Dave on working with David Attenborough: “He has shown what it means to care for something and have a passion”

London MC Dave has spoken about his experience working on the same project as David Attenborough, praising the legendary broadcaster and natural historian for his inspiring ethos and passion.

The pair recently collaborated on a one-off musical special of award winning nature series Planet Earth, which is set to air on Monday 31st August on BBC One. Planet Earth: A Celebration compiles highlights from Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II, with newly recorded narrations from Attenborough. The programme will also feature new music from legendary film score composer Hans Zimmer in collaboration with Jacob Shea and the Bleeding Fingers collective. The string section of the score is performed by the BBC concert orchestra, accompanied on piano by Mercury and Brit award winning artist Dave, who also went home with the best MC/vocalist gong at DJ Mag’s Best Of British awards in 2019. 

Speaking about the chance to work on the project, Dave said: “I try and lend my talent, my time, my attention – the little that I can bring – to the project, because this is with so many talented people. I just want to help.”

“David Attenborough is obviously a legend and he means a lot to me because he represents good in everything that he has done,” he added. “He has shown what it means to care for something and have a passion, and that translates to all walks of life who can take David Attenborough’s ethos towards nature and apply it to anything that you do – and that inspires me.”

Dave and the orchestra were filmed performing their contribution to the show in Lyndhurst Hall at Air Studios, London. According to the BBC, the programme will be “a visual and musical feast designed to lift viewers' spirits during a time of international uncertainty.”

Hans Zimmer has also spoken about his involvement with the special, stating “There are two vital components to this – why I wanted to be involved. I come from a family that taught me at a very early age the respect for nature and respect for the ecology we live in.”

He added: “Sir David Attenborough has been making it his life’s mission to show us that the world that we share with all these other creatures, we are only a small part of.”

Learn more about Planet Earth: A Celebration here. Watch the trailer for the special below. 

Last year, as part of a competition launched by Songlines magazine and PRS Foundation, music makers were invited to remix recordings captured by Attenburough in Bali over 70 years ago.