The purpose of this magazine is to reveal the hidden talents of those who have transitioned from a life within gang culture and crime to something creative and worthwhile, uncovering the journeys they have taken in life to reach where they are now. Our aim is to promote these unique and misunderstood individ-uals and give them the credit they deserve. We have insightful interviews of real life stories to inspire the general public and influential work for those who

love arts and music.

Yours, Usual Suspects.

Line Drawing of the City (kirsty)

Line Drawing of the City (kirsty)

Nia6-11

Dr Martin Glynn16-21

Freddie24-27

NIAEKANEM

NIAEKANEM

Q7 Has your background / upbringing impacted on your career?

“Um yeah erm, growing up I was taught never to forget myself and to always do something positive, make a change and if what you do doesn’t make a change it’s pointless, in terms of my music that’s really the aim but it helps a lot .”

Q8Do you try and deter people away from it with your music?

“Yeah, not directly but indirectly yeah, I feel like anyone that listens to my music, you’re able to pick a message out of it no matter what the track is about. In terms of those who are in gangs and everything.

Q4Do you regret that at all?

“Yes and no, yes because I found something better to do with my life and no because, cos I learnt from it. I guess I can sort of relate with those that say get me, I can say yeah, cos I was a part of it, if that makes any sense.”

Q5Have you ever witnessed anything that has had a profound effect on your life?

“yeah I’ve seen a few um. I’ve had friends who have been heavily involved in it, I’ve had friends who have been locked up, I’ve had friends who, yeah I have. Seeing that has kind of kept me away from that path.”

Q6What made you choose music and start living your life that way?

“It’s the only way I’m able to express myself. Growing up I tried different careers, I tried grime, I was a grime artist! I tried being a drummer, I tried acting, I tried so many things, music was the only thing that made sense, music was the only thing that I felt comfortable with, I didn’t have to act, I didn’t have to act a certain way, I just felt comfortable. But yeah thats pretty much why I went with music.”

Q1What area did you grow up in? How was this?

“For 3 years I lived in Edgbastonand then I moved to Northwood… It was alright, I was a kid, growing up in Edgbaston was normal but growing up in Northwood it was secluded, there wasn’t much going on in terms of music”

Q2Do you feel like your own music is different to what people around you listened to growing up?

“Yeah, because in Birmingham growing up I used to listen to a lot of grime and a lot of rap and a lot of like, I wouldn’t say negative music, but a lot of music that didn’t make sense but with my music now.. I try to make it make sense, give a message out there and tell a story, try to vent in a positive way.”

Q3Living around gang culture were you ever a victim, a target or a part of it?

“I wasn’t a victim.. But I was part of it. Growing up, you really had no choice. Growing up either you’re in it or you’re a victim. I was in it just for a short period though yes so finding music kind of took me away, and put me in a more positive place.”

Q7 Has your background / upbringing impacted on your career?

“Um yeah erm, growing up I was taught never to forget myself and to always do something positive, make a change and if what you do doesn’t make a change it’s pointless, in terms of my music that’s really the aim but it helps a lot .”

Q8Do you try and deter people away from it with your music?

“Yeah, not directly but indirectly yeah, I feel like anyone that listens to my music, you’re able to pick a message out of it no matter what the track is about. In terms of those who are in gangs and everything.

Q4Do you regret that at all?

“Yes and no, yes because I found something better to do with my life and no because, cos I learnt from it. I guess I can sort of relate with those that say get me, I can say yeah, cos I was a part of it, if that makes any sense.”

Q5Have you ever witnessed anything that has had a profound effect on your life?

“yeah I’ve seen a few um. I’ve had friends who have been heavily involved in it, I’ve had friends who have been locked up, I’ve had friends who, yeah I have. Seeing that has kind of kept me away from that path.”

Q6What made you choose music and start living your life that way?

“It’s the only way I’m able to express myself. Growing up I tried different careers, I tried grime, I was a grime artist! I tried being a drummer, I tried acting, I tried so many things, music was the only thing that made sense, music was the only thing that I felt comfortable with, I didn’t have to act, I didn’t have to act a certain way, I just felt comfortable. But yeah thats pretty much why I went with music.”

