X Factor contestant Jamie “Afro” Archer and his band visited Hackney on Friday to meet disadvantaged young people from communities hit by the summer riots.
Archer, who was nicknamed “Jamie Afro” due to his hairstyle during the 2009 series met with young people at The Prince’s Trust Hackney Centre in Bayford Street, and performed his debut single, Insanity, which was released last week.
Money from sales of the single, which was written by Archer in response to the riots, will support The Prince’s Trust UK City Riots Appeal, helping disadvantaged young people from riot-torn communities.
“The fact that sections of society are prepared to destroy their own cities is just beyond comprehension and that’s what the track was written about,” said Jamie.
“As a band it is important for us to write tracks that are engaging and thought provoking.”
The UK City Riots Appeal was launched by HRH The Prince of Wales in Hackney last August in the aftermath of the riots.
The Trust promised a �2.5 million investment for young people to get their lives back on track in the five hardest hit areas - Birmingham, Manchester, Hackney, Tottenham and Croydon.
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