Reviews said the lyrics were shocking and controversial but equally honest and heart-felt
A world away from the sounds of Who Needs Actions When You Got Words, his second studio album is very much soul genre, drawing on influences from Motown such as Smokey Robinson and the works of Michael Jackson. He has often been dubbed the ‘Male Amy Winehouse’ but strongly denies “jumping on the old bandwagon” and claims he was writing soul songs before the likes of Winehouse or Mark Ronson revived the genre. Critics hailed the album as showing Drew’s unique singing ability and making him a more universally popular talent. The album is named after Drew’s invention of his alter-ego character Strickland Banks, who the songs follow the story of.
Drew’s seemingly effortless ability to completely switch genres from hip-hop to soul is something that I admire in him and feel really sets him apart from the masses of other artists around today, showing a knowledge of different genres and a maturity with the musical style he chooses. I think his story-telling, especially in The Defamation of Strickland Banks, really brings his music to life and proves he is above capable of writing his own lyrics.
Live performances such as at Glastonbury, The Brits (where he won British Male Solo Artist) and Radio 1’s Big Weekend, all earlier this year, establish him as a strong and energetic performer, with his medley of Strickland Banks at the Brits showing off his acting and creativity skills as the stage was transformed to replicate a gang v. police confrontation.
With everything he’s already achieved in both the music and film industry, there’s no doubt that Plan B will continue to build an even bigger name for himself. His third album, The Ballad of Belmarsh is due for release in 2011/2012 and his first feature length film as a director, Ill Manors will hit cinemas in February 2012.
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