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HIP-HOP BACKING: Steve Reed (centre) with rappers Krept and Konan

LABOUR MP Steve Reed welcomed British hip-hop stars Krept and Konan to Parliament to discuss issues facing their local community.

The rapping duo, whose debut album The Long Way Home stormed into the music charts at No.2 earlier this summer, came to discuss how they could use their growing popularity as musicians to help make a difference for young people in Croydon North.

Reed showed Krept from Crystal Palace and Konan from Thornton Heath round Parliament before sitting down to discuss problems facing young people in the community.

The MP has frequently criticised the government’s failure to properly tackle the shortage of local primary school places, lack of adequate youth support, cuts to further education and above-average levels of unemployment affecting young people in Croydon North.

Krept and Konan are already developing projects aimed at young people in south London and agreed to work with Reed on initiatives to support young people in Croydon North.

Speaking after the meeting, Reed said: “Krept and Konan are inspirational musicians who’ve worked hard to overcome difficulties in their early lives and earn the success they now enjoy. They understand that many young people look up to them as role models, and it’s inspirational that they want to use this to help others make more of their lives.”

He added: “I’m looking forward to working with Krept and Konan in future. They have made Croydon incredibly proud with what they’ve achieved, but they have never forgotten their roots and are really committed to giving something back to the community they came from.”