In an industry where drama sells, Malcolm Kamulete has managed to create the illusion of reality in his work. This level of mastery didn’t come overnight. The 27-year-old made his debut in 2011 as one of the most beloved characters in Top Boy, Ra’Nell Smith. He portrayed a young student navigating life on the crime-filled estate of Summerhouse alongside his best friend, Gem. The sensitive and authentic portrayal of Ra’Nell was lauded by audiences and critics alike, placing him firmly on the map.
“My upbringing in London has definitely influenced my acting style. It’s authentic, raw, and laid-back,” Kamulete says. We meet in the evening, and as the sun gradually fades into dusk, his energy is both inviting and reserved, a paradox that makes me wonder more about the complexity of his inner world.
Kamulete’s East London roots have instilled in him a deep appreciation for the city’s authenticity, which he believes defines its character. “It’s a place that’s not for the dramatics; it just is what it is,” he continues, emphasizing the uninhibited attitude natives have adopted as a way to endure the fast- paced culture of the city. It seems to be the best way to convey his commitment to staying true to himself.
JACKET Avirex, TOP Nili Lotan, PANTS Won Hundred, SHOES New Balance
Fast-forward to today, and Kamulete’s role as Bosco Champion in the BBC drama Champion is testament to the years he has spent honing his craft. Created and written by Queenie author Candice Carty-Williams, the eight-part series explores the story of a UK rapper who struggles to maintain his reputation after being released from jail. The drama of Bosco’s personal life spills into the public eye, leading to his career spiraling and his life being dissected by social media jurors.
While navigating this scrutiny, he also deals with the deteriorating relationship he has with his sister, Vita, and overwhelming pressure from his father, Beres. “When I was researching his character, I felt like I instantly knew him in different ways. I got to a point where I knew so much about who he was that I wasn’t just doing homework on him; I was spending most of my time trying to understand what he came with,” Kamulete shares. His portrayal of Bosco is thought-provoking and nuanced, forcing many to confront the parts of themselves that are often hidden from the world.
As we explore the concept of life in London’s bustling landscape, it becomes clear that Kamulete has learned to find beauty in the somber aspects of the city. The sweet melodies of vocalists and the rhymes of wordsmiths form the perfect soundtrack for his life. When asked about his own taste in music, the actor affirms his love for all genres, with rap innately taking the top spot. “I listen to a lot of rap music naturally. I listen to all types of music. I think one of the main things I went back to listening to was grime. I just felt in my mind that my role was going to tap into those grime elements,” he says. The innovative style of rap that dominated the early 2000s in the UK uses punchy lyrics to recount the gritty lives of avid listeners. The sound heavily influenced the show and added depth to Bosco’s story.
“The things I enjoyed most about playing Bosco were working with my family and the musical performances,” Kamulete says. “The sets were hard to do because it was hot being on stage, but in general, I love the musical performances. I love watching them back and seeing what they become.”
JACKET Avirex, TOP Nili Lotan, PANTS Won Hundred, HAT Carhartt
JUMPER Junli, TROUSERS Carhartt, SCARF Loewe
In the show, Bosco’s love for music drives the plot and shapes the lives of him and his family. Vita becomes dissatisfied with living in her brother’s shadow as his ghostwriter and decides to pursue her own career in music. As her success continues to rise, the feud between the siblings heightens until they finally come together to find a resolution. Bosco’s name gets dragged through the mud by many, as he takes on the role of the villain in the public feud. Meanwhile, his father plots behind his back to find new ways to steal from him. Reflecting on how he felt playing the character, Kamulete describes the burden it had on him. “[Bosco’s] story isn’t the most favorable,” he explains.
“So having to play it out every day and be that character does weigh on you a bit.” As viewers, we embark on a journey with Bosco as he struggles to maintain his reputation and navigate family dynamics while managing his mental health. “Anxiety, panic attacks, and other similar issues were just elements of him that I had never personally experienced, so it was really difficult to portray,” Kamulete says. Creating art that speaks to the lives it imitates requires an intense level of sensitivity and empathy, something the actor learned along the way. “I was mostly concerned about how believable showcasing these mental health issues would be,” he adds.
“I was in my own head a lot, wondering if I was making it believable and if it felt real. You’re having a panic attack, and you ask yourself, Are people who suffer from panic attacks going to register this as a panic attack?”
Although this open display of emotions was well received by those watching, Bosco’s moderately absent father represented the part of society that still perceives expressing emotions as a sign of weakness. He often reaffirmed outdated beliefs through the statements he repeated, such as, “Champion man, no weak.” In the show’s inaugural season, which ended in August, these experiences left Bosco feeling emotionally isolated and detached, as the story exemplifies the larger societal issue of stigmatized vulnerability and the importance of breaking down those stereotypes. “These are the types of stories I live for—the stories where the untold is being told. I think a lot of men naturally don’t open up and they don’t touch on how they really feel, and I know there’s a lot of Boscos out there,” Kamulete says.
COAT Nili Lotan, TOP Burberry, PANTS Bottega Veneta,
SUNGLASSES Casablanca, SHOES Adidas
The veteran and up-and-coming castmates Kamulete spent months with, whom he now considers family, helped him learn invaluable lessons on this journey. As Kamulete reminisces about his time on set, he lights up with excitement. “It felt good to be on a set where I truly felt inspired and challenged to give the best version of myself. I learned so much that I can’t even put it into words,” he says. “Working with the likes of Déja Bowens, Ray Fearon, and Nadine Marshall, I became a sponge to the actors around me. It’s an experience that will stay with me, and in my next project, I will remember everything I learned.”
From the daily interactions with his on-screen family to the friendly strangers he met while filming in Birmingham, Kamulete has learned to draw inspiration from the real-life stories of people. “I act from a real place more often than not. I like to think and use real experiences, real people, and real things going on around me to draw that emotion from,” he says.
Through his art, he wants to continue to hold up a mirror to his viewers, reflecting their experiences and emotions back to them. Kamulete emphasizes that his ultimate goal is not just to join the ranks of the greats but to do so in a way that brings others up with him, leaving no room for wasted potential.“My focus is on inspiring the next generation,” Kamulete says. “If a young actor is watching me, I want them to be able to be inspired by my work in some sort of way. What is important to me is giving opportunities to others. I’m really trying to create a space where opportunities are very easy to give back,” he explains. By doing so, he believes he will be able to make a generational impact—but in his eyes, this is just the beginning. ❤
COAT Pronounce, TOP Alexander McQueen, PANTS Nili Lotan, SHOES Yogi
STORY CREDITS
PHOTOGRAPHY Amy Lidgette, STYLIST Kayleigh Swan, HAIR & MAKEUP Batiseol Gomis, STYLIST ASSISTANT Daisy Holland
HERO IMAGE CREDITS
COAT Pronounce, TOP Alexander McQueen, PANTS Nili Lotan, SHOES Yogi
Read more stories
