Custom House is a small community in the East London borough of Newham – famously known for the Excel Exhibition Centre and views of London’s financial districts. However, what many people don’t know is that it’s also home to a few up and coming artists such as Yxng Bane and Kojo Funds.
Unfortunately, the area is also known for its high crime rate and drug affiliated activities , peaking in summer 2018.
In June 2018 there were 221 crimes reported in the area; 211 in July and 222 crimes in August. Furthermore, between the months of January-December 2018, 347 anti-social behaviour crimes were reported.
Custom House is still a promising area in regards to the talented young people that live in there or have spent the majority of their lives there. But the high levels of recorded crime has given it a bad reputation and has also affected the lives of the local community.
Valli is a rising rap artist who has lived in Custom House for 18 years. Now 23 years old, the artist is much wiser and stays away from the life of violence and crime.
But it wasn’t so easy for Valli when he was growing up there.
“It was definitely a tough place to grow up in. If it didn’t affect me personally, I realised it always affected someone you grew up knowing.”
When asked about his music, Valli pointed out that his music doesn’t necessarily reflect the environment he grew up in. He wanted to stay away from the narrative of violence and crime, and make music more for himself.
“Growing up, I realised there was never someone to speak for the average person who wasn’t gang-banging or selling drugs. That’s what drove me to do music, so I could motivate the youngsters as well as getting their voices heard”.
The local community has made progress in recent years and many people are beginning to see hope.
Living there for 18 years, Valli has noticed significant improvement and hopes it continues for the younger generation:
“I’d say the crime has cut down significantly compared to how it was when I was growing up, but there’s still a lot of other changes that can be done to help improve the area.”
He went on to talk about what more is needed: “Public places where kids of the area can come together and communicate. As well as mentors in specialised fields that can help give the youth the advice needed to reach the specific job they’re looking for.”
Not only has the affiliation with drug use and crime affected many of the young men in the area, but it has also had a huge impact on the lives of young girls and women.
Lesley Thiago is a 23-year-old, aspiring screenwriter and director, who is currently studying film at the University of East London. She has spent the majority of her life living in Custom House with her family.
“I’ve lived here all my life. I’ve witnessed the people I’ve grown up with end up in prison because of something crime related or die prematurely.
Lesley lives opposite Russell Road, which has a significantly high death toll and much anti-social behaviour.
“I have a younger brother who’s in secondary school and I pray for his safety when he walks outside the house. Not too long ago a young 17-year-old boy, Lord Promise Nkenda, was killed down the road from my home.”
Nkenda was fatally stabbed in the Custom House area on Valentine’s Day 2018. Five teenagers were charged for the killing of Promise and subsequently found guilty of murder on 21 December following a trial.
But Thiago also sees how the area is moving forward now compared to previous years.
“There’s a lot of talented people that live here in Custom House – rappers, musicians, music producers, hair stylists, videographers. In a few years’ time, everyone will know Custom House for more than just its high rate in crime. Everyone will know it for being home of the rising legends”.
