A HIP-HOP artist who has just signed with a record label wants the music to move away from the ‘angry’ stereotype.

Craig Hopkinson, 25, of Dukes Brow, Blackburn, has been rapping and recording underground for 10 years.

The father-of-two, who has taught schoolchildren how to produce hip hop tracks, gave up his job as a call centre manager last year to pursue his music career.

He said: “My music isn’t mainstream, but instead of the street scene or the ghetto thing it’s more about peace and unity — which is what hip hop is really all about.”

Craig, who goes by the MC name Grimee-Quick, has been creating demos for Soundwrx Music record label which has links with an LA distribution company.

He has signed a non-exclusive record deal, which will allow him to own the rights to his own music and distribute music through the label.

His songs will be available through all major online music channels.

His first official release will be ‘Soul Aeterna’, which he is due to record a music video for in the near future.

He said: “I’m not just some kid from Blackburn who’s got a recording deal. It’s more than that. It’s about the content and the lyrics. It’s called conscious rapping.

“It’s talking about things that are actually happening to us all, no matter who you are or where you’re from. It’s about peace rather than anger.

Craig got involved in hip hop as a teenager and cites his influences as lyricists Bob Marley, Tupac, The Notorious BIG and Joe Strummer from The Clash.

He joined a ‘crew’ in Blackburn, who were young and angsty. He said: “We got our own name as the Blackburn THC crew.

“We did that for about four years and split up last year. Since then I have been trying to do my own thing. I don’t want to be famous.

"I don’t want to be a celebrity, but I would like to be successful and get a wage from it. I’m doing it because I love it.”