Wandsworth Young Performer Winners Receive Their Award

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Beat boxing and rapper duo Maverick & Malachi triumph

Beat boxing and rapper duo Maverick & Malachi have won the 2014 Young Performer of the Year crown after a live showcase event in the Civic Suite.

The duo, Ruben Alfred-Lecky, 18, and Malachi Alfred-Lecky, 15, beat eleven other young acts, including dancers, singers and MCs, to take the title.

Ruben, aka Maverick, is co-director of The Agency at the Battersea Arts Centre, which helps young people turn ideas for projects, businesses and events into reality.

Young Performer is an annual showcase of young talent aged 14-19 from all over Wandsworth. It is funded by the council’s arts and youth services and delivered by creative consultancy Industry in the Streets.

This year’s event was hosted by Reprezent Radio presenter Shahlaa Tahira, owner of fashion brand Anyforty Alan Wardle, Wet Wipez Krump dancer Big Soul and local youth champion Tanya Matthews.

Finalists were selected from more than 80 performers who participated in open auditions across the borough. The finalists have been working with professional musicians and choreographers to create the showcase.

The winners received their award from Mayor of Wandsworth Cllr Angela Graham (pictured with the winners), who has pledged to spend her mayoral year supporting the borough’s young people.

She said: “This was such an inspirational event. All the acts were so talented and the crew behind the scenes did a fantastic job. This competition really demonstrates what a wealth of energy and talent our young people have. It’s vital that we do all we can to unlock that potential.”

Fusion, MD of Industry In The Streets, said: "The whole team did an awesome job of bringing the vision to life and getting the best out of the young participants. Young Performer showcase really demonstrate that Wandsworth has a wealth of diverse talent and a great sense of community spirit. Everybody on stage shone and had every reason to go home and feel proud of their accomplishments. Couldn’t be happier for Maverick & Malachi - they really seized the moment and won the hearts of everyone in the audience.”

The 12 finalists were joined by last year's Young Performer winners to share their journey and by the Wandsworth Young Performer cast to perform an ensemble version of Pharrell’s ‘Happy’.

March 6, 2014