Respectacles (From The Oxford Times)

Respectacles

TIM HUGHES talks to Tinie Tempah, the self-styled diminutive rapper with big opinions. DOLLY Parton isn’t the first singer to come to mind as an inspiration to Britain’s hottest new rap talent. But when London urban star Tinie Tempah was a kid there was no escape from the saccharine-voiced Tennessee country star. “My mum is hot on Dolly,” laughs the rapper, real name Patrick Okogwu. “You can still recognise my home because there’s a vinyl of Dolly Parton in the window.” Tinie’s music-loving Nigerian mum Jacqueline was always a big influence. But, tuning in to local pirate radio stations, he heard something which changed the course of his life – the mighty So Solid Crew. “The first time I heard them I knew what I wanted to do,” he says “I had to become an MC.” And when he heard that the 30-strong Crew were shooting their new video near his home, he camped out to get their autographs – and dream about being one of them. “I was able to relate to them,” he recalls.

TINIE TEMPAH:the self-styled diminutive rapper with big opinions

“They were young, black, south London kids like we were. They were urban musicians, and I wanted to be like that too. “That day, watching them make the video, I realised that this is where it was at for me. I didn’t want to do anything else. “They liked nice cars and women – and that’s what I wanted; who wouldn’t?” Two years later, Tinie, then 14, sneaked out of his house to join grime star Wiley’s Eskimo Dance party, catching the likes of Lethal Bizzle and Tinchy Stryder. From rapping in the playground, things moved quickly. He was introduced to some of the scene’s biggest shakers, such as N.A.S.T.Y. Crew’s Sharkey Major, and asked to join grime crew Nu Brand Flexx, then Terror Danjah’s influential Aftershock collective – before going it alone, recording a cult hit DIY video for the tune Wifey Riddim, and setting up his own Disturbing London Records label. Spotted by Wiley, he was asked to feature on his song Fly Boy and alongside Ironik and Tinchy on a remix of Tears.

But the big break came when he recorded a song for PlayStation game Wipeout. The popularity of his Hood Economics Room 147 and Sexy Beast mixes ensured it wasn’t long before the major labels came calling – and Tinie got himself signed to Parlophone, an achievement he announced on his Milkand2sugars.wordpress.com blog by running a competition, in which the winner was invited for high tea at Claridge’s. The deal has now seen him release debut single Pass Out. Album The Disc-Overy is set to follow. A creative artist moving in the coolest circles, Tinie has always remained true to his roots – and himself, avoiding the image of the bad boy rapper. “I’ve never tried to be anything other than what I am,” he says. “I was well brought-up, I liked school, I liked learning, I’m well-educated, and I’m well-spoken. I want to show that you can always do more; there’s always more to achieve, wherever you’re from and whoever you are. That’s the undertone of the whole album – aspiring to be more.” If any proof were needed of Tinie’s arrival, news comes this week that he is among the 10 most played artists on BBC radio and TV. Not a bad achievement for a new face. Then there’s his selection for the Bizzare Tour – a showcase of new urban music also featuring Chipmunk, Daisy Dares You, Skepta, and Tenny Ten – which arrives at the Oxford O2 Academy on Saturday. It promises to be a lively night. And that’s putting it mildly. “I’ve got some crazy fans who’ve done some crazy stuff,” grins Tinie. “And you should see the lengths some of them will go to, to get backstage on a tour like this!” It must be hard for a young man to cope with such temptation? He laughs. “When I brought out my DIY music video I was only 16, and I got so much attention. You should have seen all the girls! “But I still want other things. I’m in a situation where I’m doing what I love and I want to sustain that for as long as possible and make the best music possible. “It’s a privilege to see urban artists having massive success – it has shown everyone that they can make music, get out there and be successful.” Possessed of a strong social conscience, Tinie has been an outspoken critic of knife and gun crime and recorded a charity record for murdered south London footballer Kiyan Prince, who was stabbed while protecting another boy who was being bullied. “We lived in Peckham, but when we were young my parents moved us out,” he says. “They felt it wasn’t an atmosphere they wanted the family to grow up in. People were being stabbed and killed, so they said ‘guys, we are moving out’. We went to Plumstead when I was 12 – which was much quieter and greener. “I have never gone out of my way to share a message,” he admits. “But it’s important to have a connection with youths – and action speaks louder than words. Just being there and interacting means more than saying, ‘Don’t pick up a gun’.” And his country & western-loving mum remains his biggest fan. “She loves my music – and is happy that I’m out here doing what I want,” he says. “She even collects all my newspaper interviews – and that will include this one. “Who knows, I might even record a Dolly Parton song for her – just to make her happy.” Bizarre night out Oxford’s O2 Academy goes all grime on Saturday, with the arrival of the Bizarre Tour – a raucous circus of rap and pop talent. Doors open at 6pm and the line-up looks like this: Tenny Ten: 6.20-6.35pm Skepta: 6.45-6.55pm Daisy Dares You: 7.10-7.40pm Tinie Tempah: 8-8.30pm Chipmunk: 8.50-10pm