Levi Roots: ‘I lived in a squat when I was 15’

I grew up with my grandparents in Clarendon, Jamaica, a lovely laid-back place where every lake had jumping fish and every tree carried fruit. The house was thatched and all six of us children slept in one big bed. As the youngest I was a bit of a sous-chef to my grandma. She was a fantastic cook and the house would be full of strangers who had smelt her food.
I came to the UK in 1969 when I was 11. I didn’t really know my mum and dad. They had come over in the early 1960s and every year they would get the fare together to send for us. I was one of the last to come. I remember when my suitcase arrived and my granny was in tears.
It was cold and the trees had no leaves. I thought the place was dead. Racism hit me when I went to school. I tried to be cool when I should have been concentrating on the curriculum. But we lived quite well. My parents bought a four-bedroom house in Brixton, south London. My father used to hold parties, so we started to integrate. Eventually the house would be full of black and white people drinking rum and dancing to ska music.
A squat with friends when I was 15. I was trying to escape from my father, who was violent. We took over nearby flats. I’d pretend I didn’t have a home, but I’d go back and have a nice meal by my mum and she would secretly take my washing home. It was an amazing time for me because I started to flourish in music. I was the chef in the squat, inspired by my grandmother’s cooking. I became a leader with my friends. It helped to shape me and give me confidence.
Then my first proper home was a ground-floor housing association flat in Brixton, where I lived from about 1991 until two years ago. It became a bachelor’s haven, where I had musical instruments and records. It was also a rehearsal room for my band.
I didn’t really want to move because it was my experience of hustling on the streets that gave me the audacity to go on Dragons’ Den and sing about Reggae Reggae Sauce. But I was in my forties before I excelled in business — thanks to [the entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den judge] Peter Jones. You couldn’t give your address as Brixton, especially in the 1980s, because you wouldn’t get the job. I wanted to give my son Christopher, who’s 11, a better chance.
So we moved to Selsdon in Croydon, on the periphery of London. The house has five bedrooms and was built about 20 years ago. It’s in a gated community that gives me privacy. I couldn’t walk ten paces in Brixton without somebody wanting a selfie. There aren’t many people who look like me here but it was amazing to see how welcome we were.
It was painted mainly magnolia, which we are changing to white, and has a classic country look. I bought a sky-blue settee where you press a button and you can lay flat. In our foyer there are lots of pictures with us and the royals — this is my 18th year working with the Prince’s Trust and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. There is no way that my old friends would think the Levi who got into trouble and went to prison would be working with King Charles.
I planted an avocado in Brixton, which grew to 12ft. Our garden now is massive with a manicured lawn. We have a magnificent oak tree and I have created the flower patch around it. I planted lots of roses because my mum loved them. But it’s my first large garden so there’s lots to do. There’s a part that would do nicely for a greenhouse and I’d love to have a beehive for Christopher.
Cookery books are my favourite. I can also boastfully say that I have perhaps the most Ozwald Boateng designer suits of anyone — more than 45. I collect jewellery as well. I’m actually stooping over with the weight of rings and bracelets. They’re silver and I collect them from places I’m inspired by. I never go out without my jewellery, even on the school run.
She wouldn’t believe it’s me. When you press a key and the gate opens at home, it’s a long way from Brixton. Now I’ve got roe deer running through my garden. In Brixton I had all sorts of unwanted things, including people. I hover above myself sometimes and think: Levi, you jammy bastard!
Levi Roots is lead ambassador for the National Windrush Museum. The latest range of Levi Roots energy drinks is available now