Channel AKA was the first music channel to broadcast unsigned artists as much as they do, birthing the careers of some of the most mainstream talent the UK has to offer such as Tinie Tempah, Ndubz, Chipmunk and many more.
Sister-company to AKA, independent label 360 Records has released top-selling titles including: Lethal Bizzle’s Pow 2011, infamous Lord of the Mics DVD and helped catapult artists to the spotlight such as Devlin, Ghetts, Griminal, Lewi White plus many more.
We took the time to sit down with the brains (and beauty) behind both Channel AKA & 360 Records, Cat Park! We discuss emerging talent, men, underwear and of course other Top Girls in the industry!
MAXIM: Hey Cat! How are you?
CAT: I’m good! Been launched in to 2012 with a BANG and as per usual life seems like it’s running at a million miles per hour…just the way I like it!
MAXIM: Tell us how you got into the music industry?
CAT: When I finished my A-Levels I worked as management within my local branch of Topshop and I did part-time modelling, I worked HARD and with the money I bought a house just before I was 19. When I was 21 our area was badly flooded. Watching so many people around me lose all of their life long possessions and everything they’d ever worked it made me realise that I needed to go and grab life by the balls! So that was me, rented my house out once it was renovated, got my two suitcases, a train ticket and I moved to London by myself! I was modelling for the first few months but I didn’t feel mentally challenged by it. It was then that I was introduced to a guy that was involved with a couple of music TV stations. He offered me a job and I started working for Channel U as part of the admin team. I put the work in and it all became life rather than work. I was completely absorbed in it, which I think you have to be to understand it. 6 years later and I run the biggest UK Urban music station! Madness!
MAXIM: What’s your favourite part of being the go-to-girl for urban TV?
CAT: I love being at the hub of it all, being that person that people call when their new video is ready, keeping my finger on the pulse. I remember the likes of Tinchy or Dappy calling me all excited at 11pm on a Saturday night telling me they had a new video and could I get it on to the channel straight away! It makes me so proud to see how far everyone has come now. Everyone has come through Channel U or Channel AKA and I feel like my own little journey started with a lot of these guys, Tinchy , N-Dubz, Tinie, Wretch, Chipmunk all of them.
MAXIM: Channel aka has helped catapult so many underground artists into the mainstream. Whose journey has been the best to watch?
CAT: Personally for me it would have to be Tinie Tempah or N-Dubz. Tinie’s rise to fame was phenomenal and the levels of success he has achieved so far are really ground-breaking. I think he really made a big change to UK music when Pass Out was released. The N-Dubz story was also amazing to be part of. I remember sitting in on studio sessions and getting the videos dropped off at the Channel U office the SECOND they were finished. There was so much hunger and passion from all 3 of them and of course the late great Uncle B. Watching their fan base and the way people reacted to them was unreal.
MAXIM: Who would you say is tipped to be the next big thing?
CAT: I think right now there are a few people that have an equal chance at being the ‘next best thing’ but there are so many factors that also influence whether it will happen. Commitment, belief, consistency, individuality and you have got to be prepared to put the work in. If I had to start naming people I would say Lady Leshurr, Kof, ScruFizzer, Dru Blu, Exo, Calibar ahhh there’s too many! There are a lot of talented people right now I think the next couple of months will see the cream rise to the top.
MAXIM: Let’s be a bit cheeky. Name your top 5 sexiest males in the industry?
CAT: They’re all soooo young and I really don’t think of them in this light!! I think these guys are on a lot of young ladies wish lists so I’m speaking for them any not myself! Tinie Tempah, Angel, Skepta, JME anddd…..Pro Green.
MAXIM: Who is your ideal man and why?
CAT: I don’t have time for a man let alone think of who the ideal one would be! Whoever he may be would have to be patient and understanding of my job and have the best personality in the world. I’ve got 3 main priorities in life; my daughter, my job and my dogs. I’m a career girl!
MAXIM: As one of the top girls in the scene, name some other top girls that come to your mind straight away...
CAT: Laura Lukanz – 1Xtra, Carly Cussen – Video Director, Lilz – PR / Writer, HyperFrank – Journalist
Quick fire time!
Vodka or Rose? Vodka (I am a typical Northerner!)
Boy pants or gstrings? That thong th thong thong thonnnng!
Relationship or hook up? Erghhhh neither! Haha, single life for me thanks!
Pepsi or coke? Coke – full fat no diet, no immitations!
Manly or sensitive? Sensitive but manly…GRRRRRRRRRRR
1xtra or Kiss? Errrrm….how about 1 Xtra Kiss?
We wouldn't say no!
Keep up to date with all of Cat Parks business ventures via twitter - @CattiPark @ChannelAKA @360RecordsUK
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