When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
I've enjoyed creative writing since a young age, I always thought I'd go into radio, that's what I intended as a teenage anyway, but my career path had a mind of it's own. I don't think I fully realised my love for linguistics until after I'd finished my journalism degree. I call it 'finding your voice' and once I'd found mine, I began to relish it more so.
At what point did you decide to get into the male dominated grime scene?
When I started my career I was working for Touch Magazine. I was given some good advice from one of my editors, regarding finding a niche. My Touch peers at the time - Russell Myrie (Arts Editor of The Voice) and Hattie Collins (Editor of RWD) were both writing about hip hop/ R&B, and doing it much better than myself. I was a bit lost as to which direction to take. I had love for garage but it was on the way out. When I heard Dizzee's 'I Love You' on white label, it stirred something in me to pursue it. It kind of went from there. I quickly realised that with no press officers involved, I could effectively be that point between underground music and the mainstream media...So I ran with it.
Was it hard finding your feet at first?
I feel bad saying I can't remember, but it's a long time ago, maybe seven years or so... Financially it was hard! Learning to pitch was even harder though. They miss all the real stuff like treating your stuff as a brand, selling yourself on more than just your ability to use spell check: I thought I had to know everything too, from which producer worked for which label, every release that came out... but you learn how to manage your knowledge. There's a great quote I'll refer you to "an expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less until he knows everything about nothing." In real terms, you have to learn to arm yourself in life with those who can point you in the right direction, give you a phone number, and pull you up if you're wrong. I had to move quickly so I covered a lot of ground in my first two years... Where gender is concerned, it's a question that frequently comes up. You definitely get shit being a woman, people accusing you of being a groupie or whatever, but I - and every other female journalist who goes through it - learn to ignore it. Jealousy breeds contempt after all. I studied hard to get where I am and I've hustled ever since so I know myself and what I'm doing. I never going into a job thinking 'I'm a woman doing this.' That's a mistake. Regardless of your sex it's about doing the best job, representing well and withstanding the punches.
When did you decide you wanted to change your direction in writing?
Two years ago, my life became centralised around LIVE Magazine, in Brixton, where I work two days a week as a Senior Editorial Mentor. The quarterly 48-page magazine is put together by 13 - 22 years old, from any background, borough, race, religion, sexual persuasion... It's a beautiful project and stereotype-challenging job to be in. It's madly inspiring and it's shaped my work since beginning their two years ago. But there were other things too. I'd become bored by music journalism and had got to a point where I'd experimented outside the box, doing features of a rather random variety for places like thelondonpaper and i-D... this was something I wanted to do more. I actually enjoyed writing again. And it's such a blessed life to do a job you enjoy. Also, I'd fallen out of love with the music. Maybe it was me, my age, my expectations... but I couldn't even be bothered to listen to music period for a while. I found I could only tolerate classical which I often write to. Lastly, but of equal importance, someone special taught me a major lesson. Through him I challenged the way I saw myself and what I stood for, also he drove home the idea that I was much bigger than I realised, in terms of my then accomplishments and potential. As I began to grow my self-confidence, suddenly a lot of things didn't matter anymore.
Do you still listen / have love for grime music even though it’s not your main way of earning money anymore?
I'll always have love for grime - how can you not - and there is still the odd tune you simply can't ignore, but there's also a lot of doo doo to shovel out the way trying to find them. I'd rather listen to something like Logan's mix, which I can download on Facebook, and put on my iPod, than sit through hours of radio, having to read forums, whatever. There's the odd person you see perform and realise they have that special something: if you get genuine excitement then you should write about it, if not walk on by. That's my theory at least.
So Ctrl.Alt.Shift - what is it about, what's your role?
