After being mugged at gunpoint for in 2001, film maker David O’Neil was introduced to a section of British society both on his doorstep and a million miles away from the world he was living in.

“I was held up at gunpoint for my motorcycle, which sparked an interest in the lives of young people growing up in touching distance, but with a very different set of values and culture.”

Commissioned by the BBC for a 3 episode airing* he set about following a series of council estate residents with musical ambitions at foundational stages of their lives.

What resulted in the first episode was an incredible insight into the world of a late 20s Skinnyman as he recorded the material for his one and only album Council Estate Of Mind and a young Charlie Sloth trying to exit a world of weed sales and petty crime and find a route into the music industry through pirate radio and rap.

The documentary includes fantastic footage of Skinny as he navigates the environment that inspired the classic LP, hanging with other members of the Mud Fam in the park, headlining a Rawganics club night and in the Studio recording the LP with Baby J.

Charlie Sloth’s appearances are equally fascinating as we witness the positive youthful energy of a young man destined for a hugely successful radio career but still very much caught up in a life of petty crime, violence and run ins with the authorities.

Episode 1 – Spittin’ & Shottin’

The 2nd episode was directed by Adam Smith and is the infamous episode credited as the inspiration for People Just Do Nothing.

Episode 2 – Ghetto On Sea

*as of the time of posting – the third episode (also directed by David O’Neil) is nowhere to be found on the internet and is seemingly lost to time. If/when it eventually turns up, I will add it then.