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Christian Foley is a musician, poet, writer and educator who uses spoken word to reach school children and young offenders.
Amidst going viral, dropping hit singles and appearing on national television, the former Victoria College student found some time (and some rhymes) to tell Express what he would change about Jersey...
VIDEO: Christian Foley gets lyrical for the five things he'd change about Jersey.
Alright here's my five plans; my chance...
It didn’t suit most of my class, but they still got tied in,
Because there aren’t many other options for financially surviving
When you reside in this Island – So the other youth have to fly quick.
Pictured: Christian has had several high-profile hip hop partners in rhyme over the years, including Benjamin Zephaniah, Akala and Kate Tempest.
We had no choice if we wanted to avoid the calculators,
Making money the sum of Jersey’s parts – I think that you’ve miscalculated.
Most of my memories are Mimosa mostly miming at the bar for another double,
I’m not talking about the strength of the spirit and everything in it,
I’m saying that it’s double the price to the UK,
where I don’t have to bankrupt myself for a pint.
And the amount that I’ve spent at the Yacht Club,
I could by now have bought an actual Yacht Club
Catch me at the boat show, like what’s up? Not good.
Pictured: Christian performing under his rap name 'Just Muz'.
So for the nightlife you rock up at 8pm,
Hit that Natwest ATM; spend your pay with friends.
Then it straight up ends at two – now what to do?
There’s nothing to do.
It's too long.
Pictured: Christian lives in London, working as a poet-in-residence in schools and with Young Offenders.
Everyone who works in a school is a superhero or heroine
That should be reflected in every level of society.
Pictured: Christian has gone viral several times for his use of spoken word in the classroom.
Because education is what this island needs entirely,
Then we wouldn’t have people writing to the papers, Saying "I’m not racist… but" then talking about spaces,
Like this Island has a weight limit and will sink into the Channel
If you take in one family to be citizens.
Pictured: Christian has just debuted his latest track 'In the Moment' on Radio 1.
I am an immigrant.
I teach your kids.
And I will teach them what freedom is…
That someone’s value is not judged by pigmentation
You have space for the mansions; so don’t leave any woman or man shunned
And complain of immigration.
This is a beautiful place (even if it is quite expensive),
But you don’t preserve identities by building up your fences.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and not those of Bailiwick Express.
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