How 5 Of The UK’s Top Creatives Are Pushing Through The COVID-19 Pandemic

On the eve of March 23, Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for the UK to be locked down due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

With this being the latest step in social restrictions, following the cancelling of football, the slashing of new EastEnders episodes and McDonald's, KFC and Nando's shutting up shop, the country has to find new ways of keeping busy. Boris has said that the nationwide lockdown will last for a minimum of three weeks, and although it's expected to last much longer than that, it seems that we're going to have to make much more use of the creative inspirations that have always been right under our noses.

These restrictions could be seen as a creative's worst nightmare; are music videos now to be shot from inside the house? And are photographers really going to cope with the lack of content they can capture? Who knows, but we just hope this social distancing doesn't last for too long.

On the flipside, this new way of life could be what dreams are made of. Being alone with nothing but your own ideas, comforted by personal solidarity with no outside opinions, social distancing could be the perfect way to unlock a new level of creativity that has always been lusted for.

Complex spoke with some of the UK's favourite creatives, in the fields of filmmaking, journalism, music production and more, with an aim of spreading some light in this dark time we're currently in and to hopefully inspire and add some insight into how creative freelancers are coping during the coronavirus lockdown. Scroll through below.

Filmmaker Nathan Miller has led the way in documentary-style storytelling since 2015. With his breakout doc LDN—based on the UK music scene—Miller was catapulted to a new level of success in the industry. Nathan Miller has continued to share his love for UK creativity through informing up-and-coming creatives with his online course, which offered his personal and unique insight into creating top-level documentaries.

Here's how Nathan is coping with self-isolation:

The book you're reading right now... "I'm currently listening to Rick Ross' Hurricanes autobiography via Scribd. They have a 30-day free trial, so I'm catching up on every book I'd been eyeing. If I wasn't listening to this, I'd be reading Charlamagne's Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It and Kevin Hart's I Can't Make This Up. Both of which are on Scribd."

The album you're listening to on repeat... "Currently, I'm listening to the homies Young T & Bugsey's new project Plead The Fifth. It recently came out, so I've just been taking it in. That, and anything Marvin Gaye. Can't go wrong with a little Marvin."

The TV show you're currently hooked on... "I'm finally getting around to watching BlacKkKlansman and Sorry To Bother You. Netflix-wise, I highly recommend Nicky Jam: El Ganador. I recently finished it."

How are you still inspired to create during this time? "To be honest, I've been working from home, so it's a breeze! If anything, it's made me a lot more focused because all the motives have been locked off. I have to create, otherwise I'd just be sitting here."

Are you still able to make a living through this pandemic? "Yeah, I had a few shoots postponed but, fortunately, I did most of my filming before things got real, so I've been editing at home. If this pandemic was to continue well into the year, then I'd have a problem. Fortunately, I've got things keeping me busy... For now."

Thoughts on the future? "There's serenity within the pandemic. When something bad happens, it brings folks closer. People are talking a lot more, everyone is spending more relaxed time with their loved ones, so it would be amazing to maintain this when things get back to normal."

Chante Joseph is one of the country's top music and culture writers, who has written for us here at Complex a few times. Standing up tall for black and ethnic minorities in the UK, Chante has gone up against politicians such as Michael Gove in her fight for equality on every level. As well as showcasing her skills with the pen, she has also shined her light across social media, racking up quite the following.

Here's how Chante is coping with self-isolation:

The book you're reading right now... "I have a very, very long list of books to get through! I'm starting with Here to Stay, Here to Fight: A Race Today Anthology because I'm writing a book on the Black British Power Movement and I'm deep in research mode."

The album you're listening to on repeat... "I've been listening to a lot of Cookie Kawaii, the Jersey Club artist that went viral on TikTok with her song 'Vibe'. She released an EP in 2019 called Club Soda Vol. 1 that I've had on repeat."

The TV show you're currently hooked on... "This is a tough one because I have watched absolutely everything on Netflix/TV, but I'm keeping up with Good Girls, This Is Us and Black-ish!"

How are you still inspired to create during this time? "I'm not going to lie: I have really struggled. It's seriously hard. Not being able to differentiate between work and home because I'm at home all the time, is tough. I think consuming a lot at this moment is always good. In order to be a music writer or culture writer, you need to consume these things, so I guess moments of ideation/creation never cease but you're always in different stages of the creation process."

Are you still able to make a living through this pandemic? "Yes, I'm really lucky to have a full-time job at a creative agency doing social media. I've always worked full-time alongside writing; it is really hard, but I'm constantly worried about the precariousness of freelancing."

Thoughts on the future? "I feel like this epidemic has really shaken the world. We're slowly starting to realise how important the state is when it comes to providing a safety net for the most vulnerable. I hope people become more politically active and tuned-in with current affairs because if you don't do politics, politics will do you!"

Henrie Kwushue's witty and contagious personality has really begun to capture the nation. Her radio slot on Reprezent Radio was the start, and now her brilliant new docuseries, Is Your Area Changing?, has started to make the rounds across the 'net. This is one creative expected to make some serious moves in 2020, with only the sky being her limit.

Here's how Henrie is coping with self-isolation:

The book you're reading right now... "The Bible! Because with everything that's happening worldwide as well as COVID-19, the Bible has been my go-to for comfort. However, I've also been reading Malorie Blackman's Noughts and Crosses. The BBC recently made a TV adaptation of it and it's caused quite a stir as there are some people who find it racist to even think black people could cause so much racial havoc by being the superior race. The irony there is delicious."

