Focus on Tinchy Stryder

2009 is proving to be a big year for 22 year old, Ghanaian born and East London based Tinchy Stryder. After being tipped as a rising star by the likes of Radio One, Wiley, and (bizarrely) MP Norman Lamb, this Star In The Hood has scored two consecutive top 3 hits, (including the no. 1 single for three weeks 'Number 1'), supported Akon and N-Dubz on sell out arena tours, launched a flourishing merchandise line with the kind of kudos and turnover that would impress Phillip Green, and completed a degree in Digital Arts and Moving Imagery at University of East London. Following these successes Tinchy Stryder is now set to unleash yet another bonafide hit. Never Leave You' featuring Sugababe Amelle is the forth cut to be taken from his album Catch 22. Meanwhile Tinchy Stryder may only be 22, but he's no newcomer to the music industry. He started Mcing with his group 'Ruff Sqwad', aged just 13 and by the time he was 20, Tinchy had recorded his debut solo album, a huge hit on the grime scene Star in The Hood. From his early days as a young teenager with an unbroken voice on pirate radio right through to the present, one thing has remained constant - Tinchy's charisma, confidence and style when delivering his lyrics. With fans such as Mike Skinner (who featured Tinchy on two remixes), and Wiley (who christened him the 'Prince of Grime'), championing his unique presence on the microphone, Tinchy Styder has been consistently praised for his captivating flow and quick-fire, yet clear, delivery. 'Catch 22' is yet another milestone in Tinchy Stryder's ascending career. A move on from the sound of Star in the Hood, 'Catch 22', sees Tinchy working with a diverse range of producers (from. Fraser T Smith to Frank Musik) and guest vocalists (from Taio Cruz to Amelle) to create a signature sound that is not only fresh and current, but is also uniquely his. Lyrically the album focuses on Tinchy's day-to-day tales from his hood in Bow, and his ever changing life as a rising star in the music industry. Spanning the shiny and radio friendly 'Number 1' and 'Never Leave You' through to the gritty and bassline heavy, 'Stryderman' and 'Spotlight', 'Catch 22' seamlessly balances universal appeal with street credibility. An album for the boys and the girls, for today's young clubbers and yesterday's seasoned ravers, for pop lovers and grime fans, Catch 22 recently released by Island Records is set to provide the soundtrack to many people's summer this year. 'Never Leave You' featuring Amelle is now the top UK Single and top UK download. (16th August in Live The Mail on Sunday) Tinchy performed at the V Festival, before embarking on his first headline nationwide tour in September. Check out my favourite track off the album : Take me Back. Tinchy Twitter - myspace