RARE  RISINGSTARS 2012 The UK’s Top 10 Black Students
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No. 7

 

Isaac “Guvna B” Borquaye

Hertfordshire University
BA Business Management
Music and charity
Isaac �Guvna B� Borquaye


Nowadays, people may not recognise this Star by his full name but mention Guvna B and you will likely attract rave reviews of his gospel music. The 23-year-old performer appeared in the first edition of Rare Rising Stars, when his song �Kingdom Skank� caused a welcome stir on the urban gospel music scene.

�My commercial music success would have no meaning if I couldn�t reach out to the next generation.�

Using a pseudonym which pays tribute to his upbringing on a council estate in East London, Isaac has since sold out the Hackney Empire, headlined London�s famous Jazz Caf� and supported American gospel music heavyweights Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Fred Hammond and Marvin Sapp on their UK tours.

He was the 2009 recipient of the Gospel Music Awards and Urban Music Awards Best Gospel Artist accolades and 2011 saw one of Isaac�s biggest achievements to date: winning the MOBO Award for Best Gospel Artist.

That same year, Isaac was invited by Prime Minister David Cameron to an Easter reception at Downing Street for leading Britons in the Christian community. As well as his musical achievements, Isaac was honoured for his work as a celebrity ambassador for The Prince�s Trust, the Terence Higgins Trust and Youth for Christ, positions which Isaac uses to campaign on issues of youth engagement and HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention.

�Try not to imitate. Be yourself. Be the odd one out and just achieve what you want to achieve.�


The Premier Radio DJ, who believes that his message can burst out of the four walls of the church, releases his second album, �Odd One Out� in summer 2012.

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