Showcase 2010/2011
Thomas Conway
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Wilson Lumumba
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Ciaran Kelly
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Eoghain Dunne
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Merveil Mavungu
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Eric Donegan
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Stephen O'Brien
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Malik Ogungbo
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John Kearns
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I have always been interested in music. I found it easy to memorise lyrics of
songs since I was very young. But I never saw myself as a rapper two years ago.
So I sometimes find it hard to believe what I'm doing is reality and is true.
I remember when I was ten years old I really enjoyed playing football. It was my
favourite pastime and hobby. I started playing for teams outside of school when
I used to live in Kildare in 2003. I quickly gave up playing for teams only two years
later, frankly I'm not sure why, but I made my decision and stood by it. Most of my
friends have a passion for the sport. I don't anymore but I continue to play
it when in school for example, or when I'm with my friends. It remains my favourite
sport.I was twelve years old when I moved to Lucan. Adjusting wasn't so hard because
I already knew some people at the school. I can remember one particular day
during my time at Archbishop Ryan's S.N.S in Lucan. One of my friends, Ben,
was known as a good rapper. I knew this but I wasn't sure how good he was so
I challenged him to a freestyle battle. I have to say…I was shocking, " Hey Ben,
you killed 50cent and you never paid your rent ". I laugh when I remember that day,
I guess it was my first freestyle battle. Although I changed my interests Ben
continued to rap until he was signed by a producer from Atlanta in America in
2007. He made it, now he's a rapper. He has done opening performances in
concerts for rappers such as Pharrel and Snoop Dog. This is a great
achievement.Like I have said before, I never really saw myself as a rapper and was not
interested. It was only a year ago that I decided that I wanted to make tracks for
people to listen to. At first I would mess around with my mates because we were
attempting to freestyle rap. I then realised that the words I spoke made sense, so
I continued to practice and practice. I would sit in front of the computer at home,
and I would go on YouTube just to put on instrumentals. I was able to think of
clever lines and words that would fit into the beat in an instant. I continued doing
this until I felt I was almost good enough because at the time there were groups
of rappers who I thought I couldn't compete against.In September 2009 we were informed in school about an upcoming musical
called Fame. My friends and I laughed about it, but I guess we were sort of
interested in it. We put our names down and attended rehersals. I soon found out
I was given a lead role in the musical, I was Tyrone Jackson. I didn't expect this at
all, but apparently I was a good actor, " ah well ". Fame was good. I met new
people and it was truly one of the best experiences of my life. The rap I performed
at Fame was the first rap I did in front of an audience. It encouraged me to
continue rapping.
I started writing lyrics to songs I was planning to make after that. I recorded my
first solo track called, "Some things are complicated", over the summer at Ben
Breezys studio. I was satisfied with myself. I continued to write tracks, and
I planned to improve. I eventually got into the group, Shadow Shine. Rappers and
singers are in the group. There's Sean Thompson ( Tomo ), Pero ( the singer ),
Damola ( T.I.C ), Suly and Marvelous ( myself ). We are all good mates and we
hang out in Lucan, our hometown. That's why we and the rest are referred to
as the Lucan Boys.
Shadow Shine have already made several tracks such as Only you, Swag
( Express Yourself ), Thank you God and Give up your mics and others.
Some have not been released onto Youtube or Facebook yet so we're still
working on them. Right now we're working on a mixtape. We face competition
from other groups but we can handle it. We were to perform at events such as
the Return of the Underground party etc. We work hard during every recording
session in Lucan. I am used to the mic being in front of me now. I was given
the opportunity to rap on TV3 when they came to our school on October 8th 2010.
We were raising money that was going towards cancer awareness. I enjoyed the
experience…and the cameras.To be honest I don't have any big plans for the future concerning rap. At first it was
my hobby but I'm not so sure if I still treat it the same way. I've always wanted
to be a doctor or work in an area related to health and helping people. I don't
know so I guess I have to go with the flow. I enjoy rapping, it's a talent that I
possess and I know that God has plans for me for the future to come, so all
I can do is wait and see what happens.
· To all the fake rappers, if I was you I would drop my mic,
· Your tracks ain't something that we listen to or that we even like,
· This be the heavyweight championship so it's not your size,
· I'm coming first and I bet that you getting the bottom prizeTaken from Give up your mics - Shadow Shine ( Tomo and Marvel )
