Benjamin Clementine, the Mercury Prize-winning singer, has spoken candidly about his journey from a strict Catholic upbringing in London to homelessness in Paris, ahead of the release of his new album.
In a rare interview, Clementine described his childhood in Edmonton, north London, where his Ghanaian parents banned popular music and cut his clothes with scissors to avoid him wearing 'hoodies and jogging bottoms'. He was often bullied for wearing second-hand suits to school.
The 28-year-old, who won the Mercury Prize in 2015 for his debut album 'At Least for Now', revealed he slept rough in London and Paris and busked on the metro before being discovered. He now lives back in London after a stint in America.
Clementine's new album, 'I Tell a Fly', tells the story of two flies in love against a backdrop of contemporary geopolitics. He recorded it in Damon Albarn's studio and was gifted two rare synthesizers by the Gorillaz frontman.
Reflecting on his Mercury Prize win, Clementine recalled dedicating the award to Paris after the Bataclan attacks and inviting all other nominees on stage. He said he makes people believe in him through his music.
