Express & Star

Wolverhampton rap artist releases charity single for childhood friend

A Wolverhampton rap artist has unveiled a heartfelt track paying tribute to his childhood friend who has a rare form of cancer.

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James 'Lem The Lyricist' Lyman, aged 22, is aiming to spread awareness and raise vital funds for his lifelong pal Latham Grant, through his song My Day One.

Latham, 21, from Dudley, who plays for Stafford Rangers Football Club, is raising £40,000 for specialist treatment in Mexico for his nasopharyngeal cancer, which affects fewer than one in 100,000 people.

James, whose songs have featured on BBC radio, filmed the music video with his and Latham's family and friends outside St John's Church in Wolverhampton city centre.

The former pupil of Dormston School, in Sedgley, said: "Latham has been more like a brother to me than a friend. The song is a message to say get better soon and come home better from treatment, and a thank you for everything he has done for me and to act as a boost for him. He is feeling much better in himself lately."

Latham has already been to Mexico for the start of his treatment, and plans to return in February, James said.

The track took him around 40 minutes to write.

"It is like the words came to me out of nowhere," James said.

"Family and friends took part in the music video including Latham's brothers Jarrod and Casey.

"As far as planning for the video went, I asked people to turn up and the guys who filmed it , P110, gathered ideas for filming and we agreed on everyone standing behind me as Lath's support. It was metaphorical if you like.

"Latham's family were there, who are Christians and they said prayers."

The music video has appeared on the YouTube channel of the UK-based production company P110 and has amassed more than 3,000 views.

In the video, James and fellow cast members wear grey jumpers which have a picture of Latham on the front in a boxing stance.

On the back are the back of the jumpers are the words 'Lath The Living Proof'.

"That is the name what Latham wanted to be called," said James. "It is to show that there is alternative therapy out there for cancer aside from the mainstream, like a movement."

Latham was diagnosed with the cancer on June 22.

One in 100,000 people with cancer have the disease which affects the throat, nasal passages and lymph nodes of patients.

Latham could go down the common routes of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to fight the cancerous cells but in his case can have as low as two per cent success on someone with an already strong immune system.

Therefore, after hours of research, he decided to raise money for an alternative treatment in Mexico - including oxygen therapy and undergoing an alkaline diet.

At the time he said: "I've had to change my life a lot and start eating better. Not so much adding the healthy foods but cutting out the unhealthy and artificial foods. It adds up toxins and creates an environment for disease. A lot of my family and people close to home have suffered from cancer before and not made it through. I believe that was a lot down to the treatments they were receiving like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

"I don't believe that's the best option to have but at the same time when people are scared they don't know what to do.

"I think it makes more sense to down the route I'm going with the nutritional side of stuff. The success rate of chemo and radiation is very low at around 2.5% but the statistics for the treatment I'm having are more like 99%."

To watch the music video, visit expressandstar.com

To donate to Latham's fundraising page, visit www.youcaring.com/latham-grant-622264

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