Q1What area did you grow up in? How was this?

“For 3 years I lived in Edgbastonand then I moved to Northwood… It was alright, I was a kid, growing up in Edgbaston was normal but growing up in Northwood it was secluded, there wasn’t much going on in terms of music”

Q2Do you feel like your own music is different to what people around you listened to growing up?

“Yeah, because in Birmingham growing up I used to listen to a lot of grime and a lot of rap and a lot of like, I wouldn’t say negative music, but a lot of music that didn’t make sense but with my music now.. I try to make it make sense, give a message out there and tell a story, try to vent in a positive way.”

Q3Living around gang culture were you ever a victim, a target or a part of it?

“I wasn’t a victim.. But I was part of it. Growing up, you really had no choice. Growing up either you’re in it or you’re a victim. I was in it just for a short period though yes so finding music kind of took me away, and put me in a more positive place.”

How has your life and career changed now you live away from the city?

“It’s good there’s a lot more oppotunities now I’ve moved away it’s really good, theres more opportunities and I’m able to express myself more, I have more gigs and I’m able to be heard more.”

What’s the music scene like in Staffordshire?

“Staffordshire’s actually quite dead.. But because because it’s in the middle of everything it gives you chance to go to London, Manchester and Birmingham. Other cities other than Staffordshire”

Where do you prefer living in Staffordshire or Birmingham?

“Would say ‘staffs’ because it’s a new place, I don’t really know anyone

so I’m able to start a new life and do something new there.”

How would you say your life differs now from before?

“I’m a lot more friendly and happier! Yeah just a lot more positive and everything .”

Who / What inspires you?

Um I’d say in terms of artists someone called Asha inspires me, Eric Clapton, Sam Cooke, John Mayer, those kind of guys inspire me. In terms of what inspires me, life in general inspires me. Stories and peoples lives, situations, yeah life!”

What sort of venues do you play at?

“Anywhere, right now erm I’m playing

at a lot of pubs a lot of cafes, anywhere. Anywhere that wants me I’ll play.”

Where do you want to be playing?

Arenas, yeah I wanna play in arenas, worldwide “

What made you choose soul and acoustic music?

“It’s calm and relaxing like, I proper like acoustic music that makes you think, just ponders on words, it takes away the loud music and loud drum beats, computer stuff and it’s just, just stripped down and that’s why I like it. “

What instruments do you play?

“Apart from guitar, I play keyboard, bit of drums, and I’m trying to play other instruments. OH I play a little bit of harmonica, just a little!”

How does living in an image conscious society affect your life?

“Thats a good question.. Um living in an image conscious society, it makes me kind of conscious of what I wear, how I am and what I do. Because in my head I’m like, will people accept me if I’m a certain way? I always try to remember that it’s good to be different, it’s good to step out from the norms, and try to be different.”

If you could take another path, which one would you choose?

“Apart from music? Can I pick being a rockstar?”

Yeah, you can!

“Yeah a part time rockstar, I love to shred and all that jazz!”

Stereotypes of gangsters

How to

be a

gangster?

?

We are quick to judge people in the city by their appearences, but many of the people you look down on carry hidden talents waiting to be exposed such as musicians, artists and performers.

T H E R E A R E T OO M A N Y D I S T R A C T I O N S I N L I F E W E D O N T C O N C E N T R A T E O N W H O W E A R E

U N T I L

I T S T O O L A T E.

Dr. Martin Glynn is a criminal justice lecturer at Birmingham city university who has also worked and works with people that have taken the wrong

paths in life, people that are troubled and are involved in crime. He encourages these people to turn their lives around and realise who twhey are before it is too late. For Dr Martin Glynn his job is of a nature that is very close to home for him and it is amazing and inspiring to see a man that has been through so much give so much of his time and heart to people that act in a way that can cause hurt and conflict upon others.

