Interview: Tinchy Stryder > <

 

Tinchy Stryder "Star in the Hood" is a chart topping musician; speaker at the Houses of Parliament;  clothing line owner; and now a computer game designer. Yep, the little big man, Tinchy Stryder, has created a level for LittleBigPlanet now available on PlayStation Portable.

The smallest man, arguably, to ever reach number one in the UK is fast becoming a big fish in a small pond. His first UK number one, 'Take Me Back'  (Tinchy Stryder feat. Taio) rose three places in one week but was swiftly overtaken by Tinchy Stryder ft Dappy, 'Number 1' - a track that spent three weeks at number one before being replaced by the (been around much longer) Black Eyed Peas 'Boom Boom Pow'.

No wonder then that Playstation reached out and asked him to create his own unique take on the world for their LittleBigPlanet PSP game.

Tinchy Stryder's positioned himself as next in the growing line of great MCs from East London - following on from his mates Wiley and Dizzee Rascal. Except, like his role in the LittleBigPlanet  PSP game, Tinchy Stryder's taking it to a whole new level.

Rivmixx caught up with the Star in the Hood to chat about making computer games, pop and politics.

 

Rivmixx: Hello Tinchy Stryder. You were recently named one of London's most influential people. How does that feel?

Tinchy Stryder: "It's a great feeling because that's a strong title. When I make music I don't really think that far ahead but when you are influencing so many people it's a great feeling."

R: Who had the most influence on your own career?

TS: "Wiley obviously gave me a hand coming up, taking me to raves and putting me on the radio. Dizzee I saw coming up before me. He was a DJ at first but when he got his chance he took it, opening up a lot of eyes to what was to come. Those two definitely created the path for people like me."

R: Do you think guys like Wiley and Dizzee made it easier for your generation of grime stars to come through?

T: "I can't say easier because I don't know how hard it was back then. Now there are more opportunities because people are always looking for someone new to come through. Back in the day it was just Wiley and Dizzee but now it is more like there is a group of us coming through."

R: You became famous as the 14 year old who rapped about having "tingz in boots" alongside Wiley and the rest. Do you think this was an advantage for you?

TS: "I don't think it helps in terms of the mainstream market because they wouldn't be aware of that. But if people do their research, and find out I have been doing this for a while, they realise I have come a long way."

R: Since then people, like you, have changed their style. Would you say you're more pop now, then grime?

TS: "I make popular music... It was just a natural progression; I haven't changed myself for anything or anyone. The more music you make the more things you want to try. When I am in the studio I just do whatever comes out. I am always recording and I do whatever I feel like. To me good music is just good music."

R: You are now a household name in Britain and a regular in the charts. Will you look to conquer America next?

TS: "Hopefully one day, because it is a big market. Right now it isn't in my plans. I don't think the UK has been cracked properly yet, I had a number two album but I would love to have a number one album."

R: Chipmunk hasn't, apparently, been coping well with his busy schedule and new found fame. How are you coping with it, and how is he?

TS: "I am cool, I take it in my stride. It is one of those things, if you decide this is what you want to do then you have to accept fame comes with it. You just have to stay grounded and try to enjoy it too. And Chipmunk is alright, he's cool."

R: Some of your best work has come from collaborations. Who are you looking to collaborate with next?

TS: "I haven't thought about that. When the time for the next album comes I'll start thinking about it. I don't believe in forcing these things, if it doesn't feel right I won't do it. If I could choose to collaborate with anyone it would be Jay-Z, he is the person I most look up to."

R: Like Jay-Z you were quick to get your own clothing range out. What made you start the Star in the Hood t-shirts?

TS: "Jay-Z was a huge influence. He showed it's not just about sticking to music, it's about branching out into other things. My first album was called 'Star in the Hood'. My managers and I decided to make some t-shirts to promote the album. They kept selling so now it's our own clothing line. It's nice how people follow it. A lot of people attempt it and fail, so we had to do it properly."  

R: Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb supported your career and even got you to speak at the Houses of Parliament. Are you interested in politics?

TS: "I've always known he supported me because his son, Alan, is my manager. But I'm not interested in politics. I went to the Houses of Parliament and it was a good experience but I am not up for being a politician or anything."

R: The latest thing you've done is design a whole level for LittleBigPlanet. How did that come about and how did you find it?

TS: "LittleBigPlanet reached out to me and Chipmunk while we were on tour, saying they wanted us to create a level on their game. I took a day off and just went in to design it. It's one of those things where you don't think about how it all works but when I was part of it I found it really interesting."

R: So, you're a football fan, right? Which leads to the big computer game question - Pro Evo or Fifa?

TS: "Pro Evo. Fifa is good but I choose Pro Evo 100%."

R: If Ghana meet England in the World Cup, who will you support?

TSt: (without hesitation) "Ghana! Should I have hesitated? I will support England too but if they meet it's Ghana all the way."

R: OK finally, what can we expect from Tinchy Stryder in the future?

TS: "I don't like planning for the future but I got a tour starting in February and another album out hopefully by next November. I just want to make more music, more albums and do more touring."

 

 

Written by: Jasveer Singh Gill

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