British -Gambian born Rapper Pa Salieu has taken the world by storm with his new album
Credit: John Ogunuyiwa
'Send them to Coventry.' The 23-year-old won the BBC Sounds 2021. He has also performed his debut single 'Frontline' on the Jimmy Fallon Show.
Frontline has over 4 million views on YouTube. Dominating the charts for four weeks.
He is the third Uk rapper to perform on the Jimmy Fallon show, following Stormzy and Skepta's footsteps.
So, what makes this young Rapper from the West Midlands an inspiration to all. Pa Salieu told the BBC, 'I am the voice of the voiceless. I am passionate about helping young people who were once like me leave the streets through music.’
He is using his music to bring hope and motivation to young people who come from the streets. Through his music, he tells his story of growing up in Hillfields, Coventry and the crime-filled life he was involved in.
Through his Music, Pa Salieu shows Coventry as a City of Crime and highlights what young people who live in deprived areas have to survive the streets.
Pa group up in Hillfields Coventry which is notoriously known for its high crime rate. It is one of the City's poorest areas and home to many ethnic minorities and migrants.
In His interview with BBC Sounds, Pa Salieu expressed his love for the City of Coventry. he told BBC sounds' Coventry is a city with so much culture, but there is a lack of opportunity for young people to follow their dreams.'
Pa Salieu recently old Hyper beats that he sees music as a form for a change. He believes that young people from deprived areas should be provided with tools to express themselves.
credit @Zek_Snaps
Pa Salieu went on to say, "Creativity should be promoted in schools and funded by schemes. Pa Salieu believes that music changed his life and took him out of a bad situation."
Before Pa Salieu, Coventry had The Specials, which originated in the 1970s. The specials used their music to highlight Coventry as a declining City. Music has always been rooted in the City. However, the music genres have changed over time, and UK Grime is the most popular genre among young people in the UK.
Coventry has a lot of aspiring young artists from across the genres. With Coventry being the City of Culture 2021. We will get to see the City's creative side and experience the talent that is has bursting through its streets.
Pa Salieu's love for music was picked up by Coventry Youth Groups when he was growing up. I spoke to Tyler Campbell, Founder of Fridays Youth Group, on how Pa Salieu has left a legacy in Coventry. Here is what Tyler had to say.
"Pa Salieu has always been supportive of Fridays and the young people. Because of his success, many young people from deprived areas are motivated to work hard and live the dreams they have of being successful. He has left a legacy for the City, and he has only just started creating and making music. His vision speaks volumes, and it is inspiring to see him grow and jump all the obstacles that have been put in his way.
I hope through the City of Culture; many young people get to have opportunities that can see them grow their visions and talents. The world needs to be ready for more talent that has to come out of Coventry."
John Bernard, a spoken word artist and Rapper, speaks about the first time he met Pa Salieu and his legacy for the young people in Coventry.
"I remember when being in the studio with Pa quite a few years back; this was when he was starting. I remember how eager he was to try new things out, different types of music. This was when he was finding his voice.
He has always been a very grounded person and has loved making music and wanted to get music out. He used to drive back and forth to different studios across the country, working with different producers to push his work out.
What he has achieved in a short time has been amazing. He has an incredible story, growing up in Hillfields Coventry. For him to have such an impact not just in Coventry but also in the music industry is incredible.
For a short time, he has been in the game; he has had a huge impact. He is putting Coventry on the map.
He has motivated younger artists to look at his journey and feel like anything is achievable and that they can make it in the music industry.
Pa Salieu has provided young people with a visible model of what you can achieve if you put your mind to it.
When people think of Coventry, they believe that nothing good comes out of it because it is a small city. But Coventry has a lot of talented young people just like Pa Salieu.
I am looking forward to seeing what the next few years look like for him music-wise."
Pa Salieu will be teaming with Jay 1, a successful Grime Artist from Coventry, to provide a platform called CVX for young people in the City to showcase their talent to the world.
All eyes are on the City of Coventry this year as they celebrate having been awarded the City of Culture 2021. Through this, we will get to see the talented young people that the City has. Not just only in music but other art forms.
So, when you think about Coventry, remember there is more to the City than Just the University. The streets of Coventry are bursting with talent, and it's time that the world sees this.
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