Tempah Is The Night...
By TIM DAVID HARVEY
Disturbing London once again, Tinie Tempah is back! It may have been eleven years since the last album ('Youth') from Plumstead's very own, but don't discount the 'Demonstration' artistry from a man who has so many clothes he probably still keeps some in his aunt's house. Ever since the 2010 release of his definitive 'Disc-Overy' discography released, to the month, a sweet sixteen years ago, Tempah has set the grimy tempo of UK rap music. Not to mention, other artist's own discographies. Like Labrinth? It was Tinie who helped set that big 'Earthquake' up in here. Stormzy. Little Simz. They all have Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu to thank, like Kano, Skpeta and Giggs.
After huge hits, like 'Pass Out', the future of this rapper, singer and television presenter was 'Written In The Stars', so to sing. As British as a cup of tea and biscuits, but as dangerous a talent as some of his contemporaries across the pond, in the New York birthplace of hip-hop, Tinie Tempah put us in the UK on the rap map. 'Not Letting Go', he's already passed the equally legendary Dizzee Rascal for most number one singles by a rapper from the United Kingdom. His middle name, "Chukwuemeka", in lbgo language means "God has done more", and the Lord, and his mysterious ways, really have for the platinum and gold star of Nigerian descent. Ever since using a thesaurus in class to juxtapose his name and ameliorate the aggressive sound of anger in his last. Following the inspiration he found watching the massive music video of So Solid Crew's '21 Seconds' to go. The wordplay has been potent ever since as we say bonjour and hello to Uncle Fester once again, for someone who says he's getting goose bumps, "like R.L. Stine". Genius credit!
Turning Disturbing London into the UK's Def Jam or Rocafella records, kicking in the door with big smoke. Performing at Glastonbury with uncle Snoop Dogg. Teaming up with the iconic Swedish House Mafia for 'Miami 2 Ibiza'. Brits, MOBO's and a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Tempah could even take on the Bane of Tom Hardy, as it seems the 'Mobland' and 'Peaky Blinders' actor could him in the rap game, if you've seen that latest music video with the Wu-Tang Clan. But now, Tinie is taking on the enormous challenge of returning to the game he hasn't played for in over a decade. Will it still be the same. Will he. His before its time sound sounds nostalgic now, but that's just nuanced in a good thing for all those who miss the good old days and the ways it paved. You can hear all that on strong singles like, 'Eat It Up', 'Closer', 'Living Life', 'Energy', 'Heaven Or Hell', 'To The Floor' and 'Rude x Badger x Travy'. X, like this marking the spot on these collaborations with Skepsis, Abi Flynn, Daecolm, Alex Mills, Reggie, and AFROJACK and Tropkillaz on the last cut, respectively.
Collaborations also come thick and fast with a 'Backstage' Elipsa and HolyBrune on the Japanese inspired 'Studio Ghibli'. An animated Tempah also takes hip-hop back to its storytelling roots with the compelling arc of '10 Minutes Later', as inspired as New Jersey's own presenter Joe Budden's own ten-minute track off his eponymous debut that pumped it up. From the dark 'Don't Ask Me About Last Night', to the 'I Lied' lyric video, Tinie is resurrecting the night he once ran with, like Richie. Party, but no bulls### for the rapper who can switch styles like he British GQ pioneers fashion. On 'Start A Fight' the beat punches with more dark, cinematic auras ready for Halloween. 'Cause It Feels So Good' and 'Body 2 Body' keep the sexy style in check. But it's 'Get My Attention' that will really get yours as Tempah raps, "back with a vengance/with sir independent/ask my accountants how we been spending/don't at me come out my mentions/aura winter collections/living like you ain't trying to see your pensions/eight to tens in our sections/no videos, not natural selection (whoo)." Yeah, don't call it a comeback!
Playlist Picks: '10 Minutes Later', 'Living Life (Tinie Tempah x Daecolm)', 'Studio Ghibli (Feat. HolyBrune)'.
Spin This: Tinie Tempah - 'Disc-Overy'.
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