LK: Hi Tinchy, How are you? 

TS: What's goin' on, I'm cool!

LK: Why the moniker Tinchy Stryder?

TS: You know, Tinchy's cos I'm small for my age, and Stryder was just like a second name man

LK: Describe an average day for yourself?

TS: I wake up, make music, music first ya know, then go out and play pro evo, I kill anyone

LK: Nah man, I'd beat you

TS: I only play for money

LK: How much, your T-shirt business?

TS: Yeah man, let's do it

LK: Haha

TS: Then after that I probably perform in a rave, then go home and sleep.

LK: For anyone who's known about the grime scene for the last few years, you've been around since day, and even after a number of years in the game you're still so young. How hard was it to get taken seriously as a 15 year old?

TS: I was like enjoyin' it, I was just doin' what I was doin', writing lyrics and coming hard. I didn't even care about being taken seriously, and at the same time like, the olders showed me the level the music should be at.

LK: Who influenced you most out of that group?

TS: Wiley.

LK: How did you meet Mike Skinner from the streets?

TS: It came about cos I was speaking to his A&R, and he'd heard our music, and liked the scene, so he asked to have us on a remix.

LK: Although it has come a long way from a small group clashing and playing on pirate radio, how much mainstream success do you think grime has had, and do you think there is scope for more, or 'is grime dead'?

TS: Quite a big success, I mean the way the artists from grime have evolved into other things. I think as long as people who made grime are around, it's not dead.

LK: Who are your tips for the future, besides the obvious Chipmunk, Icekid, etc.?

TS: There's a kid called Merka, he must still be about 14, 15, and he's in Little Rascals. Watch out for him, he's killin' it

LK: What's better, UK or US rap?

TS: If you're including me, then UK

LK: What do you say about the people who protest against 'urban' music, as it inspires and glamorises violence, sexism and homophobia?

TS: I don't know, I hear where they're coming from. A lot of people listen to music religiously innit, but really, if they're gonna stop music then they have to stop films, comedians etc. because music won't change everything, there are more things they could do.

LK: What do you think is wrong with London that so many kids are turning to killing and robbing each other?

TS: I don't know, there's not much to do. Six weeks holiday with nothing but boredom and they look up to the olders who already entered that path. So they're trying to make money, and it's just boredom.

Tinchy speaks to the taxi driver

TS: Where's your favourite place in London?

LK: The west end, wastin' my money

TS: Favourite place to shop?

TS: I don't want to give it away, I don't want everyone dressing like us

LK: What's in the pipeline for The Prince of Grime becoming the king?

TS: I don't even wanna be King, people say 'cos I'm the Prince that's my Dad. I'm the Prince of the City. I'm doin' more music, but I can't say anything 'cos it's in the pipeline.

LK: If you could collaborate with anyone living today, who would it be?

TS: Wycleff, I think he's big producer

LK: Anyone dead?

TS: I don't know, I'm not really that old school but I guess Biggie

LK: And can we have a free t-shirt?

TS: Uhhh, I guess so, yeah man.

LK: Anything else you'd like to add?

TS: Watch out for everything we've got to do, Stryderman, go buy that, Ruff Squad, that's the click. Peace

STRYDERMAN AVAILABLE NOW ON ITUNES, OUT IN STORES ON AUG 5TH

Jayga Rayn

London Kicks 2008
 

Written by:
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