AWARD-WINNING rapper Akala has played big arenas and sold out music halls – but on Thursday he went back to basics and entertained fans on the basketball court in Queen's Crescent.

His performance closed the free Thicker Than Blood show staged by the Queen's Crescent Community Association. A host of talented young men and women had recited poetry about their lives, struggles and hopes for the future beforehand. Singer Ny also performed, along with drum circles and young vocal artists.

CNJ: A clip of Akala in action

Poet Anthony Anaxagorou also took to the stage to recite a rhyme at the event on Thursday (15 May). For weeks before, the spoken word artist ran workshops which aimed to show the participating youngsters that poetry can be an accessible art form for people of all sorts of backgrounds.

Akala, a former Acland Burghley pupil, mingled with people in the crowd, posing for pictures with fans and chatting with the children before taking to the stage. He said: “This is my local area, I grew up around here. It's nice whenever there is something on in the ends. There are great family vibes. There need to be more cultural events like this.”

Akala in full swing in Queen's Crescent

Chasney Maturine, who founded youth organisation WISDM, and hosted the event said: "There have been no hiccups, it's all going really smoothly and the sun's out, it normally rains when I do events so today has been a blessing.”

Singer Ny

MC Angel from female rap crew Lyrically Challenged who focus on female empowerment, also performed a few tracks. The artist, who grew up in Castlehaven Road in Camden Town, said: “I really enjoyed performing. It's really great to come back to the area and give something back in an outdoor event that is uniting the community through so many different art forms. We're being strictly positive, conscious artists without being afraid of needing to draw a crowd by bringing people that are speaking about things that we don't need to be doing in our community. It's a really beautiful thing and I'm really honoured to be here.”

The group are hosting a Women in Hip Hop event on Thursday at the Jazz Cafe in Camden Town, featuring the likes of Boadicea Dance Crew who found fame on Sky 1's Got to Dance and many more vocal artists.

The event in Queens Crescent was held to mark the 20th International Day of Families.