A NORTH Ayrshire rapper says more needs to be done to support young people interested in music.

Ross McGuiness, aka Shadoh, has been making hip-hop and grime for a decade and says things have not improved for children who want to express themselves through music.

Shadoh said: “There is a problem with the council and government.

“The lack of resources is a real concern of mine.”

Shadoh moved between different care homes in North Ayrshire when he was growing up, including Harley Place Children’s home in Saltcoats.

“I’m really trying to help folk just like me.

“There’s tonnes of us in Ayrshire, there’s tonnes of us in Scotland.

“We’re way behind the times.”

Shadoh said he was always musical. Inspired by his gran who played piano and sang.

He told the Herald: “For somebody who is in the unit, it’s not easy. There’s nothing to encourage music.

“There’s no support. It’s really bad.”

In care, listening to rappers like 50 Cent and Eminem inspired Shadoh to write his own lyrics.

When he got out, Shadoh said the first thing he did was put money in someone’s account and ordered a £60 microphone on Ebay.

He attended James Watt College, now West College Scotland, when he was 16.

There he met people with common interests and began recording.

He said: “It’s more than just music. It’s therapy.

“A pen is the weapon of choice. It’s a non-violent alternative, and that’s what young folk need.

“I’m lucky that music is that release for me, for other people it’s something else.”

His latest track, Fibonacci, is a reflection of what he says he lives every day.

Writing about what he has experienced, he said, is his way of “fixing” his brain, allowing him to process life.

Last year, Shadoh said, was “rocky” with relationship breakdowns and family members moving away.

He said: “Without music I don’t know where I would be.

“We need to start normalising it, because it’s a route to employment.

“Every job I’ve ever had has been through people I met in music.”

Shadoh wants to see more support for young men especially, citing the “epidemic of losing young boys in this country”.

He said: “There are tonnes of people with a story and a way with words, who have artistry.”

He admits that the music isn’t for everyone and understands that this is in part down to offensive lyrics.

He said: “Grime is modern British culture, it’s a reflection of what’s happening.

“If people don’t like grime then they should be talking to the government about it.

“We don’t want to be living like this. We have to make music to benefit from it.

You can hear Shadoh’s music on his Soundcloud at Shadohmusic, and he will be releasing visuals to accompany new tracks on Youtube.