A RAVE music star has used his lyrical skills to encourage youngsters to stay safe during the coronavirus crisis.

MC Tazo, real name Kevin Hogg, has been using his influence and creativity to help spread the message about coronavirus to young people in Gateshead with the launch of a new track.

Mr Hogg, from Felling, is a local Makina MC who made his name at the New Monkey nightspot, in Sunderland, and is well-known on the local scene and nationally.

Fan, Paige Hope, 13, from Bensham, was aware that information about Covid-19 was not reaching her friends and thought that they might listen to MC Tazo more than they would a council leaflet or website.

She approached her local community centre, Edberts House.

Together with Gateshead’s public health team, they contacted Mr Hogg, who agreed to work on a new rhyme.

He also launched a competition for young MCs to create their own pandemic related track.

He said: “At the start of the pandemic, I started recording more as a way to stop the boredom. I was reading a lot about coronavirus and I wanted to make a rhyme about it. When I was approached by Edberts House I really wanted to get involved and help to get the word out to young people that they need to take it seriously.”

The track features lines about wearing a face mask and sanitising hands and warns young people that the virus is very real.

He asks that everyone do their bit to help see the end of the restrictions.

Sarah Gorman, chief executive of Edberts House, said: “Coronavirus has had a huge impact on young people and understandably people are getting bored of hearing about it. We also recognise that at some points young people have felt blamed for the virus spreading when in fact they should be seen as part of the solution.

“We thought that working with MC Tazo would be a great way to encourage young people in Gateshead to stay safe.  For many people, its more relatable than hearing from another Government spokesperson. We also want young people to get involved and be inspired to come up with their own rhymes and enter our competition.”

Mr Hogg added: “Coronavirus has hit the club world really hard. I had a lot of bookings lined up this year, including a European date, and this has put a stop to that. I really want people to do their bit and help us to get out of this so we can go back to normality next year.”

MC Tazo's track can be viewed on YouTube.

And to enter the competition, send a video of your best rhyme about coronavirus to Tazo19@edbertshouse.org