Boys use rap to unite cultures

UNITED front . . . Nathan Gibson and Kamran Akhtar

TWO rising music stars are hoping to stamp out racism with their songs.

Nathan Gibson and Kamran Akhtar, both 19, have faced abuse from both the white and Asian communities for their friendship.

But the lads decided to turn negatives into positives and formed a rap duo in the hope of uniting children from different races and backgrounds.

The duo — who call themselves Envy — will film their debut music video in Clarksfield this week after securing £3,800 funding from youth fund Kerching with help from Oldham Youth Service.

The video will be shown on various music channels watched by both the white and Asian communities.

Envy will perform to thousands of people at Oldham Carnival in August backed by dancers from local schools.

Nathan, who went to Radclyffe School, and Kamran, a former Breeze Hill pupil, are also releasing solo albums this year.

Backed by the youth service, the lads will speak to pupils and perform at both Counthill and Breeze Hill before the schools merge to form an academy at the Orb Mill site in Waterhead.

Kamran, who uses the stage name MC KD, said: “We want to show the pupils that they don’t have to hate people who are from a different culture to them. Breeze Hill and Counthill pupils have fought in the past and we want to unite the children before the schools merge. Me and Nathan have had problems from both sides in the past because we are friends and we want to get our message across that racism is wrong.”

Nathan added: “We are from different backgrounds but are doing something positive. We find some people’s attitudes pathetic and we want to break down barriers by setting an example.” To reach out to teenagers, Nathan and Kamran often take their portable studio equipment to youth clubs across the borough and show people how they write and record songs.

Nathan, stage name OTT, said: “It gives the children a boost when we let them have a go at recording their own stuff and it’s something they can take away with them.

“We heard that youngsters were hanging round derelict houses in Derker so we went down and spoke to them about our music and told them it wasn’t safe for them to mess around in the rubble. They listened to us because we’re not adults telling them what to do. They can relate to us.”

To find out more about the boys, search for Envy Music on Facebook or visit www.myspace.com/ottmckdmusic