Wahid reports on the BBC Proms and interviews Jamie Cullum

February 26, 2017

Who would've thought a 19 year old from the gritty corners of East London, would get to meet and interview Jazz sensation: Jamie Cullum.

My name's Wahid, I'm currently studying Media, Film and TV. With the Renaissance Foundation, I've had the opportunity to interview  inspirational individuals such as the US Ambassador to the UK - Matthew Barzun, West Coast rapper Xzibit, and Lewis Hamilton amongst other notable people.

For those who know me, know that I'm a hip hop fan. I've been listening to it since I was a kid. Mainly, due to the fact my uncles and aunts used to put the TV on Music channels such as Channel U and Flava back then. So I was very pleased to learn that Jamie was influenced by old school hip hop figures such as the late J Dilla.

So here's the story...

I'm at the Royal Albert Hall, I turn up with Sat - The director of the Renaissance Foundation to 'Jamie's BBC Proms: How to Write a Song workshop'. I watched in awe as Jamie spoke about how he came to do the score for the film Gran Torino, the song writing process and how at the time, it was difficult for him to write the song, because he could only think of two words that rhymed with Torino; Casino and Filipino.

Soon after the workshop, myself and Sat were taken downstairs to a room where we set up the cameras and other equipment we required for the interview. As soon as we were set up, in came Jamie.

In the interview Jamie told me about his inspirations, how it was for him to meet and perform for President Obama, what success means to him and also what the Proms mean to him.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Jamie was glad he did the interview, I wasn't too sure how it went because I was nervous about how I looked in front of the camera. It was one of those moments when you're looking at someone you look up to and you zone out. You don't know what's going on around you because you're so focused on what they're saying, and towards the end, it just felt like it was just me and him in the room having a conversation. To hear him give me the nod of approval and appreciate the work we do just reinforced my belief for the work we do here at RF. To learn, inspire and motivate.

Look out for the interview dropping very soon on the Renaissance Foundation YouTube channel.

P.S Special thanks to Jamie, Camilla, the BBC Proms, and everyone at the Royal Albert Hall for helping us make this happen!

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