A Gipsy Hill rapper whose lyrics take inspiration from a tough upbringing on south London’s streets has been nominated for the Mercury music prize.

Former Norwood School pupil Speech Debelle, whose subject matters include her experiences living in hostels after being kicked out of home aged 17, has been thrust into the limelight by her inclusion on the shortlist for the premiere UK prize for “quality” music.

Her experiences have given her an edge that seems to appeal to her growing group of fans, and seen critical acclaim lead to her nomination.

Speech, whose real name is Corynne,- said: “I shouldn’t say this but I’m not surprised by it. This is the one award where I felt I had a chance.”

Talking about her life on the streets she has mixed emotions. “The people I met at that time and my experiences, good and bad, had a big influence on who I am,” she said.

Her whole album is a cathartic process documenting her life, she added, and so was aptly named Speech Therapy.

The former pupil of St Luke’s primary school in West Norwood, said she left home when she felt she “needed to explore the world on her own”.

While on the streets she set up her own-record label, but following a number of rejections from artists under major labels like Sony, she gave up on music for a while.

She dabbled in drugs and crime but returned to music in her early 20s and concentrated on becoming a solo artist.

After an initial knockback from Big Dada - famed for bringing international success to hip-hop giant Roots Manuva - she eventually signed with the label and saw her album released on June 1.

Now she is loving her success, but keeping her feet on the ground and back living with her mum in Mitcham.

She said: “I’m loving performing and the attention I am getting. I played seven different times during Glastonbury.

“I’ve got to look into it but i’m sure that’s some kind of record.”

She said she liked to believe she could win the Mercury prize but was honoured just to be part of it, and is already looking forward to her next album.

“Now I'm more confident in what I do,” she added .

Herne Hill chart-toppers La Roux have also been nominated, and are hotly-tipped to walk away with the prize.

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