Bulawayo born is fresh about the Boro's city bid

Bulawayo-born rap artist Jasper Dausoni, aka Flava has shown his support for Middlesbrough’s bid for city status with a specially composed hip hop track.

'Flava', is a law student at Teesside University and lives in Middlesbrough.

Flava was walking in Middlesbrough town centre a few weeks ago when he saw the flags advertising Middlesbrough's bid for city status.

The town is one of a number bidding for city status as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations next year.

"I thought Middlesbrough was a city already," said Flava.

"I was surprised. When somebody mentions a town you think of smaller places but somewhere like Middlesbrough is on a different level. You would definitely think it was a city."

Flava decided to use his rap talents to help Boro's city status cause and composed and recorded the song 'Fresh About The Boro'.

Its lyrics include:

"My verses is a work of art so show them off at mima

I'll show you how to cook a track Boro let it simmer

Oh they running scared coz the City’s on her way up…"

Flava originates from Bulawayo in Zimbabwe and moved to Teesside from Manchester three years ago.

He records his songs in a studio in Thorntree, along with his producer Dr Magoo, and has experience in performing hip hop live in Middlesbrough.

He has performed at the Taste of Africa event for the last three years, as well as at Worldfest and in clubs in the town.

He said: "Music to me is a way of self-expression. Dr Magoo says I say more in my songs than I say during conversation!

"When it comes to my songs that’s when I let myself go. I use it as a form of self-expression so I expressed what I felt about city status."

Flava hopes to become a solicitor after his law studies are over but will continue with his love of music.

And he hopes his music will help play its part in achieving City Status for Middlesbrough.

"I think that would be the most gratifying feeling," he said.

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