Niggas of Nish sample

I don't know how many more days I have left in this life. I may live another 40 years yet... who knows? I thought it was game over when I was in mid-flight falling down Shepherd's Crag last year - ironically down a climb called Finale - but then I regained consciousness at the bottom, somewhat broken but still alive, awaking to find myself surrounded by Keswick mountain rescue team and to the realisation that I'm not shuffling off this mortal coil until God jolly well says so.

[I've never publicised the whole story of my climbing accident on the internet - particularly in its spiritual respects - so if you want to know the full story you'll just have to hear it in person.]

But, you know, when I think about it, I have to say that so far I've had an interesting and eventful life. I never thought life would turn out as it has. I found God (or rather He found me). I've met some remarkable people. I've been to some amazing places. I've done things I would never have dared to dream of when I was a boy.

These days I am publicly known to most people for politico/journo stuff I get up to, or for political research/writing, but I did have a former life as a musician which I sometimes yearn for. Nostalgia eh. It's funny how stuff from 10 or 20 years ago sticks in your mind and comes back from time to time. Fond memories. Your first kiss. Your first car (which for me was a '86 D reg 1.6 Vauxhall Cavalier). All sorts of stuff from the past, as fresh in your mind as if it had just happened.

Well, occasionally I do feel nostalgic about my music days. They were happy days indeed. I was in various bands and I recorded and performed all sorts of music with all sorts of people. Years ago I was a competent bassist, guitarist, drummer and singer. I was best as a drummer and a singer, and I'm still pretty good in these disciplines to this day, despite not being in regular practice, because drums and vocals are my natural strengths in music. I've barely touched fretboards for years so I'm well out of it on guitars.

Looking back, I actually worked with some very interesting people - including some who are quite well known - and one day I just might get round to putting together a compilation of old recordings from years ago and popping them up on YouTube.

One thing I've noticed about my life is how sometimes the strangest things happen that you would never in a million years expect. Word has reached me that a major East Coast hip hop producer has sampled something I worked on from 12 years ago for a new project which I'm told has the working title of 'The Niggas of Nish' (the name of a new gangsta rap group I think).

One of my hidden talents is beatboxing. For me, beatbox was not something I did as an end in itself, but rather it was just a convenient tool I developed as a drummer to quickly communicate rhythmical ideas to other musicians in a studio or jam session. Though I'm musically from a rock and soul background, as a drummer (and beatbox) I found myself in demand outside of those genres and working with artists I'd otherwise have had little in common with. I think it's one of the peculiarities of being rhythm section - there are few places where drums don't go one way or another.

So anyway, I find my 1999 self being sampled by East Coast gangsta rappers in 2011. Isn't life bizarre sometimes? How on earth does unreleased material recorded in Salford 12 years ago end up being sampled in New York now?

Well, I suppose the Niggas of Nish are welcome to sample me if they want to. I must admit, my first love musically is guitar-based bands (because that's my own background), but I do recognise that sampling can and does produce some great music.

One of the best dance/pop songs made so far in the 21st century [in fact ever] is Groovejet (If this ain't love) by Spiller featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor, which was released in the UK in the summer of 2000. The music of this classic dance song was almost entirely constructed by producer Spiller from disco samples.

When they write my epitaph, will I be best remembered as a Niggas of Nish sample, or for being an MP? Only time will tell. One thing I do know... I've never met Sophie Ellis-Bextor and I probably should. And another... I have work to do, I'm on this planet for a purpose.

Hallelujah and Boo-ti-ka-ka-ti-boo-ti-ti-ka-ka...