ArrDee on Hidden Addiction and Becoming A Dad “I had to change”

ArrDee reflects on the story behind Oliver Twist, Body and his rise as one of the UK’s most recognisable young rappers. He opens up about growing up in Brighton, being raised by his mum, and the complicated relationship with his father that shaped his need for attention, fame and approval. @ArrDeeTV shares how music became his way of expressing pain, why he first hid behind the “cheeky” persona, and what really happened when his career exploded during lockdown. He also speaks candidly about the darker side of early fame, from spending his first major advance to partying, addiction, ketamine, alcohol and the moments where he was trying to numb himself behind the success. ArrDee reflects on the guilt he carries around his brother’s psychosis, the pressure of being labelled an industry plant, and how becoming a father has changed the way he sees himself. From music and addiction to fame, family and fatherhood, this is ArrDee on the boy behind the bravado, and the man he is trying to become. ArrDee, We Need To Talk This conversation includes discussion of addiction and mental health. Please watch with care. Support resources are linked below: CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow ArrDee here: https://www.instagram.com/arrdeegram/ https://www.tiktok.com/@arrdeetik 00:00 Intro 03:33 How ArrDee’s Name Was Born 04:46 Growing Up in Brighton 06:12 ArrDee’s Relationship With His Mum 07:59 Growing Up Without His Father 14:52 The First Song ArrDee Wrote 17:43 The Song That Changed Everything 20:36 How ArrDee Signed His First Record Deal 26:09 What ArrDee Did With His First Record Deal Money 28:02 The Story Behind ArrDee’s Feature on “Body” 33:24 How ArrDee Wrote “Oliver Twist” 35:08 ArrDee Reads a Letter From His Mum 39:53 ID Mobile Ad 41:03 How Fame at 19 Changed ArrDee 44:57 Making “Oliver Twist” Music Video 50:34 Did ArrDee Struggle With Addiction? 52:19 ArrDee Addresses Industry Plant Accusations 54:35 Being a White Rapper in the Music Industry 01:01:58 ID Mobile Ad 01:04:26 ArrDee’s First Time Meeting His Dad 01:24:32 Why ArrDee Became an Independent Artist 01:34:09 ArrDee’s Relationship With His Brother 01:40:16 Fatherhood and Relationship With Ocean 01:46:05 Fatherhood and Sobriety 01:49:38 ArrDee Recieves Letter From Ocean 01:53:31 Most Memorable Conversation 01:57:05 Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ - your voice is more powerful than you think https://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand Sync ID MB015YWUEH6EEFP