BYA Awards 2011 | Page 9

Category 3 Choices presented by Swiss & 2010 Winners Amy Tandoh and Paris Thomas-Robinson Nominees: Kazeem Tunde Ajobo, Brandi Campbell, Reiss Todd McCarthy, TJ Morgan Swiss Swiss is a veteran of the UK’s Urban music scene. With experience far beyond his years Swiss has been able to sample the highs and lows of the music industry and is back hard at work to recapture and exceed the past glories he achieved with his band So Solid. Swiss has proven himself as deejay, producer and rapper. He has now embraced new aspects of his creativity, by reinventing himself as an advocate of healthy eating, motivational speaker and author of the ‘Spot the Difference’ key to unlocking hidden potential, aimed towards young people. Hailing from a council estate in Battersea he managed to escape the common pitfalls that many young people fall victim to. Swiss explains “writing was something that came so natural to me. In primary school I used to write short stories incorporating metaphorical language, I guess that developed into me writing songs, then further on I’ve matured and used those skills to develop my book...” Swiss got his first big break as a Deejay on South London garage pirate station Delight FM. In fact Swiss was the first ever DJ to spin on the station, and through his work on Delight he earned himself a place in the So Solid crew. In his words “I got inspired being around the So Solid MCs. I started writing more and making beats in the studio.” His time in the studio paid off and he quickly scored a top ten hit called ‘Broken Silence’. The track gave vent to the more reflective, conscious elements of his character, which he would later put to even greater effect on his smash underground hit single ‘Cry’. Having travelled the world and taken time out to educate himself, Swiss has now emerged as a well rounded artist and intellectual ready to give back not only to his community but the world with new music material, motivational talks throughout universities, online lectures and being the co-founder and co-ordinator of N.E.E.T. (Not in education, Employment, and Training) project Rapargram. “My life thus far has been a wonderful journey that I want to share with others in order to assist in raising young people to reach their full potential.” Category 4 Community presented by Claudine Reid MBE & Pat Reid (PJ’s Community Service) with 2010 Winner Ebony Torrington Nominees: Aminat Animashaun, Kane Solomon Thomas, Jake Hinckson, Tucker Bryant PJ’s Community Service delivers Quality Care to vulnerable adults, Education & Support to young people at risk of exclusion, and Training & Consultancy to organisations, groups and individuals on leadership, personal development and social enterprise. Employing 40 staff and offering a range of innovative and transformational services, PJ’s Community Service is run from Parchmore Place which is located in the heart of North West Croydon. Attracting Hundreds of service users each year, the facilities include recording studios, a 35-place day nursery, office space and meeting rooms. As a Social Enterprise established in 1992, our mission is to serve the changing needs of the community through Care, Economic Empowerment, Education and the Arts. www.pjsgroup.co.uk