A Bellsmyre Rap star has an extra spring in his step this week after learning he's been shortlisted for a music industry award.

Stephen Trainer, 26, a former pupil at Our Lady and St Patrick's High School, told The Reporter how he's "surprised" and "proud" to be shortlisted for a gong at this month's Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA).

Stephen will join hundreds of other Scottish artists at The Garage in Glasgow on Wednesday, October 12 to find out if he will be crowned the Best Hip Hop Artist.

Delighted Stephen said: "I'm happy I got a nomination as I was quite surprised and wasn't expecting it at all.

"I knew about the SAMA's and I know a few people who have won in the past and never really thought I'd be in the running for one to be honest, so I'm extremely proud to be in this position and more proud to represent my town- as the hip hop scene is dominated by artists from the cities of Scotland."

Performing on the Scottish rap scene for the last seven years and having released his successful first album, Sonrise, last year, Stephen, also known as Symba, is riding on the crest of a wave.

And he revealed how he got into the music scene, saying: "I had wrote a few things before but I really just started by writing down what I was thinking and feeling about my day to day life and it just sort of developed from there.

"It's kind of hard to explain it, I was just sort of drawn to expressing myself and this seemed the most suitable outlet.

"My major influences are the usual mainstream rappers who I grew up listening to that everybody can name.

"Style wise at the minute I'm more influenced by the new school modern rappers of today and the types of instrumentals they use.

"But really I draw my influence and inspiration from what I'm experiencing and feeling in life and what's going on around me.

"I don't feel like I can write or make songs about anything unless I've had some sort experience with it. It sounds cliche but it is what it is."

This year has seen Stephen artist enjoy further success on the back of the release of a number of music videos, including Here, Name Around Town and They Don’t.

And he hopes his growing appeal can ensure he has a long career in the music industry, saying: "I would love if I could make this a viable career path but at the minute I work full time fitting security systems and do this in my spare time, the way the music industry is just now I don't think there is a chance of me making a sustainable living off it.

"Scottish and English still struggle purely because it is a difficult industry to crack but if it was possible then yeah, that's exactly what I would do and that's the dream."

Stephen admitted he'd be over the moon if he bagged the top nomination next week.

He said: "It would be great to win as I feel over the past year I've put in a tonne of work and invested a lot into it.

"Also I've fully committed myself to it more than years before and I know people see what I've been doing for awhile but to get recognition out with the folk I know who enjoy my music would be a sign I'm sort of going in the right direction as an actual music artist rather than just the local guy that makes a few tracks.

"I've just put out a free EP with all the stuff I've recently uploaded on YouTube this year.

"But the plans for the rest of the year are just keeping the work rate and quality consistent, maybe put out a couple more videos and then take it as it comes but a couple more videos before the year ends and I'll be happy."

The link to vote for Stephen in the competition is: http://officialsama.co.uk/vote/.

And you can find all Stephen's music at: www.iamsymba.com