Local hip hop artist Daniel Juma is set to make waves at the regional final of the Open Mic UK talent competition.
Daniel, who only began rapping a year ago, entered the competition after hearing about it from his girlfriend.
“After a few live shows I was hungry to keep performing,” he told the Andersonstown News. “So my girlfriend found the Open Mic competition. I passed the preliminary audition and now I’m in the regional final on the 27th of October in the King’s Hall.
“At the audition I was a bit nervous as my stuff isn’t exactly X-Factor friendly. There were a lot of talented people there – singer songwriters mainly. I was the only rapper but I think they enjoyed my stuff.”
The Crumlin-based musician says his music reflects the experience of a young person growing up in Belfast, warts and all.
“My most recent track ‘System Overload’ tackles society here in the north. Growing up I got into trouble, I suppose like any kid does, and songs like this help me vent.
“When you can’t find a job and people are looking down on you it’s important to get things out of your system.
“The lyrics are about reality and that we need to move on from living in the past” he added.
There’s no prospect of Juma being overcome by nerves at the regional final either, such is the confidence he has in his own abilities.
“Not to sound arrogant but I can only bring what I’ve got. I believe in being yourself, do what makes you happy. I’m confident I can convince the judges on the day that I deserve to get through to the finals In England,” he said.
And the young performer isn’t resting on his laurels, with a music video for his track ‘Voices’ set to be released this week prior to the Open Mic event.
“I’m getting ready for that video to drop, I have a mixtape coming out and then the competition.
“Recently my friends and I got a studio set up so it’s all go.”
The regional final of the UK Open Mic competition is in the King’s Hall on October 27. Tickets are available online or at the box office.
You can check out Juma’s music below:
