A rapper who rhymes about the trauma of his childhood hopes his raw and honest style will help him to break into the music world.

When David Hooker’s mother died the then seven-year-old’s happy family life collapsed around him.

His grieving father was left seriously injured after an assault three years later and as the teenager was passed from relative to relative, he started being bullied at school.

But a friend’s simple offer to rap with him changed the lonely course his life was taking.

He started taking part at rapping battles with friends at Carshalton High School and within a few years he had recorded his first song.

And with more frequent gig bookings on the horizon the rapper – whose stage name is Mighty Milkshake due to his pale features and childhood milk round – hopes his hard lyrics will help him to break into a wider music scene.

He said: “As soon as I started I got addicted to it.

“I was drinking with friends and getting kicked out of pubs, but I realised I had to grow up, because it would go downhill.

“I’ve always had a dream that I want my music to make something of me. It’s all I want.”

Mr Hooker, of Roundshaw, Wallington, raps mainly about the stress of his teen years. He has just written lyrics for his mum about how his family was “destroyed” when she died.

The 22-year-old, who was treated for depression earlier this year, said his music comes as a release.

He said: “I had a happy family – me and my brother and my mum and dad. But then it all went down the drain.

“I don’t have it anymore, but now I can forgive my dad for things that happened after my mum died because he lost a lot too: his wife died and then he was attacked by loads of boys who hit him over the head with a hammer. I was so young I didn’t take it too seriously, but it was.”