Episode 1 Fazer's Urban Takeover

SONG: "Killer" by Fazer

I'm Fazer. I'm a rapper, musician and multi-platinum music producer.

Most of you will know me as an urban artist,

but last year I got to play with a world-renowned classical orchestra,

and ever since I've become a huge fan of classical music.

It was like the most overwhelming experience in music

that I've had, cos it's like,

"Wow." It's all live instruments and real musicians,

like an eargasm.

Like 3D music. Music in high definition.

You ain't getting no music like this through a computer.

I tell you that much now.

I was lucky to have this mind-blowing experience,

but many young people today don't ever have that kind of opportunity,

and have preconceived ideas about those that do.

What kind of people do you think listen to classical music?

-Posh people.

-Posh people, yes.

-Rich people.

-Old people.

-Old people?

But I think they're missing out,

and I'm worried about where the classical audience of tomorrow

will come from.

So I'm going to take a group of young musicians

who prefer beats to Beethoven, and give them a classical crash course.

They'll listen to it...

Just needs to stop getting in my ears, really.

-..learn about it...

-Mosh the beat.

-..and live it...

-Oh, my...

This is madness.

..in order to write and perform an epic piece of music that fuses

urban sounds with a classical orchestra.

In under two months we're going to be playing at this year's

BBC Proms at the world-renowned Royal Albert Hall.

I want my project to blow apart the stereotypes of young people

and the classical world.

When I walked in there, I got goose bumps, man.

It's an emotional experience.

Sorry.

And hopefully, open each other's eyes, ears, and minds

to different types of music, and ultimately different perspectives.

The job that I have with this project

and what I'm actually taking on on my shoulders,

it could go either way.

I'm literally just shaking in my boots right now.

I think this is one of the most epic pieces in classical music.

Just the way it's composed, the way it's together, like the way it...

the suspense of it and everything like that, it's crazy.

I'm a bit worried about classical music in general,

because I don't think there's enough young people engaging in it

and understanding the type of music it is.

What would your friends think if they heard you listening to classical music?

-They'd think I'm mad.

-They'd think you're mad?

Have any of you guys heard of the BBC Proms?

Is it sort of like Britain's Got Talent for posh people?

I think classical music needs young people to carry on

the legacy behind it. Do you know what I mean?

To keep an audience with it to live on.

That's hopefully where I'm coming in.

My aim is to put together a group of young musicians

that never had any sort of classical interest

or even heard of classical music.

We're going to write a track with them, which then we'll perform

at this year's Urban Classic Proms

with some of the most amazing musicians in the world.

Now in its 119th year,

the BBC Proms is the world's biggest classical music festival,

running for eight weeks every summer at the famous Royal Albert Hall.

But this year the Proms are mixing it up by fusing urban artists

like Maverick Sabre, Wretch 32, Laura Mvula and me

with the prestigious BBC Symphony Orchestra

at the first ever Urban Classic Prom.

Alongside rehearsing for the Prom, I want to take my band

of musicians and involve them in all aspects of classical music.

Like, I want to expose them to things that the would never

normally experience, and ultimately I'm hoping that,

by mixing them with them with musicians who know

and love classical music,

that they might be able to appreciate it themselves.

I'm starting my classical mission at Club Scala in London,

for a renowned hip-hop night, the Jump Off,

home to the most die-hard urban music fans.

We're here in Kings Cross today for the Jump Off UK.

I think it's one of the biggest rap battles/producer battles

in the UK right now.

RAPPER FREESTYLES

At the Jump Off,

all types of performers go up against each other

in a series of battles where the winner is decided

by a panel of judges.

Tonight, yours truly is one of the judges.

But I'm also here to test whether I can sell classical music

to even the toughest young crowd

by mixing a string quartet with some urban techniques.

-Have you guys ever played an urban-type grime night before?

-No.

-They have a twerk-off battle.

-Oh.

-Do you know what a twerk-off is?

-Not really.

-Basically, a lot of girls shaking their...rear ends.

-Ah!

-Oh, yeah. Shake your booty.

-Yeah.

Shake your booty!

This classical performance will be a first for Jump Off,

and I've got no idea how the experiment will go down.

The thing about a Jump Off crowd is they're like

"go hard or go home", sort of thing.

Like if you're not bringing it, then they don't want to know.

It's a big risk, because you never know how it could go down.

People might not connect with it in the way that I hoped.

It'll either be a hands-up situation,

or it could be... thumbs-down situation.

So, fingers crossed, man.

I know you guys are used to something different each week

from the producer battle.

I've got a string quartet. Four string players.

What they're going to do is they're going to come up here

and they're going to play a piece for you guys.

What has to happen is the producer is going to sample this

and make something out of nothing.

So I'm going to introduce to the stage my four string players.

They're called the Premier String Slayers.

Make some noise, Jump Off.

Yeah! That's a gangster name as well.

The Premier String Slayers. Yeah!

Are you ready?

QUARTET PLAYS

When the orchestra first came out and started playing, it was like...

tumbleweed. They just didn't get it.

I think classical music is for the older generation.

It's more for the older people and middle class.

It's just too calm, it'll put me to sleep if I listen to it.

It hurts my ears, I don't like the...

It's no surprise that my classical quartet have failed to impress.

But I'm hoping that, by mixing in some beats, the producers can start

to win over the crowd and I can see a way forward in my mission

to bring together these worlds.

