Rapper Tinie Tempah stunned a schoolboy today when he walked into assembly to announce he had won an award for his work against gangs.
The star interrupted the morning session at Archbishop Tenison’s school in Oval to tell Jeremiah Emmanuel, 14, he would receive Radio 1’s Teen Hero award. Jeremiah was due to give a presentation to his friends on his latest project to help stamp out street violence. But he only managed to say “good morning” before he was interrupted by Tempah. The singer invited him to attend an awards ceremony to receive the award while live on air on Nick Grimshaw’s Radio 1 show.
Tempah said Jeremiah, from Streatham, was an inspiration. “Personally he was somebody who was in a situation which is very relatable to me. I kind of know what it’s like to grow up in a surrounding like that and I know how difficult and how distracting a lot of the temptations are and it’s a lot easier to conform than to kind of stand out and say … I really want to stand up and represent something, and I feel Jeremiah has done that really well.”
Jeremiah said: “I am still in shock. I had no idea at all. I saw Tinie run up to the stage. I had a straight face but I didn’t feel calm. Then I had to carry on and finish the assembly.”
Jeremiah, who is deputy youth mayor for Lambeth, was nominated for the award by 20 people after setting up One Big Community, a coalition of young people in London working against violence.
In February this year one of his friends was stabbed to death in Wandsworth.
That incident, together with the shooting of five year old Thusha Kamaleswaran in Stockwell, inspired Jeremiah to act. He said: “My friend was the eighth person I knew who lost his life. I decided I had to step up. I had enough of young people losing their lives.”
The Radio 1 Teen Hero awards are designed to shine a light on outstanding teenagers. To be eligible teenagers must have acted selflessly, inspired others or acted with courage and bravery.
Greg James, Radio 1 presenter and one of the judges, said: “His story was just so inspirational and brave. It’s (knife crime) a really tough subject and his story deserves plaudits and coverage and will hopefully inspire people.”
The Radio 1 Teen Awards will take place at Wembley Arena on Sunday November 3 with Nick Grimshaw, Rita Ora, Tempah, Fall Out Boy, Rizzle Kicks, Jessie J and James Arthur.
