I got my place on the PhD here so I’m
I got my place on the PhD here so I’m being really excited
another three years basically that’s
another three years basically that’s kind of like where I am now and it
kind of like where I am now and it
kind of like where I am now and it sounds kind of like a bit lame saying
sounds kind of like a bit lame saying
sounds kind of like a bit lame saying I’ve got some khichdi but if you knew my
I’ve got some khichdi but if you knew my
I’ve got some khichdi but if you knew my journey here by now you’d know how
journey here by now you’d know how
journey here by now you’d know how excited I am as well basically most
excited I am as well basically most
excited I am as well basically most people at Cambridge they kind of go for
people at Cambridge they kind of go for
people at Cambridge they kind of go for the same I know what you ought to call
the same I know what you ought to call
the same I know what you ought to call like a conveyor belt where there’s gota
like a conveyor belt where there’s gota
like a conveyor belt where there’s gota block available it’s called the
block available it’s called the
block available it’s called the education system but they start a
education system but they start a
education system but they start a primary school then they go to second
primary school then they go to second
primary school then they go to second you know it’s kind of a conveyor belt
you know it’s kind of a conveyor belt
you know it’s kind of a conveyor belt because you know you get parents they
because you know you get parents they
because you know you get parents they move the child to a catchment area and
move the child to a catchment area and
move the child to a catchment area and they literally have their life like
they literally have their life like
they literally have their life like planned out for them so the new
planned out for them so the new
planned out for them so the new secondary school get good a levels go to
secondary school get good a levels go to
secondary school get good a levels go to university go to Cambridge you know
university go to Cambridge you know
university go to Cambridge you know parents tick the box and they can kind
parents tick the box and they can kind
parents tick the box and they can kind of yeah like leave especially time
of yeah like leave especially time
of yeah like leave especially time before University baby yeah that kind of
before University baby yeah that kind of
before University baby yeah that kind of happens with me I was at school did my
happens with me I was at school did my
happens with me I was at school did my GCSE I did all right in them
GCSE I did all right in them
GCSE I did all right in them if I did very well and I got all A’s my
if I did very well and I got all A’s my
if I did very well and I got all A’s my cheeto C’s but I did my a levels and I
cheeto C’s but I did my a levels and I
cheeto C’s but I did my a levels and I failed them all at that point I left
failed them all at that point I left
failed them all at that point I left school didn’t know really Carol I know
school didn’t know really Carol I know
school didn’t know really Carol I know what to do for a year or two and then I
what to do for a year or two and then I
what to do for a year or two and then I decide to see music why when I was doing
decide to see music why when I was doing
decide to see music why when I was doing music I was well I was a rapper but it
music I was well I was a rapper but it
music I was well I was a rapper but it wasn’t really kind of because I I did
wasn’t really kind of because I I did
wasn’t really kind of because I I did definite listen to rap but I didn’t
definite listen to rap but I didn’t
definite listen to rap but I didn’t really know how to rap or kind of what’s
really know how to rap or kind of what’s
really know how to rap or kind of what’s a rap about to kind of fit into like the
a rap about to kind of fit into like the
a rap about to kind of fit into like the rap world the only thing I really knew
rap world the only thing I really knew
rap world the only thing I really knew how to rap about what of anything I did
how to rap about what of anything I did
how to rap about what of anything I did rap about was poached eggs because I
rap about was poached eggs because I
rap about was poached eggs because I really loved poached eggs and I fancied
really loved poached eggs and I fancied
really loved poached eggs and I fancied my best friend’s mom at the time I
my best friend’s mom at the time I
my best friend’s mom at the time I rapped about finding my best friend’s
rapped about finding my best friend’s
rapped about finding my best friend’s mom so they’re not like very like rapper
mom so they’re not like very like rapper
mom so they’re not like very like rapper things to like rap about some reason it
things to like rap about some reason it
things to like rap about some reason it was I got signed I guess the point of
was I got signed I guess the point of
was I got signed I guess the point of making is is I was basically like myself
making is is I was basically like myself
making is is I was basically like myself I didn’t try to pretend to be something
I didn’t try to pretend to be something
I didn’t try to pretend to be something I wasn’t and it worked
I wasn’t and it worked
I wasn’t and it worked the reason why I think that’s important
the reason why I think that’s important
the reason why I think that’s important to stay is because I think as human
to stay is because I think as human
to stay is because I think as human beings we kind of tend to like I don’t
beings we kind of tend to like I don’t
beings we kind of tend to like I don’t know surround ourselves with people who
know surround ourselves with people who
know surround ourselves with people who are like ourselves trying to fit into
are like ourselves trying to fit into
are like ourselves trying to fit into the mold and stuff and I think we do
the mold and stuff and I think we do
the mold and stuff and I think we do that as human beings I don’t know to
that as human beings I don’t know to
that as human beings I don’t know to protect ourselves maybe and I think on a
protect ourselves maybe and I think on a
protect ourselves maybe and I think on a macro level Cambridge does that as well
macro level Cambridge does that as well
macro level Cambridge does that as well on my first day here we were having a
on my first day here we were having a
on my first day here we were having a college for a to go up and I was read
college for a to go up and I was read
college for a to go up and I was read that’s it for toilet
once we had the photograph done I said
once we had the photograph done I said God next week oh my god where’s the
God next week oh my god where’s the
God next week oh my god where’s the toilet you guys oh it’s down there to
toilet you guys oh it’s down there to
toilet you guys oh it’s down there to the right he said it with such through
the right he said it with such through
the right he said it with such through in ourselves like oh but you hear the
in ourselves like oh but you hear the
in ourselves like oh but you hear the open day and he was like no no my father
open day and he was like no no my father
open day and he was like no no my father came here I was like oh my god no way
came here I was like oh my god no way
came here I was like oh my god no way that’s such a coincidence that your dad
that’s such a coincidence that your dad
that’s such a coincidence that your dad came to the same College at the state
came to the same College at the state
came to the same College at the state university and then he goes oh yeah yeah
university and then he goes oh yeah yeah
university and then he goes oh yeah yeah my grandpa came here as well and I was
my grandpa came here as well and I was
my grandpa came here as well and I was like okay this is kind of more than a
like okay this is kind of more than a
like okay this is kind of more than a coincidence here like there’s kind of
coincidence here like there’s kind of
coincidence here like there’s kind of like a system going on that’s the that’s
like a system going on that’s the that’s
like a system going on that’s the that’s kind of the like attracting like I’m