Let's see how good these producers are.

They've got five minutes to make something out of that beat.

As the last seconds of the battle tick away, it's time for us

to hear the producers' finished pieces.

Then you'll see where the two worlds come together.

First up, it's Messy Beatz's track.

HE PLAYS BEATS OVER THE STRINGS

Messy Beatz hasn't got the crowd jumping.

Maybe Strika's efforts will pump them up.

HE PLAYS BEATS OVER THE STRINGS

It's now time for me and the panel to decide a winner.

Strika right here. Strika is your champion.

But, judging by the faces in the crowd,

my experiment has proved to be an epic fail.

I think if classical music had more of what the producers did,

I think more people would listen to it.

I think it was interesting, but I still wouldn't listen to it.

The gap tonight for me between the two worlds of classical

and pop music is a lot further than I could ever have imagined.

The job that I have with this project and what I'm actually

taking on on my shoulders, it could go either way.

I'm literally just shaking in my boots right now.

I think I'm going to have a hard night's sleeping tonight,

insomnia and that, and hopefully I'll wake up tomorrow

with a fresh head with thoughts

on how I'm going to accomplish this mission, do you know what I mean?

My classical experiment at the Jump Off proved I've really got

my work cut out for me with the younger generation.

But I also need to get the classical world on board.

My project is a massive risk for the head of the Proms, Roger Wright.

So today I've come to the BBC broadcasting house in London

to meet the man himself and make sure I've got his full support.

Yeah, I'm a bit nervous about meeting the head of the Proms,

cos if he doesn't like me, he might just call quits

on the whole programme.

I'll be on my best behaviour today

and fingers crossed we'll kick it off on the right foot

and I'll still be at the Proms to make this dream come true.

I want to give a bunch of musicians the same experience that I had

when I first worked with a symphony orchestra.

Cos I remember growing up,

and maybe I speak for a lot of people here,

who thinks going out and playing a violin or a cello

or a brass instrument is cool?

They'd rather pick up an electric guitar, run a solo,

pick up the drums, "I'm in a band," you know,

and they don't understand that within popular music that strings,

classical instruments, brass instruments,

play a major part in what we do.

It seems like a really natural extension for us,

what the Proms has been doing in terms of broadening the audience

for classical music, but also putting different artists together

particularly to showcase the orchestra.

Hopefully, what we'll be doing at the Royal Albert Hall

can open the eyes of other people

and keep classical music alive in a sense, as well.

So with the classical establishment on board,

I can start my search for the most crucial ingredient for my challenge.

The band.

I'll be running auditions today for this group

we're going to put together, this dream group for the BBC Proms.

I posted today's auditions on Twitter

and put a shout-out at Jump Off the other night,

but I deliberately didn't promote the classical element of the project

because I was worried no-one would turn up.

The main objective today is to find talented people

that have a raw talent and raw passion for music,

but don't have any interest in the slightest in classical.

At today's auditions, I'll be joined by composer

and arranger Jason Yarde, who'll be helping me

produce the final music for the 85-piece orchestra.

I can't wait to get this started, man.

Yes, it's going to be a long and interesting day.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hello.

Hello, everyone.

-What's your name?

-Shevelle Anderson.

-You all right, yeah?

-Yeah, I'm calm.

-Where you from, Shevelle?

-I'm from Tottenham.

-How did you get into singing?

I started singing in church. I went to Jamaica

and I got introduced to reggae, which is like my favourite genre.

-What do you know about classical music?

-Nothing.

There's a B person. What's his name? Bait-over?

-There you go.

-Yeah...

Well, at least you knew him as a composer and not a dog, you know.

-I know.

-That's something.

# I bust the windows out your car

# You know I did it cos I left my mark

# Wrote my initials with a crowbar

# And then I drove off into the dark... #

Great confidence, very soulful voice.

I like her whole persona, man. She's cool, man.

The auditions continue and we meet more brilliant vocalists.

# You're barking up the wrong tree

# The spotlight's on me... #

But as well as talent, I'm determined to uncover the people

who are furthest away from the classical world.

Are you into classical music at all?

-I went to a classical concert with my dad.

-What happened?

I fell asleep.

# Baby, you light up my world like nobody else... #

What do you know about classical music?

I only listen to it if I want to go to sleep or something.

# You don't know

# You don't know you're beautiful. #

# I'm bulletproof

# Nothing to lose

# Fire away, fire away... #

What do you think of classical music?

I don't know, it's a bit boring, innit.

My new band are going to get the chance to compose a music track

with me and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

So I'm not just looking for singers, I also need talented musicians

who can help pull the whole piece together.

I'm Vic Jamieson, I'm originally from Portsmouth.

What do you think about classical music?

I find it slow, the pieces are very long.

It just sounds old.

Listen, I ain't seen a guitarist like that for a while.

He's got his own unique playing style... Sick Vic!

Yeah, he's amazing, man. Raw talent. I like that.

Well done, man. Well done.

Vic's audition really blew me away,

but he isn't the only multi-talented musician hoping to make it

into my band.

My name's Benji and I'm from a small town near Swindon.

So what are you going to do for us today?

I'm going to do a little mess around on the drums first.

I'm going to do a song or two on guitar.

# It's a marvellous night for a moondance... #

Yeah, I like Benji.

I wonder if he can play drums, sing and guitar at the same time.

