(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Chipmunk made sure he worked hard in school because he didnt want to become a statistic.

The 20-year-old British rapper is one of the hip-hop industrys most exciting stars right now, having collaborated with a host of top US musicians including Chris Brown and Keri Hilson.

The star hails from north London, and admits that when he was a teenager he worried that he wouldnt succeed academically like some of the other youngsters in his neighbourhood. For that reason the musician worked hard on his A-Levels, the exams taken by British students hoping to go to university, and achieved good grades.

Not many people where we came from got A-Levels, I didnt want to be a statistic, he explained on BBC Radio One.

Chipmunk admits he probably could have achieved even better grades if his passion for music hadnt got in the way. The rap star began recording his first solo album I Am Chipmunk back in 2008, and admits he was more preoccupied by his career in his late teens.

I couldve done better and in my A-Levels but that would have meant solely giving 100 per cent, he added. Bearing in mind I had a career I think I did the best I could. (C) Cover Media