FORMER gang members are turning their backs on the past and making music, thanks to a ground-breaking scheme.

Ghetto Superstarz has only been in business for two-and-a-half years, but has already rescued several teens from a future behind bars.

Its creator, Patrick Kingonzila, 25, from West Croydon, is the brother of murdered teen Oliver Kingonzila, who was stabbed to death outside a South Croydon bar in September 2008.

Patrick is currently fighting deportation to the Democratic Republic of Congo because of a conviction for burglary, but his friends say the good work he has achieved is a strong reason to keep him here.

He co-founded the artist management company in 2007 with Tresor Ifonge Leblanc, 28.

Artist Christopher "PAGE" Rose, 25, is launching the firm's first commercial album this month.

Tresor, who lives by the Croydon Flyover, said: "The majority of our performers were in gangs, and some of them in rival gangs, who have turned their backs on that negative culture.

"Our only rule for joining is that they give up the gangs and the crime.

"On a practical level, we don't want to waste our free time and energy on people who place no value on their lives and could throw away everything we do to help them.

"But the real reason why we do this is because of what we have seen around us – talented young men who have died for nothing.

"Patrick has really thrown himself into the project since his brother was murdered, because his pain runs deep."

He added: "Patrick is an incredibly talented hip-hop and R'n'B artist, but most important of all, he has inspired a lot of young kids to leave their destructive lives."

Ghetto Superstarz, which has a studio in Woodville Road, Thornton Heath, currently manages 17 musicians aged between 15 and 25 – most of whom were gang members.

PAGE, who is the star of the new album called The PAGE Continues, out on June 28, said: "Patrick saved my life – I was caught up in the 'wrong crowd' as a kid and my lowest point was being constantly shot at in cars.

"If not for his mentoring and support, I wouldn't be here today."

Another young protégé, former DSN member Mario "BULLY" Crawford, 18, of Thornton Heath, said: "If not for Patrick and this project, I would be dragged back into gangs.

"I've had a lot of fights and been arrested a lot – Patrick spotted my talent and changed my life."

PAGE's 21-track album, which features a range of collaborations, will be released in HMV, on iTunes and on websites including Amazon, for £6.99.

Anyone wishing to get in touch with Tresor and the Ghetto Superstarz team should e-mail gsrecordsltd@hotmail.co.uk