Emeli Sande, Jessie J and Jamie Cullum to headline Stephen Lawrence tribute concert

By SARAH BULL

Published: 15:28 BST, 18 June 2013 | Updated: 09:22 BST, 19 June 2013











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Emeli Sande, Jessie J and Jamie Cullum have been announced as just some of the acts who will be headlining a concert in memory of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, 20 years after he was stabbed to death in London.

The event - to be staged at London's O2 Arena - will raise funds for a trust set up in his name to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Plan B, Rizzle Kicks, Jessie J, Tinie Tempah and Ed Sheeran are also in the line-up of stars taking part in the show on September 29 designed to champion young people.



Heading the line-up: Emeli Sande was announced as one of the acts for a Stephen Lawrence tribute concert in September

Stephen's mother, Doreen Lawrence, who founded the trust, said: 'We work every day to empower youth and we're so proud that the music industry is joining us in reaching out to change the lives of young people. I want young people to feel inspired, be confident and have hope in their own future.

'There have been a further 106 racist murders since Stephen was killed 20 years ago and there are still too many young people who do not have a sense of hope.'

Stephen was just 18 when he was stabbed in a racist attack in Eltham, south east London, in April 1993. Two men - Gary Dobson and David Norris - were found guilty of the murder last year and the police investigation still remains 'live'.







Belting it out for a good cause: Jessie J and Jamie Cullum will be performing at the O2 Arena on 29th September



All star line-up: Emeli, Rizzie Kicks and Rudimental posed up with Stephen's mother Doreen at the launch event at Abbey Studios on Tuesday morning


The Metropolitan Police were criticised for their handling of the initial investigation and, as a result, the force was judged to be institutionally racist in a subsequent public inquiry.

Anniversary: The event will mark 20 years since Stephen was stabbed to death in London

The show, Unity: A Concert For Stephen Lawrence, has been backed by London Mayor Boris Johnson. Artists also include Rudimental and Soul II Soul.

Emeli performed for around 100 people including schoolchildren at a launch event at London's Abbey Road studios which also included Mrs Lawrence and the Rizzle Kicks.

Mrs Lawrence said the money raised by the concert would help her foundation, which has struggled for funding in recent years, drugs continue its work for another 20 years.


Multi-award winning Scottish singer Sande said that Stephen Lawrence's murder and Mrs Lawrence's subsequent campaigning had had a bid impact on her family.

She said: 'I was quite young when it happened but coming from a mixed-race family it was a big issue that we spoke about, and (we also spoke about) the issues you face being mixed race and this being something that happened in our country.

'It had a big impact on my family and all the work Doreen has done has felt very empowering - that you can speak out about these things and changes can be made if you are brave enough to stand up.'

To donate money please visit Justgiving.com/slct/Donate or text SLCT20 followed by either £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 to 70070 e.g. 'SLCT20 £10' to 70070.

To buy tickets, which go on sale on Friday, click here.