Emeli Sande with Doreen Lawrence

Emeli Sande with Doreen Lawrence

Emeli Sande and Ed Sheeran will headline the Unity Concert in memory of Stephen Lawrence.

The pop stars will perform at the star-studded event along with the likes of Rizzle Kicks, Labrinth, Plan B, Jamie Cullum, Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, Rudimental and Soul II Soul to mark 20 years since the murder of Stephen Lawrence.

The concert is in memory of Stephen, who was stabbed to death in London in 1993 in a racially-motivated attack.

The show will will raise funds for the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust - founded by Stephen's mother, Doreen Lawrence - which aims to encourage disadvantaged youths to enter into professional careers.

Emeli - who has had hits with 'Next to Me' and 'Beneath Your Beautiful' - admits she was encouraged to take part in the one-off event because her family life was affected by the shocking incident and she wants youngsters to have freedom, regardless of their race or age, to chase their dreams.

Speaking at the launch of the Unity Concert, Emeli told BANG Showbiz: "I remember I was quite young when it happened. By coming from a mixed race family it was an issue that we spoke about, the issues you face being mixed race and this being something that happened in our country so definitely, it had a big impact on my family.

"This is the ultimate goal no matter what colour, age, what socio-economic background you come from, people want to be free. And this is why I'm involved."

Further names will be added to the line-up in coming weeks.

The Unity Concert will take place on September 29 at London's The O2 venue.