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6 months ago
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Rapper Stormzy has opened up a multi-purpose centre in Croydon to help young people in London.
The Centre, named #MerkyFC HQ, aims to provide opportunities in football, music and gaming.
The three-time Brit Award winner, who is dating presenter Maya Jama again, took to social media to reveal the news, sharing videos and photos of the facility on his X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts on Thursday.
Stormzy, 30, revealed online that the project has been three years in the making and thanked Adidas for their help on the project in his home town.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, the rapper revealed his inspiration behind the ordeal and spoke of his pride at its completion.
Stormzy has opened a new multi-purpose youth centre in Croydon named #Merky HQ
The rapped, who is dating presented Maya Jama (left) again, revealed the project took three years to complete
He shared a video on his social media accounts detailing the facility aimed to provide opportunities in football, music and gaming
'I still can't believe we've done it, created an entire space that encompasses everything that's been part of my journey. Music, football, youth culture, community and gaming,' he said.
'I just thought, "What would I have wanted when I was a kid?" It's funny because to me, sometimes, community can be a bit of a buzzword. But at every stage that is who we've considered.'
'If you just provide a space, an opportunity or you just light a spark in someone, you don't know where or what that person goes on to be. I had a youth centre where I would go and make music..
'To me it's about sowing a seed, which sounds like a parable, a bit like a fairytale, but I don't think people understand how powerful it is and how valuable it is.'
The centre is located minutes from where Stormzy grew up, and is primarily aimed at teenagers and young adults, though people of all ages can visit.
It is the latest of a series of projects around his Merky brand, which also provides opportunities for under-represented authors in publishing and helps support those seeking employment in the sports industry.
Stormzy also helps provide financial support for black students looking to study at Cambridge University.
The 30-year-old is also involved in various other projects, including providing opportunities for under-represented authors in publishing
Stormzy also went onto discuss his beloved Manchester United, whose season he said has been 'painful'
Speaking to BBC, he also opened up on Manchester United's season so far. The rapper is an avid football and United fan, and was a guest on the last-ever episode of Soccer AM.
'No comment, next question,' he said. 'It's been very painful this year, let's put it like that.'
He also co-owns non-league club AFC Croydon Athletic alongside Wilfried Zaha, who compete in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South.
'I think on the pitch, the football's been wicked,' Stormzy said of their season. 'We've made the play-offs. The goal for this year is to try and get promotion. But it's been a wicked experience.'
English (US)