“I got a black BM / She got a white TT / She want to see what’s hiding / In my CK briefs,” he raps endearingly on Miami 2 Ibiza. But on the bulk of the album, there’s a deep division between the plucky South London rapper’s contributions and the lashings of over-produced dreck that his producers lavish upon him.Įssentially Tinie’s a cheeky lad who wants the world and if he can’t have the world, then some cars and girls will certainly do. Unlike many rap albums, it’s not overlong – no 20-track indulgences or spoken word tributes to one’s maker here – and sustains its energy throughout.Ī few dancefloor-oriented tracks (Miami 2 Ibiza, Wonderman) make up the best moments, with the harsh, kinetic electro-grime providing the perfect backdrop to Tinie’s fruity, Dizzee-esque squawking. He’s clearly had a lot of help from every jobbing guest vocalist and producer on the block, and as a result it’s a slick piece of work. Tinie Tempah‘s debut is an expensive-sounding, meticulously produced mixture of rap, grime, electro and soul. But no: here comes another London rhymester who’s more likely to be allowed into the ball pool at a Wacky Warehouse than onto the Nemesis at Alton Towers. Coming with charisma, punchlines, and a self awareness the scene desperately needed back in 2010, Tinie Tempah crossed over and helped clear a path for other British rappers to follow.Dizzee, Dappy, Tinchy, Chipmunk: you’d think that the market for pint-sized purveyors of chart-friendly grime was well and truly saturated by now.

The Plumstead MC also teamed with Swedish House Mafia rapping over their rowdy dance production on “Miami 2 Ibiza”, while Kelly Rowland and Ellie Goulding appeared on two more starry top 20 singles (“Invincible' and “Wonderman').

Many artists would struggle to match that hit but more success followed- “Written In The Stars” featured pop culture references again (in shout outs to Malorie Blackman and Massive Attack) delivered with Tinie’s cheeky wink, but added inspirational lines about his come-up and a huge chorus. The lyrics covering The Hills’ stars, Concorde, The Addams Family, Southampton and Scunthorpe proved a shout-along hit at parties, clubs and on radio, taking the track to UK No.1, a BRIT Award and an Ivor Novello. Tinie’s debut single “Pass Out” portrayed the 'very wild lifestyle' he aspired to (and would soon be living) coupled with a chorus and beat from Labrinth, which expertly mixed drum and bass, reggae and video game soundtracks. At the start of the last decade, long before Stormzy and Dave arrived, Tinie Tempah breathed new life into UK rap and grime, signalling that artists from the genre could top charts, have fun and stay credible on Disc-Overy.

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