kind of the like attracting like I’m
kind of the like attracting like I’m like a macro level but this could also
like a macro level but this could also
like a macro level but this could also happen actually watch her in the
happen actually watch her in the
happen actually watch her in the classroom when it comes to my ideas and
classroom when it comes to my ideas and
classroom when it comes to my ideas and I she’s just like discussion I mean I
I she’s just like discussion I mean I
I she’s just like discussion I mean I like to think it’s been like gravity
like to think it’s been like gravity
like to think it’s been like gravity basically you got lots of stuff right
basically you got lots of stuff right
basically you got lots of stuff right and the more stuff there is the bigger
and the more stuff there is the bigger
and the more stuff there is the bigger or the greater the gravitational pull
or the greater the gravitational pull
or the greater the gravitational pull and I think on a micro level when it
and I think on a micro level when it
and I think on a micro level when it comes to yeah just like discussing ideas
comes to yeah just like discussing ideas
comes to yeah just like discussing ideas and problem-solving when you’re in a
and problem-solving when you’re in a
and problem-solving when you’re in a classroom with people who are like you
classroom with people who are like you
classroom with people who are like you actually the ideas you got to come up
actually the ideas you got to come up
actually the ideas you got to come up with all gonna be quite similar I for
with all gonna be quite similar I for
with all gonna be quite similar I for the first couple years did try and fit
the first couple years did try and fit
the first couple years did try and fit in to caterers just because I was like
in to caterers just because I was like
in to caterers just because I was like you know I don’t know I was quite
you know I don’t know I was quite
you know I don’t know I was quite nervous that it wasn’t that confident
nervous that it wasn’t that confident
nervous that it wasn’t that confident I’m not I’m still not confident now as
I’m not I’m still not confident now as
I’m not I’m still not confident now as you can see I’m super nervous but yeah I
you can see I’m super nervous but yeah I
you can see I’m super nervous but yeah I was no I was even more nervous then and
was no I was even more nervous then and
was no I was even more nervous then and I was going to hall and I was going to
I was going to hall and I was going to
I was going to hall and I was going to class and I was trying to compete with
class and I was trying to compete with
class and I was trying to compete with privileged people who knew how to tie a
privileged people who knew how to tie a
privileged people who knew how to tie a bowtie
bowtie
bowtie knew which cutlery to use once I
knew which cutlery to use once I
knew which cutlery to use once I realized but actually I can’t compete
realized but actually I can’t compete
realized but actually I can’t compete with these people because actually these
with these people because actually these
with these people because actually these people but more privileged than I’ll
people but more privileged than I’ll
people but more privileged than I’ll ever be
ever be
ever be they are more accustomed to being in the
they are more accustomed to being in the
they are more accustomed to being in the space than I’ll ever be and actually if
space than I’ll ever be and actually if
space than I’ll ever be and actually if I try and compete with them using their
I try and compete with them using their
I try and compete with them using their rules I’m always gonna fail the only way
rules I’m always gonna fail the only way
rules I’m always gonna fail the only way I’m going to win is I know it’s a cliche
I’m going to win is I know it’s a cliche
I’m going to win is I know it’s a cliche but generally is true that anyone gonna
but generally is true that anyone gonna
but generally is true that anyone gonna win this game is if actually I’m gonna
win this game is if actually I’m gonna
win this game is if actually I’m gonna be myself and University and Cambridge
be myself and University and Cambridge
be myself and University and Cambridge especially the whole point of this space
especially the whole point of this space
especially the whole point of this space is to contribute new knowledge so
is to contribute new knowledge so
is to contribute new knowledge so actually if you’ve got these people we
actually if you’ve got these people we
actually if you’ve got these people we were all quite similar and you got me
were all quite similar and you got me
were all quite similar and you got me actually he’s very very different
actually he’s very very different
actually he’s very very different country near knowledge actually I’m
country near knowledge actually I’m
country near knowledge actually I’m gonna do quite good at that and actually
gonna do quite good at that and actually
gonna do quite good at that and actually that might be easier for you to do the
that might be easier for you to do the
that might be easier for you to do the gravitational pull or this
gravitational pull or this
gravitational pull or this emotionalizing affair
emotionalizing affair
emotionalizing affair it happens like like I said it happens
it happens like like I said it happens
it happens like like I said it happens away before Cambridge I remember when I
away before Cambridge I remember when I
away before Cambridge I remember when I was at school and I I lived that side of
was at school and I I lived that side of
was at school and I I lived that side of London so I had to drive into London my
London so I had to drive into London my
London so I had to drive into London my mum before like an hour in the car to
mum before like an hour in the car to
mum before like an hour in the car to get my haircut from a black barbers when
get my haircut from a black barbers when
get my haircut from a black barbers when we drove back to to Chelmsford every
we drove back to to Chelmsford every
we drove back to to Chelmsford every single time I got my haircut I got
single time I got my haircut I got
single time I got my haircut I got suspended in my school and the reason
suspended in my school and the reason
suspended in my school and the reason why I got suspended was just because the
why I got suspended was just because the
why I got suspended was just because the barber had purloined across my forehead
barber had purloined across my forehead
barber had purloined across my forehead and down and that is what the hell owed
and down and that is what the hell owed
and down and that is what the hell owed me but because that looked like a
me but because that looked like a
me but because that looked like a pattern my school suspended me and this
pattern my school suspended me and this
pattern my school suspended me and this is I know session this happened more but
is I know session this happened more but
is I know session this happened more but most mostly has happened when I turned
most mostly has happened when I turned
most mostly has happened when I turned maybe like 14 so whose when I was
maybe like 14 so whose when I was
maybe like 14 so whose when I was becoming like a man when I was becoming
becoming like a man when I was becoming
becoming like a man when I was becoming a black man and my friends they dye
a black man and my friends they dye
a black man and my friends they dye their hair blue and they did like funny
their hair blue and they did like funny
their hair blue and they did like funny things so that my white friends like it
things so that my white friends like it
things so that my white friends like it was mostly white school they dye their
was mostly white school they dye their
was mostly white school they dye their hair blue they did like crazy things
hair blue they did like crazy things
hair blue they did like crazy things that I have but they didn’t get
that I have but they didn’t get
that I have but they didn’t get suspended for it they was seen as
suspended for it they was seen as
suspended for it they was seen as creative people they were see as
