Future pop star Usman hits the right note (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Future pop star Usman hits the right note

11:00am Monday 28th January 2013 in News By Rhys Thomas, T&A Reporter

A Bradford-born youth worker with dyslexia, who became homeless at the age of 14, has released his debut single.
In 2010, Usman Rehman declared on live radio his dream was to make a record with mulit-award winning and internationally-reno-wned producer Rishi Rich.
Fast-forward to 2013 and Rehman has achieved that dream, releasing Jadon Holi Jai, which was produced by Mr Rich and has become a  hit on iTunes.
Usman, 26, a vocal coach and young offenders worker, said: “Jadon Holi Jai was one of my father’s most loved songs and it felt right to go with this as my launch into the world of music.”
Usman, whose talents were spotted on YouTube, now lives in Manchester after being signed by Boiler Room Records.
It represents a remarkable turnaround for someone who left home in Bradford Moor as a young teenager.
He said: “My parents split when I was 14 and it was almost taboo and unheard of within the South Asian community. It was a difficult time. I moved from pillar to post, from care homes to hostels until I found my feet.”
Talking about his dyslexia and how music helped his battle with it, Usman said: “When I was growing up people and teachers didn't understand what dyslexia was or how to deal with it and I was left to my own devices.
“I knew I wasn't the brightest but I knew that I just learned in different ways. It was a very frustrating time.”
Mr Rich said: “Usman is one of the most talented singer/songwriters I have encountered.”