Neil Fraser - aka Mad Professor - is an influential musician and producer who has worked with Massive Attack, Sade and Pato Banton.

He is also a father and runs a successful record label from his studios in Whitehorse Lane, South Norwood - a career which has seen him achieve world-wide success.

In recent years Neil has been criticised and commended in equal measure for speaking out about black on black crime and its links with the music industry and media.

Now - in an open letter written exclusively for yourlocalguardian - he urges teenagers to turn their backs on gang and knife culture in a bid to stop violent deaths among young people.

"While it is so easy to blame the youths for the senseless, unprecedented violence that we have seen in London this year, I hesitate to put the blame totally on you, the teenager.

The irony is, as we tell our youths don't kill', don't hate', one love' and respect' you have organisations like the BBC and MTV and other media companies, slowly brainwashing you into hating each other.

Any positive teachings are neutralised and wiped out, by the trendy pop/ragga/hip-hop culture, that preaches and promotes youth aggression - in particular, black on black violence and crime.

We approached the BBC in 2003 when, on New Year's Eve, two teenage girls were killed in Birmingham.

The reply was that they didn't think there was any connections between black on black crime, and the music that was being played.

I requested that programmes playing more roots-reggae, dub, lovers rock and soul should be encouraged, but stubborn bosses refused to change.

So, despite having several radio programmes and TV channels available, there is no station nor programmes for anyone wishing to listen to positive music from the 1970s or the 1980s, or to listen to music that historically promoted black pride and family values within the community.

I guess largely that because these crimes were mainly in the black community and the majority of white middle classes were not affected, the authorities did not think they needed to do anything about it.

However, since then we have seen the victims of the crimes getting whiter - and younger - with most youths in London being affected regardless of colours, age or creed.

We also have the problem that most youths in London don't feel that they have a fair chance to succeed in this society. By encouraging the glass ceiling', the media is inspiring a no-hope' attitude.

This leaves young people with thoughts of nothing to lose, nothing to gain' or - to coin a popular rap phrase - get rich or die trying'.

My message to you, the youths, is: Don't be brainwashed into self-hate and genocide.

When murder is committed, at least two lives are lost - the victim and the murderer.

Try to be an individual, and not follow the media down the hype' road.

You cannot get real respect by knifing someone - real respect is gained by forgiving your enemies, and walking away from gang war.

Finally, don't be fooled by the Americanisation that is promoted by the media. Real heroes don't kill their brothers, nor call them hateful names. Real heroes respect their sisters and their mothers."

Neil Fraser

aka Mad Professor