Example has graduated from cheeky underground rapper to full-on bona fide popstar over the course of his four albums, and he shows no signs of slowing down, with his fifth due for release this year.
He's had two top 5 albums and six top 10 singles including two No.1s, as well as becoming a phenomenal live act, both at his own shows and at festivals.
We caught up with Example ahead of the release of the second single, Kids Again, to find out his Ultimate Playlist and the stories behind his choices - including some classic funk and soul, a Canadian rapper, and some nu-garage...
Watch the video for Kids Again here. Kids Again is taken from his forthcoming album, and is due for release on March 16th
Listen to the whole playlist on Spotify
____________________________________
Favourite Sad Song
Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer by Stevie Wonder. My dad used to play this a lot when I was little. He had to go away a lot and work abroad which made me sad as a little kid, so this song reminds me of that. It's a beautiful piece of music.
Favourite Movie Soundtrack
True Romance is my favourite soundtrack. And probably my favourite film along with Leon and The Last Of The Mohicans. The title track You're So Cool was the song my wife walked down the aisle to at our wedding.
Favourite Song from your Childhood
I'm gonna go with Come As You Are by Nirvana. I listened to it on repeat for hours on end.
Favourite Song that no else has heard of
There was a band called Sublime who were pretty big in America in the 90's but not really in the UK. Check out 40oz To Freedom. Was big for me during my skating days.
Favourite Club Anthem
Push The Feeling On by The Nightcrawlers. Huge vocal sample. Huge break. Huge bassline. Flawless.
Favourite Song to hear at a Wedding
Anything by Chic or Sister Sledge works but Good Times by Chic has to be the ultimate of their tunes for a wedding. Gets everyone on the dance floor. Even dads can dance to it.
Favourite One HIt Wonder
Informer by Snow. I learnt every lyric to this when it came out and kids would challenge me to rap it in the playground.
Favourite Lyric
I feel like I should go with something esoteric or profound but my favourite is from James Brown's This Is A Mans, Mans, Mans World: "This is a man world/But it wouldn't be nothing/Without a woman or a girl". Simple perfection.
Favourite Song in the top 40 at the moment
Gorgon City feat. MNEK - Ready For Your Love. It's amazing that the UK has embraced a mini garage/deeper revival and this song is evidence that it may be with us for a while to come.
Favourite Song From Your Own Music
It's a little known song from my 4th album The Evolution Of Man. It's the most personal, honest song I've ever written and serves as an apology to my ex and how I treated her. It's called All My Lows.
(Images: Example/Rex)
