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Singer Lauryn Hill meets London stabbing survivor

Steve Walker Lauren Hill, James Bascoe-Smith and his family at the 02 on Monday night Steve Walker
Lauryn Hill met James Bascoe-Smith (centre), who has brain injuries after being stabbed repeatedly in 2021

The mother of a 21-year old with brain injuries who was invited to meet the American singer and actress Lauryn Hill said the occasion made her son "feel like a superstar".

James Bascoe-Smith was stabbed multiple times whilst cycling in Brixton, south London, in 2021.

His heart stopped, and a lack of blood and oxygen to the brain left him with brain damage.

His mother, Lisa Bascoe-Smith, said the famous artist made her son feel "so welcome" backstage after her concert on Monday night at the 02 Arena in London.

Steve Walker James has pictures taken with Lauryn Hill and Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean. He is sitting in a wheelchair wearing a pale jacket and a big crucifix as a pendant. The musicians stand behind him.Steve Walker
James had photos taken with Lauryn Hill and her Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean

Speaking after meeting James, Lauryn Hill said she was supportive of his family in their fight against knife crime.

She said: "I think we try to do that with the music, we try to deconstruct some of the negative messages and let the (younger) generation know that you can be happy, you can be peaceful."

She added: "They can't be attacking each other and hurting each other.

"If they respect their own lives more then they will respect their neighbours lives more."

'Reality kicks in'

Ms Bascoe-Smith said her son is "all about" music: "He felt like he was someone up there, and special. It really made his evening.

"We had a really, really good time."

But she added: "We have these amazing moments but then we come home and reality kicks in."

In addition to his existing needs, James had just been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.

She can no longer work since becoming a full-time carer for her son.

Ms Bascoe-Smith said she did not want to say where in London they were living due to safety fears, but said she was battling to get moved from the ground-floor flat they were moved to after James came out of hospital.

She said: "The house where we are living is really dark and depressing. There are no windows at the front, because it's a car park and there are train tracks at the back.

"For James this is his worst nightmare. We've had mould and we've had cockroaches," she added.

James was just 16 when he was attacked by 20 year old Leon Rashid and 19 year old Taiquane Lewis. Both were convicted of conspiracy to murder, and jailed for life.

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