CYP Now - Introducing Mantra Music: The world’s first record label exclusively for care experienced artists

Before I was 25, I wrote an album about my life in care. I sent it to radio stations and at first, no one listened. I also sent it to a 100 social services email addresses which I found on google. Luckily a few saw value in my music so I started helping young people with songwriting in the care sector when I could.

Ric Flo is the creator of Mantra Music. Picture: Sound Delivery

Around five to 10 people within the care sector got back to me. One of them told me to come to Swansea and perform with the young people there and that's where I saw the impact of my music. The reflection of my experience in Swansea is in my song Do You.

Being in foster care since I was eight years old (I’m 36 now), I saw there was virtually no representation and inspiration for care leavers within the public eye. And the catalyst for my music career was asking the question, “if hip-hop is the voice of the voiceless, why have I never heard from the perspective of someone who has been in foster care?”

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