A TEENAGE hip-hop artist is hoping his hard-hitting lyrics will help “rap up” knife crime.

Rapper Aaron Coleman says seeing other young people fall into a life of crime inspired him to record a song about the consequences of youth violence.

And tomorrow night at 6pm, a video of the 16-year-old’s hard-hitting rap Youth Crime Fix will be aired on ITV’s Meridian News.

Aaron, of Marston Road, Oxford, shot the video at locations across the city, including an old prison cell at Oxford Castle and in Blackbird Leys.

The lyrics describe the outcomes of negative and positive lifestyle choices.

The Cherwell School GCSE student said: “I wanted to show that a life of crime is not the right path to go down.

“The main message to it is, ‘Don’t get involved with the wrong crowd’.

“A lot of young people around me get involved in crime and I just don’t want anyone close to me to get hurt or killed. It’s not fair on the innocent people who just want to get on with their everyday life.”

The song was recorded as part of ITV’s Fixer programme, which gives young people a platform on issues they feel strongly about.

The project is backed by the Public Service Broadcasting Trust charity, and national young volunteers service V.

The video, produced at Soundworks Studio in Blackbird Leys, will be shown to youth clubs and schools.

He found out about the programme at the Saxon Youth centre in Northway, which features in the video.

Aaron, who hopes to pursue a career in music, is spreading his positive message to as many young people as possible. He is also looking for backing to release a single.

He said: “A lot of people say they get into crime as they have nothing else to do. There is always something out there, but people don’t make the effort to look for it.”

Thames Valley Police Chief Inspector Cecilia Agger, who appears in the broadcast, backed Aaron’s contribution to fighting youth crime.

Describing the teen as a great example to other young people, she said: “He is somebody they can relate to from their own background and their own age group.

“Talking the language they understand through music can give young people a message that has more impact, and a lot more credibility.”

Youth knife crime remained a concern, she said, with young people at most risk. She added: “They could be a victim and lose their life. Or, if they get involved as an offender they could get a criminal record, which would limit their opportunities for the rest of their lives.”

thughes@oxfordmail.co.uk