The level of musical talent has been crazy so far,

but if I'm going to succeed in bringing classical to a new crowd,

my Proms piece needs to be edgy.

So the final element I'm looking for to complete my band is rap.

-My name's Curtis McCaller.

-Where you from?

-I'm from Harlesden.

My musical influence, like artist-wise would be Nas,

Kendrick Lamar...

Old school hip-hop.

Anything that's there that I think is worthy to be listened to,

I listen to.

-So, is classical music on that list?

-Um...

I think it's for old people, like, I think...

When I reach 50 I'll probably wind down and start listening to it.

But for now, I only listen to hard-hitting hip-hop.

# This style I got I was blessed with

# And we're the best

# They just take rappers to the morgue... #

As far as classical music, yeah, and the disconnection between him

and that genre, it's a big misconnection there.

And the rapping talent don't stop there.

I'm Samantha, or Soulist. Manchester.

-Manchester, yeah?

-Yeah.

# Please take it into consideration

# This is an a cappella

# So you can hear my diction

# So I can clearly tell ya... #

SHE BEATBOXES

-She's got some skills.

-All right, man. What's your name?

-Where you from?

-It's Adio, aka Sin Seer from Manchester.

Everyone's rapping in Manny, yeah?

# I just got to get my mind right

# Already rung tight

# Reach the masses, smash it

# Be a beast at rapping

# See my chance and grab it... #

He's all right, man. Got a good flow. Nice content as well.

So the auditions are finally over, and it's time to choose my band.

I'm so looking forward to opening these guys' ears

and eyes to classical music.

Hopefully they'll get the same inspiration

and the same feeling that I got

when I first worked with a 85-piece orchestra, do you know what I mean?

It inspired me to do this project.

So hopefully they feel it like I did and we make something out of this.

Today I'm revealing which of the auditionees I've picked

to be in the band.

The chosen seven have been asked to come to the Maida Vale studios

for what they think is a second audition,

but they're actually about to get the surprise of their lives.

I know you guys have been told today that you'd be coming down here

for a call-back and all that,

but I'm going to let you know that's not really the case.

We kind of blagged it.

You guys have actually made it through.

So my new band is made up of gospel singer Shevelle,

guitarist and vocalist Benji,

Samantha, a rapper and beatboxer,

Vic, a multi-talented guitarist,

soul singer Samara

and rappers Curtis and Sin Seer.

Everyone is totally gassed they've made it.

Time to drop another bomb - that they're going to be playing

at the biggest classical music festival in the world.

Over the next few weeks we're going to be writing and composing

a track in co-operation with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

That's 80 players playing from strings to brass instruments

to percussions, everything,

and in under two months we're going to be playing at this year's

BBC Proms at the world-renowned Royal Albert Hall.

That's crazy!

So luckily no-one has run away at the thought

of playing with a full classical orchestra.

Although I'm not quite sure they all totally realise what they're

letting themselves in for, or even where they're performing.

The Royal Prom, right? The Royal Proms?

I had never heard of the Proms.

I know that might sound really ignorant.

My world is quite a long way away from the classical world.

I've never sat down properly and listened to classical,

so this is like a completely new thing for me.

I'm so excited by my new band's reaction to the news.

But I've got one last surprise for them.

For their Proms performance,

they're going to be sharing the stage with the incredible

BBC Symphony Orchestra, and I want the group to get an idea

of just how powerful these classical instruments can sound.

So we've been allowed to eavesdrop on their rehearsals.

To see that was just like, quite overwhelming, to be honest with you.

When I walked in there, I got goose bumps, man.

It's exactly what Fazer said. It's music in 3D.

My new band has got just seven weeks to create a piece of music

worthy of being performed by this mind-blowing orchestra

at the Royal Albert Hall.

I'm hoping that by working closely with the people who know and love

classical music, my band might learn to appreciate it themselves.

It's the next day and our first rehearsal.

I'm totally buzzing, but we've got a lot to do.

It's going to be an exciting day today. I can't wait.

I started ideas late last night,

and hopefully by the end of the day we'll have a solid structure

of what we want and we can take it from there.

My brothers!

As well as composer and arranger Jason Yarde,

who joined me at the auditions...

..I've also asked the hottest conductor on the music scene,

Jules Buckley, to help bring together

my urban-classical masterpiece.

-How are you, man?

-I'm good, you?

-Yeah, how was your flight?

-It was kind of early.

-Early, yeah?

Jules will be conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra on the big night.

-Everything all right, yeah?

-Yeah.

-Ready for this?

-Uh... Yeah.

Let's see what happens.

I've also asked my right-hand man

and co-producer Pete Ibsen to join the party.

He's down here today to help make this epic piece of music

become something out of nothing, do you know what I mean?

So, I couldn't do it without him

and I couldn't do it without Jason and I couldn't do it without Jules.

-So, we've got the dream team here today.

-Damn right.

But do my dream team really know what they've let themselves in for?

Did you chat to them yesterday about how much they know?

-Like, what classical music they might know?

-They don't know anything.

-But they might know a couple of tunes.

-No, they don't.

The most we got was people knew Beethoven.

We only have a limited amount of rehearsal days between now

and the big night, so creating a track that appeals to both classical

and urban music fans is a tall order.

Last night I came up with a starting point for the composition.

Big intro. Massive, massive, massive,

and then really into something really small, like this.

