A Brixton teenager who was dealing drugs at 17 is set to release his debut single featuring American rapper Ghostface Killah.

Josh Osho fell out with his parents and began sleeping rough aged 16, and by 17 was dealing drugs from a halfway house in Lambeth.

Mr Osho, now 20, said: “There’s so much crime in south London because there’s nothing to do. When you’re growing up, you end up getting yourself into trouble because that’s all there is to do.”

But unlike many other south London teenagers, Mr Osho’s music offered him a way out. A guitar player and singer from a young age, Mr Osho was offered a record deal aged just 18 after a talent scout from Island Records heard him play.

He has been working on material ever since, and after hearing his debut single Redemption Days, multi-platinum selling rapper Ghostface Killah of the Wu Tang Clan asked to be a guest on the track.

Ghostface Killah said: “I usually don’t work with a lot of people, but my man Josh is in another lane.”

Ghostface Killah and fellow Wu Tang Clan member RZA have also offered to be executive producers on Josh’s debut album L.I.F.E (Learning Is For Ever). Mr Osho’s debut EP Redemption Days will be released on August 8.