J-KWON - J-KWON STILL FEARS 'LIVING ROUGH'

Despite being one of America's biggest hip-hop stars J-KWON still fears becoming homeless after spending five years sleeping on the streets from the age of 12.

The TIPSY rapper walked out on his mother because she wanted him to be "ordinary JERRELL JONES" - the MC's real name - but he credits his difficult teenage years, sleeping rough and begging for money, for giving him the determination to forge a successful musical career.

J-Kwon explains, "From age 12 I slept on the streets, friend's couches, cars, outside restaurants - anywhere. I did what I had to do to survive. I've spent most of my life taking care of myself.

"I kept asking people if I could sleep in their cars, did what I had to do to make ends meet - it was hard. So I value everything I have now.

"More than that though, I don't want ever to go back to being homeless. I'd hate that."