A RAPPER from Newport is forging an unlikely allegiance with a Torfaen poet in a bid to help young people turn away from drugs and crime.

MC Unique, aka Jon Davies, started sharing his rhyming skills with other young hopefuls after being encouraged by Lorna Lloyd, a published poet and artist.

The pair met at Cwmbran Centre for Young People, where Lorna works as a project manager.

Impressed by Unique's talents, she suggested he got involved with young people on a regular basis and has encouraged him to apply for an equipment grant through the Prince's Trust to run rapping sessions.

"My aim is to give kids the confidence to stop the bad things they're doing and try to put something positive in their town or village instead," said Unique.

Unique, 20, originally from Bettws but who now lives in Newbridge, said crime and drug use were common- place in the streets where he grew up, and though he managed to steer clear himself, he has many friends who went down that road.

He started learning to rap in 1998, and cites his influences as Eminem, 2Pac, DMX and the Manics. Ultimately, he hopes to secure a record contract, and features on a compilation CD of young talent called Routes, which was recently recorded at CCYP.

He added: "I lost my mum at an early age, and had other stuff to deal with. "Through my teenage years I found a lot of inspiration through reading about people who had changed their lives for the better.

"If you are going through an emotional time, you can channel that into something positive, like writing."

Unique has already run a session at CCYP with 40 young people from Briery Hill, Ebbw Vale - if he gets a grant, he plans to run regular sessions at youth clubs throughout Newport, Torfaen and the Valleys.

"My message is stay positive - when things get bad, there is always tomorrow, and when you reach tomorrow, don't forget yesterday, because you could go back there," he added.

A sample of Unique... Due to my misfortune I had to turn negativity into positivity, Which has given me motivation, and unbreakable concentration. The determination to reach my destination.

Rapping out rhymes like a new fashion, I love MC'ing with a passion. To get signed is what I seek, telling you how it is by MC Unique.