The album you're listening to on repeat... "J Hus' Big Conspiracy. The more I hear it, the more I love it. Again, super fitting with the current zeitgeist with loads of fake news on the internet and sometimes on the TV. I really love this album by J Hus because it's just smooth, you know? I especially love the fact that he features his sister in there too, and 'Helicopter' might be my favourite track."

The TV show you're currently hooked on... "Well, I used to be an avid EastEnders watcher but they've limited it to twice a week, which has hurt my feelings so much! So instead, I'm doing up Netflix. I've been watching The Money Heist, which is in Spanish so it takes a lot more concentration to follow the subtitles. I was told if I watched it dubbed, then I'm the worst so I had no choice, really."

How are you still inspired to create during this time? "I won't lie, it has been a little hard to get creative. When I was working, my creative work would just do the job for me. I'd be at an event? Post. Djing? Post. Presenting on the radio? Post. However, now I have to go back to what I was like in university and think of my real humour and what people liked about my character, and have that be the essence of my creativity on Twitter and Instagram."

Are you still able to make a living through this pandemic? "Some of my major gigs have only been put on hold—we thank God! But, the rest of them have been cancelled. I'm also trying to move into a new flat as we speak, so not having income has been stressful. But I have all the faith that once this is over, everything will be reinstated and go back to normal. Parties galore!"

Thoughts on the future? "What a question! I think the pandemic has bought to light parts of society and humanity that are a bit ugly. I would like to hope that going forward, everyone learns to care for one another a lot more. But also to learn that if this world goes to shit, all the really rich people have private islands."

Vicky Grout is one of the UK's most loved and respected photographers. Her breakout move was shooting Skepta's "Shtudown" single artwork in 2015 and, since then, she's gone on to capture the likes of J Hus, Stormzy and the late Pop Smoke, firmly solidifying her place in the culture.

Here's how Vicky is coping with self-isolation:

The book you're reading right now... "I'm currently reading Grime Kids by DJ Target, and also Small Doses by Amanda Seales. I got the hardback copy of Grime Kids when it first came out a while back, and started reading it last summer—until I left it on an aeroplane! Since then, I bought it as an iBook to read on my phone/tablet when I can. What I love about Target's approach with this book is that it really documents the history of grime from the beginning. And I'm currently reading Small Doses as I loved Amanda Seales' character, Tiffany, in Insecure—plus her instagram is always filled with knowledge. Amanda's book is a mix of general tips for navigating life, as well as some autobiographical elements."

The album you're listening to on repeat... "I've been revisiting Because The Internet by Childish Gambino a lot, perhaps because it reminds me of a simpler time. That, and also Freudian by Daniel Caesar when I'm in my feels."

The TV show you're currently hooked on... "I'm late to the party, but I've just started Prison Break from the beginning. It's definitely been filling the Wire/Shield/Breaking Bad void I've had."

How are you still inspired to create during this time? "I'm still able to work and collaborate with friends on small projects, which is keeping me sane!"

Are you still able to make a living through this pandemic? "This I'm honestly not too sure of at the moment. All paid work I've had coming up has been cancelled or postponed, and I am still waiting on overdue invoices for past work. I think brands and companies are going to have to come up with new strategies to work with freelance creatives, ways to work remotely and still get paid—and pay them for the work they have already done!"

Thoughts on the future? "I think we all feel like we're living in a bit of a limbo at the moment; no one's too sure of what's going to happen. But I do have a feeling that things may never completely go back to how they were. Part of me is happy that Mother Earth has been able to regenerate and come back to life a bit. Perhaps we aren't meant to be on this planet?"

A producer who never fails to add a touch of gunfinger mentality to his beats, Faze Miyake has been long known as one of UK music's most innovative creators. The "Lift Off" star has recently stepped to the mic as an MC, and has just released a new project called Classic. Faze, who first rose to prominence in the grime scene, is also pretty hilarious on Twitter.

Here's how Faze is coping with self-isolation:

The book you're reading right now... "I find it hard to read, if I'm honest. My attention span is bad [laughs]. But I generally just read stuff I'm interested in online, or watch things on YouTube I wanna learn about. Feels like going in the big white room in The Matrix.

The album you're listening to on repeat... "The Classic EP by Faze Miyake, the latest release from Faze Miyake. It dropped last week; five self-produced vocal tracks, and two instrumentals. Two co-productions on there from Jikay and Jay Youngs, and one feature from Elheist. Everyone check it out and enjoy!"

The TV show you're currently hooked on... "I've been watching more films than shows. I watched Once Upon A Time In Hollywood the other night—I'm a big Tarantino fan! I watched Contagion as well, a film from 2011 which literally predicted coronavirus and everything going on right now."

How are you still inspired to create during this time? "I'm creating as we speak! Being an artist, and I find especially being a music producer, we generally live quite self-isolated lives anyway, so this doesn't feel that different for me. When I'm not at home creating, I'm at studio creating, then I just go Tesco and stock up [laughs]."

Are you still able to make a living through this pandemic? "As long as you're doing things that are useful and using your initiative, I don't see why not. I got rid of all my merch yesterday as they were masks from winter. People will make use of them in this time, so I put them up at sale price. It comes in handy for the fans and I like to know I'm doing my part in being helpful. I'm gonna make more now—this is fun for me."

Thoughts on the future? "There's always better times ahead. I, myself, only like to focus on the present. 'What's going on now? What can I do today? What's the best thing to do right now?' That's how I think. I just wish everyone well and I hope everyone stays safe. We should remain positive and use this time wisely, to be more in-tune with ourselves and others. Bless up!"