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My first year as a pop star Naughty Boy: my first year as a pop star
(about 14 hours later)
I was driving in my car in Rickmansworth when Capital Radio announced that my song La La La was No 1. One of my oldest friends, Shak, was with me, and he just looked at me, half proud, half shocked. That was a good moment.I was driving in my car in Rickmansworth when Capital Radio announced that my song La La La was No 1. One of my oldest friends, Shak, was with me, and he just looked at me, half proud, half shocked. That was a good moment.
A few years ago, I had dropped out of university and was working at Domino's Pizza. My auntie wanted to go on Deal Or No Deal, so I decided to apply too. It looked like the easiest game in the world! I ended up winning £44,000. The money saved me, enabling me to build a studio in my shed and start making music seriously.A few years ago, I had dropped out of university and was working at Domino's Pizza. My auntie wanted to go on Deal Or No Deal, so I decided to apply too. It looked like the easiest game in the world! I ended up winning £44,000. The money saved me, enabling me to build a studio in my shed and start making music seriously.
My first hits were behind the scenes, producing songs for Chipmunk and Wiley and working with Emeli Sandé. I used to be too shy to show my own face. I was afraid of telling my story and talking about having been on a gameshow, because I thought people would think I wasn't serious. But I got over that this year.My first hits were behind the scenes, producing songs for Chipmunk and Wiley and working with Emeli Sandé. I used to be too shy to show my own face. I was afraid of telling my story and talking about having been on a gameshow, because I thought people would think I wasn't serious. But I got over that this year.
This has been the best year of my life. I released my own album, had a hit single, met people like Annie Lennox and Stevie Nicks. I even won an Ivor Novello award. I mean, it's crazy. I guess I'm humbled because I've spent time in the pinde [village] that my family are from in Pakistan, so it gives you a sense of perspective about it all – no matter how big I get, they're not playing my song there, I'll tell you that. My parents are immigrants and until recently they were still holding out for me to get a real job.This has been the best year of my life. I released my own album, had a hit single, met people like Annie Lennox and Stevie Nicks. I even won an Ivor Novello award. I mean, it's crazy. I guess I'm humbled because I've spent time in the pinde [village] that my family are from in Pakistan, so it gives you a sense of perspective about it all – no matter how big I get, they're not playing my song there, I'll tell you that. My parents are immigrants and until recently they were still holding out for me to get a real job.
After the initial surprise of finding out you're No 1, all week you're waiting for something more to happen, for more of a feeling, but it is what it is. It can't really live up to the hype that you've created in your head as an artist, wanting it to happen over years and years. But you do get a certificate and an award from the Official Charts Company, which my mum has. Parents, especially Asian ones, like knowing that their kids are the best at something.After the initial surprise of finding out you're No 1, all week you're waiting for something more to happen, for more of a feeling, but it is what it is. It can't really live up to the hype that you've created in your head as an artist, wanting it to happen over years and years. But you do get a certificate and an award from the Official Charts Company, which my mum has. Parents, especially Asian ones, like knowing that their kids are the best at something.
La La La is everywhere now. I heard it in John Lewis a few weeks ago and ended up getting spotted near the perfumes. I love it, though, so I'm not sick of it. But the song Lifted might be overplayed. Even Ed Miliband played it after his speech. My first thought was: "Isn't he supposed to ask permission?" I'm not sure I would have said yes.La La La is everywhere now. I heard it in John Lewis a few weeks ago and ended up getting spotted near the perfumes. I love it, though, so I'm not sick of it. But the song Lifted might be overplayed. Even Ed Miliband played it after his speech. My first thought was: "Isn't he supposed to ask permission?" I'm not sure I would have said yes.
I notice the changes in my life all the time. I was performing in Dubai this year and noticed that the most beautiful girls in the world were coming up to me – they didn't know who I was, but they knew I was "somebody". It was funny – they were the kind of girls who would have avoided me a year ago because I was a hoodie-wearing rudeboy. That's when I thought: "Shit, not only is this international … I can get girls!"I notice the changes in my life all the time. I was performing in Dubai this year and noticed that the most beautiful girls in the world were coming up to me – they didn't know who I was, but they knew I was "somebody". It was funny – they were the kind of girls who would have avoided me a year ago because I was a hoodie-wearing rudeboy. That's when I thought: "Shit, not only is this international … I can get girls!"
Even my rider has changed over a year. I used to be the shyest rider person and would never use it. Now it has to have Grey Goose and Nando's chicken wings on it. I was at the Capital FM party this year and Robbie Williams stopped me. He was like: "We should do some tracks." I went back to my dressing room and was like: "Robbie Williams knows who I am … now, where's the Nando's chicken wings?!"Even my rider has changed over a year. I used to be the shyest rider person and would never use it. Now it has to have Grey Goose and Nando's chicken wings on it. I was at the Capital FM party this year and Robbie Williams stopped me. He was like: "We should do some tracks." I went back to my dressing room and was like: "Robbie Williams knows who I am … now, where's the Nando's chicken wings?!"
If I get shy now I think: "Well, I'm a little Pakistani boy from Watford and I've just sold 2m singles." That helps. If I get shy now I think: "Well, I'm a little Pakistani boy from Watford and I've just sold 2m singles." That helps.
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