Sunderland New Monkey legend MC Tazo creates track to help young people stay safe during covid pandemic

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

Mr Hogg is a local Makina MC who made his name at the legendary New Monkey nightspot in Sunderland and is well-known in the North East as well as nationally.

Young fan Paige Hope, 13, came up with the idea of approaching the MC through her neighbourhood community centre, Edbert’s House, in Felling, Gateshead, to ask if he would consider creating a coronavirus-related rhyme especially for the borough’s young people.

She was aware that information about Covid-19 wasn’t reaching her friends and thought that they might listen to MC Tazo more than they would a council leaflet or website.

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Edberts House, together with Gateshead’s public health team, contacted Mr Hogg and he agreed to work on a new rhyme as well as launching a competition for young MCs to create their own pandemic related track.

He said 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.”

To view the track go to: https://youtu.be/NWzYFwJ84bE

For anyone wanting to enter the competition, send a video of your best rhyme about coronavirus to: [email protected]

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