How staying true to his roots is helping rapper go global

How staying true to his roots is helping rapper go global

Chiedu Oraka, from Hull, is set to perform at Music Matters Live in Singapore later.

Rapper Chiedu Oraka, who rose to prominence after supporting Coldplay at their Hull concert last year, says remaining faithful to his core beliefs, shaped on a council estate, has carried him thousands of miles from home.

Later, he will be the only UK artist appearing at Music Matters Live in Singapore.

Chiedu says he hopes to present the resilience, talent and ambition of his home city to an audience on the other side of the world.

"It's like a dream," he says.

"How is a rapper from North Hull rapping in Singapore? That doesn't even feel right and normal."

Chiedu says supporting Coldplay was one of the "two best days" of his life.

On stage, Chiedu says he will be representing what life was like growing up on a council estate.

"The story is about determination, resilience, perseverance, not taking no for an answer," he tells.

Chiedu says he wants people from around the world "to know that Hull is actually a good place and there's a lot of talent".

He adds: "I don't mind being the guy who flies the flag but just come and see us, come to The Deep. Come to all the nice restaurants, come to The Polar Bear, come to The Adelphi, we've got a lot here."

Chiedu moved from performing in some of Hull's smaller clubs to appearing before 25,000 people while supporting one of the world's biggest bands on tour.

In August last year, he supported Coldplay on the Hull leg of their Music of the Spheres world tour after receiving a personal call from frontman Chris Martin.

Chiedu says he is still on good terms with Martin and that they still text each other.

"You might go on like a game show, someone asks you 'who's the most famous person in your phone book?' and I can say Chris Martin," he laughs.

"It just doesn't even feel real."

Chiedu adds: "He's a proper top guy, he's just exactly what you see on the TV and on stage. He's just a proper, top bloke."

Chiedu says Hull made him thick-skinned, honest and passionate.

Despite his success, Chiedu remains modest and regularly pays tribute to where he grew up through his music, even filming a music video on the estate where he used to live.

Another way he stays true to Hull is by never changing his accent.

"It's the choice I made when I first started rapping," he says.

"When I first came onto the scene in Hull, there were Hull rappers rapping in a London accent. There were Hull rappers rapping in an American accent, which is crazy to me."

He adds: "I just wanted to be true to myself....Hull is such an honest place.

"Hull wouldn't even let me get away with rapping in anything else than a broad North Hull Estate accent."

Chiedu also points to the recent successes of Hull City and says he will wear the club's colours on stage.

"I get so much love from the people of Hull," he says. "People are always so complimentary. People always want photos. People always want to speak to me.

"I'm so lucky because I know there's a lot of artists that don't get that love from their city. I'm very blessed that I do."

Chiedu praises the PRS Foundation and the International Showcase Fund for helping provide the money to get him to Singapore and perform at the festival.

"If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be going," he says.

"I'm just so blessed that I even get to do these things. It's mad that this is my job."