Help the ‘Camden King’ turn a frown into a smile
Published: 16 September, 2010
by TOM FOOT
HE is the son of a powerful Nigerian businessman imprisoned in a military coup after being democratically elected president. But to his legion of adoring fans, Olasemo Abiola is known simply as the “Camden King”.
Now the 17-year-old Chalk Farm schoolboy rapper, aka “Frownz”, needs your vote. The sixth form pupil of Maria Fidelis has fought 300 MC rivals to reach the final of the “Rock the Mic” hip hop contest in Wembley on Sunday.
The winner will take home a life-changing record deal with music giant Sony and a £10,000 cash prize.
He said: “It’s the second biggest talent contest after X Factor and I need as many people to come down and vote for me as possible. I’ve done lots of gigs before but not for £10k and a record contract. It’s really big – and I’m really excited.”
Olasemo is the youngest child of chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who was elected president of the African country in 1993.
“Dad ran for the 1993 election and won but it was annulled and he was imprisoned,” said Olasemo.
His dad came to see him three times in London after he was born – but Olasemo was too young to remember him.
His stepmother, Kudirat, was murdered that year in her car in a drive-by shooting after campaigning for her husband’s electoral mandate.
Born in the Portland Hospital in 1993, Olasemo, went to Quintin Kynaston and is now studying for A-levels in sociology, psychology and theology.
He got the street name because his eyebrows used to give him a frowning look.
“My whole thing is upside down – an upside down frown is a smile. You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover – everything I do is positive.”
The rapper will sing his “slightly autobiographical” Second Time in front of a crowd of thousands at a venue next to Wembley stadium.
He said: “I wrote Second Time when I was 14 years old. It’s about a guy getting over his girlfriend – he can’t get her back with her. I guess she’s had enough him. I recorded it at the Castlehaven studio.”
He added: “They call me the Camden King – people say I’m the most gifted rapper in Camden. It’s kind of driving the whole borough on in the urban music scene.”
And, surprisingly, he revealed one of his favourite bands was former pop group and teen heartthrobs Busted. “I like Busted. I want them to get back together. I like them and Dizzy Rascal – it shows how diverse my music interests are.”
Tickets are £10 before the event, from 5.30pm at the Club 2000 Lounge in Wembley.