Drum & Bass big boy Goldie is an ex-roller skating graffiti artist, who composes classical music… and his teeth are worth more than your car.
Home Truths
Goldie was born Clifford Joseph Price in 1965. His dad wasn’t around and his mum put him into care when he was three, leaving him to spend a miserable 14 years with various foster families. When he moved back home again, aged 17, he and his younger brother Melvin had to go out stealing in order to eat.
In the can
Young Cliffy was nicknamed Goldie because of his dyed-blond dreads and he spent his days spray-painting on the streets of Wolverhampton. His skills got him noticed in seminal 1988 graffiti documentary Bombin. He continues to paint and exhibited in London earlier this year.
Drum major
After being introduced to drum & bass by then-girlfriend DJ Kemistry, Goldie made his first record – Darkrider – by swapping his artwork for studio time. After releasing a couple of successful singles, he formed his own record company and club night – Metalheadz.
Time Bandit
Goldie’s 1995 debut album is called Timeless and he has Sine Tempor (Latin for Timeless) tattooed on his neck. He named an orchestral piece he composed for the Proms, Sine Tempore, and his third album was called Sine Tempus (Without Time). He may be a musical genius, but he’s in a rut with names. Time, please!
Ladies and Gentlemen
Goldie is the first to admit that he’s not great in relationships, but at least he’s had some glam girlfriends. He famously dated Björk, and was also seen with models Naomi Campbell and Stella Tennant on his arm. When he married model-turned-fashion designer Sonija Ashby in 2002, the wedding appeared in Hello! Magazine. The couple later divorced.
Skater Boy
There was a time when Goldie got about on eight wheels – when he played in goal for the England roller hockey 'B' team. ”I used to love roller skating, then came to Hyde Park and saw all those t***s poncing around in Lycra and I thought, 'f**k that'," he says.
Minted Molars
Goldie got his distinctive smile when living in Miami, where he used to make jewellery. He knew a guy who made gold tooth grills, so the young entrepreneur started engraving the teeth and got himself a set too. He now sports 14 gold tooth implants worth £100,000.
Goldie Looking Tame
The man who once allegedly beat up a teenager for throwing a peanut at his Ferrari is a changed man. He credits therapy with making him calmer, saying. ”I had this violent temper, really mad. But The Hoffman [Institute] pulls out all the fuses and defuses the bomb.“
Gang’s all here
The charming house Goldie lives in near Hemel Hempstead is also home to twin huskies, Bowie and Dylan, and a 10ft pet python. He also has four children with four different women. He says he’s made mistakes but is trying to be a good father. Good for him.
Acting Up
Goldie’s had a bash at acting. Appearing as baddie Mr Bullion in Bond film The World is Not Enough and as Angel in EastEnders. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and came second in conducting series Maestro. "Reality TV paid for my divorce," he’s admitted.
Double Act
Despite his troubled childhood, Goldie kept in touch with his dad. He tracked him down and found out he'd fathered another child and given him the same name, Clifford Joseph Price. His reason? 'In case one of you died.'
Check out Goldie's dates
Nov 06 – Razzmatazz, Barcelona
Nov 07 – Arena, Ashford
Nov 14 – O2 Academy, Bristol
Nov 20 – The Arches, London
Nov 21 – Victoria Works, Leeds
Dec 04 – Fabric, London
Listen to Goldie's set at Melt! Festival on Red Bull Music Academy Radio.
Watch his lecture at Red Bull Music Academy 2008 in Barcelona.
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