From Tottenham, London, Shocka is a rap artist, presenter, author, poet, keynote speaker, and mental health advocate.
Most recently seen on ITV’s hit documentary series Black Boys Can Cry, as the main focus of an episode alongside Alex Bereford, Shocka has signed with mega-music label Def Jam, and released his book, titled A Section of My Life, in September 2023. The book has been written in a unique format of memoir in verse, poems and journaling prompts, which has received rave reviews and seen Shocka embark on a major speaking and signing tour around all of the UK’s leading universities. In March 2024 Shocka’s short film 'Me my music and mental health... a story by Shocka' has been nominated for the Smiley Charity Film Awards.
Shocka started his journey in 2008 when he released the single, Beast on the loose, which led him to joining rap group, Marvell, alongside Vertex and Double S. Marvell were noted for being one of the first UK rap groups to adopt of the direct-to-fan mentality that most musicians have now accepted. In 2010, the BBC included Marvell in “Hot For 2010”, putting Shocka on tour with Diversity, Skepta and Chip.
However, despite high expectations Marvell was dropped from their record label and Shocka began to struggle with his mental health and not long after that found himself in hospital, sectioned for his declining mental health and subsequently went on to being sectioned a total of four times…
After an incredible and heart-wrenching journey, that he shares in both his book and talks, Shocka became an advocate for mental health, particularly resonating with other young, black artists, and started using his music to help those suffering from their own problems. His single, Self Love, became a massive viral hit and was also the premise of his powerful and captivating TED Talk:
https://www.ted.com/talks/shocka_self_love_is_the_glue_that_puts_us_back_together
With a dedicated and fast-growing online following, Shocka is an inspiring, funny and candid speaker, sharing his story which aims to provide support to those facing their own challenges by being a voice of the voiceless. In the last year alone, he has spoken at events for Spotify, BUPA, Harringay Council, Millwall Football Club, St Anne & Chase Farm Hospitals, and Camp Wildfire Festival. He actively encourages everyone to join the “Make Life Kind” movement, promoting support and healing for others who have experienced mental health issues.
Speaker, Poet, Author, Rap Artist and Mental Health Advocate, Shocka’s remarkable journey is a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination, the story of which he explores in ITV’s Hit Documentary Black Boys Can Cry and his recently published memoir, A Section Of My Life. In March 2024 short film ‘Me my music and mental health… a story by Shocka’ was announced as a winner of the Judge’s award at the Smiley Charity Film Awards.
‘Do you want this to be your story?’ were the words, from a concerned Doctor after his third hospitalisation where he was sectioned for his struggles with mental health, which resonated so deeply with Shocka. They are what propelled him to truly begin to explore the slow process of recovery and reconnected him with the world.
Shocka is now an advocate for mental health awareness, particularly with young people, using his music to raise awareness and reach those suffering with their own mental health and demonstrating that with grit, resilience and self-reflection you can pull yourself out of even the darkest of places.
From North London, Tottenham, Shocka started his journey in 2008 when he released the single, Beast On The Loose, which led him to joining rap group, Marvell, alongside Vertex and Double S. Marvell being one of the first UK Rap Groups to communicate and market direct-to-fan. In 2010, the BBC included Marvell in “Hot For 2010”, putting Shocka on tour with Diversity, Skepta and Chip.
However, despite high expectations Marvell was unceremoniously dropped from their record label and Shocka began to struggle with his mental health quickly finding himself in hospital, sectioned, something that would be repeated a further three times, receiving a diagnosis of schizophrenia along the way.
In 2019, Shocka found the strength to step back into the music industry, this time solo, and released his single, Self Love. It became a massive viral hit and was also the premise of his powerful and captivating TED Talk at TEDxLondon. He also went on to sign with mega music label Def Jam.
At this point, with a dedicated and fast-growing online following, Shocka, an inspiring, funny and candid speaker, began sharing his story of hope and how to find inspiration and motivation even in the depths of difficulties, being a voice of the voiceless and positivity in challenging times. In 2023 alone, he spoke at events for Spotify, BUPA, Harringay Council, Millwall Football Club, St Anne & Chase Farm Hospitals, and Camp Wildfire Festival.
As someone who grew up in an environment where mental health was not discussed, Shocka remains a huge inspiration to those who are in a similar position and are facing their own struggles. He actively encourages everyone to join the “Make Life Kind” movement, promoting support and healing for others who have experienced mental health issues and how we can all learn from his transformational story.