It's 10 o'clock on a Monday evening.
I notice how well the boudoir of Kamal fits the personality.
A typical teenager's from the states, playboy centerfolds and 'floor'drobes galore.
I even have time to absorb the little details; the recording equipment and amps the only objects in the room stacked neatly, carefully and cleanly.
If there is one fact Frankie K will allow you to know about him, it will be that ''Frankie Kamal waits for no man. Nor dame. But they can hang around for [him] as long as they like''.
Apart from being fact, it is also one of his favourite sayings, a side effect of the pride radiating from this American boy.
However big headed this bighead may seem, he has a charm strong enough to rival a French cheese that seems to win even the sourest of sourpuss' over.
Suddenly, the door flings open and a toasty-laden Frankie stumbles in.
''How's my favorite Bars minion?'' he exclaims, carelessly tossing warm Best of Both and Cheddar over his crumpled duvet to high five a startled 'Bars minion'.
''Took our time didn't we?'' I say, my tone only half serious.
''Toasties wait for no man, nor dame, I'm afraid. No matter how overworked you bars minions are" he replies, very matter of fact, through half a mouthful of said toasty.
"Well, lets get down to business,’’ he says, slumping down into a bright blue beanbag opposite me.
‘’What was your life like growing up?’’
"Well. I grew up and lived in Atlanta. Just me, mom and my sister. My dad went to jail for fraud. It was tough on us, all 3 of us, especially money wise. But it got better, I went to high school, I made friends, met a girl, just did normal kid stuff, you know? Then when I was about 14, they moved me to Croydon.
"Sounds like that was a pretty big change for you?"
"Yeah, I remember being at school and my math teacher saying something about a ‘whole different kettle of fish’, I thought she was parrin’ me off and started an argument", he laughed. "Even now my friends laugh at me using American words like ‘sidewalk.’ and ‘garbage’"
"So how did you get into music?" I asked.
" I’ve always been into music, but I’ve only recently started to make my own. By recently, I mean since about 15, when I met my main men Biggie (Kenroy Blair) and Clinton and started 6VI. Later on we met my girl Eve and my boy Kieran and we’ve been doing pretty good since. We’ve done a lot of shows, all over the place, last week we were in Yorkshire and we’re using a friends recording equipment to make an album."
"What’s the album called? Is there anywhere we can hear some samples?"
"We have a Facebook page actually, (www.facebook.com/6vI) and we’re still trying to name the album.
"Ok, well, it’s already 10pm and I should get back to Bars headquarters to sort all the rubbish you’ve said to me out," I say playfully, dodging a lazy swipe at the back of my head as he laughs and pretends to hit me.
"By the way," I say, as I poke my head back round the door. Your toasty’s are cold!"
