The Deptford kid who struggled in school but now has his own big-budget movie out
By Rafi Benady
It is a huge day today for rapper, music producer and writer Rapman – as today is the release of his first major big budget film Blue Story.
The creator from Deptford – better known to his mum at least as Andrew Onwubolu – became a sensation as a filmmaker after his self-financed series, Shiro’s Story, scored 20 million hits on YouTube.
His new movie is a tale of two friends, from rival areas and the problems their friendship faces as a result of their older brothers’ involvement in postcode wars.
He has drawn inspiration from his own experiences growing up in South London.
He said: “I couldn’t focus on schoolwork because I was focused on surviving.
“I want people who see the film to learn that these kids are not all spawns of Satan.”
He added that he wants the audience to see past crime statistics and headlines about knife crime, to understand how a “good kid” can lose their way.
He came to prominence last year after the finale of his three-part musical drama, Shiro’s Story, got 7.3 million Youtube views, including over one million views in the first five hours.
Shiro’s Story Part I was released in 2018 and the trilogy has now amassed a total of 20 million views.
In his career, Rapman has wrote countless songs and videos, notably his cover of American rapper Future’s ‘Mask Off.’
His work was seen by Jay-Z, who signed Onwubolu to his label ‘Rocnation.’
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
