? The fact that it is a controversial issue is largely down to the ethics surrounding it. For example, religious women may be against abortion because of their faith (more on that later), or their family may disapprove of abortion and therefore put pressure on the girl to avoid an abortion. Even without the demands of religion, people can feel it goes against their own moral code. They might feel judged by their friends or even confused by the media portrayal of abortion.
• In 2003, there were an estimated 181,600 abortions in Britain
Design Sadikur Rahman 21
So, hot on the heels of that controversial new advert promoting abortion advice, we’ve done our research to bring you the lowdown on what abortion actually entails, and an interview with a young woman who had an abortion at 13 years old. The demystification starts here!
abortion is haram.’ Muslim scholar Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi has stated in his book, the Lawful and the Prohibited: ‘While Islam permits preventing pregnancy for valid reasons, it does not allow doing violence to it once it occurs.’ The Roman Catholic Church also views abortion as a grave moral wrong. In the mostly Catholic Republic of Ireland, abortion is still illegal. However, there are exceptions when it comes to religion and abortion. For example, some religions are pro-abortion if the health of the mother is at risk. Be sure of your options before you make a decision!
Words Anita Opoku 18
One of our aims is to demystify abortion because we no longer want young people to feel scared about openly talking about it. Abortion is often seen as the all or nothing solution, however, it is not always a one way road. Women need to be made more aware that there are other options such as adoption and fostering as well as help from charities and government initiatives. Here at Live East, we feel it is important for young people to be educated in order to make informed choices.
For the last eight years, the UK has had one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Europe. In 2008, 41,325 women under 18 fell pregnant with 49% of the pregnancies terminated.
See more online www.live-east-mag.com twitter.com/liveeast_mag
Still, for a young woman considering having an abortion it is a very scary thought. The process of a termination seems simple enough, but when faced with the facts it is easy to feel overwhelmed. A young woman is capable of giving her consent to having an abortion even if she is under 16. However, in this case it is recommended that she informs an older relative or friend who will be able to support her. Prior to the abortion, a consultation usually takes place between a licensed doctor and the young woman to help her make a well-informed decision – this, however, is optional. For pregnancies 15 weeks and under (early pregnancies), there are two different methods of termination. The first is the abortion pill (also known as the Early Medical Abortion). Recently the nation watched Lucy Beale in EastEnders take this pill when she decided to abort her baby. The pill, Mifepristone, is recommended to women under nine weeks pregnant and is swallowed. The pill is then followed by a tablet called Prostaglandin that can be swallowed or placed in the vagina 36 to 48 hours later. Together the pills end pregnancies within four hours and induce a heavy period.
The second procedure is called Vacuum Aspiration (also known as the suction method). Here, your cervix (the entrance to the womb at the top of the vagina) is gently stretched to allow a tube to pass through it into the womb. Once the tube is inserted, the pregnancy is removed by suction. Most women only take an hour or so to recover and go home the same day. Women often experience less bleeding afterwards with this method. It only takes about five to ten minutes and the woman will be given either a general or local anesthetic. Both methods carry low risk to health. A study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation pointed out that it is increasingly common for pregnant young women under 18 to have an abortion. The study found that young women who live in deprived areas are more likely to keep their baby if they fall pregnant compared to young girls living in more affluent places. This could be the reason why Newham, which is often thought of as a deprived borough in East London, has the capital’s lowest rate of abortion. The study also confirmed that a young woman’s choice to have an abortion is largely affected by her relationship with the father and whether she thought having a baby would affect her education and career expectations. It is hard to pin down how a young woman will feel after having an abortion since we are all different and handle situations differently. After having an abortion some girls may feel relieved, some sad; it all depends on their reasons. We asked Brook Clinic if there is help for girls who may be emotionally affected by having or thinking about an abortion. Brook said: “In addition to speaking to medical staff, all clients will be able to speak to a counsellor. Clients can also go back to a Brook Centre for counselling after they have had an abortion, although very few do.” Clearly there is help at hand but this help is only effective if known about – hopefully this piece has helped to raise some much-needed awareness.
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What are your views on abortion?
13 & Pregnant: My Story
Rukshana, 17
Anita Opoku talks to a woman who had an abortion, aged 13
I think abortion is wrong because a baby is a living thing, it ends a potential life.
Corrina, 15
I guess it depends on the age and how the pregnancy happened.
Tahmina, 19
I think it’s morally wrong becauseit’s against my religion. If you got yourself into that situation, you should carry on. You have no right to kill a person.
Nazia, 18
I think it’s morally wrong because it’s a child, it’s a person, and they don’t have a say in it.
WHERE TO FIND HELP SHINE
Shine is a free and confidential contraceptive and sexual health service for young people aged 24 and under who live, work or study in Newham. www.newhampct.nhs.uk/services/shine
BROOK CENTRE
Brook is a charity providing free and confidential sexual health advice and services specifically for young people under 25. www.brook.org.uk
EDUCATION FOR CHOICE
A UK-based charity dedicated to ensuring all young people can make informed choices about issues that could affect them, including abortion. www.efc.org.uk
THE MUSLIM YOUTH HELPLINE
The Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH) is a registered charity that provides pioneering faith and culturally sensitive services to Muslim youth in the UK. www.myh.org.uk
BAAF
The British Association for Adoption and Fostering offers advice on the alternatives to abortion. www.baaf.org.uk Freephone: 0808 808 2008
Marie Stopes International Abortion Helpline
On February 22, Angie Jackson from Florida, USA decided to live Tweet and video her abortion. The video also included justifications for her decision, included her wish to ‘demystify abortions for other women’. We also believe in talking about abortion, so we spoke to a 22-year-old young lady – who would rather stay anonymous – who had an abortion when she was 13. Here, she tells Live East about her experience. Why did you feel termination was the best option for you? I was so young and didn’t really think I could handle the responsibility of looking after a child. Plus, I kept thinking about all the things I would miss out on by being a mum. I also thought that people would think badly of me if I kept the baby. I was in a stable relationship and he was very supportive, he basically said that it was my decision and he would stand by me whatever I chose to do, I think this made the decision easier for me. Did you research clinics and the procedure before you decided to book an appointment? I didn’t really need to, I was told where I needed to go by my doctor and I just did it. I tried hard not to think about the procedure and I didn’t want to know about how it was done as this would’ve made it seem a lot more real. The whole thing happened so quickly, I didn’t really get a chance to think about what was actually happening. In a way, I think this made it easier as it was over and done with before I could get a chance to get upset about it. Were your family aware of your pregnancy? My parents were aware of the pregnancy and they were absolutely fantastic. I think telling them is probably one of the scariest things I have ever done in my life. I felt like I was a massive disappointment to them, although they never made me feel like that. My mum came with me to the clinic, and I think this helped me a lot. It was definitely not something I would have wanted to do on my own. Once it was over, I felt relieved in a strange sort of way – like the problem was finally gone and I could now move on with my life. It was only a couple of years later that it really started to affect me and make me sad. I was offered counselling at the time of the abortion but I chose not to take it as I thought I was OK. Looking back now I think this was a mistake – maybe if I had spoken to someone about how I was feeling it would have been easier to put the whole thing behind me and move on.