HE PLAYS SOME LIGHT CHORDS

This part's for the singers, right.

The piece I've written has a pop sort of feel to it,

but when it's backed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra

will have a strong classical element to it,

and I think it's that... this kind of fusion,

the track will be the perfect introduction to classical music

for the group.

For the rappers now, it goes...

HE PLAYS DRAMATIC CHORDS

And maybe if I can get them to engage with this,

by the end of their classical crash course, I can get them to, you know,

start appreciating more traditional classical music.

Could you imagine with the orchestra it's going to be some epic...

Although I've written the basic chords, I'm handing the rest

of the composition over to the group, starting with the title.

Kind of maybe think about why you're here and...

It's like we've put a book together.

-We're all a chapter each, like a journal.

-Chapters.

-And the end of the book is, we're here...

-Call it Chapters, innit.

No, you can't do that. You can't do that.

All who agree on Chapters, raise your hand.

No, you cannot call it Chapters.

Cos I've already written a song called Chapters!

I think Chapters has a nice ring to it as a title.

-There's seven of you, 7 Chapters.

-I like that.

7 Chapters.

It's very much about us. It's nice.

I don't have a problem now, cos you've added the seven.

Cos you've put a seven in front of it.

The concept of the song is basically 7 Chapters.

It's the idea that we all have our own story to tell,

and each one of those stories adds a chapter towards the bigger story.

Now we've got the title and a concept, the group splits up.

The track we gave them has a couple of sections.

It has quite a pretty section for the chorus and for the singers.

So you go...

And it's got a very dark section for the rap, the hip-hop.

-And like, I do what I'm doing in the background.

-OK.

So the singers need to find the melody that works for them

and the orchestra.

While the rappers need to knuckle down with writing lyrics

that speak to both classical and urban audiences.

It's going good.

I think I might have more or less got everything

and I know what I need to say, so I think I've got it.

Pretty quick.

Sin Seer is in his element.

And Samantha's lyrics are also flowing freely,

but 17-year-old Curtis is having a writer's block.

Curtis, I think he felt probably most nervous because...

I'm not sure if it's because of his age,

also for the fact that people were flowing,

like he could see pen to paper, which adds even more pressure.

I just can't think and I feel like I'm letting everyone down,

which I don't want to do.

I've got something there that's meaningful, but I can do better.

My rhyme scheme right now is pretty basic, bruv.

And I'm not in primary school no more,

so I shouldn't be doing basic rhymes.

It's mad but it's going in the bin. I'm starting again.

I chose Curtis for my project

because he's a million miles away from a typical classical music fan,

and I saw just how much he wanted and needed this opportunity.

My name's Curtis McCaller, I'm from Harlesden,

also known as Harlem, northwest London.

We call it Harlem cos it's full of hustlers,

and it's the same thing in Harlem in New York.

There's people that's been standing on the same corner

for five years doing the same thing.

Everyone's just trying to be the biggest and baddest man.

Curtis was born in Jamaica and came to England

when he was six years old.

My dad still resides in Jamaica.

He's not been to this country ever in his life.

His mum raised him on her own with his four brothers and sisters,

but as soon as he hit his teens he started to get into trouble

at school and with the law.

When you're growing up around here and getting in trouble

with the police, it's like graduating to a certain extent.

You don't plan out saying, "Yeah, I want to be a criminal,"

but like, when you're living amongst demons to a certain extent,

it's hard to be an angel, innit.

It got so bad that when he was 14 Curtis left Harlesden.

It was Social Services and my mum that eventually moved me

out of the area cos they thought that

if I stayed I would've ended up in some serious trouble, or dead.

# The strain's on me cos I'm my mum's last son

# Looking in the mirror

# Like what have I become... #

Away from the gang culture of northwest London,

Curtis found a new focus in life - rap music.

I don't want to be, like, still on the block when I'm 40.

I've got to make something happen.

Music was the only thing I was good at.

# The system set us up to fail

# No change, I kept it real... #

It's like a lifeline to a certain extent.

There's nowhere else that I'll be able to, like,

be a better person if it weren't for music, innit,

cos I feel like I've got something to look forward to.

I'm hoping that by the end of my project

Curtis might find that same inspiration from classical music.

Back at rehearsals, Curtis still has writer's block, but it's time for

the rest of the group to showcase what they've composed so far.

THE GIRLS HUM A TUNE

Inspiration!

That's really cool.

I got some inspiration and that from their singing and stuff,

-so I'm on track now. I'm on track.

-I'm happy for you, man.

We've got the beginnings of a good track, but I want the group to start

thinking about the BBC Symphony Orchestra's role in the piece.

So the 7 Chapters, as they're now called,

need to do some homework.

Well, before tomorrow you each need to go

and you need to listen to one piece of classical music.

And it needs to be a minimum of seven minutes long.

-We've got to listen to the whole seven minutes?

-Yeah.

For most of the group, this is the first time they've listened

to a piece of classical music from beginning to end.

Classical music is...old.

It's never connected with me.

It just sounds like medieval jesters dancing in a courtyard.

If I was in medieval times, maybe I'd be like the lute player

in the corner going up to people, but I'm not,

so it just needs to stop getting in my ears, really.

I've always had this thing, like rich people...

I think they mostly listen to classical music.

Imagine if I go to my friends and say,

"Oh, it's banging song, yeah, but it's classical.

