London rapper Franklyn Addo, who performs as MC Franklyn, turned down his place at Cambridge University because the city “has no music scene”.

The 17 year old had been offered a place to study Politics, Psychology, and Sociology at Cambridge, but has instead chosen to read Sociology at the London School of Economics so that he could remain in London.

Franklyn grew up in Hackney, East London, and on his decision to attend the LSE instead said, "I love London so much I don't want to leave. I prefer the modern buildings rather than the old cathedral-style ones in Cambridge."

"Also, it would have been harder to carry on doing music if I was in Cambridge and there isn't much of a scene there — I only know one rapper."

Franklyn’s comments come days after St Johns announced Big Boi, one half of multi-platinum artist OutKast, as the headliner for their May Ball.

Franklyn has been rapping as MC Franklyn for three years, and now works with Victizzle, a MOBO Award winning producer.  He released his first mix tape ‘Just Being Frank’ last month, and already has an album coming out this summer.

However, Franklyn, who saw classmates jailed for gun and knife crime, does not view himself solely as a rapper.

"I know some people will be surprised that I am a rapper and academic but for me it is all one," he said.

"A lot of my inspiration for my music comes from literature or I might think something we do in sociology class might be relevant to people, so I write a song about it."

"One of my songs is called William Wordsworth and I rap about how similar rap is to poetry.

"I didn’t want to make a big deal about getting an offer from Cambridge, but I am pleased to be an encouragement to people. I am just a normal kid."