Christian grime poet living in North Norfolk

Paul Wellings is a Methodist dub poet now living in Sheringham who performs at festivals and whose latest album is getting played on national radio. He's hoping to play Glastonbury next year. Tony Rothe reports.

Paul, who is also known as Anti-Social Worker was born in the London overspill and raised in the East End. He was one of the original rebel pioneers of underground black music on the iconic LWR pirate radio station in the late 80s. He attended drama school in Islington, North London where several other famous performers have trained. He is also an acclaimed author, broadcaster, journalist and spoken word artist.
 
In 1985 Wellings was lucky to land a prestigious freelance job on the music press with the New Musical Express (NME), and has interviewed hundreds of well-known musicians as well as activist Tony Benn and the notorious Reggie Kray.
 
Paul explains, “I'm Anti-Social Worker, a Methodist grime poet whose new album 'Militant Business & Grime Poetry' is getting played on Radio 1, 1Xtra and 6 Music. I've shared stages with John Cooper Clarke, Linton Kwesi Johnson and the late great poet Ben Zephaniah, who kindly called my album 'truly radical'.
 
“My faith impacts my work because my poetry is rooted in equality, social justice, community, diversity and inclusivity. I was christened at an early age and used to be a choirboy (an angel with a dirty face!) in the London Newtowns, but fell out of love with religion for many years and called myself a born again atheist.  But when I met my Jamaican wife about seven years ago, who is very religious, I found my faith again and have been attending a Methodist church in North Norfolk where they have been very accepting of my Christian Socialist beliefs.
 
"My faith is very important to me. I believe that Jesus was the most revolutionary figure in history, and was a compassionate social justice warrior.  I see myself as a progressive Methodist and have links with trade unions, refugee councils, food banks and homeless shelters.”
 
Paul’s album is available on CD format exclusively from leading indie black music label m1music.com. You can see more of his work on You Tube or on this link.

Paul will be performing with Attila The Stockbroker at Cromer Community Centre on Friday February 16 from 7.30 pm - tickets £10 from What’s On – Cromer Community Centre .
 
 
The photo of Paul above is courtesy of Paul Wellings.

Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in North Norfolk?  

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.