Former rapper spreads
anti-violence message
Rap star turned
By BERNADETTE JAMES
international motivational
speaker, Mutah Beale,
“It’s like Arnold
visited Southwark
Schwarzenegger in the
College to warn students
Terminator films - do you think
he is really driving round LA
about dangers of
blowing people up?,” said Beale.
becoming involved in “I enjoy what I do now because
gangs and violence.
it’s like music, but without
Known as Napoleon within the
instruments. I’m still able to
music industry, Beale told
speak to people from my heart
students about his troubled life as
and spread a positive message.”
a youth, selling drugs on street
Applied Science student Jorge
corners and being caught up
Da Silva, aged 17, said: “The
in the image that hip-hop music
event made us think more about
portrays.
what we want to do in life. I used
The 31-year-old said: “This type
to listen to his stuff, but it was
of violent lifestyle has an effect on
very violent. It’s good he has
everybody. You don’t want this
changed his life around. If he
for you. You don’t want to go
could combine his new beliefs
down this route.”
with music - it would come across
better.”
He also urged students to look
When Beale was three, he
at hip-hop music as art and
witnessed the violent murder of
entertainment, and not to be
his parents during a robbery,
influenced by the message within
where he sustained gun shot
the lyrics - which are often
exaggerated or fictitious. TURN TO PAGE 2
SPREADING THE WORD: Mutah Beale paid a visit to Southwark College and (inset) students listen on
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