Hip Hop Hoaxes, Arctic Vaults and Scots Language

Gavin Bain tells his incredible true story of how he and his mate Billy Boyd fooled the entire music industry into thinking they were a Californian rap duo. We’re talking fake accents, fake backstories, the whole lot… and it worked. The pair who were actually from a council estate in Dundee were known as ‘Silibil and Brains’ and landed a record deal, appeared on MTV, and even toured with Eminem’s crew, D12. Now, their outrageous journey is hitting the big screen in ‘California Schemin’, directed by James McAvoy and coming to cinemas next month.

We’re also travelling high above the Arctic Circle to Svalbard, home to a deep underground vault preserving important cultural and historical records for centuries to come. Rune Bjerkestrand, founder of the commercially operated Arctic World Archive, joins us to reveal what’s being stored there and why the site’s natural surroundings, including roaming polar bears, make it one of the most unique preservation facilities in the world.

Award winning poet Len Pennie joins us ahead of her appearance at this year’s Imagine Festival in Belfast. Len, who presents BBC Radio Scotland’s The Arts Mix, is known for her powerful writing in the Scots language, exploring themes such as domestic abuse and mental illness. She’s also built a huge online following for her much loved “Scots Word of the Day.”

Also, John heads to the St James Community Farm in West Belfast, founded ten years ago to support people experiencing homelessness. With Damian Lindsay as his local guide, he explores a vibrant community hub where animals roam, gardens bloom, and people drop in to share stories over a cup of tea.

Musician Eilidh Patterson calls by for a chat and live performance. Set to appear at the Ards Guitar Festival next month, Eilidh has played iconic venues in Nashville and recently toured Ireland as a special guest of the legendary Eddi Reader.

We chat to Gareth Wild who has just spent the last one year and seven months parking in every car park space at his local supermarket, and it's not for the first time!

And Paula McIntyre rounds things off in the kitchen with coconut rice pudding, poached and caramelised pineapple, and candied puffed rice.

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