Brooklyn Scotsman: Norman Macdonald's book tells story of boxer turned hip-hop star Stevie Creed

Stevie Creed was still a teenager when he left home and survived living in some of the toughest neighbourhoods in New York.

The Brooklyn Scotsman, written by Norman Macdonald, tells how Stevie went to America to train as a professional boxer but ended up a hip-hop artist, headlining shows, recording albums and filming music videos on both sides of the Atlantic.

The book also reveals how the kindness he received from the black community in Brooklyn helped him to overcome adversity.

Stevie recalls witnessing shootouts and murders, as well as having an Uzi machine pistol held to his head by a gangster.

He also describes how he was able to fool robbers by carrying a wallet full of Monopoly money to hand over.

Stevie Creed

Norman, from Paisley, told The Gazette: “It’s fair to say in journalistic terms I’ve been round the block more than a few times, having spent years as a newspaper reporter, PR consultant and now an author.

“I’ve covered a right few big stories in my career and, when I heard what Stevie had got up to in America, I knew right away he had a fantastic tale to tell.

“Now all these amazing stories are in his autobiography, everybody can read about how he became The Brooklyn Scotsman.”

Stevie, from Edinburgh, said reading the manuscript made him realise the scale of the risk he took when he went to live in New York on his own at such a young age.

He added: “It also made me appreciate the help I received from the black community in Brooklyn and how they helped me survive and make me what I am today – The Brooklyn Scotsman.”

Celebrated author Sir Ian Rankin, who has read Stevie’s story, described the new book as "hugely enjoyable."

He said: “It reads like fiction but it actually happened.”

Copies of The Brooklyn Scotsman, priced £12.99, can be ordered online at www.thebrooklynscotsmanbook.com.