Taking over the British charts with approval from critics, the mainstream, and the underground alike, Defamation closed out that year as Britain’s top album. In the process, Drew showcased his exceptional singing voice and his ability to hold an audience in his performances clutches. In between albums Drew honed his acting chops in a handful of feature films. All the while, Drew has been working on one script or another, trying to get that feature financed and produced.

Ill Manors is the realization of Drew’s non-stop efforts for the last five years. Released on the big screen in Britain this year, the film is accompanied by an album of the same name. The album sees Drew returning to his rhyming style and syncopated slapping beats—with the occasional segue into soul singing and classic R&B instrumentation. Harsh and honest, Manors tells hard-to-hear stories about down-and-out individuals living hard existences and having to make painful decisions. Speaking from first-hand experience, Drew’s intention is to bring attention to a pervasive situation that he feels is misunderstood by society.

“I am trying to teach people about what creates dissatisfaction in the under class,” says Drew speaking of Ill Manors. “People have a moral compass living within society. Some people, with the environment they’ve fallen into, what they see as right and wrong is different. They think, ‘I’ve got no money, I’ve got to feed my family so I’m justified in selling crack or stealing because I’m desperate.’ The environment that creates these people, creates their attitude.”