Idris Elba: Jack of all trades

The sweet coincidence his name spells ‘able’ backwards is more than just a cheap way to start this story -- it’s uncannily fitting.

Idris Elba – I’m fully aware you’re now checking to see – is a Jack of all trades. Although rather than being master of none, he’s proved himself more than ‘able’ no matter what he turns his hand to.

Some say he played Nelson Mandela better than Nelson Mandela plays himself, he’s appeared on a Jay-Z album, been a DJ from NYC to Ibiza, television star in shows including Luther, The Wire and The Office with Emmy and Golden Globe nods, as well as one of People magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful People in 2012.

But better than all of that, the man’s a total hoot.

Sarcasm is his best friend, a quick-witted sense of humour following close behind.

“I’m a DJ thanks to my uncle’s drink problem,” he said, straight-faced. “I was about 14 and my uncle was a DJ. I was his box boy really. When he got too drunk to change the records, I ended up doing it.”

Elba may be best known for his on-screen characters – DCI John Luther in the BBC drama series, HBO’s Russell ‘Stringer’ Bell in The Wire and roles in Prometheus and Thor – but it was as a music DJ he started his career.

“People think I’m a celebrity DJ because of the acting but I’ve actually worked really hard to get to the stage where I can actually be hired at this level,” said Elba, speaking ahead of his Dubai debut at the last Sandance of the season. He played the set in between Keane and headliners Florence + The Machine. “This year I’ll be going to my first residency in Ibiza on the dance arena stage which is great for me. I’m very excited.”

From DJ to producer, Elba has co-produced with Jay-Z and Fat Joe and directed music videos for Mumford and Sons but it’s Arnold Schwarzenegger who captures him today.

“It has to be the worst record in my collection,” he says smiling. “It’s a muscle-building workout album. The music behind the video is wicked disco and then you get this “Ya”, “come on”, “move it” over the top. I should play that, man.”

Making a conscious effort to be serious, he continues. “It’s all just about making music. Most DJs end up being producers and working for other artists. To a certain degree I want that too. Working with Jay-Z was like my first kind of professional job. I co-produced this record. I guess the natural progression is to produce for other people.”

A chat with Elba is pleasantly comfortable. Talk of Jay-Z takes conversation naturally to 2009 when the Londoner played opposite Jay-Z’s wife Beyonce in the film Obsessed.

While being intimate with Beyonce is many a man’s dream, Elba simply said: “It was awkward.”

Acting started for Elba with a job as a reconstruction actor on UK Crime Watch – a news-based programme appealing for information about crimes. “It was one of my first jobs ever. I played a man who killed his wife, chopped her up and put her in the freezer. And we shot it in the actual apartment. It was awful but that’s showbiz. I just got out, took my money.”

Luckily things picked up and this year Elba will be seen in the title role of Nelson Mandela biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which only recently found a distributor in The Weinstein Company. Directed by Justin Chadwick, the film stars Elba as Mandela and Naomie Harris of Skyfall fame as his wife Winnie.

“When I got the part I didn’t know what to say,” he said. “The thing is man, it was the most challenging role of my life. If I never work again, which I probably won’t, I can at least say I put my heart and soul into one role. I think it’s really important we have this landmark of a film about his life.”

This year alone Elba has directed a Mumford and Sons music video, describing the collaboration as “a massive stroke of luck” after the boys said they were huge fans of The Wire; and had a spat with Liam Gallagher. “I was wearing a very audacious hat and he flicked it off and we ended up having words,” he said very matter of factly. “He’s really funny. He’s quite a smart guy. After we had our little ‘thing’ we actually ended up having a drink and he’s a deep guy.”

The third season of Luther is due for release any day now and Elba exclusively confirms to tabloid! “that’s it”.

“It’s such a balance for me. Whether it’s as a DJ or an actor it’s about the rawness of it all. It’s do or die when you step out there. You just entertain.”

Actor, DJ, director, producer and that’s not all. “I’m training to be a figure skater”. Sarcasm at it’s best.