Ctrl.Alt.Shift is like a dream come true for me. And I didn't even realise that when I started. Don't Panic, who distribute the magazine, approached me about editing a new publication, funded by a charity (Christian Aimed), aimed at turning 18-25 year olds - who are pretty much force-fed a diet of celebrity gossip - onto global issues and international development. I had a blank, 38 page canvas and was able to repackage some amazing stories in a way never dealt with by a charity. We didn't even mention the charity. Or religion. The joy I felt opening the first issue and seeing my initial idea, the Pg 3 Stunna from India looking at me, I was elated. A Nuts writer had re-worked some shocking facts about prostitution and the abuse of women into this spoof piece. I road tested the idea and most people laugh when they see it and by the end look horrified or embarrassed. The feminists didn't get it, or the teen bride vox pops which involved us getting some UK teenagers valued by the same criteria used to price would-be brides in Kenya. As well as editing the magazine, which I work closely on with Neil Boorman (author of Bonfire Of The Brands), I edit the website which has new content uploaded daily. We've also got a series of cultural collaborations going on with Vice (a photography competition on gender, power and poverty), Sadlers Wells (a dance show with Street groups like Boy Blue around HIV and stigma) and the Baltic (an art project focused on conflict). We all have to multi-task and get our hands dirty where possible.
Do you find it more of a challenging role because not only are you an editor you protest for rights as-well?
I'm not going to lie - this is all new to me. And I'm absolutely loving it. I've quickly learned that it's not all about numbers when you protest; it's about the execution of your message. When I put my boiler suit on, at 8am, outside the South Korean embassy, to protest around the HIV travel ban they and many other countries impose upon people, you forget everything else around you. It's you and the cause. I'm lucky to have been working with some of the best from Space Hijackers and Plane Stupid, who lie on runways, stick themselves to politicians and climbed on top of Parliament earlier this year. It makes me feel that I'm even more blessed than I could realise possible. I get to work with some of the most interesting people I've ever met, am learning on a daily basis, constantly feel challenged, and best of all I'm able to spread the word and encourage people to get involved.
Can you talk a bit about your LIVE magazine project, from what I know it's a magazine run by under privileged youth in south London?
It's based in south London but anyone from come. The nature of the project means you attract a diverse crowd unified by their ages - 13-22. I've been there going on three years now and it's a truly amazing project, set up by Livity, the socially responsible marketing agency who we share an office with. Myself, Rahul Verma (Metro) and Emma Warren (Observer Music Monthly) run the editorial side of things, mentoring young people in putting content together. It's run like a professional publication and the experience it offers is like nothing else. Whether you're an ex-young offender, out of education, studying at Uni or looking for a new experience, LIVE offers a working environment which sets people up for their next steps in life. We have an in-house recruitment consultant who's there to help with employment or work experience and LIVITY and LIVE often work on projects together. Some LIVE writers have moved off the magazine onto Saturday, the new in-store publication from USC, which LIVITY created as another mentoring experience. Our young people - of which there's about 40 regulars who come in at least once a week - have also benefited from workshops at The Guardian, internships with Diesel U Music, presenting for BBC Sound and appearing on Channel 4's Frock Me.
What points would you give to an aspiring music journalist, protestor or mentor?
I think one principle applies to all; choose your cause and champion it. For me personally, there's much more happiness in doing something you believe in. If you can't give something your heart and soul in these industries, there's no point even trying because it's damn hard work.
What's next for Fiddy, apart from being one of the UK's best underground journo's and being down with the 'yout dem'?
I am the yout dem. Shut up old man. But seriously, I'm definitely wiser and hope I can get a better balance between my writing and other work. I love helping people - through mentoring or message - and I truly believe that you have to build an army to be strong. I get back as much as I put in, so I want to continue growing with LIVE and Ctrl.Alt.Shift. I've got a lot of work still to do as a journalist, hopefully talk radio will come into the equation somewhere, and the book. I've got the story just no time to type it. On a personal note, my grandfather passed away this week so I’m taking some time to reflect on where I'm going and to remember what's important in life: family and the family you make for yourselves - real friends.
www.ctrlaltshift.co.uk
www.chantellefiddy.blogspot.com
Words: Joseph JP Patterson
A version of this appeared in The Voice Newspaper
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