A RAPPER is on the verge of signing a record deal with a "huge label", according to his manager.
Eb Isiakpona, 17, of Glory Mead, Dorking, will fly to New York in January to negotiate with three labels, after sending out a six-song demo tape to producers.
The former Ashcombe School student, whose stage name is Kourageous, has a channel on website YouTube which has attracted more than 27,000 visitors, and said he was "buzzing" about the trip.
"It's a dream come true," he said. "I started rapping when I was about 12 but I never thought it would get to this stage.
"At first I would just let my friends listen to it and then it just got mad and people I didn't even know were putting my songs on their phones and iPods.
"Now I'm going to New York to let some big players hear my songs and it is just crazy. I dreamed that life could happen like this, but you never really think it will."
Kourageous has spent the last three months recording his first album at Cobham Music Studios, with sessions paid for buy by an independent music company in the UK.
Speaking about the inspiration for the album – entitled LIFE: Living Is Fate, Executing – he added: "I've had a really hard upbringing and I think that comes across in my songs.
"But it isn't just about struggle – I rap about the fun things in life. I want to stay down to earth and remember my roots, even if I do become established. It is important to remember your roots and mine are Dorking. I think that comes out in my music."
Kourageous will fly out to New York with his manager, James Slim, who said the rap musician was "destined for the stars".
Mr Slim, 40, said: "I've worked in the industry for a while and as soon as I heard him I knew he had something special. I rang a producer friend out in America and let him listen to Kourageous' stuff and he told me 'do not let this boy go, he is going to make the big time'.
"He has set up a few interviews with some major labels but he knows his stuff and has already told us he will get a deal of some sort."
