English emcee Tinie Tempah (born Patrick Chukwuem Okogwu, Jr.) hails from South London. He was in his teens when he issued his first single, "Wifey," which packed sweetened swagger and became a hit in the underground. Tinie subsequently established the Disturbing London (aka DL) label and released 2007's Hood Economics: Room 147: The 80 Minute Course, a mixtape featuring drop-ins from Chipmunk and DVA. The Parlophone label took note and signed the rapper, whose 2010 singles "Pass Out" and "Frisky" topped various singles charts in the U.K. The tracks led to The Disc-Overy, Tinie's proper debut album, issued later in the year. In 2011, he embarked on a U.K. arena tour, and later that year released two new singles "Like It or Love It" featuring Wretch32 & J. Cole, and "Lucky Cunt," which featured Big Sean. He also collaborated with Calvin Harris on the smash hit single "Drinking from the Bottle" in 2013 and was included on Harris' album 18 Months. In mid-2013, he announced details of his long-awaited sophomore album, Demonstration. Two singles ("Trampoline" featuring 2 Chainz and "Children of the Sun" featuring John Martin) were released, giving audiences a glimpse of his future material. The album arrived that autumn and debuted on the U.K. charts at number three. Additional high-profile guests included Dizzee Rascal, Ty Dolla $ign, Big Sean, Emeli Sande, Paloma Faith, and Laura Mvula. The rapper returned in 2015 with his sixth mixtape, Junk Food, which featured Stormzy, Giggs, Ms Banks, and a club-friendly single, "Not Letting Go," featuring Jess Glynne. "Not Letting Go" topped the U.K. charts and would be featured on his third LP, Youth, which was released in 2017. The album also featured "Girls Like" with Zara Larsson and "Text from Your Ex" with Tinashe. ~ Andy Kellman