Plan B has unveiled the artwork for his much-anticipated second album 'The Defamation Of Strickland Banks’.

The album, released on April 5, sees the rapper leave his rap routes in favour of Motown, Stax and Northern soul-inspired singing.

Explaining his new direction, Plan B said: “I wanted to stay true to the heart and soul of the music, but give it a little bit of a makeover.

“In Britain, we do it in our own way.

“A lot of people still think I’m some ignorant little ASBO kid off a council estate. I think they’ll be shocked that I can actually sing. And write pretty cool songs.”

'Stay Too Long', the first single to be taken from Plan B's new album, charted at number nine last month.

Meanwhile, the rapper-turned-singer is due to embark on a UK tour in April.

(by Jason Gregory)