Design Sadikur Rahman 21
Words Anita Opoku 18
Words Celeste Houlker 18
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Words Kiran Kaur 18
Expert support and advice on abortion and sexual health. 0845 300 8090 www.mariestopes.org.uk
Do you wish you had done something differently, or regret the termination? There is always a little part of me that wonders ‘what if?’, but then my sensible side comes into action and I think about all the things I would have missed out on if I had gone ahead with the pregnancy. I don’t regret my decision at all, as I think it was the best decision for me at that time. I don’t think there is anything else I could have done differently other than had some counselling after the procedure.
“There is always a little part of me that wonders ‘what if?’ but then my sensible side comes into action” What advice would you give to a young girl who is thinking about having an abortion? It is such a hard topic to give advice on as everyone is different! But I would say, think about it long and hard – don’t be pressured into making a decision you are not comfortable with because once it is done, it is done and there is no going back. Also, don’t go through it alone. I know that at the time when I had my abortion I thought that because so many young people have them, that I shouldn’t really make a big deal out of it and I should just get on with it. But it is a big deal, and it really does help to talk about it. What are your views on contraception? Contraception is absolutely brilliant, but it has to be used responsibly. I think I spent a lot of my young teenage years living off the morning-after pill and that can’t be used as a form of contraception – it is a last resort if all else fails! At the moment I have the implant and it is the best thing I have ever used. I do think that schools need to make young girls aware of what methods of contraception there are available to them so they can make an informed decision as to which is best for them.
! t u o k a rre BBreakout! eakout! Rapper and actor Riz Ahmed is a multi-talented young Muslim tearing up the worlds of film and music. Haroon Anwar reports
Riz Ahmed, more commonly known as Riz MC, came down to the Live East offices. For those of you who don’t know who he is, get to know – he’s a talented actor and emcee with many films to his name, including the deeply moving Road To Gunatanamo, Shifty and the recent Four Lions about a gang of British wannabe suicide bombers. He’s collaborated with artists such as Plan B and Sway and has created his own live show, MICroscope. On top of this, he’s got an album dropping soon. He tells us more…
Check Live-East-Mag.com for helplines and advice.
For advice go to our website www.live-east-mag.com twitter.com/liveeast_mag
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So what did you think you would be when you’re older? Didn’t you do Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford? I never thought I could make a living from what I’m doing now, I was always told I should be a lawyer! The course at Oxford appealed to me, and when I finished I took a shot in the dark by applying for drama school.
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Words Haroon Anwar 18
Did your experiences at Oxford change you? Definitely – I remember on the first day, I needed to borrow a phone charger, so I knocked on this girl’s door, and politely asked for a charger. She laughed in my face, and said “you remind me so much of Ali G!” That’s the first person I met – so I freaked out! But it was a unique
Would you say you’re a poet or an MC? MC. If I don’t fit into people’s category of what a MC is, maybe that shows how narrowly MCing has become defined. I only rate a few artists from the UK.
Being an Asian MC, would you say your journey has been harder? I can’t really talk about other people’s perceptions; maybe it plays a part, maybe labels look at me and think, ‘If he was black or white maybe I’d sign him’. But I’m not that interested in signing, I’ve gone on my own route, set up a business model with Festival Republic and Metropolis Music. We’ve created a new, nextlevel live show, microscope. Tell me about this MICroscope show. The concept is this: sound is being developed as a government weapon in secret labs; the scientists developing it form a breakaway splinter group on the run – and basically we need resistance recruits. It’s like a sci-fi thriller, a bit like the red button on your remote meets Alien Wars in Trocadero. The show is interactive, so the audience has to get involved to move the story forward. For me, the next phase for innovation
“I was always a loud-mouthed, attention-seeking kid and a troublemaker at school” Which UK artists do you rate? Sway, Akala and Plan B. You did a track with Plan B and Sway – how did that come about? Plan B sent me a message through his video director saying holla. You might feel like you’re out there on your own – but doing your own thing is good. News travels, people reach out, things connect.
is in live performance – just as in cinema, films get pirated, so they created 3D to get people back into cinemas. So this is the equivalent in terms of live performance. To date, what would you say is your proudest achievement? Tough question, bro. The proudest achievement was probably winning the award for Road To Guantanamo at the Berlin Film Festival.
Words Suhail Zaman 19
What were you like at school? I was always a loud-mouthed, attention-seeking kid and a troublemaker at school. I was offered a scholarship at a private school but I wasn’t really comfortable with the set-up there. I was constantly getting thrown out of lessons. Performing was a good way to channel my hyperactivity, ’cos on stage, being unpredictable and a troublemaker is an asset, that’s what brings a scene to life.
I was surrounded by people I didn’t even know existed – surfers, snowboarders, indie kids – and some of them are my best friends now. Oxford really taught me about grinding, ’cos people there are seriously working hard. I had good friends and stuff, but I was proactive; I set up a club night called Hit And Run. It was interesting to see the same people that felt I didn’t fit in queueing up for the events!
Photos Laura Gineitaite 17
What kind of reaction do you think it’s going to get from the public? Well, it was the fastest-ever sellout in Bradford Film Festival, and it premiered at Sundance in Utah. The Americans loved it, even though they didn’t get some of the British humour! It’s a clever film – that shows you can communicate outside of simply giving people messages or words; you can communicate on a different level – one that’s visceral and instinctive.
experience. I learnt that if you’re not in an environment where you’re constantly challenged, constantly questioning yourself, you get into lazy patterns.
