The incredible life-story of a wannabe boxer turned hip hop star from Scotland has been told in a new book by an author from Paisley.
Stevie Creed, otherwise known as the Brooklyn Scotsman, was just a teen when he left his hometown of Edinburgh for the Big Apple.
Norman Macdonald tells how Stevie went to America to train as a professional boxer, but ended up a hip-hop artist headlining shows, recording albums, and filming music videos on both sides of the Atlantic.
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His book’s title ( The Brooklyn Scotsman ) takes its name from the moniker Stevie earned for himself in some of the toughest neighbourhoods of Brooklyn, New York, where thanks to the help and kindness he received from the Black community – who befriended and adopted him as one of their own – Stevie triumphed over the adversity he faced on his coming-of-age odyssey to become The Brooklyn Scotsman, as his new-found friends named him.
The autobiography tells of how Stevie found himself in frightening scenarios during those formative years. One part tells the story of how he had an Uzi machine pistol held to his head by one of the Crips gangsters and witnessed shoot-outs and murders on the streets.
Another section details how, to fool robbers that would confront him, he would carry a wallet full of Monopoly money to hand over and he once pretended to be a drugs detective from the UK to get himself out of a sticky situation with a group of gang members.
The Brooklyn Scotsman has thus far received praise from one of Scotland’s most-loved authors, Sir Ian Rankin, who said of the book: “It reads like fiction, but it actually happened. A hugely enjoyable book. Bravo!”
And actress Linda Lusardi adds: “What an adventure. This is an incredible read – it’s a must!”
Stevie Creed himself, said: “It’s amazing how reading the manuscript made me realise just how much of a risk I took going to live in some of the toughest neighbourhoods in New York on my own at such a young age.
“But it also made me appreciate the help I received from the Black community in Brooklyn and how they helped me survive and make me what I am today – The Brooklyn Scotsman.”
Norman Macdonald said: “It’s fair to say in journalistic terms I’ve been round the block more than a few times having spent years as a newspaper reporter, PR consultant and now an author.
“I’ve covered a right few big stories in my career and when I heard what Stevie had got up to in America, I knew right away he had a fantastic tale to tell.
“Now all these amazing stories are in his autobiography, everybody can read about how he became The Brooklyn Scotsman.”
The book is published by Macdonald Media Publishing and is available for £12.99 from www.thebrooklynscotsmanbook.com.
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