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UEL student ‘Cadet’ is ready to take on the nation in 2010

Friday 15 January 2010

Samson 'Cadet' Mpendo

An ambitious University of East London (UEL) student is following in the musical success of East London grime star, Tinchy Stryder.

Samson 'Cadet' Mpendo, 20, known as Cadet, is a Brit rap sensation from Holloway and is in his third year studying for a BA Honours in Cultural Studies with Business Management at UEL.

Cadet’s unique fusion rap and performance alongside MOBO award winning rapper, Chipmunk last year, earned him recognition and generated interest among two record companies. Cadet has also featured at the Roundhouse Camden’s ‘Turning Point Festival’ with artists such as UEL former student Tinchy, Kano, VV Brown and the Noisettes.

Cadet’s music is already circulating on radio stations such as Choice fm and Premier radio and his EP ‘Are you ready’ has been acclaimed in several magazines.

Forthcoming single ‘Realise’ is a strong electro inspired track blending synthetic sounds with drums and thought provoking lyrics. The song is a club friendly hit that Cadet hopes will raise the profile of Urban music in 2010 as it also features another MOBO award winner, Victizzle.

Cadet said: “It’s challenging studying at UEL and being involved in music, yet future prospects are really exciting.

“My belief in God has a lot to do with my music. I used to listen to a lot of negative hardcore rap, eventually I realised it was having a bad effect on me. I understood that music should lift up my mood and I wanted to pass that message of hope, optimism and self belief on to other people, so that they too can achieve their dreams.”

Stephen Maddison, lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at UEL said: “It’s great that UEL has such multi-talented students such as Cadet. We wish him every success in his musical career.”

Cadet’s new single ‘Realise’ has already had over five and a half thousand hits since being on You Tube since early January. It is out in early March as an independent release on behalf of Cadet Music UK.

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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