Photos Daniel Onyia 22
So Riz, how did you get the part in recent film Four Lions? It’s a comedy by Chris Morris, a controversial satirist who was responsible for making up fake news shows (Brass Eye and The Day Today). He’s a bit of a mysterious figure, and he’s got his cult following – he heard my track Post 9/11 Blues, and we got to know each other. Three years down the line, he asked me to play the role in this film.
I heard you got stopped at the airport on the way back! Ha ha, yeah, that was the proudest moment! But when we received the award it was amazing, because it wasn’t about us, it was about the British detainees whose true stories the film was based on. What was it like meeting them and re-enacting their experiences? It’s funny, because you always think people thrown into significant situations of history are going to be warriors or superheroes – but they’re like me and you, and that’s what makes it even more devastating. I made certain changes in my life since meeting them. What kind of changes – in terms of religion? Yes. I’m definitely a Muslim, but the fact that I’m a Muslim is not at the forefront of my mind, like a badge that I wear. Tracks like Post 9/11 Blues are quite controversial. Did you mind that radio wasn’t playing it? I’ve never approached music with a political view, it’s always a personal view. Post 9/11 blues is an observational track – I don’t really like the label ‘political rapper’, it marginalises you. Only Post 9/11 Blues and Sour Times are political, but if you mean I’m conscious in the sense that I’m aware of my surroundings, I’d take it as a compliment. And this will be evident on my new album, which has the same name as the live show – MICroscope. My sound has changed a lot. I don’t think people will label it as a political album, but bold and daring. What are your future plans? I’ve just been offered a role as Antonio Banderas’ son in The Great Thirst, starring the main actor from the French film Un Prophete and Frieda Pinto from Slumdog Millionaire. We’ll be playing brothers. But my focus right now is this album and the live show. I don’t think people have experienced anything like it.
Where do see yourself at 50? Running the Live magazine empire, which will probably be taking over the world by then! On a level, tomorrow’s not promised, bruv, let’s see if I make it to 50. Right now, I’m just enjoying life, man. What are your freestyling abilities like now? They were a lot better than they are now! You know the worst thing is when you just go to chill out somewhere, and someone starts saying ‘come, let’s freestyle, man!’ What were your musical influences growing up? My brother was really into hip hop and I used to steal his cassettes. Mainly the mid-’90s American hip hop – Nas’ first album Illmatic, Wu-Tang, Hieroglyphics, Snoop’s first album, Talib Kweli and Mos Def. But my tastes have changed now! What do you mean your tastes have changed? Well, my favourite album from the past few years is 4hero, Creating Patterns. It’s a fusion of smooth jazz with drum ‘n’ bass and other influences. But Roots Manuva is someone who I’ve always thought is ten years ahead of his game. Do you think there’s space for the UK underground with all the competition from US artists? Some people break through – Chase And Status are collaborating with the Neptunes now. I’m not interested in a lot of what’s coming out of America now – urban music, or emcee music, is always saying the same sh*t. There’s enough personality and swagger to it but that doesn’t matter. Dubstep is an important sound; it’s a testament to London that it innovates on a world-beating level. I think that’s really encouraging, that if you come through with something that’s really bold and daring, you can take over the world._HA
Riz on Screen The Road to Guantanamo (2006)
In this film, based on a true story, Riz plays one of the ‘Tipton Three’, three young British Muslims who were found in Afghanistan during the American invasion in 2001 and imprisoned without trial in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Tipton Three were released without charge in 2004 and returned to their home in Tipton, Yorkshire. The film shows the reality of their shocking treatment in Guantanamo.
Britz (2007)
Britz is a Channel 4 drama about two Muslim siblings, Nasima and Sohail, who live in Bradford. Nasima (played by Manjinder Virk) is studying medicine, while her brother Sohail (played by Riz Ahmed) works for MI5, in preventing terrorism. Each of the two episodes follows each sibling, and highlights the positive and negative impact of the War on Terror on Muslim communities, and builds towards a thrilling finale.
Shifty (2008)
In Shifty, Riz plays a young Muslim Asian boy who is a friendly drug dealer, living with his brother in a quiet area. He ends up in trouble and has a friend who tries to get him out of the situation. Although there could have been more characters in the film, I think that it sends a strong message out to young people about getting involved in drugs being a negative way of living life._SZ
Check out an excluive review of Riz’s new single at live-east-mag.com. www.myspace.com/rizmc
For more music visit www.live-east-mag.com twitter.com/liveeast_mag
cope s o r C I lbum M n Riz’s a ut in Autum o will be
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Design for Life From the Bronze Age to Miami Ink, the tattoo has always been with us. Irene Amadi traces its history and asks why tattooing is still so rebellious
‘A person starts to live when he can live outside himself.’ Albert Einstein. Getting a tattoo is ‘true to your soul’, or so the saying goes. It may sound pretentious, but it sums up the appeal of the tattoo. Though it doesn’t cover the flip-side of what drives people in their thousands to get inked – that they’re hot! That’s the magic of ink. It’s been used on the skin through the ages and through its evolution (spanning many a millennia, way before Jesus showed up) it has taken on heaps of different meanings. Everyone knows how they feel about tattoos, be it deep admiration or vague disgust. The tattoo’s Eastern, pagan roots have always made them part of a counterculture in the West. In places where religion was introduced, tattoos were viewed as the work of the devil and often pushed out and frowned upon. Between the religions there’s a consensus, it seems – whoever your God is, he wants you to remain markless. It says so in Leviticus, the Koran and the Torah.
Tattoos have been deemed bad for such a long time through history that it’s hard to see their reputation changing. Soldiers, sailors, renegades and vagabonds: these were the wearers and standard-bearers of tattoos until they crashed into the mainstream on a tidal wave of youth rebellion, and it seems there’s just no ditching those rebellious connotations. The working class was a hotbed for tattoos to emerge from and thrive upon, often on soldiers and sailors fighting foreign wars, expressing courage, patriotism, defiance of death and longing for family and loved ones left behind. These aren’t the grass roots of tattoos, though, not by a long shot. Tattooing is a primitive invention dating back to the bronze ages (about 5000BC). The practice reached all corners of the globe, from Egyptian symbols of royalty dating back to about 3000BC, spreading through 11th-century South American mummies, the Japanese Ainuu in the 1700s, Pacific cultures, the Greeks, and later, the Celts.