Dr. Glynn has a never ending list of achievements - he was awarded a Winston Churchill International Travel Fellowship in January 2010, In Oct of the same year Martin was also awarded a prestigious local heroes award by ‘The Association of Jamaica Nationals’ (Birmingham), In 2012 Martin received the prestigious ‘Pol-Roger’ award from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust for outstanding service to the field of ‘society and the citizen’. But these awards are really just a minute look into what Martin has achieved throughout his career so far.

Dr. Martin Glynn is a criminal justice lecturer at Birmingham city university who has also worked and works with people that have

taken the wrong paths in life, people that are troubled and are involved in crime. He encourages these people to turn their lives around and realise who they are before it is to late. For Dr Martin Glynn his job is of a nature that is very close to home for him and it is amazing and inspiring to see a man that has been through so much give so much of his time and heart to people that act in a way that can cause hurt and conflict upon others.

Dr. Glynn has a never ending list of achievements - he was awarded a Winston Churchill International Travel Fellowship in January 2010, In Oct of the same year Martin was also awarded a prestigious local heroes award by ‘The Association of Jamaica Nationals’ (Birmingham), In 2012 Martin received the prestigious ‘Pol-Roger’ award from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust for outstanding service to the field of ‘society and the citizen’. But these awards are really just a minute look into what Martin has achieved throughout his career so far.

On the 22nd of October I met with Dr.Glynn at the entrance to Kenrick Library along with a five students from Birmingham City University. The first thing you notice when you see him is the friendly, warm smile that his gentle face holds. Although he appeared happy his smile is one that we soon discovered covers a hard past for Dr. Glynn, of which he has no self sympathy for, as he says ‘Life is about forgiving’. We introduced ourselves and then moved on to the canteen of the university campus where we found a table and began the interview. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and Dr. Glynn soon made my group and I all feel welcome and at ease telling us that no questions were out of bounds as he wanted us to receive all the information that we needed.

We started off the interview talking about Martins past and the things that originally influenced him to study criminal justice. Martin was born in 1957- a time that was appallingly un accepting towards black and white men and women having relationships or associating. Martins mother was a beautiful white Welsh woman whilst his father was a handsome black Jamaican man, so

Dr Martin Glynn is a Criminologist who has worked in both prisons and schools, using his experiences, he encourages people to turn their lives around A meeting with:

Dr. Martin Glynn

from day one Martin was looked down on in society. His father left and when his mother met his step father Martin was racially abused. The bullying then carried on into his school years because Martin was neither just black or just white he was accepted by neither. It’s amazing how Martin was so hurt and neglected by others yet he is neither bitter or hateful towards anyone, he dedicates his time to others, listens to their stories and then helps them to forgive and understand how to move on or become a better person. He believes he was given this life to serve the needs of others and that is why his life was challenging- so he could learn, teach and to help.

Martin has worked with all kinds of people and he takes time to understand why people are the way they are without pre judging them. He gets people to talk, and by getting them to talk he learns what it is that has created anger, hate or pain. Martin has found that father absence is one of the leading reasons that some people turn to crime and ‘gang’ life. Father absence creates a huge hole in some peoples lives. It can leave them feeling angry, confused and lonely. The fact that Martins father left when he was just a baby means that he very much understands the feelings that come with this absence.

Once Martin has understood the reasons for peoples actions he then encourages them to focus on other things such as art, music and performance to prevent them from taking negative paths and making bad decisions. Dr. Glynn has also visited many schools and community based places such as youth clubs to do arts residencies where he encourages people to use their creative skills- giving them something to focus and possibly gain a hobby from.

‘‘My name is Farhan, but you can call me Freds. I am a 19 year-old from Bordesley Green Village. I grew up around gangs and gang culture and I’m hap-py I’m not apart of that lifestyle. I’m a designer who’s also into fashion.’’

Freddie I ’m quite a cheerful person, I’m not judgemental, I try not to be, I feel that I’m quite honest, truthful, quite loyal, I prefer taking chances more than anything, rather than taking the easy option out, so I’d say

I’m quite an adventurous type of person as well as kind.

Where I grew up in Birmingham was Small Heath, growing up there’s not the easiest thing in the world, given the gang affiliations and the typical lifestyles they live, they want to live the “street life”as we call it so it was quite difficult for a person like me to be accepted. Street life is like a trap, once you’re in it you’re not coming out of it once you’re in that game you’re stuck, that’s what we’ve always been taught and thats one thing I’ve never wanted to be involved in.

