Controversy raps for recruitment
Published: 27 November, 2009
London’s only rapping firefighter is using his music as a channel to encourage ethnic minorities to join the fire service.
Stephen-remell Coleman, who raps under the name Controversy, has written a new track called London Firefighter to coincide with London Fire Brigade’s latest recruitment campaign which he hopes will encourage people from all walks of life to apply to the fire service.
Stephen-remell says: “The lyrics are clear – the fire brigade is a fantastic career choice for everyone – men and women alike. It doesn’t matter what your background is, we live in a diverse city and our firefighters need to represent that diversity.
“Lots of women don’t realise what a great career firefighting is – they don’t think it’s a job for them - all I’d say is: give it a go”.
“As a black man I don’t fit the usual stereotype of a firefighter. I really hope with this new track I can show people there is no stereotype to conform to.
“There are too many stories about young people in trouble with the police. I hope young people from ethnic minority backgrounds can look at firefighters like me and see the fire service as an opportunity put something back into their communities and save lives”.
To view his music video, please click here.
