London’s top young breakthrough acts shone under the spotlight this weekend in a talent showcase organised by young people in Hackney.
The 14th annual Boroughs United performance saw 250 unsigned singers, dance groups, MC-ees and rappers from across the capital perform on the Hackney Empire stage on Saturday night.
The show, run by young people from The Crib youth club, based in the De Beauvoir Estate, in Balmes Road, encourages collaboration between young Londoners, promotes their positive achievements and takes a stand against gun and knife crime.
This year’s show was dedicated to Agnes Sina-Inakoju, who was fatally wounded in a Hoxton Street takeaway in April 2010.
All the performers are aged five to 21 years old and past show-stoppers have included X-factor winner Leona Lewis and The Voice winner Jermain Jackman – who came along this year to hand out the trophies.
Janette Collins of The Crib said: It was brilliant, absolutely off the hook, it’s usually soul songs, but one girl sang opera and another girl sang Beauty and the Beast a capella.
“At the end of it the whole audience stood up and we sung The Promised Land, it’s about bringing peace on our streets.
“It’s all about celebrating young people’s talents and to show that they can mix in the same environment, everyone was clapping and cheering for everyone on stage, it’s all about our young people and encouraging them to mix with each other in a positive way.”
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