Devlin

»Dagenham rapper Devlin is preparing to wow thousands of fans at Glastonbury Festival.

The grime MC hailed for biting, clever, almost cinematic lyrics, will play the major summer festivals including Reading, Leeds, T in the Park and Wireless in London.

Devlin also announced he is working on new material to follow up on his acclaimed debut, Bud, Sweat and Beers.

The new album, set for release in early 2012, could be a “coming-of-age” scrapbook of deep, polemical metaphors celebrating his landmark 21st birthday last month.

He said: “A lot has happened so fast.

“I am doing new things. I live more like a young man. I am a more mature person. I have lots of things to say.”

The powerful lyrics, praised for undiluted, bittersweet street music, promises to take Glasto’s East Stage by storm, playing just before headliner Professor Green on June 25.

He said: “I can’t wait. I did a few gigs last year, which worked great, but this year I’m doing a lot more. I’m more involved.”

Born in Dagenham to a council worker mum and forklift driver dad, Devlin professed he was destined to write, forever doodling word-play and poetry. A self-proclaimed underground hero, he amassed a reputation as a freestyle master and king of pirate radio on Rinse FM and other stations from the age of 13.

In 2010, Devlin took a giant leap by signing a deal with Island Records after a five-label bidding war.

He added: “At the moment I’m on tour. Every chance I get I’m in the studio. I’ve got a lot of material.

“It gets surreal sometimes but I want to make sure I make the most of everything.”

n Devlin plays Wireless on July 2, T in the Park in Scotland on July 7 and Reading and Leeds on August 26 and 27.