"You need to hear it." They'd be like, "No, Shevs!"

Nah, it won't happen.

DRAMATIC ORCHESTRAL SCORE

It's hyper, innit.

It's fast, lots going on and a lot of different instruments.

It sounds good, innit. Bruv, I like it, I like it, innit.

I'd give it a chance

but if my iPod was full and I needed memory, I'd delete it.

It would be the first to go, but I'd give it a chance, innit.

There's still a long way to go

before my band are ready to mosh to Mozart.

There's a couple of tracks here I thought we'd play you, briefly.

So we're back in Maida Vale for the next stage

in their classical conversion.

-What about this tune?

-# Dah-dah-dah... #

Before we get back into rehearsing our composition,

conductor Jules Buckley is giving the group a crash course

in how classical can be used to influence a modern track.

Another tune that's fairly recent is this one...

SONG: "Upper Clapton Dance" by Professor Green

Now, that's the start of it, who's the artist that comes in after?

That's a Professor Green track,

but that's originally a piece called The Hungarian Dance,

and then that became known as the Upper Clapton Dance.

# You'll never know the path that we had to take... #

Each member of the band starts working on their section

of the piece.

But Samara is feeling a bit cheated.

I'm limited with two lines, four bars, you know what I mean?

I think that's more difficult to write two lines than a whole song.

In a way I don't feel that I've had enough chance to show

my writing ability because I've been given two lines,

and it makes me look like I can't write, because...

You know, what's two lines?

Two lines ain't nothing to me, if I'm honest with you.

And Samara isn't the only one who's unhappy with her piece of the pie.

# Real script, no actor

# One story

# 7 Chapters. #

Like, that was pretty much...

'I'm happy with how the song's going.

'I'm still a little bit apprehensive with the part that I've got.'

I don't feel like I got a part yet where it's, like, harnessing

the skills which hopefully I brought to this project.

I chose Samantha for this project because she's so passionate

about music, she can't help but stand up for what she believes in,

even when it's out of time with other people around her.

My name is Samantha Pedley, aka Soulist.

I am 22 years old, I'm from Manchester.

Although Samantha grew up in a relatively affluent area,

her parents were not high earners

and she often felt like she didn't belong.

I would go round to friends' houses

and I couldn't relate to the whole detached house,

'and you have two cars parked outside, you have a garden,

'and you have a cleaner. I didn't feel I fitted in.'

SHE FREESTYLES

I mean, I already had my first Eminem album from the age of seven.

By 11 I already had my Wu-tang album, Cypress Hill album,

Tupac album, Biggie album.

Round my area, if you were to come to someone and say,

"Oh, yeah, I rap," it's not going to be taken seriously.

It's just socially not acceptable.

Samantha is now studying music and sociology at university,

but she's the only student on her course who isn't classically trained

and still feels like she doesn't belong.

When I first started uni, I did not feel like I fitted in.

I think the barriers that exist within classical music,

first and foremost, is money.

I think if you have the money,

then you have the resources to having private lessons

in however many instruments you want from a young age.

Secondly, your exposure to it. Did I grow up to classical music? No.

So, how can I do something I don't know?

I don't necessarily think that people from an urban music or people

who come from other backgrounds don't have the understanding of it

and they're not capable of understanding it,

I just don't think they've been given the chance.

You have to worry about you

and that's the one thing you've got to focus on.

Back at rehearsals, Samantha and Samara have decided

they needed to speak up about their parts in the piece.

You know how you're saying that obviously Curtis has a lot to say?

We all do, but I don't feel I've had enough opportunity to do that.

To me, it's sounding pretty banging,

and I think we should probably consider keeping it where it is.

The only thing I'll say in relation to that is,

I still haven't got any actual part.

I still haven't got more than two lines.

The parts that you do have, work hard at that,

and as she said, make your presence known.

-You don't have to do that part...

-I still haven't...

-Hold on.

You don't have to do that part the same all the time.

You can change it up and do what you want to do,

just make sure it musically makes sense.

When you come back, bang it out. Show us what you've got.

Change it up and you'll see our faces, like "Whoa,"

like "Where did that come from," kind of thing.

Whilst Samantha and Samara come to terms with their roles,

rehearsals continue.

Today it's finally time for the band to be joined

by the professional musicians from the symphony orchestra,

and there's a definite fear of the unknown.

Everyone, just look over there. Look at the instruments.

They're bloody scary.

But it's not just the 7 Chapters who are unsure about how

they're going to get along with their new musical partners.

I'm kind of a bit nervous.

Everybody's got these really cool attitudes and cool names

and I always just feel a bit, "Oh, my God," you know,

my instrument's very staid.

I feel a bit out of my comfort zone.

Instead of storming into full rehearsals,

I've asked just six of the key members of the symphony orchestra

to initially join the group.

Unfortunately, I can't be there,

but Jules and Jason will be leading the day.

Could've gone straight in and just given the whole 60-70,

100-piece orchestra, but this way, it just kind of...

It's a little baby step.

Most of the 7 Chapters have never been up close to

these kind of classical instruments before,

and I want the group to learn exactly how they sound.

So I'm giving them the chance to conduct in the hope that

they'll start to see what different sections of the orchestra

can bring to the overall composition.

We basically had a go at conducting some of the members

from the orchestra.

I know that my eyes were watering when I sat down.

