A RAPPER who lost three of his uncles to street crime wants to set up regular gigs to help combat antisocial behaviour on our streets.

Connor Dobson, from Park South, performs locally and releases his music on YouTube. Now the 16 year-old wants to help other young people access the art form as an alternative to falling into street crime.

“I got into it when my three uncles passed away in street-related incidents,” said the Swindon College student, who started rapping from the age of about seven.

“It was a very tough time for me and I got into rap as a way of expressing my feelings. It helped me deal with my emotions.”

“A lot of people I know in the area are involved in crime of various sorts. It’s a big issue for young people,” added Connor, whose rap name is Dobo.

The teenager hopes to host regular rapping gigs for under-18s in community centres across Swindon.

Connor said: “I want to help other people get into rap to show them that there is a way out of it, it isn’t just a one-way thing and you’re not trapped in the cycle.

“You don’t have to get involved in criminal stuff because someone says you should.”

The artist raps about issues facing young people and aims to give an insight into what living on a council estate is like. He considers rap to be a particularly powerful tool in combating knife crime and antisocial behaviour among young people.

“At the moment in the music industry, rap is one of the most popular genres with our generation,” said Connor.

“If young people are listening to that more and more, that is where artists can have an impact.”

He added: “If people are listening to my stuff and watching me perform, hopefully they feel like they can relate to what I’m saying and it can help them reflect on the consequences of their actions and not go out and get involved in crime.”

The rap gigs will also provide the opportunity for other teenagers to perform if they want to.

“Anyone who feels they want to speak about something or an issue can get involved too,” said Connor.

“And it doesn’t just have to be rap, we can have singing and dancing, anything that helps people express what they feel.”

Connor added: “I want to give younger people something to do and somewhere to go so they are not hanging around the streets.

“I want to provide a place where kids can go and express themselves through music.”

For more information or to get involved contact Connor through instagram at dobo_muzic.