Wavertree rapper KOJ was emotional after winning the Lyricist Award at the Youth Music Awards, held for the first time outside London at Liverpool's St George's Hall on October 28.
The 27-year-old spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview after receiving the prestigious prize in his home city.
A night of firsts for grassroots music
The ceremony, regarded as the biggest night in grassroots music, moved to St George's Hall for the first time in its history. KOJ opened the event with a performance of a track titled Humble Abode, written exclusively for the occasion. The song's message was a rallying cry for supporting people from all backgrounds to bring their artistic visions to life.
Figures show waiting lists for funded projects are 20% higher in the North of the country, and KOJ said the decision to move the event to Liverpool is vital for inspiring young artists.
Emotional win on home turf
KOJ said: "It feels nuts. I've felt all the emotions. I've been in tears, I've been fist pumping like Jurgen Klopp. This means the world to me. I didn't know how much it meant to me until I'm stood here with it in my hand or I'm sat the table waiting for whose won it."
He added: "A rollercoaster of emotions tonight and I am supremely grateful to be holding this."
The musician, part of the city's thriving rap scene, said the win was emblematic of his upbringing in L15. He said: "We don't ask for permission [in Liverpool], we have a stern, righteous, community based essence here and I think that runs through my music. Wavertree and South Liverpool is different to what people on the telly think of Scousers. It's shaped me to be unapologetic, raw and proud."
Looking ahead
KOJ shared a message to young Scousers chasing their dreams, saying: "Be honest and true to yourself. I'll be super vulnerable, but I've just come out of a dark tunnel myself and seeing the light at the end of it is such a nice reminder that we find ourselves in these trenches and in these dark times. But they never last. You have to bite down on your gumshield and keep swinging. Be honest and true to yourself. If you have a good support network and keep believing in yourself, you can move mountains."
He also revealed plans for new music, telling the ECHO: "I've got single coming out on the 20th November. Kings**t. I've just released a mixtape that's just come out on Audiofeather. I stay working man. There's always something else for me so stay locked."
The full list of winners included Rianne Lewis (Rising Star Award, Industry), Abi Johnson (Inspirational Music Leader), Ria Leah (Young Leader Award), TRXTH & RHIA (Original Track Award, Group), KOJ (Lyricist Award), Hillarynx (Music Video Award), IMVN (Music Producer Award), Conscious Youth CIC, Elevation Music (Outstanding Project Award), BEASTIE (Original Track Award, Solo), TiPP (Social Action Award) and Righteous Reck (Rising Star Award, Artist).
Youth Music is a national charity funded through the National Lottery via Arts Council England, players of the Postcode Lottery and support from partners, fundraisers and donors.