THINK BEFORE YOU INK Where to find inspiration and reputable tattooists:
If you’re looking to get inked, I recommend attending the London Tattoo Convention (Sept 24-26) to have a real life look at body art. You could also check out a tattoo mag like Skin Deep. This will give you an in-depth idea of the work of a good tattooist and what precautions to take. You also might just find your ideal tattoo already drawn, saving you taking your inferior (and possibly very hilarious) sketching to a professional artist.
The tattoo gun was invented in North America in the 1800s. After recovering from a loss of popularity through a Hepatitis C outbreak in the 1860s, they worked their way into mainstream British society when Thomas Cook, founder of the famous travel agency, brought back exhibits of tattoo artwork. They became something of a naughty fashion, even sported by royalty – the future King Edward got a Jerusalem cross – and the elite, such as Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who had an anchor on his arm.
Before you take the plunge:
Be safe: make sure the place is spotlessly clean Choose your artist: make sure the artist is approachable and versatile because your initial tattoo could undergo some changes, and their experience makes their advice worth listening to. Know your limit: ask for prices first and be sure you can handle the pain!
Now we are in an era where, as with the ancient Egyptians, tattoos have become popularised by celebrities such as Cheryl Cole and Rihanna. Since ink on skin is in, the notion of tattoos being unique or an expression of the individual sometimes seems fake. Why are they seen as rebellious when they are so common? It could be down to the multitude of cultural attachments – they can mean anything to anyone. While that’s the case, people are likely to go on wearing them.
Look after it:
Follow the tattooist’s instructions for cleaning and caring for your tattoo while it heals.
Ziggy Sangtani explains why tats are where it’s at I spotted them in magazines, on people on the street. I was so into tattoos, I doodled them on notebooks and in the back of schoolbooks. I knew since I was only 15 years old I wanted a tattoo, I was underage, but you are only as old as you feel, are you not? And I felt mature enough and I knew exactly what I would be letting myself in for. I knew that getting a tattoo might give society an excuse to label me as just another rebellious teen – perhaps to some extent I was. I’ve always felt that you only live once and life is too short to sit around chewing things over until you eventually drop the idea. Individuality, freedom of self-expression and identity – that’s what attracted me to the idea of tattoos. Getting a tattoo was about me being me, not about following some celebrity figure or fashion.
Design Sadikur Rahman 21
Illustrations Haroon Anwar 18
Words Chitra “Ziggy” Sangtani 17
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Words Irene Amadi 16
It was during a family holiday in Goa (where there are tattoo salons galore) that I got it done at the age of 15 (and a half!). I didn’t want to get it done without my parents’ consent. It was a huge decision and the idea of having to face them with a surprise shocker was not attractive. It was mighty
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difficult to convince them though. Their concerns over health risks were discussed, as well as the barriers it may impose upon future career options. However, my unwavering passion for the arts meant I firmly believed I was bound for the creative fields, where people are less bothered about maverick skin-art. So career issues were not as weighty as they would have been if I were aiming for more academic professions. Ironically, people used to get tattoos as a way to fit in. Tattooing originated from tribes such as the Maoris in New Zealand where it was a ritual and a form of inclusiveness that meant that the wearer was part of a group. In contrast, tattooing today is done for more aesthetic reasons, and sometimes to rebel against society’s norms and stand out as an individual. From aboriginal and indigenous origins, it was actually brought to the attention of Western society through prisoners and gangs who used distinctive tattoos to indicate facts about their criminal behaviour, prison sentences and personal backgrounds. Through this, the tattoo then went
on to be harboured by many subcultures as fashion or identity statements. But even though the subcultural and expressive use of tattoos spread in popularity, tattoos are still often associated with criminality and continue to carry a heavy stigma among certain social groups (this is where I roll my eyes in annoyance). Of course, in the end I looked beyond all that and got a tattoo anyway. Undoubtedly, there are many people that get tattoos for the wrong reasons and grow to regret them. Am I one of them? Nope. I still love my tattoo as much as I did when I first got it done; in fact, probably even more so as it has now become part of me. Many religions and cultures cast negative opinions over tattoos as some prohibit any form of body modification. However, although I respect such views, I believe there is nothing wrong in expressing the freedom we possess over our exterior self. The feeling that sweeps over me when I look at my tattoo is a feeling of empowerment and ownership over my body, the feeling that I am my own person with the ability to show it.
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Having won a multitude of style awards and column inches, LIVE EAST’s debut fashion shoot is themed around this summer’s trend of graphic print in eye popping colours and inspired by Rihanna’s vivacious dancehall spirit
Left
Rashid wears cardigan by Motel (available at Laden Showroom), £65; jeans and t-shirt by Uniqlo, £14.99 and £9.99; plimsoles by H&M, £9.99 Amy wears shirt and shorts by Rokit, £25 and £40; belt by Topman, £10
Right
Cherelle wears top by Rokit, £12; skirt by Harlequinn LRA; necklace by Topman, £4 Amy wears skirt and hat by Rokit, £25 and £32; (top, stylist’s own)
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Left
Cherelle wears top and leggings by Harlequinn LRA; shoes by Jodie Parchmen; chains by River Island, £8 each; dress worn as belt by Orion Unicorn (available at Laden Showroom), £59; necklace as before Rashid wears shirt by H&M £9.99; shorts by Howies, £40; shoes as before
Models: Amy Richards, Cherelle Quartey-Cofie, Rashid Kakoza Stylists: Osman Ahmed, Esme Sackey, Ziggy Sangtani Photography Assistant: Melissa Ho (led by Paul Szewczyk) Make up artist: Kiss John Project manager: Celeste Houlker Runners: Anita Opoku and Kiran Kaur
Right
Amy wears jeans dress by London Bonkers; Minnie Mouse glasses by Rokit, £18; boots by Jody Parchment; (pink feather bag stylist’s own) Cherelle wears fur dress by London Bonkers; bag by Max C (available from Laden showroom), £25; scarf worn as bow by Topman, £4 Rihanna doll courtesy of Nathan French
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For London Bonkers, search Facebook For Jody Parchment see www.arts.ac.uk/ showtime/jodyparchment For Harlequinn LRA see www. houseofmaffia.com or www.harlequinnlra. blogspot.com
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JUST BUY IT!! GOOD STUFF WORTH A LISTEN I’ll PASS MEH...
