Rakin Fetuga: Difference between revisions

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Rakin Fetuga was born in [[Ladbroke Grove]], [[West (London sub region)|West]] [[London]]. His parents, both [[Demographics of Nigeria|Nigerian]], came to the UK in the 1960s to further their education. His Muslim father was an accountant, whilst his mother was a Christian working for the London Transport. When Rakin was a teenager his parents separated, and in his mother’s care he was raised as a Christian. Through his early life, he has been [[Catholic]], [[Jehovah's Witnesses|Jehovah’s Witness]] and [[Methodism|Methodist]].<ref name="tijani">{{cite web |url=http://www.tijani.co.uk/rakin-fetuga|title=Ahl-ul-Fayda|accessdate= 01-07-2010}} Muqaddam Rakin Fetuga</ref>

In 1985, Rakin and his childhood friends formed Cash Crew,<ref name="heroesofukhiphop">{{cite web |url=http://www.heroesofukhiphop.com/CashCrew.htm|title=Heroes Of UK Hip Hop|accessdate= }} Cash Crew</ref> he left [[Holland Park School]] before his A-levels<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |last=Radice|first=Sophie|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2001/jul/31/schools.uk|title=Our adult friend|work= |location= |publisher=[[The Guardian]]|date=31/07/2001|accessdate=31/07/2001}}</ref> when they were signed to [[Virgin Records]] and [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]] France.<ref name="heroesofukhiphop"></ref> He was a [[Disc jockey|DJ]], producer, [[B-boying|breakdancer]] and [[graffiti|graffiti artist]] as well as a rapper,<ref name="mecca2medina">{{cite web |url=http://www.mecca2medina.net/about-m2m|title=Mecca2Medina|accessdate= }} About M2M</ref> known at the time as Rakin da Authordox aka Trim. Rakin [[Religious_conversion#Islam|converted to Islam]] along with the other members<ref>{{cite book |title=The new frontiers of Jihad: radical Islam in Europe|last=Pargeter|first=Alison|page=182|year=2008|publisher=[[University of Pennsylvania Press]]|isbn=978-0-8122-4146-4 }}</ref> and in 1992, the group recorded the first ever Islamic Rap song ''"The Provider"''.<ref name="discogs">{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Cash+Crew|title=Discogs|accessdate= }} Cash Crew Discography</ref> In 1995, Rakin left the group.

He then studied Islam under the guidance of Shaykh Ahmed Ba'biker Abu Bakr As-Sudani who encouraged him to use rap for [[dawah]]<ref name="tijani"></ref> and to continue using his musical talents to make [[Islamic music]].<ref name="muslimhiphop">{{cite web |url=http://muslimhiphop.com/index.php?p=Hip-Hop/Mecca2Medina|title=MuslimHipHop.com|accessdate= }} Hip-Hop: Mecca2Medina</ref> In 1996, he formed the group [[Mecca2Medina]].<ref name="Christian and Muslim minorities">{{cite book |title=In-between spaces: Christian and Muslim minorities in transition in Europe and the Middle East|last=Timmerman|first=Christiane|coauthors=Johan Leman, Hannelore Roos|year=2009|publisher=[[Peter Lang (publishing company)|Peter Lang]]|page=156|isbn=978-90-5201-565-1}}</ref> He studied [[Bachelor of Science|BSc]] [[Sociology]] at the [[University of Roehampton]], graduated in 1999 and then started voluntary work before being recruited to train as a mentor.<ref name="guardian"></ref>

In September 2010, he produced a solo album, ''"The Road Less Travelled"'' released under the name 'Rakin Niass', featuring other hip hop artists including [[Poetic Pilgrimage]].<ref name="rakinniass.bandcamp">{{cite web |url=http://rakinniass.bandcamp.com/album/the-road-less-travelled|title=Rakin Niass|accessdate= 10-09-2010}} ''The Road Less Travelled''</ref>

He is the CEO of Crescent Moon Media record label.<ref name="rakinniass">{{cite web |url=http://www.rakinniass.co.uk/about-us|title=Rakin Niass|accessdate= }} Biography</ref> He runs workshops to support youth, teaches [[Religious studies]] and is Head of Year 10 at [[Broomfield School (Arnos Grove)|Broomfield School]],<ref name="docstoc">{{cite web |url=http://www.docstoc.com/docs/107948572/BROOMFIELD-SCHOOL|title=BROOMFIELD SCHOOL|accessdate=12/10/2011}} page 10</ref> teaches [[Islamic studies]] on weekends,<ref name="tijani"></ref> and is also life coach.<ref name="rakinniass"></ref>

Rakin is a [[muqaddam]] of the [[Tijaniyyah]] [[Sufism|sufi]] [[tariqa]]. He now resides in [[NW postcode area|North West London]] with his wife and four children.<ref name="tijani"></ref>

*[http://www.rakinniass.co.uk/home Official Website]

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