REMIND ME, IN A NUTSHELL, WHO IS HE? Simon Smith, aka Youngman, is one of the most promising vocal talents on the drum 'n' bass, and dubstep scene with a new single Who Knows? on Shy FX's Digital Soundboy label just released which is winning praise from the likes of Radio 1.

AND HE'S A DERBY LAD? Simon was born and raised in Derby, he went to school at Landau Forte and is a former member of Derby Playhouse Youth Theatre.

AND HIS DAD'S IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS? His father is Simon "Bassline" Smith, an artist, producer, DJ. Youngman says: "My dad taught me to DJ when I was four or five. My grandma passed away when I was seven and left me a piano and that encouraged me to have lessons. At the age of 13 I ran an under 18s club night called Vibz in Derby which was really successful and I started DJ-ing under the name Youngman."

SO WHY THE NAME YOUNGMAN? "Because I have the same name as my father people either called me 'junior' or 'young man' and stuff like that. So when I had to put a name on a flyer, Youngman popped out and kind of stuck."

TELL ME ABOUT THE SINGLE Who Knows? was released on January 30 and has already been named Zane Lowe's Next Hype, MistaJam's Jam Hot and Annie Mac's Record Of The Week. Youngman says: "The response has been great. We have had more than 500,000 views on Youtube. Loads of the TV channels have been playing it, Radio 1 have playlisted the record. In fact, Radio 1 have been amazing and have played it so many times."

YOUNGMAN'S A SEASONED LIVE PERFORMER NOW I UNDERSTAND He is indeed having graced the stages of Glastonbury, Creamfields, Exit, Lovebox, Global Gathering and played venues across Europe, Australia and North America. He says: "I have played Glastonbury the last two years. It was a dream come true. It was so surreal. I drove myself to the festival and arrived in the artists' liaison park where all the tour buses go. I bumped into a load of massive stars and then they gave me the go ahead to drive right next to the main stage and park up."

PLENTY OF DREAMS COMING TRUE THEN? Youngman says: "I have a goals' board at home and I am slowly ticking things off like Glastonbury and Radio 1."

SO WHAT'S NEXT ON THE GOALS' BOARD? "I'm supporting Example on his arena tour and will be playing the 02 in London, which has always been a dream and will be massive for me. Moving forward, I want to have a hit single and album. And another dream is to come back and sell out a venue in Derby."

IS HE IN DERBY MUCH THESE DAYS? His music often keeps him on tour or in London but he's frequently back in Derby where he's been keen to support the educational initiative Music & Life Workshops. He explains: "I was always encouraged to carry on my education and I graduated in business management. Even though I'm hopefully on my way to being successful in music, I always knew it was sensible to have a back up. Music & Life Workshops tries to get that across. Lots of young people want to MC, DJ, sing and might put academic aims to the side for it. It's about trying to get the balance right and hopefully I can be a positive role model. I have done quite a few Derby schools and I'm looking for more who want to get involved."

AND NOW HE'S DESIGNING A CLOTHING RANGE? He says: "It started with merchandise after a friend and I drew up a couple of T-shirts with lyrics on just to wear. But there was so much demand we started selling them and sold 1,000 in six weeks. I'm really into fashion so designing a whole range is one of my ambitions as well."

AND IS HIS DAD STILL A BIG INFLUENCE? Youngman says: "Last week we were both on the Radio 1 playlist at the same time. I'm not sure that's ever happened before – a father and son, and from Derby, both on the playlist of the biggest station in the world. What we do is very different we influence each other and he's produced a record on my album."

WHAT: Who Knows?

BY: Youngman

OUT: Now on Shy FX's Digital Soundboy label.