The third album from James Murphy’s dance-punk band is sure to be another hit for the New Yorkers. After garnering universal acclaim for their self-titled debut and Sound Of Silver, which picked up three Grammy nominations, it’s fair to say LCD Soundsystem are a big deal.
Words Tyrone George 17
Opener Dance Yrself Clean, with its steady build-up to a show-stopping drop, could be the best thing Murphy has ever done, and the quality doesn’t let up. I Can Change is swirling, shimmering modern disco that you’ll be whistling for the whole day, and Pow Pow and You Wanted A Hit return to the sound that Murphy and DFA Records helped create. The album isn’t pure dance-punk, neither is it a collection of earnest, soulful laments. Instead it’s songs to move your hips and break your heart. A summer essential that will have you dancing late into the night. _NF
Rusko OMG (Mad Decent)
This is a very weird album. If you were expecting the usual crazy jump-up dubstep, then I’m sorry guys, but this time Rusko has tried out some other strange types of music, such as old-skool hiphop and electro. Rusko mainly fuses these together along with other interesting sounds you hear floating around. Not to worry too much though, as a couple of tracks supply a feed of mental dubstep, including a banging collab with Crookers. Although this album is different it will still make you want to move, as even in the most chilled-out tracks you can hear Rusko’s great basslines. _KS
Words Ajay Nair
LCD Soundsystem This Is Happening (EMI)
Words Natasha Furlong 17
The heavy-bass dance band from Brighton are hitting the dancefloors again, after last year’s successful debut album Join The Q. Another catchy and energetic track, Your Revolution is a single which must feature in your iPod and will surely make you tap along to it. The remixes of the single are even more intense perfect for the dancefloor and grooving up those long commutes. _LG
Words Laura Gineitaite 17
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Words Melissa Ho 17
Rox’s Memoirs is the sound of the summer! The young London-born singer’s debut album is one to keep with you wherever you go. Whether you’re banging out her tracks in your car or tuned in through your MP3 player on the bus, this is THE soundtrack of your life. Her voice is soulful, sophisticated and simply sublime. Rox showcases her amazing talent through mellow and uplifting tracks about love, life and heartbreak, expertly controlling her vocals through intricate and powerful highs, back down to that raw edginess that Rox articulates so well. Combine this with the perfectly produced instrumentals and it’s a bangin’ debut album! Memoirs is ideal for the lovers of good, soulful music. _MH
The Qemists Your Revolution (Ninja Tune)
Words Kristian Sakulku
Rox Memoirs (Rough Trade)
Words Daniel Onyia 21
= = = = =
Jammer 10 Man Roll (Big Dada)
Another banger from the guys who brought you Too Many Man, this is a real lively tune that makes you wanna get up and start skanking. It’s got that jump-up funky house feel, but if you’re also a basshead you can still get that grime due to the old-school Dizzee Rascal-style synths and bassline. With its extremely catchy groove it is guaranteed to stick in your head. A definite for your playlist. _KS
1, 2, 3 Going Away Party (Chess Club) A, B, C is as easy as it will be for this band from the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania called 1, 2, 3 to take over UK’s music charts this summer. Their debut single Going Away Party will undoubtedly brighten up your day with its upbeat rhythm, and you’ll find yourself tapping along to the summery touch of the song. But if you’re more of a dreamer 1, 2, 3’s lovely lullaby B-side single Feeling Holy, where the smoothness of Nic Snyder’s vocals is faultlessly combined with the calming lyrics and somewhat mysterious music, is the one to watch out for. _LG
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Various Ayobaness (Out There)
South Africa is the last place that comes to mind when thinking of house music. But that’s about to change with the release of electrifying compilation Ayobaness! – The Sound of South Africa. Ayoba is a South African word meaning excitement, something this album is bursting with. Each song triumphantly mixes sparkling house beats with extremely vibrant African vibes and vocals, getting the heart pumping and making you want to get up and release that African skanker laying dormant within. This compilation is a diamond in the dirt and proof that South African house will reign. _DO
Drake Thank Me Later (Island)
The eagerly anticipated debut album from Drake is finally here. ‘Thank Me Later’ is the perfect blend of Hip Hop and RnB – definitely one to listen out for. It includes production from Swizz Beatz, Kanye West and Timbaland. With a star-studded lineup of features from the likes of Alicia Keys, Jay-Z and Lil’ Wayne, ‘Thank Me Later’ has a lot to live up to. A lot of the album involves Drake singing which I actually prefer as he’s not the best lyricist in the world. The first single ‘Over’, along with ‘Light Up’ and ‘Fireworks’ are my favourites off the album._AN
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Grace Kelly: Style Icon @ Victoria & Albert Museum
1 Streetdance: 3D 2 Britain’s Got Bangra 3 Grace Kelly: Style Icon 4 Four Lions
The V&A’s current spring/summer exhibition celebrates one of the 20th century’s most prolific social figures, actressturned-princess, Grace Kelly. The style icon’s immaculate look epitomised the coiffed and glamorous Hitchockian woman and placed her at the top of many best-dressed lists. The exhibition is cleverly divided into four sections: Actress, Bride, Princess and Enduring Icon, each focussing on the different periods of her life. It features her elaborate ensembles from onscreen and off, all widely emulated by the actress’ many fans at the time. They have continued to influence fashion almost 30 years after her tragic death in a road accident.
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The small section in the V&A’s fashion gallery which plays host to the exhibition is crowded and the masses of viewers do not help overcome the lack of space. However the garments stand alluringly poised, accompanied by silent films playing against the gallery’s white walls. The exhibition successfully highlights the transgression of Kelly’s style, from refined ’50s romanticism to an eclectic mix of colourful Parisian haute couture.
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Without a doubt, the exhibition is not only a must-see for all fashion and film fanatics, but a great example of a clothing collection that illuminates and reflects the events and changes within the life of one of the world’s most beloved icons, whose polished style has been referenced by designers such as Hermes and Vera Wang. _OA www.vam.ac.uk Check out live-east-mag.com for a gallery of stunning pics.
