NORTH-EAST hip-hop artists are hoping their latest release will help the homeless and give a voice to the voiceless.

Darlington duo Nathan Miller and Sam Hardy – better known as rapper Endem and producer Leum – are preparing to release the second project on their Legitimate Anarchy label.

The pair have been making waves on the region’s fast growing hip-hop scene since 2016 and, after turning their own lives around, hope that their sounds can bring about change for others.

They were brought together when an online request for backing beats to complement Endem’s lyrics resulted in an enduring friendship that saw self-taught musician Sam, 20, move from Blackpool to Darlington, where they followed their first project with the creation of new release Anarchy is Religion.

Music was a way out for Nathan and Samuel, a way to escape problematic lifestyles they became tangled up in after “falling in with bad crowds”.

Now, they want to prove to others that there are ways to turn negative experiences into positive and hope to support their local community and music scene in the process.

 

COMMUNITY: Endem and Leum's new album will help to raise funds for the 700 Club. Picture: Rob Irish

Their latest album is influenced by personal experiences of grief and difficulty and they hope it will help others to “find a way”.

Sam said: “Hip-hop is for those people who don’t have a voice in society, as a voice with which to create society.

“It is an anarchist sort of genre that prioritises freedom of speech, it stems from a background usually associated with low privilege and it gives you a platform when you don’t think you have one.

“The message we preach is that no matter what you’re going through, you’re not going through it on your own and that people like us can have a voice.”

As part of their bid to support the community, at least 15 per cent of all proceeds from Legitimate Anarchy’s upcoming release will be donated to the 700 Club, a charity helping the homeless around Darlington.

Factory worker Nathan, 26, said: “We’re not in this for the money, it’s about our love of music.

“The 700 Club do what they can to help and meet the needs of people in our community so if we can help them through what we do, why not?”

Sam, who works at The Forum, added: “Quite a lot of people I’ve known have become homeless because of problems and they needed support.

“We don’t need the money – we both work and have roofs over our heads where others don’t.”

Anarchy is Religion will be launched at a record release party taking place at Darlington’s Voodoo Café on Friday, November 23 from 8.30pm.

Legitimate Anarchy will perform along with Shakk, Reg Regis, Jay R Dreamchaster and Chris Davison.

For tickets or more information, visit legitimateanarchy.co.uk.

Watch the duo in action here.