'Great opportunity' for would-be rappers at Rio Ferdinand scheme

The Rio Ferdinand Foundation is giving budding rap artists once a lifetime opportunities

Budding rap artists in the north west have been given the opportunity of a lifetime by learning from one of the hottest talents around.

Dublin rapper Sello spent several days coaching the teenagers as part of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation outreach programme.

The group spent time developing an original song and then heading to the recording studio in Londonderry to enjoy a freestyle session with Sello.

The Dubliner started rapping for friends at secondary school before making a name for himself on the music scene.

Dublin rap artist Sello has been working with young people

A debut album followed and he has since been tipped as a future star in the genre.

Appearances on RTÉ's the Late Late Show and playing to thousands at big music festivals like Electric Picnic have only cemented that reputation.

But it was not always an easy life.

His mother and other family members had to flee Nigeria due to persecution before moving to Ireland.

The group enjoyed a freestyle session with Sello in a recording studio

He said relocating to Ireland was difficult initially because of people's attitudes towards ethnic minorities but he feel things have improved.

They were a black family and his mother was pregnant and "very vulnerable".

"We were, like, the first black people in Ireland," he said.

"Some people are keen to understand and they want to learn and understand what brought me here and why.

"Those are the people that I like. Those are the people I warm towards."

'A proud Irishman'

Sello said his music is based around him becoming a refugee, taking in the Irish culture and promoting it globally, amongst Africans, in the UK and different parts of Europe.

"I am a refugee but I'm a proud Irishman as well."

When Sello began freestyle rapping in school he rapidly earned a name for himself and soon word spread about the talented performer.

He now loves working with youngsters to pass on the experience of his musical journey.

Sean Thornton said Sello is showing young people they can achieve similar success

Sean Thornton, from the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, said it was a major coup to secure Sello's time with the young people at a recording studio in Derry.

"For us it's all about access and showing young people that there is a chance to meet people like Sello," he said.

"He built his way up and he's just showing them that they can do it too."

'An opportunity'

Ciaran, who took part in the project, says music runs in his family

Ciaran said he was thrilled to meet Sello and take part in the project, as music runs in his family.

"From a young age I always sang," he said.

Through the project, he said he learned a lot about how music is made and how to market yourself in the music world.

"Today is important because it's an opportunity – an opportunity that I wouldn't have had."

Jo wanted to learn more about the music industry

Gospel artist Jo said it was a great opportunity to work with Sello.

He first started playing music in the praise and worship team in his church but wanted to learn the "ins and outs" of the music market.

"So far what I've learnt is that it's not only the music that can take you to the place that you want to be globally but there are all these other factors included such as personality, uniqueness, branding and all that," he said.

"Music alone has a lot of things that comes with it.

"We shouldn't just rely on the music."

As part of the project, the young people also got the chance to watch Sello live at the sold-out gig at The Nerve Centre in Derry.