What’s happening people? Name is brannan…
John Brannan.
The eldest of seven children, born in Scotland 1977.
Dad left home when I was small so I never really knew him.
Moved to London, then back to Scotland, then to London once more. Been here ever since.
Was a right tearaway when growing up. Got into crime and drugs really young, probably about 12 or so, running wild on estates, so many estates thru the years... constantly in trouble with the law, evil step dads were part of my life, drunken/abusive you know the drill, there were some dark scenes in the family home, scenes of which I only hint at in my songs.
Used to bunk school all the time, hanging round in the shopping centre, was living in Wandsworth at the time. Think the only good thing I ever done there was finding a murder weapon and handing it into the police. I even got an award from them. Some certificate in a frame. Bullshit to me at the time. Don’t know what happened to it. Wish I had a kept hold of it though.
Had enough of the crap at home, so I left to find my dad in East London, left right before my exams too, don’t get me wrong, I was ok in school when I was there, especially in English, history and art, but didn’t love it enough to stay.
Finding my dad was an anticlimax, he was an alcoholic. I had questions that I wanted answers to. He was in no state to supply’em though. The only question that I got an answer for was “where do I get my love of drinking from?” Heh! Well the answer was staggering and swaying in front of me. Stayed with him for a while but we did each other's head in, too alike you could say.
So I ended up on the streets, got mixed in with heroin addicts, slept rough for seven years, and yes injecting the stuff all thru the period. Stole body building pills and smoked salmon to fund the habit. You can laugh but there was money to be had.
“You can’t starve in London, it’s impossible.”
Would hustle in the west end as well; finding big groups of people, and blagging that I knew where the best club was, I’d take ’em there and they would all give me a bit of cash. Funny thing was once they were in the door, the bouncers would give me cash too, we had an understanding you see, I get the gullible mugs there to drink all the shit beer they could handle, and I’d be looked after on the door. Wasn’t good for my habit though, coz I made a killing this way, if I told you the most I made in a night, you wouldn’t believe me.
One night I had a run in with the old bill, I had white and brown on me, a fair bit, enough that I was sent to pentonville prison. Now I’ve always been a little bloke, you know, blonde, blue eyes, the sort that wouldn’t have been short of company in the nick I can tell you that much. Let me tell you I was bricking it. But I got by with no worries, always had the gift of the gab, and I made out I was harder than I actually was, plus I make friends easier than enemies, I mean even back then, if I was robbing you, you’d be loving me for it! Smiling at me as I was picking your pockets! So…out of prison and into the hostel system.
Few years of that, came off the drugs went back on ’em, collapsed one day, woke up in hospital, crying relatives bedside; life defining moment, an epiphany if you like. Enough was enough; I was knocking all the crap on the head! Done it too! Dropped the mugs I was running round with, they weren’t helping me believe me. They didn’t like me too much I can tell you, I was an earner see, and a good one. Many a night they’ve gotten high thru my hustle, and a new improved me just put a crimp in their day. You should’ve seen’em in the hostel, giving me evils, almost as if I’d sold out or something. “Oh gosh I’m awfully sorry I don’t want to inject any more white and brown cocktails into my eyeballs and die a terrible death long before my time!”
I got my flat when the hostel heads saw the change in me, and after I was clean for a good while of course. Been clean ever since. Started my rapping. Won few radio competitions. Even a spot on radio 1!
Started volunteering in hostels, the staff in my hostel really helped me, they do good work some of’em, and it’s something I can see myself doing. Been volunteering for nearly a year now. Just completed an nvq level 2 in advice and guidance. Now I am working as a Thamesreach support worker trainee!.
Joined Camden Calling early 2009. Alexis is as mad as me.
But strongly competent at what she does. Great people in Camden calling, all of ’em are diamonds. Unlocked talent man.
We’re gigging, producing tracks, and loving it.
Even met a girl.
See/ told you I wasn’t gay mum! heh! Cristina, love that girl, and I never loved anyone. Well, apart from family but you know what I mean. So I’m doing a lot with my time. Sometimes too much if I’m honest, but it’s all-good. But I do wonder sometimes, I wonder…is 2110 really ready for us?
Rukas's MySpace
Rukas's facebook
End Of The Weak
Contact
Yahoo Email
MySpace Email
