This is the moment a young Cork rapper stepped onto one of the world’s largest talent show stages and wowed the judges and crowd with an innovative and passionate rhyme.
Jamie ‘The King’ Forde, a Northside local, performed for Britain’s Got Talent judging panel and captured the hearts of TV viewers watching from home with his own song, ‘Life in a Wheelchair.’
The 19-year-old wrote the motivating music, which features thought-provoking lyrics over an exceptionally catchy melody and a message that the judges praised as “absolutely amazing.”
The lyrics read, “People try to get in my way when I’m trying to get through; what’s the story?” Stop bypassing the line,” and “I am not Colin Farrell or Brendan Gleeson, so why am I being stared at for no reason?”
And, with what the notoriously difficult-to-impress Simon Cowell characterized as a “great attitude,” Jamie truly made Cork proud as he conveyed his message that “me and my wheels are here to stay.”
The judging panel enjoyed Jamie’s audition and advanced him to the next round. Alesha Dixon stated she was “so impressed” with the little artist.
“Honestly, you can sense your enthusiasm in your lyrics; they’re just fantastic… Jamie, today you were the king of that stage. “I loved it,” she stated.
Amanda Holden remarked, “It was fantastic to hear what you thought was done in such a unique way. It’s simply wonderful. What a skill!” I loved it.” Bruno Tonioli hailed him as a “born performer.”
Simon started the yeses, saying, “People will remember you for all the right reasons if you do what you love.” And I genuinely like you. You have an excellent mindset. I adore it, so let me start my response with a yes.”
Jamie is well-known in Cork’s music scene as a Kabin Studio star in Knocknaheeney. He’s been playing with a music group for neighborhood youth since he was 10 years old and has gone viral several times, thanks to his hit songs.
Since 2012, the Kabin Studio has been functioning out of a refurbished shipping container in Knocka, created by Garry McCarthy of GMC Beats.
The non-profit youth music studio has long been known in Cork for empowering young people through music and songwriting, and it provides a critical creative outlet for children on the Northside. The youngsters eventually burst into the worldwide music industry last year with the release of the mega song The Spark.
But before ‘The Spark,’ there was the pure Cork song ‘Ya Boy,’ starring Jamie and fellow rapper MC Tiny. The catchy tune is now more than five years old, and it went viral across Ireland when the lads performed it on Irish radio and television. Check it out below.
