Video: It's a rap! Councillor gets down with the kids to an election themed rap
Step aside Snoop Dogg and jog on Jay Z, there's a new rap star proving to be big in the game.
But you won't find him dripping in diamonds, popping bottles or rolling in a Bentley. Oh no.
Instead, this hip-hopper will be found rocking out on the Wolverhampton City Council Enterprise and Business Scrutiny Panel or cutting the ribbon at community carnivals.
Councillor Zahid Shah, who represents the St Peters ward, has tried his hand at rapping in an attempt to win over younger voters - and has already got the backing of the lads of Whitmore Reans.
The 47-year-old councillor has posted a video of himself rapping an original song, with lyrics that he composed about the area, on YouTube.
The backing music and video were created by his nephew and Councillor Shah said it is an example of himself 'thinking outside of the box' to encourage young people to vote.
"The rap is about myself growing up in Whitmore Reans and seeing the way the area has become today," he said. "People need to vote, especially young people and it is frightening to think how many young people don't bother.
"I thought this was a good idea, it is me thinking outside the box and being honest with my words."
The video has got more than 1,300 views in just a few days, which Councillor Shah - who counts Wu Tang Clan and Tupac as his inspirations - says he is pleased with.
He said: "I was surprised how quickly the view count went up.
"I want people to see the video, it shows I care about where I am from.
"I have had young lads from the area coming up to me asking when part two is coming out, when I tell them I'm not a rapper they say that I did a good job, so its nice to know that I have got some respect from the people who the video was intended for.
"What you don't see from YouTube views as well, is people are watching this in groups, so as many as 3,000 people would have seen the video."
The councillor said despite the video being his first personal foray into the world of hip hop culture, he is a big fan of the genre.
"I love rap music," he says. "Some of my favourites are the Wu Tang Clan, Biggy, Tupac and Snoop Dogg.
"I like to have it on in my car when I am driving."
However, the video has been met with scepticism by Liberal Democrat candidate for St Peters, Jonathan Webber MBE, who said it was a 'non idea'.
He said: "It is not so much a good or a bad idea, but a non idea. It will not draw in the younger voter.
"If any of them have seen it it's more likely to faintly repel them.
"This is not something I would inflict on the good people of St. Peter's myself."
But Councillor Shah said he felt other politicians were 'jealous' of his work, which he feels has struck a chord with people in his area.
He said: "There is bound to be people who are jealous of what I have done and the success I have had with it.
"I put my neck on the line, took a risk and it feels to me like it has paid off.
The Wolverhampton councillor isn't the first person to mix rap music and politics.
In 2012, Rhys Hutchings, of Welsh comedy hip-hop group Goldie Lookin Chain combined the two after becoming a Labour councillor for the St Julians ward in Newport.
Councillor Shah concluded: "I don't see why politics and rap can't meet in the middle."