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Britain’s Got Bhangra @ Theatre Royal Stratford East Yeah, that’s right, I never thought I’d be saying it, but in the heart of Stratford, Britain has indeed got bhangra. This lively and colourful show is full of energy, that will have you ‘bopping’ along and is impossible not to enjoy. Taking us from the heart of Punjab to the streets of Southall, BGB follows the life of an immigrant with an incredible musical gift. Twinkle (played by bhangra star Shin) was the boy who came to England to find his fortune, but quickly realises that the streets are far from paved with gold. The show’s hilarious cast kept everyone laughing (with them, not at them!), the music was brilliant and let’s just say I was practising my dancing well into the night! Let’s hope it comes back for another run._IS
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been there, seen it, done it...
Words Iram Sarwar 18
Words Ajay Nair
Words Daniel Onyia 21
Words Rickie Davies 21
Words Osman Ahmed 15
Behud @ Soho Theatre Freedom of speech gives us the right to be able to say what we want. You would think in the UK where the Human Rights Act is law you can say anything you want, in any form you want. Gurpreet Khaur Bhatti a Sikh playwright was forced to cancel the performance of her play Behtzi (Dishonourable) in 2004. The play caused controversy amongst the Sikh community as it featured a rape in a Gurdwara (Sikhs’ place of worship). The Sikh community felt the play was insulting, staging huge protests. Bhatti’s Behud (Beyond Belief) charts Bhatti’s experience and uncovers the truths that led to her five-year hideout after Behtzi. It’s hilarious, a must-watch, and its strong message gives an understanding of censorship._RD
Vaisakhi On The Square @ Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square hosted Vaisakhi On The Square, celebrating the Sikh harvest festival of the same name and featured live entertainment and Punjabi food. Despite the unpredictable British weather, the free event attracted a large crowd. The celebration opened with traditional prayers to mark the start of the harvest season and the Sikh New Year. It began with live music began with a few devotional pieces before a set from Sunrise radio, with Punjabi singer H Dhami. The Grewals from Channel 4’s The Family, also appeared and Bhangra artist Juggy D also took to the stage. VOTS celebrates London’s diversity and allows different backgrounds to experience another culture. It helps young people feel more connected to their roots, and what’s more, it’s an excuse to have fun._AJ
CULTURE CLUB 28
Four Lions
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Four Lions is a comedy about four Muslims that live in the UK who aspire to become suicide bombers. Riz Ahmed plays a role of a young Muslim boy who has the brains and tries to control the gang, and also goes to Afghanistan to a training camp. Also there is a convert who is more crazy then the rest and wants to be in charge. This film shows two different types of Muslims. One group who are peaceful Muslims and another group of who are stupid suicide bombers. The gang get involved in a marathon and dress up in costumes. The film is very funny and is worth watching there are many hilarious scenes which will not make you forget._SZ
Streetdance: 3D With a recent explosion in street dance fever it was clear the UK dreamt of having its very own street dance film. This has now come true in the form of Streetdance: 3D. The film follows Carly (Nichola Burley) and her dance group as she tries to lead them to victory at the UK Street Dance Championships. The future looks bleak for them, and when they are forced to join a ballet group things are daunting. But despite the two groups’ different styles they must learn to work together in order to beat dance group the Surge (Flawless) and become the UK Street dance champions. Streetdance: 3D is heavily influenced by the American dance films like both Step Ups and Save The Last Dance, and as a result it was a clichéd American film but with British accents. Some of the shots even seemed like they were filmed in the US itself. With weak performances, cringing dialogue and a predictable plot, the film was mostly boring to watch. The 3D element also brought no overall addition to the film at all. Despite this, the dance scenes were breathtaking. Flawless lived up to their name, pulling off some amazing dance moves all in synch. Diversity made an epic cameo with moves proving why they won Britain’s Got Talent. Regardless of the film’s flaws, it will definitely be a UK box-office hit as it is a family film and may even get the country pulling off some breakdancing moves get people on the streets. _DO
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iBoy by Kevin Brooks Puffin
An adorably magical, bittersweet journey of two orphaned prairie children from Winnipeg who embark on a road trip to New York City. Rat, is a bright, dancing, football playing ten-year old who wishes she could swear like a trooper. It’s funny, it’s wise, it’s beautifully written. And it’s not afraid of a bittersweet ending. Recommended!_NF
Tom is a 16-year-old boy looking for love, specifically with Lucy. But, when his skull’s cracked by a falling iPhone, he falls into a coma, later awaking with iPhonesque powers: to absorb information and the power to electrocute people. Armed with super powers, Tom comes across a super problem: Lucy is raped. There is enough reality here – gangs, drugs, love – to make the outlandishness premise pale into insignificance._CH
Bad Laws by Philip Johnston Constable & Robinson
Justin Bieber: The Unauthorized Biography by Ronny Bloon Ladybird
Bad Laws explores some of the mind-boggling laws that have been passed in Labour’s 13 years in government. Johnston draws on laws such as the controversial Hunting Act, which banned fox hunting, and the smoking ban, which you must’ve heard of! He addresses the theft of our common sense and highlights the dangerous invasion of our personal freedoms. Although the book provides us with great detail and plenty of facts and figures, its failure to deliver impartiality all it amounts to is to a typical right-wing rant!_MH
The book was good in terms of how it helped me relate to Justin Bieber. He grew up in a single parent family and he came from a disadvantaged background and the book showed how he built himself up into a star using YouTube and then managed to get a record deal. Before reading the book I thought Justin Bieber was just a rich kid, but now I realize he’s just an ordinary teenager like me! I like the way the book gave me an insight into his life and the person he is however, it would have been nice if it was written by Justin Bieber himself!_ZC
Words Natasha Furlong 17
I would recommend this Penguin Classic Penguin (RED) not only because 50% of the book’s profits go towards helping eliminate AIDS, but also because it was a very worthwhile read. It’s a story in a story with someone telling a ghost tale about a governess at a country house plagued by supernatural visitors: only the young governess can see the ghosts and only she suspects that the previous governess and her lover are controlling two orphaned children for some evil purpose. The book definitely out did the recent ITV adaptation which couldn’t match the classic’s pace and sense of psychological ambiguity._AO
Words Zoe Clarke
Chasing Destiny is a story about deception, lies, manipulation, sex, drugs and a horrific accident. This book is based around a woman called Billie, aka ‘Ducati’, who falls in love with a married man. Trouble escalates as her lover’s teenage daughter Destiny runs wild. Eric Jerome is a fantastic writer who packs his books with storylines that always take a dramatic turn at the end and action that keeps your face glued to every page. This book is a part of a series that involves the character ‘Gideon’ and once you read one book, you just have to read the next. Brush up on Eric Jerome Dickey fast before his new book, Tempted By Trouble, comes out in out in September!_CS
