Ed Sheeran catches up with Grime star Big Narstie

Grime maestro Big Narstie today announces details of his brand new single 'BDL Anthem', released through Dice Recordings.



A mission statement for the Base Defence League movement, the track follows on from his single 'Hello Hi' and recent collaboration with Craig David on the Top Ten hit 'When the Bassline Drops'. It propelled the award-winning Grime artist and YouTube star Big Narstie (real name Tyrone Lindo) into the UK mainstream, with A-List rotation on Radio 1 and a TV appearance on Jonathan Ross.

Big Narstie says "A lot of people always ask me "what's BDL? Is it just a music gimmick?" It's not. BDL is a movement, and this song is the mandate. It's broken down a lot of social barriers. From ghetto kids to middle class, white university kids. It's a society of people with the same thoughts and morals of life. It's a bridging of gaps between identities within England. Even on the Craig David song, my message hadn't changed. BDL is the voice of the people"

Big Narstie's friendship with Ed Sheeran dates back to 2009, and the multi-platinum selling star now calls Narstie a close friend. Sheeran says in the exclusive Q&A below - "My family loves him, and I love his family - his mother makes Jamaican stew every time I go to visit. It's tasty as hell! Am so happy that my friend has finally started to get the recognition he deserves for the hard work and slog he has put in over the last few years".

Big Narstie will is set to perform at Wireless, NASS, Lovebox, Ibiza Rocks, Truck Festival and his BDL nights at Fabric London this summer, and his debut full-length album will follow this year.

Ed Sheeran said: "I've known Narstie for over 6/7 years now and he has become a really good friend to me. If I ever need someone to talk to on a level as a sounding board and to get honest, straight answers Narstie is one of the people I contact. He has no side, no airs and graces, he just says it how he sees it and how he thinks and that is invaluable to me especially in this industry. He is very much a close friend, my family loves him, and I love his family - his mother makes Jamaican stew every time I go to visit. It's tasty as hell!

Am so happy that my friend has finally started to get the recognition he deserves for the hard work and slog he has put in over the last few years.

So Narstie...

Ed - How has everything changed since you went Top 10 in the national charts?
Narstie - Everything's picked up a lot bro can't lie very busy life rite now

Ed - Is there extra pressure on you?
Narstie - Deres pressure if allow it keep humble keep focused and keep to my work I'm gd

Ed - Or is it same as it always is?
Narstie - I try to keep it da same but in life nothing stays da same

Ed - What are your plans for this year?
Narstie - Christen my daughter and rip the game a new one wid base BDL my bruva

Ed - What is happening with music, live, life?
Narstie - Album coming soon, being a dad loving it all

Ed - Any interesting collabs either on the album or otherwise?
Narstie - Lady Leshurr, Craig David, obviously you!

Ed - For anyone who doesn't know, what has been the biggest thing to happen to you over the last 6 months & your career as a whole?
Narstie - At a festival, tried to get 20k ppl in a 2k tent - mad respect levels

Ed - Tell me about BDL and what it means to you and what does the new single represent?
Narstie – BDL is about unity and love between common man all colours and creed in our country unity is power and we are absolute party animals binning herbs big up da basebabes