A young Cork rapper has been hailed as a legend by his friends in the Kabin Crew, after he proved a hit with judges on TV show .
Farranree native Jamie Forde’s original rap, Life In A Wheelchair, which details how he overcomes the daily struggles he faces, went down a treat with judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Bruno Tonioli.
Simon Cowell is not known as someone who is easily impressed, but he said he loved Jamie’s attitude.
“When you're doing something that you love, people are going to remember you for all the right reasons and I really like you,” he said.
Amanda Holden described the Cork singer’s performance as “just brilliant”.
“It was so brilliant to hear everything that you think done in such a cool way,” she said, adding: “What a talent”.
Alesha Dixon described Jamie as “the king on that stage”.
“Honestly you can feel your passion through your lyrics, it's absolutely amazing,” she said.
Bruno Tonioli added that the young Cork rapper was “a born performer”.
“That is how you deliver,” he said.
“The structure, the sense of humour and the intention in the message. It was always done with such clarity and ease.”
Jamie’s friends in the Kabin Crew are delighted for his TV success, but not surprised, according to Gary McCarthy, music producer and youth workshop facilitator at the Kabin Studio.
“We’re delighted that Jamie’s getting some recognition for all the hard work that he’s been putting in for years,” as I always say, all these young people who come through the Kabin, they’re all legends, unbelievably talented, and the fact that Jamie has got a big platform like this is just an added bonus,” he told .
“It’s just great that the world gets to see the great work that’s going on in the Kabin, and the fact that rap and hip-hop are used for something very positive and very powerful, bringing to light the struggles that Jamie has experienced being in a wheelchair.
“We see it all the time, just trying to find wheelchair-accessible transport for Jamie, coming up against places not being accessible, but he’s able to bring that to light in a fun, anthem-style track, we’re delighted for Jamie.”
A member of the Kabin Crew for almost a decade, Jamie has also branched out into acting.
“He’s multi-talented, he’s just a unique, fun, funny, loveable character that we’re all mad about up here in the Kabin,” Mr McCarthy said.
“He’s a legend.”
