“Loads of people can spit over garage, but transferring it to electro is hard and most attempts by UK emcees don’t really work,” says Example. His ability to recreate the mixtape live in clubs shows this air of confidence isn’t misplaced.

Not strictly a newcomer, Example released an album, ‘What We Made’ on Mike Skinner’s now defunct The Beats label in 2007. On it, he wrote about subjects ranging from forgetting his girlfriend’s birthday card to nuclear power, plus a catchy love song about MDMA, ‘Me & Mandy’.

“That’s when I realised I could write pop hooks,” he says. “The first time you write a chorus and people sing it back to you at a gig, it’s a great feeling. I got the pop bug.”

The new album of “electro-pop” is due in the autumn but in the meantime he’s hitting the road, again. Recording and touring – 269 shows in the last four years – has brought benefits. Example name-checks Nando’s in his lyrics so often he’s now sponsored by the chicken chain. He’s even been on Soccer AM. For now, he’s the biggest star you’ve never heard of. But not for long.



DOWNLOAD EXAMPLE'S FREE CREDIT MUNCH MIXTAPE: sendspace.com

www.myspace.com/leadingbyexample





Example's quick fire Q&A



What was your last argument about and who won?

“It was with my girlfriend, about Nando’s versus Byron Burger. I’m sponsored by Nando’s so I get free chicken, but she’s sick of going there now. She won, anyway.”



What’s your most annoying habit?

“Biting my nails and using the nail to pick my teeth. What can I say, I’m a caveman fella. If I’ve got some food in my teeth and I ain’t got a toothpick I’m going to use my nail. My girlfriend hates it.”



If you could re-write the soundtrack to any film which would you choose?

“True Romance. The soundtrack is amazing as it is, but it’s my favourite film.”



What headline would you never want to see written about you?

“Example snorts cocaine off Russell Brand’s penis.”



What word or phrase do you most over-use?

“Clive. Saul from Chase & Status got me into saying it. Apparently he read that it’s one of the most pleasurable names to say in the English language, now everyone’s saying it all the time. Girls can say it too.”



What’s been your worst fashion crime ever?

“Red Moschino jeans with a beige, River Island long sleeved t-shirt. Just imagine that for a second. Beige. And red.”



What’s the worst rave you’ve ever been to?

“In Miami earlier this year, I went to a warehouse rave, drum n bass meets dubstep, but the crowd was all these heavy metal heads, punching each other.”



Got any pet hates?

“People who don’t wash up. I have to do it straight away. I’m a bit OCD, I don’t like coat hangers round the wrong way and stuff.”



What was your last thought before you fell asleep last night?

“How many lengths I was going to do in the pool this morning.”