It was actually overwhelming.

I thought this was something I was going to take as a joke.

My heart was actually like ba-boom, ba-boom,

I didn't think I could be that nervous.

I just completely zoned out

and it just didn't feel like anyone was behind me, apart from just them.

Basically, mosh the beat.

Curtis is next up to take control of the classical musicians.

The orchestra have definitely never had a Curtis conducting them before.

It was a beautiful moment for me to see that

and to see that it was really working.

These guys, let's get them stamping the beat.

# I try to get from the bolts to the stage

# It's how I'm living,

# Got me feeling like I'm caged... #

RAP DROWNED OUT BY MUSIC

It's great to see the whole group engaging with the orchestra,

and having fun at the same time.

Do you listen to rap music?

Er, yeah. I mean, no question.

Can you recommend him any rap music?

-Nas, yeah?

-Who?

-Nas.

-Nas? How do you spell that?

-N-A-S.

-Another one, Big L.

-Big Al?

-Big L.

-L?

-Yeah.

-Like luh?

-Yeah.

He's sick.

Do you know what sick means when Curtis uses the word sick?

-It's good, right? No?

-Yeah, sick, yeah, good.

-You see, he's up to date with the lingo and that.

-Yeah, man.

The symphony orchestra haven't heard a single note of the 7 Chapters

Prom piece yet, so it's up to the group to get the classical musicians

excited about it.

# We're turning the page

# Let me take you back to where it all started

# Before becoming an artist

# The world was moving the hardest

# I put the head aside

# Cos music is where my heart is

# What would I do without it

# On the block

# Trying to get... #

-Oh, my days.

-Come back in.

Curtis just can't seem to get his part right.

# Born winner

# So naturally there weren't no dinner

# Uh, I get... #

Oh...

-I can't remember.

-One, two, three four...

And he's not the only one.

# 7 Chapters... #

-Samara?

-Oh, sorry.

It's all right, come in now.

# So believe

# Believe

# Believe we succeed in the limelight

# It's now or never

# Shine together in this limelight

# I said real script

# One actor

# One story

# 7 Chapters. #

This is the first time they've performed the track to an audience

and it's been a shambles.

Each one of you has to work on you, now.

Erm... It's a big show, guys.

It's a big show.

So, step up.

I had to say something, cos I just felt like a couple of them

were taking it a little too easy, I should say.

There's going to be a lot to think about on the night, and erm...

I don't even think they've half thought that through yet.

I know they all say they've done it and done this and done that,

but trust...

They haven't done this.

Pete's dressing down has affected everyone,

but one person in particular is feeling the pressure.

We can't just jack it up in the middle of it cos you...

You know what I'm saying?

It's a big venue, innit?

It's a big thing, innit? So I feel like I have to deliver, innit.

I want to go to limits that I've never went to before.

I want to do something different and something crazy.

It's just a big venue, I don't want to let nobody down.

Curtis may have the motivation to step up his performance,

but whether or not he will even be at the big night is currently

hanging in the balance.

Several months ago, he was arrested for assault

and is now waiting to go on trial.

I just can't wait to get it all over

and done with cos it's been a shadow over me for some time,

so I just want to get it over and done with and just move on from it.

With his future and his part in the project now uncertain,

Curtis is trying to stay positive.

If I get a not guilty verdict, then the police station will never

see me again, the court will never see me again.

I don't want to be doing the same thing till I'm 30.

I need to break the cycle now.

My Proms project is about more than music,

it's about showing my band a whole different perspective

on the classical world.

So today, I've sent the group on a mystery trip to show them

that classical music isn't just for the upper classes.

We don't know where we're going. We don't know who we're going to see.

Maybe we're going to meet Fazer's family

-and have lunch.

-Imagine!

Samara and Sin Seer can't be here today, but the other five Chapters

are headed to the Edward Elgar Museum in Worcestershire.

It's a two-hour trip out of London into the countryside,

and for most of the group,

this kind of thing is out of their comfort zone.

Fazer has sent us to the middle of nowhere to hopefully give us

-the experience of a lifetime.

-Yeah. I usually find museums really boring.

I'm actually going to second that. I'm not a big museum fan.

Edward Elgar is probably Britain's most famous classical composer.

Born in this cottage in 1857,

he came from a poor family and was a self-taught classical composer.

But his music is part of Britain's heritage.

He's got a mean moustache.

His best-known composition is Pomp And Circumstance,

which is traditionally played at the end of the Proms.

SONG: "Land Of Hope And Glory." By Edward Elgar and Arthur C Benson

This is mad. It's mad.

I've heard this before.

-Yeah, exactly, bruv.

-I've heard it before.

We all have.

A lot of his pieces, I've heard before,

but never knew that he was the guy who wrote it.

I'd heard the name Elgar, but didn't know...

-I couldn't put a musical piece to his name.

-Exactly, to his name.

-But as soon as they played that track by him...

-I was like, yes.

As well as having an incredible musical talent,

I want the group to know that Elgar wasn't someone

who played by the rules. In fact, he was a bit of a rebel.

He's the only one of those five people

to be not looking at the camera.

If you have a look, he's looking in the middle distance.

As though he's saying, "I'm not doing the same as everyone else.

"I'm going to be different."

It's interesting, different things about him.

Like the way he made his music by listening to the wind blowing

and the trees, and saying that "the trees are playing me their music."

