Local born rising rap star 'pays it forward'

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KNYSNA NEWS & VIDEO - The municipal Youth Development Desk's 16 June show is by now a distant memory in most people's minds, but already the show has had an amazing knock-on effect in that it has brought a local rap star, who is rapidly gaining countrywide recognition, and a rising dancing star together.

During the Youth Day celebrations at Loerie Park, Ashley Miles – known by many across South Africa by now as the rapper Arab, who is poised to release his first music video – performed some of his latest tracks. At the same show, a young dancing dervish in the form of Hornlee Primary's Grade 5 learner Shaquille Fortuin caught the attention of Arab and that of well-known SA hip-hop producer Ngane Sikobi.

“This little guy came out on stage with Antonio Cleophas, a dancer that we know from Hornlee. He went on stage with the same old tattered school shoes he wears every day and killed it – we could see he had talent,” Sikobi said.

Without hesitation, local businessman Brian Shabalala of Mind Movement found out more about Shaquille and his circumstances at home, which was that of a child in need. “And so Shaquille’s situation was brought to our attention and Arab and I decided we needed to help him, even if it is just in the smallest of ways,” Sikobi said.

“What we found out is that he is a very talented boy, but his background isn’t the ideal place for his talent to flourish in. So we decided we were going to help him in every way that we can – for talent to grow it has to be nurtured,” Arab added. This hit home with him as he is proof of this belief.

A whole new wardrobe
So, this past Monday, Arab and Sikobi took Shaquille to a local clothing store and bought him a stack of new clothes – with school shoes and some tekkies (sneakers) he can dance in to boot. At the end of the morning’s shopping Shaquille, a boy of very few words, walked out of the store with two bags almost bigger than him, and an even bigger smile beaming from his face.

Sikobi said this gesture was small and that he, Arab and Shabablala know there are many more kids in Shaquille’s situation, “but we have to start somewhere".

"Even though we can’t help everyone, we need to plant the seed in people’s minds that we need to look after each other. We are only human through humans,” Sikobi added.

Shabablala, who works with Knysna’s youth, echoed Sikobi’s sentiments and added that this small gesture was just the beginning of bigger things. “We also don’t want anyone to get offended that they weren’t ‘chosen’. This is a long journey and the more resources we can get, the more people who get involved with the youth, will allow us to do more,” he said.

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This act of kindness comes shortly before Arab himself will enter a new realm in the music industry. His first official music video – a two-in-one portraying his tracks Drunk in Studio and Selina – will be launched tomorrow 24 August.

Follow @ArabMiles on Twitter or ArabNation on Facebook for the full details.

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