Growing up seeing what I saw, it affects Street life is like a trap, once you’re in it you’re not coming out of it once you’re in that game you’re stuck me still now, seeing Street life is like a trap, once you’re in it you’re not coming out of it once you’re in that game you’re stuck things at 8, 9, 10, I’m 19 now, so 10 years and I’m still hurting, seeing my friends get caught, even just recently my friend being murdered, by someone that I know as well, and I’ve seen my friends in car accidents, even personal things in my house, seeing things that a kid shouldn’t see, growing up now it affects you, you become a “product of your environment” so of course it’s still affecting me 10 years on.

Theres a lot of jealousy, especially around the city, a lot of jealousy and cold blood, there’s not really any unity anymore and people are really against each other so if somebody’s doing something good and they don’t like you, they’re just waiting for something bad to happen and this was just a bit of jealousy over a girl, that was it over a girl somebody lost his life so, it’s crazy but it’s just the way it is.

Once you’re in a gang you’re not gonna get out, you’re not going to do better than the person next to you and you’ll always stay at the same level because as soon as you start going above

that level you’re going to be dragged back down and if you’re not dragged down then you’re abandoned, when you grow up in a gang kind of area your gang don’t look like a gang to you, they’re more like a family ‘cos you’ve not got people there for you they become more of a unit you know you’re doing everything together, you’re going everywhere together, you’re eating together, you’re going out every night together, so once they’re starting to abandon you, you have no-one left, so out of fear you stay.

I like a lot of sports and fashion, I love collecting trainers, I’ve got a really massive passion about trainers, I love to dance, I love to party, because I never had that freedom, now I finally have it I enjoy every moment of it, I love playing xbox, spending time with my friends just the usual and I like to draw as well, I just sit there and draw sometimes. When I was younger thats how I used to get away from everything, so when there was bad stuff going on in my house I’d go and sit upstairs in my room and start drawing, drawing lets say spiderman, when I got annoyed my finger would just start drawing, anything I could just to keep my mind busy, to keep my mind of all the bad things as well so I do try my best to make sure I use art and music as a form of escape, once I’m doing that I’m knocked out to the rest of the world it’s just me, the pen and music.

The way that I’ve been involved and the way that I’ve grown up, the way I’ve lived has affected

me a lot so I wear a lot of dark colours, moody clothes, dark clothes, big clothes, just darkness. A lot of my art is expressive, more than realism, I can do realistic stuff but I prefer expression, theres a lot more to it than just what you see, theres a lot more meaning if someone looks at it they could feel one thing whereas somebody else might feel another thing. I prefer to keep it very rough and very sharp. I reckon my past has definitely affected my style and my art.

Where I see myself in a couple of years is always changing because I feel the “system” is forcing young people to choose their future almost straight away, only a couple of years ago I was asking my teacher if I could go to the toilet. When I was younger I wanted to be a barrister, when I was 16 I wanted to become an illustrator, now I’m 19 and I want to become a barrister again. At this point in time life’s a bit too crazy to understand where I’m going. Everything changes within a moment. I’m still too young to tell you.

If there was anything that I could change about my past it’s not to do with me as such but I wish my mum had a better life, I’d have preferred my mum to see a better life so when she had kids they’d live a better life for themselves because everything that happened to my mum, also affected us, if anything that’s the one thing that I would change, nothing but that my mum had a better life.

"I use art and music as a form of escape. Once I'm doing that, I'm knocked out to the rest of the world, it's just me, a pen and the music"

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Ort Cafe, located on Moseley Road, is so much more than your average local arts cafe. It’s a dynamic, successful venue, home to a variety

of events including exhibitons, music concerts and book clubs. The team work exceptionally hard to promote a stronger sense of unity in the community. They do this by breaching out to all individuals whether you’re into reading, films or even philosophy. This cafe has it all! Also they sell great cake and hot chocolate.. The perfect atmosphere for those cold, rainy days.

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