I wanted the group to see that one of the most famous names

in classical music did things their way, and I'm pleased

by their response to the trip.

I think the whole day's inspired me.

I just feel a vibe, it's just a nice vibe.

And in fact, it seems to have had a real effect on Samantha.

I can relate to not necessarily being able to have the financial resources

to being able to go and be trained,

so the fact that he actually taught himself to be classically trained

in that period of time is amazing.

To know that it could be done then,

then it's realistic that it can be done now.

I'm back at rehearsals today

and I've got a surprise for the 7 Chapters.

Ooh, live! Live! This is live!

We're getting amplified!

All the electronic gizmos and extra musicians look exciting,

but as well as amping up the volume, it also amps up the pressure.

You got to understand, on the night,

you guys are going to be performing with myself, Maverick Sabre,

Wretch 32, like, you lot need to bring it as much as they bring it

because there's no turning back.

Once you get in that Royal Albert Hall in front of them people,

that's it. It's now or never sort of thing.

We're going to have a go. Drums, bass, guitar, Curtis.

Take it away.

# Not many options when you're coming from the bottom

# It's rotten

# I'm at a place where... #

At this stage of rehearsals,

everyone should know their parts inside out.

Curtis? See that pad? You don't need that any more, do you?

Curtis still isn't confident he can remember his rap,

so during a break, cellist Clare offers some professional advice.

Sometimes we would just have the music there,

if we have to look at it. So you could have the words down here.

There's just a couple of phrases that he's struggling to remember

all the words, so I'm just trying to help him to just put those together.

I would expect people from orchestras to just be, like, proper

stuck up and stuff, but it's not like that, you lot are cool.

Oh, that's good.

Ain't this the way?

# ..a depiction for those with an addiction... #

Back in rehearsals,

Jules is focusing all his attention on Samara.

# That's a big mistake. #

End on that note.

Samara has been feeling unsatisfied with her role in her performance,

so I've asked Jules to closely work with her so she feels more involved.

Let's fix this, yeah.

# You'll never know of the paths that I've had to take

# For those that stop me... #

Then go to the chorus chord.

One, two, come on, Sam-a-ra.

# You'll never know of the paths that I've had to take

# For those that stop me Well, that's a big mistake. #

Whoo!

I've got what I wanted now.

I just wanted to show off my voice with ad-libs. I'm happy with it,

and I'm happy with how the track's coming along,

and I'm actually starting to enjoy it more.

I chose Samara to be in my band

because I love the tone of her voice, but I also respect the fact

that she's actually put herself forward for this project

after everything that she's been through.

My name's Samara. I'm from Luton.

For 17-year-old Samara, life hasn't always been easy,

and last year, she made a decision

to move out of home into a hostel.

Yeah, so... This is my room, where I live.

This is me when I was younger.

This is obviously my mum. That's my mum and all my brothers and sisters.

That's my baby.

I was so excited to become a mum,

and then I went for my five-month scan

and found out there was no heartbeat, so I had a stillborn.

I just broke in the hospital, basically.

And literally five days after his burial,

I get a phone call saying my mum had passed away.

Sometimes, it hasn't sunk in, to the point where I think

"Oh, she won't be here for my 18th. She's not going to see me perform."

She's not going to be in the crowd, you know,

screaming for me like she used to...

..any more.

But I'm always going to hear her at the back of my mind,

telling me that I'm going to be on big things.

But, um...

Despite what she's been through,

Samara's determined to turn her experiences into something positive.

I channel negative stuff into my music.

When you go through things,

I think that's when the writing just streams.

In the process of me being pregnant,

I was actually writing a song called My Unborn Child.

I haven't had a chance to finish it, but, you know,

when you experience things,

it's easier to put it into music, I think.

Back at rehearsals, Samantha's really vibing.

She also wanted a bigger part in the piece,

so I've given her some space to use her freestyle rapping skills.

# You never perceive Never judge a book by its cover... #

'I think today was pretty overwhelming

'for a lot of people, actually.'

At first, I thought it was just an individual thing.

No, we nearly cried a few times.

There were quite a few times when my eyes just welled up.

I think it's a mixture of feeling grateful,

nervous, scared, like, how much I've learned, just everything,

because it's an emotional experience.

Sorry.

'Like, this is the first time'

I've been accepted for me,

with all the scattiness, with all the lateness.

Not once have I been condemned for being myself.

I'm so glad that Samantha and Samara

are finally happy with their part in the piece,

but this project isn't just about learning to make music.

I want both the urban and classical musicians

to appreciate each other's perspectives.

..And then understand, yeah, yeah, yeah.

There ain't no state giving you money.

During the break,

Curtis and Shevelle talk to Claire about their upbringing.

-Sleeping on the road, like.

-All you can rely on is your neighbours

and the people that obviously should love you and care for you,

but some people don't have that.

'We were just talking about the way they'd been brought up,

'where they come from. They both came from Jamaica'

and then I had a long chat with Curtis about his life

and all the gangs and how his music and the rapping

really is changing his life.

'It makes me feel really privileged for the life that I've had.'

I mean, these kids, they've just grown up

in a completely different world.

And the more you talk to them,

you can't really get your head around it.

Just a few days later, it's D-Day for Curtis.

It's the start of his court case,

which could mean the end of his part in my project.

Basically, big day for me.

I was at court, and all the charges have been dropped.