creative people they were see as
creative people they were see as actually they need more help they need
actually they need more help they need
actually they need more help they need to be given work which is harder because
to be given work which is harder because
to be given work which is harder because obviously they’ve got fucked which
obviously they’ve got fucked which
obviously they’ve got fucked which thought either had blue there was
thought either had blue there was
thought either had blue there was nothing you know you know there was
nothing you know you know there was
nothing you know you know there was nothing aggressive and it was nothing
nothing aggressive and it was nothing
nothing aggressive and it was nothing naughty about them doing that it was
naughty about them doing that it was
naughty about them doing that it was something actually which could be
something actually which could be
something actually which could be harnessed and actually channeled into
harnessed and actually channeled into
harnessed and actually channeled into something good I wasn’t and especially
something good I wasn’t and especially
something good I wasn’t and especially like clever Alex did like I said I did
like clever Alex did like I said I did
like clever Alex did like I said I did very well on my GCSEs but around that
very well on my GCSEs but around that
very well on my GCSEs but around that time and it like I said it was when I
time and it like I said it was when I
time and it like I said it was when I was turning from a black boy to a black
was turning from a black boy to a black
was turning from a black boy to a black man there were lots of things which I
man there were lots of things which I
man there were lots of things which I contributed to the classroom which were
contributed to the classroom which were
contributed to the classroom which were scenes like bad things so I started to
scenes like bad things so I started to
scenes like bad things so I started to like question everything so my hand was
like question everything so my hand was
like question everything so my hand was always up but especially when the
always up but especially when the
always up but especially when the teacher was talking about Africa the
teacher was talking about Africa the
teacher was talking about Africa the continent not the country but the sure
continent not the country but the sure
continent not the country but the sure he he kept the mixing of I was going
he he kept the mixing of I was going
he he kept the mixing of I was going along this talk about Africa having
along this talk about Africa having
along this talk about Africa having these like wish obviously it does have
these like wish obviously it does have
these like wish obviously it does have like mud huts and doing the road and
like mud huts and doing the road and
like mud huts and doing the road and stuff but when I went back to Nigeria
stuff but when I went back to Nigeria
stuff but when I went back to Nigeria I saw skyscrapers and I went to country
I saw skyscrapers and I went to country
I saw skyscrapers and I went to country clubs and actually the sea was beautiful
clubs and actually the sea was beautiful
clubs and actually the sea was beautiful and blue and crystal clear and I
and blue and crystal clear and I
and blue and crystal clear and I couldn’t see that water back in England
couldn’t see that water back in England
couldn’t see that water back in England but I basically it was it was really you
but I basically it was it was really you
but I basically it was it was really you know it was it was a country which was
know it was it was a country which was
know it was it was a country which was you know like like developing if the
you know like like developing if the
you know like like developing if the global law was the call of that but in
global law was the call of that but in
global law was the call of that but in my eyes it was a beautiful country and I
my eyes it was a beautiful country and I
my eyes it was a beautiful country and I didn’t recognize the description my
didn’t recognize the description my
didn’t recognize the description my teacher was giving me so my hand was
teacher was giving me so my hand was
teacher was giving me so my hand was constantly helped constantly questioning
constantly helped constantly questioning
constantly helped constantly questioning everything although I had knowledge and
everything although I had knowledge and
everything although I had knowledge and although I had capital my social and
although I had capital my social and
although I had capital my social and cultural capital
cultural capital
cultural capital it had no currency in the classroom so
it had no currency in the classroom so
it had no currency in the classroom so one example would be if I mean this
one example would be if I mean this
one example would be if I mean this wasn’t me because I didn’t know how to
wasn’t me because I didn’t know how to
wasn’t me because I didn’t know how to play it but if there’s a piano in the
play it but if there’s a piano in the
play it but if there’s a piano in the music room and the student comes in and
music room and the student comes in and
music room and the student comes in and they can start playing let’s say like
they can start playing let’s say like
they can start playing let’s say like like New York is a song by jay-z the
like New York is a song by jay-z the
like New York is a song by jay-z the rapper and it’s got like a piano riff in
rapper and it’s got like a piano riff in
rapper and it’s got like a piano riff in it so if this student can play this rap
it so if this student can play this rap
it so if this student can play this rap song and know all the verses to the rap
song and know all the verses to the rap
song and know all the verses to the rap song as well can wrap them and can play
song as well can wrap them and can play
song as well can wrap them and can play it at the same time he’s seen as
it at the same time he’s seen as
it at the same time he’s seen as disrupting the class but if a child a
disrupting the class but if a child a
disrupting the class but if a child a different child walks up to the piano
different child walks up to the piano
different child walks up to the piano starts playing let’s say just like a
starts playing let’s say just like a
starts playing let’s say just like a classical song like if you could play
classical song like if you could play
classical song like if you could play that he’s seeing his old class let’s
that he’s seeing his old class let’s
that he’s seeing his old class let’s stop for a moment
stop for a moment
stop for a moment this child is playing the piano he’s not
this child is playing the piano he’s not
this child is playing the piano he’s not supposed to this is a song which I
supposed to this is a song which I
supposed to this is a song which I recognize this is a cultural capital
recognize this is a cultural capital
recognize this is a cultural capital which has currency in this classroom it
which has currency in this classroom it
which has currency in this classroom it is difficult for for teachers or even
is difficult for for teachers or even
is difficult for for teachers or even for bosses to have by scenario I suppose
for bosses to have by scenario I suppose
for bosses to have by scenario I suppose like their biases like challenge but I
like their biases like challenge but I
like their biases like challenge but I think that’s something important which
think that’s something important which
think that’s something important which we need to do the teacher which told off
we need to do the teacher which told off
we need to do the teacher which told off the child for playing his his his jay-z
the child for playing his his his jay-z
the child for playing his his his jay-z song and rapping in the back of the
song and rapping in the back of the
song and rapping in the back of the classroom that’s the same teacher who
classroom that’s the same teacher who
classroom that’s the same teacher who gets to decide at 14 what tier that
gets to decide at 14 what tier that
gets to decide at 14 what tier that child was going to be put in for those
child was going to be put in for those
child was going to be put in for those jams they decide what tier you’ll put
jams they decide what tier you’ll put
jams they decide what tier you’ll put interview GCC’s and the maximum the
interview GCC’s and the maximum the
interview GCC’s and the maximum the maximum grade you can get if you put
maximum grade you can get if you put
maximum grade you can get if you put into the lower tier is a C so that
into the lower tier is a C so that
into the lower tier is a C so that teacher he thinks that the child has
teacher he thinks that the child has
teacher he thinks that the child has been disruptive because the playlists on
been disruptive because the playlists on
been disruptive because the playlists on them if you had open she’s actually
them if you had open she’s actually
them if you had open she’s actually really difficult to play the accent
really difficult to play the accent
really difficult to play the accent grating gets a C which means that’s not
grating gets a C which means that’s not
grating gets a C which means that’s not going to affect what animals they can do
going to affect what animals they can do
going to affect what animals they can do and that’s gonna obviously affect which
and that’s gonna obviously affect which
and that’s gonna obviously affect which university they can go to you all if
university they can go to you all if
university they can go to you all if they can go to university at all when I
they can go to university at all when I
they can go to university at all when I was in an interview at Cambridge and the
was in an interview at Cambridge and the
was in an interview at Cambridge and the person interviewing me asked me what
person interviewing me asked me what
person interviewing me asked me what fiction I read as a child and Vincey was
fiction I read as a child and Vincey was
fiction I read as a child and Vincey was all going well up until that point and
all going well up until that point and
all going well up until that point and she’s awesome
she’s awesome
she’s awesome and then I said so I said to them that i
and then I said so I said to them that i
and then I said so I said to them that i didn’t read fiction when i was a child
didn’t read fiction when i was a child
didn’t read fiction when i was a child and the face was dropped
and the face was dropped
and the face was dropped these are the faces dropped it’s because
these are the faces dropped it’s because
these are the faces dropped it’s because obviously in their head
obviously in their head
obviously in their head everyone at Cambridge loves reading
everyone at Cambridge loves reading
everyone at Cambridge loves reading books when like kids and the books they
books when like kids and the books they
books when like kids and the books they read probably might be similar to the
read probably might be similar to the
read probably might be similar to the books she read herself I then had a
books she read herself I then had a
books she read herself I then had a moment of fear and panic and excited to
moment of fear and panic and excited to
moment of fear and panic and excited to see it like visually face that she was
see it like visually face that she was
see it like visually face that she was really upset and I could either then at
really upset and I could either then at
really upset and I could either then at that point just like do I suppose what
that point just like do I suppose what
that point just like do I suppose what most people would do and just pretend
most people would do and just pretend
most people would do and just pretend about the books I read but the only book
about the books I read but the only book
about the books I read but the only book I could actually think of was Moby Dick
I could actually think of was Moby Dick
I could actually think of was Moby Dick and I knew for a fact but like children
and I knew for a fact but like children
and I knew for a fact but like children didn’t read like Moby Dick like I was
didn’t read like Moby Dick like I was
didn’t read like Moby Dick like I was like okay no I’d be honest I’ll say what
like okay no I’d be honest I’ll say what
like okay no I’d be honest I’ll say what I did read and actually what I read I
I did read and actually what I read I
I did read and actually what I read I didn’t actually read quite long but and
didn’t actually read quite long but and
didn’t actually read quite long but and it’s quite a geeky admission to your
it’s quite a geeky admission to your
it’s quite a geeky admission to your made why I used to absolutely love
made why I used to absolutely love
made why I used to absolutely love reading encyclopedias but even more
reading encyclopedias but even more
reading encyclopedias but even more geeky than that I love reading the
geeky than that I love reading the
geeky than that I love reading the thesaurus it was actually my favorite
thesaurus it was actually my favorite
thesaurus it was actually my favorite book in the whole world and the great
book in the whole world and the great
book in the whole world and the great thing was thing I liked about this is
thing was thing I liked about this is
thing was thing I liked about this is that they were in the library and stuff
that they were in the library and stuff
that they were in the library and stuff right and once she finished one you can
right and once she finished one you can
right and once she finished one you can go to a different asuras and they’ll
go to a different asuras and they’ll
go to a different asuras and they’ll have different words below I used to
have different words below I used to
have different words below I used to actually loved that so I just told her
actually loved that so I just told her
actually loved that so I just told her that and then I think that in my head
that and then I think that in my head
that and then I think that in my head actually kind of smart again but no she
actually kind of smart again but no she
actually kind of smart again but no she didn’t really and I’m at the end of the
didn’t really and I’m at the end of the
didn’t really and I’m at the end of the interview but I got in so actually you
interview but I got in so actually you
interview but I got in so actually you know it kind of worked to a certain
know it kind of worked to a certain
know it kind of worked to a certain extent this whole talk is about being
extent this whole talk is about being
extent this whole talk is about being the power or be it’s being powerful as
the power or be it’s being powerful as
the power or be it’s being powerful as an anomaly and in my head I would get to
an anomaly and in my head I would get to
an anomaly and in my head I would get to a stage at the top where I feel really
a stage at the top where I feel really
a stage at the top where I feel really powerful but I still feel really really
powerful but I still feel really really
powerful but I still feel really really nervous if I’m at the end Barry Waites
nervous if I’m at the end Barry Waites
nervous if I’m at the end Barry Waites amazing my call to all of you is if you
amazing my call to all of you is if you
amazing my call to all of you is if you are the anomaly you are powerful and you
are the anomaly you are powerful and you
are the anomaly you are powerful and you need to carry on doing what you’re doing
need to carry on doing what you’re doing
need to carry on doing what you’re doing and you know what it will feel awful it
and you know what it will feel awful it
and you know what it will feel awful it will feel absolutely lonely you’ll feel
will feel absolutely lonely you’ll feel
will feel absolutely lonely you’ll feel nervous and you’ll be shaking like I am
nervous and you’ll be shaking like I am
nervous and you’ll be shaking like I am now but you need to carry on going
now but you need to carry on going
now but you need to carry on going because being the anomaly is the most
because being the anomaly is the most
because being the anomaly is the most powerful thing you could possibly be in
powerful thing you could possibly be in
powerful thing you could possibly be in your life thank you very much
your life thank you very much
your life thank you very much [Applause]
I got my place on the PhD here so I’m being really excited
another three years basically that’s
another three years basically that’s kind of like where I am now and it
kind of like where I am now and it
kind of like where I am now and it sounds kind of like a bit lame saying
sounds kind of like a bit lame saying
sounds kind of like a bit lame saying I’ve got some khichdi but if you knew my
I’ve got some khichdi but if you knew my
I’ve got some khichdi but if you knew my journey here by now you’d know how
journey here by now you’d know how
journey here by now you’d know how excited I am as well basically most
excited I am as well basically most
excited I am as well basically most people at Cambridge they kind of go for
people at Cambridge they kind of go for
people at Cambridge they kind of go for the same I know what you ought to call
the same I know what you ought to call
the same I know what you ought to call like a conveyor belt where there’s gota
like a conveyor belt where there’s gota
like a conveyor belt where there’s gota block available it’s called the
block available it’s called the
block available it’s called the education system but they start a
education system but they start a
education system but they start a primary school then they go to second
primary school then they go to second
primary school then they go to second you know it’s kind of a conveyor belt
you know it’s kind of a conveyor belt
you know it’s kind of a conveyor belt because you know you get parents they
because you know you get parents they
because you know you get parents they move the child to a catchment area and
move the child to a catchment area and
move the child to a catchment area and they literally have their life like
they literally have their life like
they literally have their life like planned out for them so the new
planned out for them so the new
planned out for them so the new secondary school get good a levels go to
secondary school get good a levels go to
secondary school get good a levels go to university go to Cambridge you know
university go to Cambridge you know
university go to Cambridge you know parents tick the box and they can kind
parents tick the box and they can kind
parents tick the box and they can kind of yeah like leave especially time
of yeah like leave especially time
of yeah like leave especially time before University baby yeah that kind of
before University baby yeah that kind of
before University baby yeah that kind of happens with me I was at school did my
happens with me I was at school did my
happens with me I was at school did my GCSE I did all right in them
GCSE I did all right in them
GCSE I did all right in them if I did very well and I got all A’s my
if I did very well and I got all A’s my
if I did very well and I got all A’s my cheeto C’s but I did my a levels and I
cheeto C’s but I did my a levels and I
cheeto C’s but I did my a levels and I failed them all at that point I left
failed them all at that point I left
failed them all at that point I left school didn’t know really Carol I know
school didn’t know really Carol I know
school didn’t know really Carol I know what to do for a year or two and then I
what to do for a year or two and then I
what to do for a year or two and then I decide to see music why when I was doing
decide to see music why when I was doing
decide to see music why when I was doing music I was well I was a rapper but it
music I was well I was a rapper but it
music I was well I was a rapper but it wasn’t really kind of because I I did
wasn’t really kind of because I I did
wasn’t really kind of because I I did definite listen to rap but I didn’t
definite listen to rap but I didn’t
definite listen to rap but I didn’t really know how to rap or kind of what’s
really know how to rap or kind of what’s
really know how to rap or kind of what’s a rap about to kind of fit into like the
a rap about to kind of fit into like the
a rap about to kind of fit into like the rap world the only thing I really knew
rap world the only thing I really knew
rap world the only thing I really knew how to rap about what of anything I did
how to rap about what of anything I did
how to rap about what of anything I did rap about was poached eggs because I
rap about was poached eggs because I
rap about was poached eggs because I really loved poached eggs and I fancied
really loved poached eggs and I fancied
really loved poached eggs and I fancied my best friend’s mom at the time I
my best friend’s mom at the time I
my best friend’s mom at the time I rapped about finding my best friend’s
rapped about finding my best friend’s
rapped about finding my best friend’s mom so they’re not like very like rapper
mom so they’re not like very like rapper
mom so they’re not like very like rapper things to like rap about some reason it
things to like rap about some reason it
things to like rap about some reason it was I got signed I guess the point of
was I got signed I guess the point of
was I got signed I guess the point of making is is I was basically like myself
making is is I was basically like myself
making is is I was basically like myself I didn’t try to pretend to be something
I didn’t try to pretend to be something
I didn’t try to pretend to be something I wasn’t and it worked
I wasn’t and it worked
I wasn’t and it worked the reason why I think that’s important
the reason why I think that’s important
the reason why I think that’s important to stay is because I think as human
to stay is because I think as human
to stay is because I think as human beings we kind of tend to like I don’t
beings we kind of tend to like I don’t
beings we kind of tend to like I don’t know surround ourselves with people who
know surround ourselves with people who
know surround ourselves with people who are like ourselves trying to fit into
are like ourselves trying to fit into
are like ourselves trying to fit into the mold and stuff and I think we do
the mold and stuff and I think we do
the mold and stuff and I think we do that as human beings I don’t know to
that as human beings I don’t know to
that as human beings I don’t know to protect ourselves maybe and I think on a
protect ourselves maybe and I think on a
protect ourselves maybe and I think on a macro level Cambridge does that as well
macro level Cambridge does that as well
macro level Cambridge does that as well on my first day here we were having a
on my first day here we were having a
on my first day here we were having a college for a to go up and I was read
college for a to go up and I was read
college for a to go up and I was read that’s it for toilet
once we had the photograph done I said
once we had the photograph done I said God next week oh my god where’s the
God next week oh my god where’s the
God next week oh my god where’s the toilet you guys oh it’s down there to
toilet you guys oh it’s down there to
toilet you guys oh it’s down there to the right he said it with such through
the right he said it with such through
the right he said it with such through in ourselves like oh but you hear the
in ourselves like oh but you hear the
in ourselves like oh but you hear the open day and he was like no no my father
open day and he was like no no my father
open day and he was like no no my father came here I was like oh my god no way
came here I was like oh my god no way
came here I was like oh my god no way that’s such a coincidence that your dad
that’s such a coincidence that your dad
that’s such a coincidence that your dad came to the same College at the state
came to the same College at the state
came to the same College at the state university and then he goes oh yeah yeah
university and then he goes oh yeah yeah
university and then he goes oh yeah yeah my grandpa came here as well and I was
my grandpa came here as well and I was
my grandpa came here as well and I was like okay this is kind of more than a
like okay this is kind of more than a
like okay this is kind of more than a coincidence here like there’s kind of
coincidence here like there’s kind of
coincidence here like there’s kind of like a system going on that’s the that’s
like a system going on that’s the that’s
like a system going on that’s the that’s kind of the like attracting like I’m
