Why I love Margate with Scroobius Pip

In 2006, Scroobius Pip quit his job at HMV and self-released 1000 copies of his debut album No Commercial Breaks which quickly sold out, birthing the creation of Speech Development Records.

Since then, Pip created his own hip hop duo with Dan le Sac, released another album Distraction Pieces (2011) and re-released No Commercial Breaks in 2012. The hip hop artist has also published his own poetry, worked as a radio host on XFM’s weekly radio show The Beatdown, started his own podcast and been cast in several TV series and films.

CommunityAd caught up with 39-year-old Scroobius Pip to find out more about his future plans including his main role on US series Debris, reflect on the past 14 months and talk about his love of Margate…

 

What are your ties to Margate and what would you say you enjoy most about the town?

My ties to Margate are long and varied. I remember coming to visit Dreamland from Essex as a child back in the Bembom Brothers days. Then, years later, more and more of my friends started moving there until finally my partner moved to Margate and made it a regular visiting spot!

As for what I enjoy the most, it’s got to be getting up nice and early and going for a soul-refreshing dip in the not yet warmed up seawater.

 

How have the last 14 months affected you, not just from a creative aspect with your work but also mentally/socially?

Well, it’s been quite the ride, right?! The Bembom Brothers would’ve been proud of this one.

I’ve found there to be many ups and many downs. There’s been periods of great motivation and productivity, and periods of the complete opposite, which I feel has been mirrored socially.

We have seen great waves of political change and drive but we have also seen moments that feel embarrassing for humanity. My hope is that we don’t forget either aspects too quickly.

The highs and the lows are both going to be key in making the changes that are needed going forward.

 

Do you think there is a worry that the global pandemic has created a huge spike in social anxiety across all age ranges and how do you think this could be overcome? 

I think one of the things not being discussed is the anxiety of returning to “normal”. Obviously, it’s exciting to have a potential end in sight (no running please), but with that comes some huge changes to the way our lives have been for the last year or so.

I think the key is that we listen to our own feelings and emotions and don’t get caught up in how we “should” react to it all.

Some people may not want to be rushing out and celebrating any time soon and that’s absolutely fine.

So, yeah, a greater focus on what we need as individuals as we move on (rather than on what everyone else is doing) feels like the best approach. 

 

Your Distraction Pieces Podcast is 7 years old this year, what have you enjoyed most about the podcast over the years?

I always say that I get more from these podcasts than the listeners do and I truly mean that.

I’m not naturally the most social person so these conversations are ones that I genuinely don’t feel I would’ve had if it wasn’t for the podcast.

So, getting to talk to and learn from Mary J Blige, James McAvoy, Kathy Burke, Spike Lee, Gemma Cairney, Stewart Lee, Alan Moore and many, many more is just such a gift that I wouldn’t have expected before it all started.

 

Are you able to tell us more about your work on the TV series Debris? How much did you enjoy playing the character Ashton Ash and how would you compare this to your other notable acting roles? 

Well, since the show is yet to get its UK release date, I can probably get away with telling you everything as long as you promise not to let America know?

I guess I should hold off, though. What I can tell you is, as a character, this has been by far the greatest collaboration I’ve had so far in my acting career.

Joel Wyman, the creator of Debris, has been so welcoming of my input on the character and his development which has made it feel like such an exciting collaboration.

And then when the reaction was so huge as we launched in the US it felt all the more personal.

So, I really can’t wait for the UK to lay their eyes on the world we are creating here.

 

How often (pre- and post-pandemic) did you come down to Margate and did you have any favourite food and drink spots that you liked to frequent?

Well, I’m down at least once or twice a month! I was a big fan of Beet Bar for a nice breakfast treat until it moved on. The Seaside Kitchen & Cake Parlour is an absolute joy of indulgence.

Aside from that, I’m putting together a long list of places I want to visit based on where I see resident art hero Robert Diament posting about on his Instagram.

 

How is the remainder of 2021 looking for you? Have you got any events coming up that you are looking forward to?

I’m very much looking forward to getting back to the UK!

I’ve been filming in Canada since September 2020 and couldn’t come home at all due to the pandemic but, as I type this I’m sat in my trailer on my last day.

So, I’m very much looking forward to getting back, doing any quarantine that is needed and then heading down to Margate.

While I’ve been away my partner has adopted a beautiful dog called Finley who has apparently been making a lot of friends locally so I’m looking forward to meeting him and feeling like one of the cool kids.

 

Find out more about Scroobius Pip’s current and upcoming projects – plus some flashes of marvellous Margate – by following him on Twitter and Instagram @Scroobiuspipyo. You can also visit his website and find his Distraction Pieces Podcast here.