HIP HOP star Bashy has joined the fight against gun and knife crime in East London by urging youngsters to get more involved in their community. He has launched Vinspired’ awards, aimed at breaking down postcode’ barriers between youngsters in Tower Hamlets and Hackney, from E1 to N16—and inspiring a new generation of volunteers

By Peter Sherlock

HIP HOP star Bashy has joined the fight against gun and knife crime in East London by urging youngsters to get more involved in their community.

The rising star of the underground grime’ scene has launched Vinspired’ awards, aimed at breaking down postcode’ barriers between youngsters throughout Tower Hamlets and neighbouring Hackney, from E1 to N16—and inspiring a new generation of volunteers.

“I wish the award scheme was about when I was still in school,” said the 24-year-old rap star. “I would have been involved straight away.”

MASTERCLASS

The event at Whitechapel’s Toynbee Hall last Friday, run by the charity V’ and the East End Youth Action Team, included a rapping masterclass by Bashy, who became an underground sensation last year with his controversial hit Black Boys. He also performed at last year’s Love Music Racism rally at Victoria Park.

The Vinspired’ awards encourage youngsters to develop skills through volunteering. Around 300,000 aged 16 to 25 have taken part since the charity was set up three years ago, who get points for clocking up’ hours which are logged online.

Bashy—real name Ashley Thomas—is a former pupil at the BRIT School for Performing Arts, which boasts students such as Amy Winehouse, Stamford Hill’s Leona Lewis and Kate Nash.

The volunteers are staging a music festival on July 5 with the message: We are going to bring unity to the East End.’