A murdered teen has been 'brought back to life' in a heartbreaking music video about his own death. Grim artist Joshua Ribera, better known as Depzman, was just 18-years old when he was fatally stabbed outside a Selly Oak nightclub in September 2013.
Now, footage of the tragic teen rapping about his own death has been released as a poignant reminder of the impact of knife crime, Birmingham Live reports. The video, created using deepfake AI technology, features Joshua singing about his childhood, his rise to fame, his family and his death - and how it has affected those he left behind.
Joshua's devastated mum Alison Cope held him in her arms as he died in hospital and has since devoted her life to campaigning against knife crime. She visits schools and prisons with the message that 'if you pick up a blade, you have to be prepared to say goodbye to your family and friends.'
Watching the video for the first time left Alison, from Mosely, overwhelmed and in floods of tears. "It's horribly horrific but amazing at the same time, it's like he is alive," said Alison, who has put up billboards around New Street Station raising awareness of the video.
"Never before has a victim of knife crime done their own video. It's heartbreaking to see him and hear his voice, it's really hard to watch. But that's the idea - to do something we haven't done before to make people stop in their tracks."
She said of the deepfake AI video: "It's as if Josh is there. He says this is who I was, this is what I was like as a little boy, and how I became well known and had a really bright future that was taken away from me."
Joshua had received his first pay packet for his new album on the day of his death, having already toured with globally famous grime star Skepta. His killer Armani Mitchell, also 18, was later jailed for life.
Alison has dedicated her life to educating young people about the dangers of knife crime and hopes this video will inspire people to think about their actions. The short film features clips of Josh as a little boy, as a 10 year-old, at 14 and at 18.
The song and video are being released today (Saturday October 22) on SBTV YouTube channel, the urban music platform founded by Jamal Edwards. It has already won the support of the NSPCC and many of Joshua's contemporaries and fellow performers.
The NSPCC is a partner to the campaign so that people can find out more and seek help if they are struggling with the impact of crime on their life.
"Having the NSPCC as a partner is something I'm really proud of," said Alison, who was awarded a Pride of Birmingham Award for her tireless campaigning work.
"When Josh died, everyone turned to me. I cannot deal with the UK coming to me again so the NSPCC is backing this campaign to be there to support anyone upset, worried or concerned about knife crime. They can be the point of contact this time.
"I think it's so important to do something that makes a difference. I think lots of people are desensitised to it. You hear of a 14-year-old being stabbed, a grieving mum, and we say 'how terrible' but then nothing changes. And then the same thing happens again, on rotation. But it is so preventable."
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