We all need a Plan B

Last week, Step Brothers star John C Reilly was the object of our attention, while he took a break from his acting career to tour with his folk band.

This week we preview the arrival of a young British actor who has a blossoming career as a rapper.

Ben Drew, or Plan B as he is known, has a successful film career, starring in moves such as Adulthood and Harry Brown.

But he has also emerged as a hip hop artist.

He said: “The whole reason for calling myself Plan B was that I was doing this sweet-boy Justin Timberlake stuff, but I never felt comfortable…

“When I started rapping, it was easier for me to feel comfortable.”

His debut album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words received much critical acclaim while his single End Credits, from The Defamation of Strickland Banks, even managed to crack the UK top ten.

In 2012, the 29-year-old meshed his two interests together, releasing the film iLL Manors which he both wrote and directed.

The movie, filmed for a BBC3 documentary, toured the UK and also appeared at a selection of festivals including BBC’s Hackney One Big Weekend.

The accompanying soundtrack became his second number one album.

Over the past few months, Ben Drew has barely stopped.

He’s now starring in a remake of The Sweeney with Ray Winstone and performed as one of the headliners of this year’s iTunes Festival 2012.

Following his headline gig last week at London’s Roundhouse, the rapper’s 11-date UK arena tour will see him headline in Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Birmingham, London’s , Brighton, Plymouth and Glasgow.

All the booking fees from the artist ticket website pre-sale will go to Ben’s charity Each One Teach One Trust.

For more information, visit www.eoto.co.uk.

n Tickets for the Glasgow gig are £27.50 and available from www.ticketSOUP.com.