Words Anita Opoku 18
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James Penguin (RED) Classics
Words Crystal Straker 20
Chasing Destiny by Eric Jerome Dickey Turnaround
Words Melissa Ho 17
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Unhooking the Moon by Gregory Hughes Quercus
THE JOURNEY OF A BURIED SINNER My feet feel about ready to give out. Each step I take feels heavier and heavier, like my ankles are manacled by weighted iron chains. I trudge slowly down the marble staircase towards the pathway that leads through the forest. I see my treasure from afar, the jewel that I have so keenly sought. It’s 6am, and I’m exhausted, dehydrated, and hungry. As I glance above the tops of the trees, I see the sun rising – the deep orange glow illuminates the highest branches against a bloody red sky. The looming shadows of the tallest trees start shading me as I continue walking, into the woods. Sweat drips from my forehead – I wipe it away with my sleeve. I find it hard to breathe as I am engulfed by the shade of the trees. The temperature seems to have increased, and the humidity is almost unbearable. Suddenly I hear whispers. Or is it my imagination? The whispers continue, but each time I turn my head to see where the mysterious murmurs are coming from, there is a sudden silence. I can feel my heart thumping; fear, adrenaline and anticipation overwhelm me. I see a tall, spiked black gate in the distance, encrusted with the magnificent sparkling diamond. I don’t know why, but the gate is my destination… my body is drawn to the gate; to the diamond, as if magnetised by some strange force. I drag myself along, with no consideration for my weary physical state. Now is my opportunity to turn back. Should I keep going? Then I hear those whispers again. I think those whispers are telling me something that the active part of my mind refuses to accept. I see smoke… the pathway is suddenly winding up and down on the edge of the hill. There is no shortcut to the gate with the diamond, I must follow the path… a shortcut through the woods looks like suicide. The funny thing is, I already feel dead. Will it be worth the effort? I hear another whisper. Louder this time. I can make out the voice: it is my mother’s and she’s telling me to turn back.But there is no turning back. I am nearly at the gate, which happens to be at the edge of a cliff… the diamond seems so close now. At this end of the forest, the trees have no leaves and their trunks are smouldering. I notice six snakes slithering across the path: twelve black, empty dots glare at me menacingly. I pay no
Illustration Tom Salter 21
Love books? Go to spinebreakers.co.uk
JUST READ IT!! GOOD STUFF WORTH A READ I’ll PASS MEH...
Words Haroon Anwar 19
FULLY BOOKED
= = = = =
attention to the snakes, or burning wood, nor the clouds of smoke rising from beyond the gate. My eyes are fixated on the glimmering diamond. Where am I? The rising sun has become a blazing inferno. I am a few metres away from the gate. All energy has been drained from me, I am being pulled up the final stretch as if invisible hands are carrying me. I yet again hear the whispers in my ears. The whispering sounds like chanting. I don’t want to reach the gate anymore. But I can’t turn around; the gate is getting closer. I am no longer in control. My fingernails scrape against the dusty floor in an attempt to turn around. I try finding the words to pray, but the whispers have taken over my thoughts. The gate opens before my eyes, and the diamond falls to the ground with a resonating boom… and rolls away. The quiet whispers become loud screams. To the point where I can no longer bear the screeching frequency that penetrates my ears with the sharp intensity of razor blades. Beyond the cliff, I see intense flames flickering on the horizon. I reach for the diamond and as I do so, I fall off the edge, with the diamond, into the eternal flames... It’s too late to turn back; it’s too late to resist the lure of the diamond. My voyage to find the treasure has taken me to a treacherous place… This is the path that I chose. And when you choose to take this path… There is no turning back.
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Live Advice I’m 17 and I’m in college. College is great but the work is too much. People are always saying to me that I need to stick to it, because if you want to succeed, you need a good education.
The World of Isolation
My Thoughts
Triangle
Wonderful World
Can you see the leaves of the trees? Falling calmly onto the ground Where they await to be drifted into the deep blue sky The tree would thereafter be empty With no green garden leaves To grow on the branches of the beautiful trees Therefore it would need water in order to grow Some wonderful leaves that would be able to flow
Every morning I wake up thinking about me and my life, I think about those that I left behind in France, The way things were and how I thought that they would always stay the same, France my beautiful country of birth the only one I’ll ever know, Nonsense my mum used to tell me, I’ve got to grow, travel and see, Now living in London, Left feeling like a migrant bird who now wants to explore and see more, Realised how every one has changed, So have I, They say the more you see the more you learn, Could it be true? Maybe, But this morning I woke up with the same thoughts in my head, Except that now I am wondering where would be the next place I will fly to, And call home
Life is like a triangle, you start at a low level and you finish at a low level We are born weak and fragile and then we die that same way. Rising to the top is a struggle, But you could get to the bottom as quickly as possible
The beautiful mountains are standing still Across the oceans and stony hills Hearing the waterfalls of flowing water Is extraordinary that will cause the laughter The birds are singing all day long As though they are in a choir creating a song Flowers are swaying from side to side With colorful covers from the outside The wonderful waves across the river Getting closer and causing a shiver The amazing atmosphere of the baby blue sky Seeing the sun shining brightly and feeling the fry This is the wonderful world
Now can you imagine a human standing there all alone? Feeling a sense of isolation Waiting for someone to help them to escape from the darkness Knowing that no one is there to set them free From the uncontrolled sadness to continuous misery The inside emotions begins to grow rapidly With the lack of resources and energy To be able to find someone so strong By hearing the feeling of loss and hope Of the poor human being who is unable to cope
Christelle Dasse
At the top, you feel might and strong But remember pride leads before a fall, You can never stay at the top for life, Everybody has their turn Some people don’t even complete the triangle They fall victim of their struggle to the top At the top are riches, success, fame and power Remember to stay focused Now begins the journey to the end Things happens fast and quick Before you know it you act like a baby again You feel weak and fragile From the womb you came, to the tomb you shall return Life is a triangle…..Live it to the fullest
Nadia Meksem
Olawale Okunrinboye
Nadia Meksem
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www.live-east-mag.com
Education is always something that you will need that’s true, but if learning is not for you there’s always other things you can do. There’s apprenticeships which are much more hands on, and after that you can get a job. There’s a range of courses you can do, so this might be for you! www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Dear Aunty A, I just recently turned 18 and my mum has now put me on the voting register. I dunno why she bothered, it’s not like I voted. I constantly had people knocking on my door, giving me boring lectures about why I should vote for their party, and if I’m honest I don’t really care. They all just make promises, but when they get into power they don’t actually do anything. Besides, I only had one vote – what difference would it have made?
