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Idris Elba to rap on Christmas single with Noel Fielding and Kasabian's Serge Pizzorno

The Mandela star features on a song he is sure will be a hit this festive period

Jess Denham
Wednesday 24 September 2014 12:58 BST
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British actor Idris Elba is also a DJ and rapper who played Ibiza last summer
British actor Idris Elba is also a DJ and rapper who played Ibiza last summer (Getty Images)

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Idris Elba is set to feature on a Christmas single by comedian Noel Fielding and Kasabian guitarist Serge Pizzorno.

The British actor, producer and DJ raps on the festive track, the title of which has yet to be confirmed.

Elba, 42, told NME that the song was first created two Christmasses ago.

“I get this call from the lads and they're like, 'Oi, do you want to rap on a Christmas song?'” he said. “I went to this studio down in Notting Hill somewhere and they played it to me.

“I'm telling you now, it's a hit. Serge did this sort of funky, Seventies, slow disco groove and Noel this singing-rap thing.

“I rolled in there without a rap prepared so I write a quick Christmas rap. I went to see Kasabian at the iTunes Festival last week and Serge said it would come out this Christmas. It's a big tune.”

Elba, who played Nelson Mandela in the Oscar-nominated Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, is releasing an album on 24 November.

The 11-track collection, Mi Mandela, is inspired by the South African leader as well as Elba's father and the roots of South African music.

Mumford & Sons, Mr Hudson, Mahotella Queens and James Blake have all worked on the album. Upcoming lead single “You Give Me Love” features Maverick Sabre.

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