I've always enjoyed the format of Desert Island Discs even though many of the guests give horribly pretentious choices (it is Radio 4 after all). I have occasionally considered what my choices will be when I'm famous. Ahem.
#1 - Lauryn Hill - Ex-Factor
Music was a really important part of my early childhood because my dad played it in the house all the time. There were loads of albums that I remember him continuously playing. However, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill really stands out because I still consider it to be in the top 5 albums I have ever listened to. I could almost choose any song off this album but, for me, Ex-Factor is the song most ingrained in memory from all those years ago.
#2 - The Simpsons - Do the Bartman
I was lucky enough to grow up in the heyday of The Simpsons. At one point, I remember after school television consisting of The Simpsons, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Buffy The Vampire Slayer (in that order I believe). I had a Bart Simpson t-shirt, Bart Simpson's Guide to Life book and we also had The Simpsons album. As a child, I legitimately thought Do The Bartman was a hip-hop classic. To be honest, I still do.
#3 - The Corrs - What Can I Do
The Corrs, Talk on Corners was the first album I ever bought and Andrea Corr was my first celebrity crush. Sure, there were a lot of better albums I could have had as my first album (particularly in the 90's) but I will always have a soft spot for this one as being my first. Also, anyone what says they don't sing along to 'What Can I Do' when it comes on the radio is probably lying.
#4 - Nirvana - Lounge Act
When I entered my teens, I went through the mandated period of predominantly listening to rock/metal. Out of the many bands I listened to, Nirvana were the only one that I was truly obsessed by. Fandom is a rite of passage for teenagers and this was mine. Nirvana are possibly the epitome of teen angst which I had in droves (still do) but they also happened to make great music.
#5 - Ludacris - U Got A Problem
'Back for the First Time' by Ludacris was my first hip-hop album. It's definitely not the best rap album of all time but it was the start of me exploring a new genre. I definitely have a few memories of playing this in the car when my friend passed his driving test and definitely looking like the whitest kids on the planet as we did so.
#6 - T2 - Heartbroken
No song reminds me of nights out at university more than this one. There were places that played better music but I always had more fun at the cheesier clubs where people didn't take themselves quite as seriously. They play this song occasionally at my gym and it takes me back to those fun, messy and often embarrassing times every time hear it.
#7 - Akala - Absolute Power
It was a friend that first played me Akala and I immediately realised that I was listening to something different than anything else I had heard before. Listening to him is like an education because he manages to squeeze so many different ideas into his music (or interviews or writing) without it ever seeming condescending and pretentious. For me, he continues to be an artist I can learn from and, therefore, be bettered by. Plus, dragging my ex who hated rap music to one of his gigs was good fun.
#8 - Dave - Hangman
I often see people sharing things on social media about how music isn't as good as it used to be. I totally disagree with this. There has always been lots of great music and lots of crap music whichever decade you look at and I am still discovering new music I enjoy all the time. Dave is an example of an artist who can make songs that are light-hearted and catchy or songs that make you think and reflect. He is one of many artists who allows me to continue enjoying the discovery of new music.
Book - Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski
To remind me what it means to be human.
Luxury item - Paper and pencils
To continue sharing my ideas with the same amount of people that read my blog.
Anyway, what are your Desert Island Discs?