Well what can I say to that? Just try as hard as you can to get at least a C in your exam. Maths is always something you need in the world of work – no matter what job you go into you will always need maths. For example how you going to know how much change you need from a £10 note?
Well, let me start by saying happy belated birthday. Voting. This is a seemingly popular topic with the elections having just gone. At times it may seem as though you’re being bombarded with information but all you have to do is look for the party that best represents your views and vote for them. I don’t believe that you don’t care because if that had been the case you wouldn’t have written to me. If we all sat at home with the ‘I don’t care’ mentality then Lord knows who’d be in power. This election was really close so your vote does make a difference. It only takes roughly 15 minutes of your time to go down to your local polling station, make your vote and get on with the rest of your day. It’s not that hard, so make sure you vote next time. And by the way, you seem like a very opinionated person. Why don’t you try joining the Youth Parliament in your borough as well? Aunty A
Uncle Agony
To read a for and against of voting go to www.live-east-mag.com
Uncle Agony
HELP! I’m going to get kicked out of maths If I don’t get a D in the GCSE exam. All I want to do is ACT! I don’t need maths for the job I want. I doubt any university will accept me and if I do go to university all I’m going to do is performing arts and film.
I’m in my first year of college and I’ve got a dilemma. My GCSE results weren’t the greatest and because of this I didn’t get onto the A-Level courses that I need to be able to do the course I wanna do at uni. I really want to do the course, what should I do? First of all you need to take a deep breath and calm down. You still have plenty of options. Have you considered taking a gap year? Make sure you do things outside of college as universities don’t just look at who has the best grades anymore – extracurricular activities and proof of an interest in their subject through things you do also help. For example if you’re interested in journalism try volunteering for a local mag. Things like this would look really good on your Personal Statement. I advise you to check out the Pure Potential website, they have loads of information that I’m sure will be a big help to you. www.purepotential.org
Words Olawale Okunrinboye 21
Words Christelle Dasse
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Words Nadia Meksem
Aunty A
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Opportunities ion Writing Competit New Bollywood you? Do you llywood story in Have you got a Bo ged by a to be read and jud want your writing n send us a the ll We ? rity celeb leading Indian film your chance for ry wood-style sto memorable Bolly zin ga e as well as in ‘Live East’ ma to see it printed audience at a an of nt ge in fro performed on sta the autumn. major festival in Contest Prize: panel of shortlisted and a personalities The entries will be od wo lly Bo ing includ e winning imminent judges, on se oo ch unced), will (soon to be anno hic ap illustrated by a gr tale which will be magazine shed in ‘Live East’ bli pu d an r rformed designe pe be n e story will the in September. Th thcoming for the g rin du e nc in front of an audie l’ in London in Literature Festiva ‘DSC South Asian October this year.
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es: Contest Guidelin year olds. The en to all 13 – 19 op is n tio eti mp Co iting in English, wr of ce pie original tale must be an re than 500 mo no in or a script, to submit written as a story .uk spinebreakers.co ions is words. Visit www. iss bm su for te sing da your entry. The clo 31st July 2010.
IC COMMUNITY MUS .com www.cmsounds sic d community mu CM is a youth an ide ov pr to s aim organisation which creative music opportunities for . of all backgrounds making to people ing lud inc rvices It offers various se ssional training, courses and profe e s support and liv artist and busines ts. music even
IONAL EASTSIDE EDUCAT TRUST org.uk www.eastside. ren’s charity This London child workshops, ve ati cre organises , and innovative es cultural experienc by professional arts projects run get involved in to ct artists. Expe e, dance, music, atr arts including the , aphy, film-making literature, photogr crafts s, art l ua vis s, carnival, circu and much more.
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FIRST PERSON EXPE RIENCE Windsor Fellowsh ip by Mohamed Al i Through the Windso r Fellowship, sixtee n young students from Lond on have recently be en given the opportunity to experience America n culture first hand. Many of us cre ate negative labels amongst certain groups, coun tries or subcultures this may be unintentionally bu t it cannot be denie d. People tend to think Ameri cans have a strong sense of identity and exagge rate where they are from: if you have been to Ameri ca you might have seen national flags on every stree t corner. This pride in their culture is sometimes misinterpreted and we often think of Americans as smug, confusing their pride with superiority and over confidence. The Windsor Fellow ship is a unique ch aritable organization that ha s teamed up with the Hummer Tuttle Foundation to offer students from London a cultural exchange trip to America to me et with young Iraqi and Am erican students an d to live alongside them for a week. The aim is to build lasting relationships and abolish the pre judice some of us have against America. Often we see feuds erupting between the Western world and countries like Iraq, but these students want to em bark on a unique friendship and learn from each other’s experiences. The fellows will be living alongside Ira qi Muslim and Iraqi Christians. Th ey will also be acco mpanied by Iraqi-Kurds. This ve ry diverse group wil l aim to learn from each other’s cu lture. During the bu ild up to the trip to America, stu dents must attend compulsory seminars to explore American identity am ong other aspects of their cu lture. These kinds of seminars help students to be come more open mi nded and create a bridge betw een their way of thi nking and others. The Windso r Fellowship is adve rtised at schools and colleg es in London, so loo k out for it next year and be su re to apply. See www.windso r-fell
owship.org for mo re info
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