kind of the like attracting like I’m
kind of the like attracting like I’m like a macro level but this could also
like a macro level but this could also
like a macro level but this could also happen actually watch her in the
happen actually watch her in the
happen actually watch her in the classroom when it comes to my ideas and
classroom when it comes to my ideas and
classroom when it comes to my ideas and I she’s just like discussion I mean I
I she’s just like discussion I mean I
I she’s just like discussion I mean I like to think it’s been like gravity
like to think it’s been like gravity
like to think it’s been like gravity basically you got lots of stuff right
basically you got lots of stuff right
basically you got lots of stuff right and the more stuff there is the bigger
and the more stuff there is the bigger
and the more stuff there is the bigger or the greater the gravitational pull
or the greater the gravitational pull
or the greater the gravitational pull and I think on a micro level when it
and I think on a micro level when it
and I think on a micro level when it comes to yeah just like discussing ideas
comes to yeah just like discussing ideas
comes to yeah just like discussing ideas and problem-solving when you’re in a
and problem-solving when you’re in a
and problem-solving when you’re in a classroom with people who are like you
classroom with people who are like you
classroom with people who are like you actually the ideas you got to come up
actually the ideas you got to come up
actually the ideas you got to come up with all gonna be quite similar I for
with all gonna be quite similar I for
with all gonna be quite similar I for the first couple years did try and fit
the first couple years did try and fit
the first couple years did try and fit in to caterers just because I was like
in to caterers just because I was like
in to caterers just because I was like you know I don’t know I was quite
you know I don’t know I was quite
you know I don’t know I was quite nervous that it wasn’t that confident
nervous that it wasn’t that confident
nervous that it wasn’t that confident I’m not I’m still not confident now as
I’m not I’m still not confident now as
I’m not I’m still not confident now as you can see I’m super nervous but yeah I
you can see I’m super nervous but yeah I
you can see I’m super nervous but yeah I was no I was even more nervous then and
was no I was even more nervous then and
was no I was even more nervous then and I was going to hall and I was going to
I was going to hall and I was going to
I was going to hall and I was going to class and I was trying to compete with
class and I was trying to compete with
class and I was trying to compete with privileged people who knew how to tie a
privileged people who knew how to tie a
privileged people who knew how to tie a bowtie
bowtie
bowtie knew which cutlery to use once I
knew which cutlery to use once I
knew which cutlery to use once I realized but actually I can’t compete
realized but actually I can’t compete
realized but actually I can’t compete with these people because actually these
with these people because actually these
with these people because actually these people but more privileged than I’ll
people but more privileged than I’ll
people but more privileged than I’ll ever be
ever be
ever be they are more accustomed to being in the
they are more accustomed to being in the
they are more accustomed to being in the space than I’ll ever be and actually if
space than I’ll ever be and actually if
space than I’ll ever be and actually if I try and compete with them using their
I try and compete with them using their
I try and compete with them using their rules I’m always gonna fail the only way
rules I’m always gonna fail the only way
rules I’m always gonna fail the only way I’m going to win is I know it’s a cliche
I’m going to win is I know it’s a cliche
I’m going to win is I know it’s a cliche but generally is true that anyone gonna
but generally is true that anyone gonna
but generally is true that anyone gonna win this game is if actually I’m gonna
win this game is if actually I’m gonna
win this game is if actually I’m gonna be myself and University and Cambridge
be myself and University and Cambridge
be myself and University and Cambridge especially the whole point of this space
especially the whole point of this space
especially the whole point of this space is to contribute new knowledge so
is to contribute new knowledge so
is to contribute new knowledge so actually if you’ve got these people we
actually if you’ve got these people we
actually if you’ve got these people we were all quite similar and you got me
were all quite similar and you got me
were all quite similar and you got me actually he’s very very different
actually he’s very very different
actually he’s very very different country near knowledge actually I’m
country near knowledge actually I’m
country near knowledge actually I’m gonna do quite good at that and actually
gonna do quite good at that and actually
gonna do quite good at that and actually that might be easier for you to do the
that might be easier for you to do the
that might be easier for you to do the gravitational pull or this
gravitational pull or this
gravitational pull or this emotionalizing affair
emotionalizing affair
emotionalizing affair it happens like like I said it happens
it happens like like I said it happens
it happens like like I said it happens away before Cambridge I remember when I
away before Cambridge I remember when I
away before Cambridge I remember when I was at school and I I lived that side of
was at school and I I lived that side of
was at school and I I lived that side of London so I had to drive into London my
London so I had to drive into London my
London so I had to drive into London my mum before like an hour in the car to
mum before like an hour in the car to
mum before like an hour in the car to get my haircut from a black barbers when
get my haircut from a black barbers when
get my haircut from a black barbers when we drove back to to Chelmsford every
we drove back to to Chelmsford every
we drove back to to Chelmsford every single time I got my haircut I got
single time I got my haircut I got
single time I got my haircut I got suspended in my school and the reason
suspended in my school and the reason
suspended in my school and the reason why I got suspended was just because the
why I got suspended was just because the
why I got suspended was just because the barber had purloined across my forehead
barber had purloined across my forehead
barber had purloined across my forehead and down and that is what the hell owed
and down and that is what the hell owed
and down and that is what the hell owed me but because that looked like a
me but because that looked like a
me but because that looked like a pattern my school suspended me and this
pattern my school suspended me and this
pattern my school suspended me and this is I know session this happened more but
is I know session this happened more but
is I know session this happened more but most mostly has happened when I turned
most mostly has happened when I turned
most mostly has happened when I turned maybe like 14 so whose when I was
maybe like 14 so whose when I was
maybe like 14 so whose when I was becoming like a man when I was becoming
becoming like a man when I was becoming
becoming like a man when I was becoming a black man and my friends they dye
a black man and my friends they dye
a black man and my friends they dye their hair blue and they did like funny
their hair blue and they did like funny
their hair blue and they did like funny things so that my white friends like it
things so that my white friends like it
things so that my white friends like it was mostly white school they dye their
was mostly white school they dye their
was mostly white school they dye their hair blue they did like crazy things
hair blue they did like crazy things
hair blue they did like crazy things that I have but they didn’t get
that I have but they didn’t get
that I have but they didn’t get suspended for it they was seen as
suspended for it they was seen as
suspended for it they was seen as creative people they were see as
creative people they were see as
creative people they were see as actually they need more help they need
actually they need more help they need
actually they need more help they need to be given work which is harder because
to be given work which is harder because
to be given work which is harder because obviously they’ve got fucked which
obviously they’ve got fucked which
obviously they’ve got fucked which thought either had blue there was
thought either had blue there was
thought either had blue there was nothing you know you know there was
nothing you know you know there was
nothing you know you know there was nothing aggressive and it was nothing
nothing aggressive and it was nothing
nothing aggressive and it was nothing naughty about them doing that it was
naughty about them doing that it was
naughty about them doing that it was something actually which could be
something actually which could be
something actually which could be harnessed and actually channeled into
harnessed and actually channeled into
harnessed and actually channeled into something good I wasn’t and especially
something good I wasn’t and especially
something good I wasn’t and especially like clever Alex did like I said I did
like clever Alex did like I said I did
like clever Alex did like I said I did very well on my GCSEs but around that
very well on my GCSEs but around that
very well on my GCSEs but around that time and it like I said it was when I
time and it like I said it was when I
time and it like I said it was when I was turning from a black boy to a black
was turning from a black boy to a black
was turning from a black boy to a black man there were lots of things which I
man there were lots of things which I
man there were lots of things which I contributed to the classroom which were
contributed to the classroom which were
contributed to the classroom which were scenes like bad things so I started to
scenes like bad things so I started to
scenes like bad things so I started to like question everything so my hand was
like question everything so my hand was
like question everything so my hand was always up but especially when the
always up but especially when the
always up but especially when the teacher was talking about Africa the
teacher was talking about Africa the
teacher was talking about Africa the continent not the country but the sure
continent not the country but the sure
continent not the country but the sure he he kept the mixing of I was going
he he kept the mixing of I was going
he he kept the mixing of I was going along this talk about Africa having
along this talk about Africa having
along this talk about Africa having these like wish obviously it does have
these like wish obviously it does have
these like wish obviously it does have like mud huts and doing the road and
like mud huts and doing the road and
like mud huts and doing the road and stuff but when I went back to Nigeria
stuff but when I went back to Nigeria
stuff but when I went back to Nigeria I saw skyscrapers and I went to country
I saw skyscrapers and I went to country
I saw skyscrapers and I went to country clubs and actually the sea was beautiful
clubs and actually the sea was beautiful
clubs and actually the sea was beautiful and blue and crystal clear and I
and blue and crystal clear and I
and blue and crystal clear and I couldn’t see that water back in England
couldn’t see that water back in England
couldn’t see that water back in England but I basically it was it was really you
but I basically it was it was really you
but I basically it was it was really you know it was it was a country which was
know it was it was a country which was
know it was it was a country which was you know like like developing if the
you know like like developing if the
you know like like developing if the global law was the call of that but in
global law was the call of that but in
global law was the call of that but in my eyes it was a beautiful country and I
my eyes it was a beautiful country and I
my eyes it was a beautiful country and I didn’t recognize the description my
didn’t recognize the description my
didn’t recognize the description my teacher was giving me so my hand was
teacher was giving me so my hand was
teacher was giving me so my hand was constantly helped constantly questioning
constantly helped constantly questioning
constantly helped constantly questioning everything although I had knowledge and
everything although I had knowledge and
everything although I had knowledge and although I had capital my social and
although I had capital my social and
although I had capital my social and cultural capital
cultural capital
cultural capital it had no currency in the classroom so
it had no currency in the classroom so
it had no currency in the classroom so one example would be if I mean this
one example would be if I mean this
one example would be if I mean this wasn’t me because I didn’t know how to
wasn’t me because I didn’t know how to
wasn’t me because I didn’t know how to play it but if there’s a piano in the
play it but if there’s a piano in the
play it but if there’s a piano in the music room and the student comes in and
music room and the student comes in and
music room and the student comes in and they can start playing let’s say like
they can start playing let’s say like
they can start playing let’s say like like New York is a song by jay-z the
like New York is a song by jay-z the
like New York is a song by jay-z the rapper and it’s got like a piano riff in
rapper and it’s got like a piano riff in
rapper and it’s got like a piano riff in it so if this student can play this rap
it so if this student can play this rap
it so if this student can play this rap song and know all the verses to the rap
song and know all the verses to the rap
song and know all the verses to the rap song as well can wrap them and can play
song as well can wrap them and can play
song as well can wrap them and can play it at the same time he’s seen as
it at the same time he’s seen as
it at the same time he’s seen as disrupting the class but if a child a
disrupting the class but if a child a
disrupting the class but if a child a different child walks up to the piano
different child walks up to the piano
different child walks up to the piano starts playing let’s say just like a
starts playing let’s say just like a
starts playing let’s say just like a classical song like if you could play
classical song like if you could play
classical song like if you could play that he’s seeing his old class let’s
that he’s seeing his old class let’s
that he’s seeing his old class let’s stop for a moment
stop for a moment
stop for a moment this child is playing the piano he’s not
this child is playing the piano he’s not
this child is playing the piano he’s not supposed to this is a song which I
supposed to this is a song which I
supposed to this is a song which I recognize this is a cultural capital
recognize this is a cultural capital
recognize this is a cultural capital which has currency in this classroom it
which has currency in this classroom it
which has currency in this classroom it is difficult for for teachers or even
is difficult for for teachers or even
is difficult for for teachers or even for bosses to have by scenario I suppose
for bosses to have by scenario I suppose
for bosses to have by scenario I suppose like their biases like challenge but I
like their biases like challenge but I
like their biases like challenge but I think that’s something important which
think that’s something important which
think that’s something important which we need to do the teacher which told off
we need to do the teacher which told off
we need to do the teacher which told off the child for playing his his his jay-z
the child for playing his his his jay-z
the child for playing his his his jay-z song and rapping in the back of the
song and rapping in the back of the
song and rapping in the back of the classroom that’s the same teacher who
classroom that’s the same teacher who
classroom that’s the same teacher who gets to decide at 14 what tier that
gets to decide at 14 what tier that
gets to decide at 14 what tier that child was going to be put in for those
child was going to be put in for those
child was going to be put in for those jams they decide what tier you’ll put
jams they decide what tier you’ll put
jams they decide what tier you’ll put interview GCC’s and the maximum the
interview GCC’s and the maximum the
interview GCC’s and the maximum the maximum grade you can get if you put
maximum grade you can get if you put
maximum grade you can get if you put into the lower tier is a C so that
into the lower tier is a C so that
into the lower tier is a C so that teacher he thinks that the child has
teacher he thinks that the child has
teacher he thinks that the child has been disruptive because the playlists on
been disruptive because the playlists on
been disruptive because the playlists on them if you had open she’s actually
them if you had open she’s actually
them if you had open she’s actually really difficult to play the accent
really difficult to play the accent
really difficult to play the accent grating gets a C which means that’s not
grating gets a C which means that’s not
grating gets a C which means that’s not going to affect what animals they can do
going to affect what animals they can do
going to affect what animals they can do and that’s gonna obviously affect which
and that’s gonna obviously affect which
and that’s gonna obviously affect which university they can go to you all if
university they can go to you all if
university they can go to you all if they can go to university at all when I
they can go to university at all when I
they can go to university at all when I was in an interview at Cambridge and the
was in an interview at Cambridge and the
was in an interview at Cambridge and the person interviewing me asked me what
person interviewing me asked me what
person interviewing me asked me what fiction I read as a child and Vincey was
fiction I read as a child and Vincey was
fiction I read as a child and Vincey was all going well up until that point and
all going well up until that point and
all going well up until that point and she’s awesome
she’s awesome
she’s awesome and then I said so I said to them that i
and then I said so I said to them that i
and then I said so I said to them that i didn’t read fiction when i was a child
didn’t read fiction when i was a child
didn’t read fiction when i was a child and the face was dropped
and the face was dropped
and the face was dropped these are the faces dropped it’s because
these are the faces dropped it’s because
these are the faces dropped it’s because obviously in their head
obviously in their head
obviously in their head everyone at Cambridge loves reading
everyone at Cambridge loves reading
everyone at Cambridge loves reading books when like kids and the books they
books when like kids and the books they
books when like kids and the books they read probably might be similar to the
read probably might be similar to the
read probably might be similar to the books she read herself I then had a
books she read herself I then had a
books she read herself I then had a moment of fear and panic and excited to
moment of fear and panic and excited to
moment of fear and panic and excited to see it like visually face that she was
see it like visually face that she was
see it like visually face that she was really upset and I could either then at
really upset and I could either then at
really upset and I could either then at that point just like do I suppose what
that point just like do I suppose what
that point just like do I suppose what most people would do and just pretend
most people would do and just pretend
most people would do and just pretend about the books I read but the only book
about the books I read but the only book
about the books I read but the only book I could actually think of was Moby Dick
I could actually think of was Moby Dick
I could actually think of was Moby Dick and I knew for a fact but like children
and I knew for a fact but like children
and I knew for a fact but like children didn’t read like Moby Dick like I was
didn’t read like Moby Dick like I was
didn’t read like Moby Dick like I was like okay no I’d be honest I’ll say what
like okay no I’d be honest I’ll say what
like okay no I’d be honest I’ll say what I did read and actually what I read I
I did read and actually what I read I
I did read and actually what I read I didn’t actually read quite long but and
didn’t actually read quite long but and
didn’t actually read quite long but and it’s quite a geeky admission to your
it’s quite a geeky admission to your
it’s quite a geeky admission to your made why I used to absolutely love
made why I used to absolutely love
made why I used to absolutely love reading encyclopedias but even more
reading encyclopedias but even more
reading encyclopedias but even more geeky than that I love reading the
geeky than that I love reading the
geeky than that I love reading the thesaurus it was actually my favorite
thesaurus it was actually my favorite
thesaurus it was actually my favorite book in the whole world and the great
book in the whole world and the great
book in the whole world and the great thing was thing I liked about this is
thing was thing I liked about this is
thing was thing I liked about this is that they were in the library and stuff
that they were in the library and stuff
that they were in the library and stuff right and once she finished one you can
right and once she finished one you can
right and once she finished one you can go to a different asuras and they’ll
go to a different asuras and they’ll
go to a different asuras and they’ll have different words below I used to
have different words below I used to
have different words below I used to actually loved that so I just told her
actually loved that so I just told her
actually loved that so I just told her that and then I think that in my head
that and then I think that in my head
that and then I think that in my head actually kind of smart again but no she
actually kind of smart again but no she
actually kind of smart again but no she didn’t really and I’m at the end of the
didn’t really and I’m at the end of the
didn’t really and I’m at the end of the interview but I got in so actually you
interview but I got in so actually you
interview but I got in so actually you know it kind of worked to a certain
know it kind of worked to a certain
know it kind of worked to a certain extent this whole talk is about being
extent this whole talk is about being
extent this whole talk is about being the power or be it’s being powerful as
the power or be it’s being powerful as
the power or be it’s being powerful as an anomaly and in my head I would get to
an anomaly and in my head I would get to
an anomaly and in my head I would get to a stage at the top where I feel really
a stage at the top where I feel really
a stage at the top where I feel really powerful but I still feel really really
powerful but I still feel really really
powerful but I still feel really really nervous if I’m at the end Barry Waites
nervous if I’m at the end Barry Waites
nervous if I’m at the end Barry Waites amazing my call to all of you is if you
amazing my call to all of you is if you
amazing my call to all of you is if you are the anomaly you are powerful and you
are the anomaly you are powerful and you
are the anomaly you are powerful and you need to carry on doing what you’re doing
need to carry on doing what you’re doing
need to carry on doing what you’re doing and you know what it will feel awful it
and you know what it will feel awful it
and you know what it will feel awful it will feel absolutely lonely you’ll feel
will feel absolutely lonely you’ll feel
will feel absolutely lonely you’ll feel nervous and you’ll be shaking like I am
nervous and you’ll be shaking like I am
nervous and you’ll be shaking like I am now but you need to carry on going
now but you need to carry on going
now but you need to carry on going because being the anomaly is the most
because being the anomaly is the most
because being the anomaly is the most powerful thing you could possibly be in
powerful thing you could possibly be in
powerful thing you could possibly be in your life thank you very much
your life thank you very much
your life thank you very much [Applause]
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