45

More so than any other music since the blues, hip-hop is all about stories. And its stories are both criminal minded and grand, making them enthralling and unbelievable, but also making them only as interesting and convincing as the teller. That's why, despite being blackballed by the industry, without a major-label recording contract, heads still gravitated to Nottingham, UK realest son, 45, like the planets to the sun. 45, born Earl Walcott 28 years ago, is the real deal, the genuine article. He's a man of the streets, intimately familiar with its codes and its violence, but still, 45, an incredibly intelligent and deliberate man, holds himself with a regal air as if above the pettiness which surrounds him. Couple his true-life hardship with his knack for addictive, crystal clear, storytelling flow, it's clear that 45 has exactly what it takes to ride down the road to riches and diamond rings. 45 is real, so he does real things.

Born into a musical family during the late '70s, 45 lost those closest to him at an early age. Raised without a father, 45's mother a semi professional reggae singer , took control and stayed with family in Nottingham. She moved to Hyson green populated by mostly Caribbean immigrants and was the inner-city ghetto at the time. A year later they moved to Radford (aka) R.A.D where 45's desire for things would drive him to the block and started to develop his street savvy. After 10 years he had to relocate again to infamous London streets, unfortunately due to his mother taking a turn for the worst he turned to music for a discharge of his feelings and experiences. Hip-hop was the flavor at the time and he fell into hip-hop through a pirate radio station called "Heat wave". It wasn't long before 45 was trying to write his own lyrics after hearing the likes of Slick Rick, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and the Juice crew, B.D.P crew, LL Cool J, E.P.M.D, RunDMC. and 45 began to pursue rap seriously.

The hip hop movers and shakers (Joe bhudda, Big Trev, Black Viking) took notice of 45 this was a second turning point because 45 (aka) Mr.45 now had access to a microphone, stage and an audience; His musical instinct would automatically take over. Joe bhudda and 45 formed the label Represent records which would be the platform for 45 (aka) Mr.45's first single indie released masterpiece that HHC Magazine judged a classic. 45's represent your hood anthem called "Radford you get me". blew through the roof and playfully painted him as a hungry up-and-comeing wordsmith. It was an instant smash everyone in the U.K loved it. A meeting was setup in London with Agent Moulder, which would later become their A&R link. After a freestyle verse on one of London’s big mix tapes at the time 45 (aka) Mr.45 and Joe bhudha were signed to a London record label called "Down low records" where they released another hot smasher called "Mans world" b side "Funky". This went into heavy rotation in the clubs and the radio to the point where rap mogul JAY Z is being interviewed live on the Tim Westwood show and stops in the middle of the interview as he hears the track "Funky" playing in the background, JAY Z says quote "Big up Mr. 45 that cat is tight".

The same single was also nominated for the prestigious MOBO awards and wins second place because of no video. 45 also collaborated with reggae Mc Glamour kid and was due to collaborate with the singer Shola Ama at the time. 45 also supported Busta Rhymes when Busta came to London. He also toured with New York's own Smooth Da Hustler and Trigga the Gambler. He was due to release a track called "Diamonds forever" but was unable to clear a sample sung by Shirley Bassey. 45 left Down low records because of lack of consistency on the labels behalf and set out to seek a more productive and lucrative deal. Since then 45 (aka) Mr.45 has been paying his dues by collaborating, touring and downright representing Hip-hop from a UK perspective.

45's debut promises to set the pace for UK hip-hop in coming years. The product of his unrelenting drive, talent and, frankly, his real-ness, show on tracks like Black Diamondz, Groundhogz Day,Fast Car, Tatoo Tears, All U Can C 45's official first album promises to bring him just what it says. With his infectious crystal clear flow, viciously vivid storytelling and I-don't-give-a-f£"k personality, there is no doubt that 45 will get Black Diamondz.