I definitely feel as if a weight's been lifted.

I can finally move on with my life.

I can just focus on the Proms, so I feel good, man.

Now that Curtis can put all his energy

into his performance for the big night,

I've arranged for him to hook up with George the poet.

22-year-old George has succeeded

in bringing poetry to a new generation

by performing his work on video-sharing websites,

so I'm hoping he can help Curtis

deliver his rap to a totally different crowd at the Proms.

# I guess that's why certain men are mad at me

# I was raised by the roadsides

# Witnessed many cold nights Even had somebody close die

# RIP to Big T I know you're watching over me

# You gotta understand to oversee

# So hopefully, one day I'll take my talent overseas

# Chasing my dreams I gotta make it

# The best things tend to come from the worst places. #

Yeah, that's it.

BACKING TRACK STOPS

Now, what do you think of it, like?

I think it's perfect in terms of, like, what you're saying is real.

The only think I think about is your delivery.

Pace your words so you don't fumble them.

Make sure that you pronounce your words with purpose

-so that they take you seriously.

-I know I mumble a lot, innit?

If you slow down "The best things" -

it doesn't have to be rushed.

"The best things can come from the worst places."

Music puts me at ease Ain't nothing else that I need

Chasing my dreams, I got to make it

The best things can come from the worst...

See what I did? You see that?

I see that, I see that. I need a pen, cuz.

Curtis's lyrics are based on his real-life experiences,

and he tells George about the gang culture he got caught up in

during his early teens.

When I was 14, shots got let off at me, innit. I got stabbed up.

The Feds were all saying I'm a gang leader.

Because I was in care, they were telling my social worker,

and my social worker's telling my mum, and my mum's like,

"You go back to Jamaica or you leave London."

So I'm thinking, "I ain't trying to go back to Jamaica."

I'd rather leave London, innit?

George had the same kind of tough upbringing

in the same part of north-west London,

so he can relate to Curtis's struggle.

Just through what you've been through alone,

you have a right to be on that stage.

So when you get there, you shouldn't be looking for anyone's approval.

You've earned that right to be there.

They have the privilege of listening to you.

It doesn't matter where you started rapping or why you started rapping.

The fact is, you're doing something very mentally sophisticated.

It's a very intricate, cognitive process, and that's smart.

'There's a barrier of shyness'

that he could just knock down,

a barrier of, like, protection and reclusiveness that he doesn't need.

He has nothing to be scared of.

In terms of the Proms, I want him to be that boy in the ghetto

who's come here to tell you his story, with no apologies.

Lord knows I ain't trying to catch another kiss

I know the feeling's mutual...

'If he realised how remarkable he is,'

he would perform those words

in a way that would just transcend everything.

The best things can come from the worst places.

Bang.

GEORGE LAUGHS

Trust me, fam.

With their Proms performance fast approaching,

I've decided it's time for the 7 Chapters to really understand

the scale of what they've signed up for.

Today, I've brought them to the Royal Albert Hall in London,

the setting for their Proms debut.

Oh, my days!

Oh, my...!

This is madness, like.

Where we're stood, people are going to be here, watching us.

Before starting my project,

most of the group hadn't even heard of this world-class venue,

let alone stepped inside its historical walls.

Look at the size of it. Imagine how it's going to be when it's filled.

It's just making me even more, more hungry.

This truly is an inspiring venue,

and the thought of performing on this prestigious stage

has hit a nerve for Samara.

This is something I want to share with my mum, innit?

I'm a bit mixed emotions at the minute. I don't know how to feel.

Like, stepping out here, I was so excited, and then a bit teary.

I like sharing my experiences with people,

and my mum's probably one of the key people, you know what I mean?

I can see all the 7 Chapters taking in the atmosphere.

This building just oozes the talent and charisma

of the thousands of artists that have entertained here.

It's so epic, I'm even caressing the wood! Oh, this is too much.

And soon, there will be one more name to add to that list.

"Ladies and gentlemen, make some noise for 7 Chapters!"

LAUGHTER

Oh, my days.

Oh!

Literally, I'm just, like, speechless.

One, two, three...

The majority of people, like,

they don't make it out of the hood, innit?

I'm on my way out of the hood, hopefully, anyways.

I can't take it all in, bruv. I'm lost for words, man.

The whole group are humbled by the beauty and scale of this venue.

But for Samantha, it's triggering something bigger.

Right now, I'm just overwhelmed by the opportunity

to even be stood here.

It's made me think about my timeline.

From the day I was born until now,

everything that I've ever been through that has scarred me, torn me,

and everything I've ever done has led to this second.

This is the day I put in my calendar that I say,

"You know what, on this day, I went on stage",

and everything good and bad that's happened to me, you leave that,

because this, to me, feels like my baptism today.

Next time - the Chapters check out some Beethoven, live.

-That violin player was...

-Sick.

It just didn't really click for me at times.

The pressure takes its toll in rehearsals.

I don't want you guys to look silly in front of everyone.

The band play their first live show.

-You reckon that's good enough?

-No.

I don't think everyone knows what they're actually doing tomorrow,

and the show is tomorrow.

And the day of the performance finally arrives.

We're at the Royal Albert Hall.

It's my turn, I'm rapping, and I'm not hearing nothing.

Welcome to the Urban Classic Prom,

here at the fantastic Royal Albert Hall!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd