Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott at London Fashion Week, February 2010
Background information
Birth name	Victoria Louise Lott[1]
Born	(1991-01-12) 12 January 1991 (age 21)[2] Bromley, London, England
Origin	London, England
Genres	Pop, electropop, dance-pop, R&B, soul
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, actress, dancer
Instruments	Vocals, piano
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Mercury, Interscope
Website	pixielott.com

Victoria Louise "Pixie" Lott (born 12 January 1991)^[1] is an English singer-songwriter, dancer and actress. Her debut single "Mama Do" was released in June 2009^[3] and went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart.^[4] Her second single "Boys and Girls", also topped the UK charts in September 2009. Her debut album Turn It Up was released in September 2009. It reached number six on the UK Albums Chart, spawned five consecutive Top 20 singles, and sold over a million copies. Her second album, Young Foolish Happy, was released on 14 November 2011. "All About Tonight", the first single from that album, entered the charts at number one on 17 September 2011, making it her third UK number one hit.

Lott is often credited for her live performances and style.^[5][6][7] In July 2010, Lott appeared as a guest judge for the auditions for the seventh series of The X Factor in Cardiff, covering for Dannii Minogue, who was on maternity leave.^[8]

Lott has released "Boys and Girls" as her debut US single on 24 August 2010. The release coincided with the TV premiere of her first film, Fred: The Movie. In January 2010, Lott was named one of 2010's "Faces to Watch" by US magazine, Billboard.^[9]

Early and personal life[link]

Pixie was born in Bromley and lived initially in Petts Wood and then Bickley, all suburban areas of London.^[10] Her mother gave her the nickname Pixie from when she was born "such a tiny, cute baby who looked like a fairy".^[11] She started singing in her church school^[11] and when she was five she attended the Italia Conti Associates Saturday school in Chislehurst, she went on to attend the main school – Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts – at 11, where she was awarded a scholarship.^[12] At the age of 13, Lott moved with her family to Brentwood.^[13] During her time as a student she appeared in the West End production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, and in BBC One's Celebrate the Sound of Music in 2005, aged 14,^[14] as Louisa von Trapp.^[3] At the age of 14, she was part of the chorus, recording vocals on Roger Waters's opera Ça Ira.^[12] Despite missing school time because she was recording her album, Lott says she received straight 'A' grades in her GCSEs.^[15]

She was voted No. 45 in 2010 and No. 31 in 2011 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women list.^[16]

She cites Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston as major influences on her style of singing.^[17]

Music career[link]

2008–09: Early career[link]

In 2006, at the age of 15, she sang for L. A. Reid after he heard a few of her demos.^[12] He then signed her to the Island Def Jam Music Group. After a change of managers a bidding war ensued, and Lott parted ways with the Island Def Jam Music Group, to sign with Mercury Records in the UK and to Interscope Records in the U.S.^[12] She formed a publishing deal, as a songwriter, with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in December 2007, while in the midst of writing and recording tracks for Turn It Up.

Lott played her first festival concert in the Big Top at the Isle of Wight Festival 2009, during her first full British tour, where she supported The Saturdays on The Work Tour.

[edit] 2009–10: Turn It Up

Pixie Lott performing at the launch of Blackpool Illuminations in Blackpool, Lancashire on 4 September 2009

She released her debut single, "Mama Do", on 8 June 2009. The video, directed by Trudy Bellinger, was released to MySpace in Lott's news section and has gained in excess of three million views on YouTube.^[18] It entered both the iTunes chart and UK Singles Chart at number one, after over 50,000 sales. Lott was quoted as being shocked at the success of the single.^[19] The song was also recorded in Simlish for Electronic Arts' The Sims 3.^[20] It spent one week at number one, eleven weeks within the top forty and eighteen weeks within the top seventy five.^[21] The single also had considerable success outside the UK, reaching the top forty in eleven other countries, including top ten peaks of number eight in Denmark and number ten in France. The single was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry on 28 August 2009 after selling over 200,000 copies in the United Kingdom.^[22] On 15 August 2009, Lott was featured alongside Hoobastank, The All-American Rejects, Kasabian, Boys Like Girls, Estranged and Raygun as one of the live acts at Asia's very first MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia concert.^[23] Lott's second lead single "Boys and Girls" was released on 6 September 2009 and topped the UK Singles Chart on 13 September 2009.^[24] During the week in which it reached number one, the single sold just under 50,000 copies.^[25] It spent nineteen consecutive weeks within the top seventy-five, including eight within the top forty, on the UK Singles Chart.^[26] The single has been accompanied by a music video and was directed by Diane Martel.^[27] It was also released in the US as her debut single on 24 August 2010. On 14 September 2009, Lott's debut album, Turn It Up was released. This followed an intensive promotional tour where Lott visited the Asia-Pacific region to promote the album and 'Mama Do'. The album debuted at number six on the UK Album Chart. The album has sold over 600,000 copies in the United Kingdom and was certified Double-Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry in August 2010.^[22] Lott has written a song for Alexandra Burke's debut album, Overcome, titled "You Broke My Heart" and a song for Girls Can't Catch titled "Happy Alone", which was featured as a free Christmas present download on their website. She also has written two tracks on Lisa Lois – the Dutch X Factor's winners album, they are titled "No Good For Me" (1st single from the album) and "Promises, Promises" (2nd single from the album). Lott's third single from the album was confirmed as "Cry Me Out" upon the release of the previous single and the single was later confirmed for physical release on 23 November 2009.^[28] The music video was directed by Jake Nava (director of recent videos for Beyoncé, Leona Lewis and Shakira) and was shot in Cuba.^[29] The fourth single, "Gravity", was released in the UK on 8 March 2010, following the premiere of its video on Channel 4 on 6 February 2010. Lott won two MTV EMA Awards MTV Europe Music Awards 2009, Best UK & Ireland Act and Best Push Artist (best break through artist).^[30] Lott won a Cosmopolitan 2009 Ultimate Women Award for Ultimate Newcomer.^[31] In 2009, Lott won The Caron Keating Breakthrough Talent Award at The Variety Club Awards.^[32]

"The Way The World Works", from Lott's debut record was used in the U.S.-produced medical drama Private Practice.^[33] Lott was chosen as the face of Nokia's "Illuvial Pink Collection" mobile phone range, saying "I spend loads of time on my mobile, so it's important to me that it looks good. The phones in the range all look fab – they're stylish and yet still girlie."^[34] Lott was nominated for British Breakthrough Act, British Female Solo Artist and British Single at the 2010 BRIT Awards.^[35] Lott also served as the opening act of Rihanna's Last Girl on Earth Tour in the UK 7–26 May 2010.^[36] Lott also performed on the main stage at the V Festival in August 2010.

Lott was cast as Judy, Fred Figglehorn's crush, in the film Fred: The Movie, starring alongside Lucas Cruikshank. The comedy was released on America's Nickelodeon channel on the 18 September 2010, and is scheduled to be released in UK theatres in November.^{[37][38][39][40]} The fifth single from Lott's album, the title song "Turn It Up", was released on 7 June 2010.^[41][42] Lott recorded a song for the film Street Dance 3D, entitled "Live For The Moment", which is also featured on the soundtrack. On 23 May 2010, Lott performed at the Radio 1 Big Weekend in Bangor, North Wales, and on 4 July 2010 she performed at T4 on the Beach in Weston-super-Mare.^[43][44]

Turn It Up is due to be released in the US in 2011 with a significantly updated track listing.^[45] For the new "repackaged" version Lott has recorded duets with Jason Derulo and Joe Jonas.^[46][47] The album will include her newest single, "Broken Arrow".

Songwriter Chris Braide confirmed in an interview with HitQuarters that he has written three new songs for the repackaged album together with Cathy Dennis.^[46]

[edit] 2011–present: Young Foolish Happy

In April 2011, Lott told Digital Spy that "[t]here are a couple of really cool collaborations on the album and I've already worked with some big people, but I can't say who they are just in case those tracks don't make the final cut", and described the sound as "still pop stuff, but maybe a little more soulful. That's the kind of thing that I'm into. That influence is stronger on this album."^[48] The album is due out on 14 November 2011.^[49] Lott premiered the lead single "All About Tonight" on BBC Radio 1's The Chris Moyles Show on 11 July 2011; the single was released on 4 September and premiered at number 1, Lott's third UK number 1 single.^[50] On 17 September, Lott announced that her second album would be titled Young Foolish Happy and that it will include collaborations with Stevie Wonder and John Legend.^[51][52] The album will be released in the UK on 14 November.^[52] The second single was confirmed as "What Do You Take Me For?", featuring the rapper Pusha T; the music video premiered on 6 October 2011 with the single being available for download on 4 November 2011.^[53]

Filmography[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

Discography[link]

• Turn It Up (2009)
• Young Foolish Happy (2011)

Tours[link]

As the headline act

• 2010 – The Crazycats Tour

As supporting act

• 2009 – The Saturdays – The Work Tour (Selected Dates)
• 2010 – Rihanna – Last Girl on Earth Tour (UK Dates)

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pixie Lott

• Official website
• Pixie Lott at Allmusic
• Pixie Lott at the Internet Movie Database
• Pixie Lott's channel on YouTube

Terrence Thornton (born May 14, 1977)^[1] better known by his stage name Pusha T is an American recording artist, occasional actor and one half of the critically acclaimed hip hop duo Clipse. Along with No Malice, his brother and fellow member of Clipse, he released the album Hell Hath No Fury, which was praised by critics, many of whom consider it to be a cornerstone in Hip-Hop and one of the best rap albums ever made. He is also the co-founder and co-chief executive officer (CEO) of Re-Up Records along with his aforementioned brother. In September 2010 he announced his signing to Kanye West's GOOD Music label and on March 21, 2011, released his first solo project, a mixtape titled Fear of God.^[2][3]

Biography[link]

1977-2009: Early life and career beginnings[link]

Pusha T was born Terrence Thornton on May 13, 1977, in The Bronx borough of New York City. Thornton and his family soon relocated to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he and his brother, Gene 'No Malice' Thornton, grew up. In 1992 Terrence and his brother Gene formed the duo now internationally known as Clipse. With help from Pharell Williams the group eventually signed to Elektra Records in 1997 and released Exclusive Audio Footage, their only album under that label. Of the two brothers, Terrence was more open to features, appearing on Kelis' 1999 single "Good Stuff" and Nivea's 2001 single "Run Away (I Wanna Be with U)", respectively. In 2004, he and his brother launched their record label, Re-Up Records and formed hip hop group Re-Up Gang along with rappers Ab-Liva and Sandman. After four albums as the Clipse, under various record labels both Malice and Pusha T announced that they were taking time off from the duo to focus on their own respective solo projects.^[4]

[edit] 2010-2011: Solo career, GOOD Music and Fear of God

Following his signing to GOOD Music in September 2010, Thornton was featured on a number of fellow label mates' projects such as Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy appearing on his hit "Runaway" and premiering the song with him at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, 2010. He was also featured on many G.O.O.D. Friday tracks along with appearing on Swizz Beatz's "Bang Bang" for his Monster Mondays series, Lloyd Banks' H.F.M. 2 (Hunger for More 2) and tabi Bonney's Fresh respectively. On the week of December 16, 2010, Thornton signed exclusively with NUE Agency.^[5]

On February 11th, 2011 Funkmaster Flex debuted Thornton's first solo offering on New York City's Hot 97.^[6] The track, titled "My God", was produced by Hit-Boy and was generally well received by the public. Soon after, the song leaked onto the internet but was not officially released through iTunes and Amazon until August 24th, 2011.^[7] On March 21, 2011 Thornton released his first solo project, a mixtape titled Fear of God to critical acclaim. Soon after he began working on his EP Fear of God II: Let Us Pray, which initially included four songs from the mixtape and five original ones. The EP was originally set to released on June 21st, 2011,^[8] it was than pushed back to August 23rd, and for a while September 27th, 2011 was believed to be the date, however on October 6th, 2011 Thornton announced the EP is set to drop November 8th. In addition it was revealed he added four more songs to the EP making it twelve tracks rather than just the nine tracks that were previously announced.^[9] On July 8th, 2011, the first single off Fear of God II: Let Us Pray leaked onto the internet. The song, titled "Trouble on My Mind" features Odd Future frontman, Tyler, The Creator. The second single, "Amen" was released September 13th, 2011. The song, originally meant for Young Jeezy, was produced by Shawty Redd and features verses from Kanye West and Young Jeezy respectively. After the EP's release on November 8th, the project debuted at number sixty-six on the Billboard 200 with 8,900 copies sold in its first week released.^[10][11] It also entered at number ten on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, at number eight on Billboard's Top Rap Albums, and at number twenty-five on its Digital Albums chart. ^[12][13] In 2011 Thornton appeared on the second season of the HBO series How to Make It in America.^[14] He played the role of a henchman for Urban Caribbean League.

He is currently working on his solo debut album, yet to be titled, which is being executive produced by Kanye West and includes production from The Neptunes, Bangladesh, Ryan Leslie and Alex da Kid.^[15][16][17] Thornton has stated that after his solo album and the Re-Up Gang mixtape, Long Live the Cane, he and his brother Malice will release another album as the Clipse.^[18][19] On August 31st, 2011 it was announced Thornton signed a solo record deal with Def Jam.^[20] English pop singer Pixie Lott released "What Do You Take Me For?", the second single off her second studio album Young Foolish Happy which featured Pusha T.^[21] The song was a hit single in the U.K., peaking at number ten on the charts.

2012-present: GOOD Music Compilation and Solo Album[link]

On October 19, 2011, Kanye West announced on his Twitter plans for a Spring 2012 GOOD Music album release.^[22] On April 6, 2012, "Mercy", the lead single from the GOOD Music compilation album, Cruel Summer, was released.^[23] The song, produced by newly-signed in-house producer Lifted, features Pusha T along with Kanye West, Big Sean and southern rapper 2 Chainz.^[24] On May 24, Pusha released a diss track, "Exodus 23:1". It is speculated that the track was aimed at Drake, or Young Money in general. Lil Wayne responded with a diss track "Ghoulish", which debuted on Funkmaster Flex's show.

Controversy[link]

Consequence[link]

After releasing "My God", the first offering off his solo mixtape, former GOOD Music label mate Consequence took to Twitter and claimed Pusha T stole his flow and lyrics from a song of his that Pusha T was supposed to appear on titled "The Last Supper".^[25][26] On July 22, 2011 Consequence released a song titled "The Plagurist Society" where he takes shots and questions Pusha T’s coke-dealing raps. Towards the end of the record the Queens native promises to take aim at Kanye West next saying "You're nothing but a body shield, for that coward from the mid-west/ so yes you can bet, that your boss is next". Pusha T responded to the diss when he appeared on Chicago’s 107.5 WGCI’s The Morning Riot and said nobody is looking for Consequence, as for if he will respond on a record he went on to say "At the end of the day I am an artist and this whole rap thing is fun to me, so I can't say you won't hear nothing, but to go back and forth with him, it's not right, I won't get anything out of it."^[27] Later that day, Consequence called in to Chicago’s WGCI’s The Morning Riot in retaliation to the remarks Pusha T made about him. He also premiered a song titled "Everybody Told Me 2 (Straighten It Out)" where he disses West, Pusha T and GOOD Music in general.^[28][29] Since then Pusha T has responded to Consequence on a record. The song was the remix to Ace Hood's "Go 'N' Get It" which also featured Beanie Sigel, Busta Rhymes and Styles P. In the song Pusha raps "Consequence, nigga, talk is cheap You don't want a problem? Off the beef Before I off his ass with his awful teeth". On August 19, Consequence released Movies on Demand 3 and continued to diss his former label and Pusha T on songs such as "Career Killer" and "Mr.RapFix (Hot Water)". On September 15, 2011 Consequence appeared on MTV's Rap Fix and announced his feud with Kanye West and GOOD Music are over.^[30] While out in Chicago in October 2011, Pusha T appeared on WGCI radio for a second time, and confirmed that the "beef" was indeed over, that it had died out and they have moved on.^[31]

Drake & Lil Wayne[link]

Pusha T released a track titled "Exodus 23:1" as part of GOOD Music's GOOD Fridays dissing Drake and Lil' Wayne. Lil' Wayne responded on Twitter and later recorded a diss "Goulish".

Discography[link]

Albums

• TBA (2012)

Extended plays

• Fear of God II: Let Us Pray (2011)

References[link]

Tinchy Stryder
Tinchy Stryder at the Glastonbury Festival 2009
Background information
Birth name	Kwasi Danquah III
Born	(1986-09-14) September 14, 1986 (age 25) Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
Origin	Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
Genres	Grime, Hiplife, alternative hip hop, alternative rock, electronic
Occupations	Business manager, creative director, music video director, musician
Instruments	Multisyllabic rhymes, vocals, drums, percussion
Years active	1997-present
Labels	Takeover Roc Nation Takeover Entertainment Ltd Universal Island Records
Associated acts	Current: Ruff Sqwad, Jay-Z, Calvin Harris, Burns, N-Dubz, Dappy, Dizzee Rascal Former: Roll Deep, Maniac (more)
Notable instruments
Tablet computer (using REAPER / Cakewalk Sonar)

Kwasi Danquah III ( /ˈkweɪsi/  /dæŋˈkwɑː/ KWAY-see dang-KWAH) (born September 14, 1986),^[1] better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star in the Hood, is a Ghanaian musician, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman. He is the co-founder and co-chief executive officer (CEO) of Takeover Roc Nation.^[2]

Stryder rose to prominence with the song "Take Me Back" which peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart in January 2009. He then released the song "Number 1", (a collaboration with N-Dubz) which entered the UK chart at number 1 on 26 April 2009.^[1] Stryder later released "Never Leave You" with Amelle Berrabah from girl-group Sugababes which became Stryder's second number 1 on 9 August 2009.^[1]

Stryder has opened other ventures since the beginning of his success. He founded and is the creator of the clothing line Star in the Hood (company). He is also the President and chief executive of Takeover/Cloud 9 (music publishing company through EMI Music Publishing), and he currently serves as the Chairman and A&R executive of Takeover Entertainment Ltd.^[3]

Biography[link]

Early life & Education[link]

Stryder relocated to the United Kingdom from Ghana in 1995, and lived in Bow, East London and attended St Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School in Forest Gate, Newham; he gained a B.A. (Hons) in Digital arts, Moving image and Animation at the University of East London.^[4][5]

1997–2006: Career beginnings, Ruff Sqwad and Roll Deep[link]

Stryder's recordings date back to 1997, he started at the age of 13 in 2000^[6] on UK pirate radio in East London along with Dizzee Rascal and Wiley.^[7] Stryder went on to join the grime collective Ruff Sqwad in 2001 consisting of 5-grime artists, before the group expanded to six in 2004, then finally settling at 7, in 2006. His pseudonym Tinchy Stryder derives from the arcade game Strider which he played when he was young and from the nickname "Tinchy" given to him due to his short stature: his height at 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) in 2009^[8] then 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) in 2012^[9] making him in 2009 the shortest male artist ever to top the UK Top 40.^[8][10][11]

In 2002, the well-known grime collective Roll Deep of 13-grime artists was formed, and included Stryder and Dizzee Rascal as MCs (Master of Ceremonies). They were making music that was a derivative of UK Garage. For a while there was not even a name for it. The label "grime" was the one that stuck.^[12] While Stryder was a member of Roll Deep, he performed some songs including, "U Were Always" in 2002, which was released years later on Roll Deep's compilations album, Street Anthems in 2009. He also performed on Roll Deep's 2004 mixtape, Creeper Vol. 2. Back then he had a high pitched voice.^[12]

Stryder's music videos made a number of appearances on the Sky (UK & Ireland), Channel U (now Channel AKA) between 2004–2006 and he also made a number of appearances on BBC Radio 1Xtra taking part in freestyle rap, sometimes joined by his rap crew, (Ruff Sqwad), with whom he released with the studio albums Guns and Roses Volume. 1 in March 2005 and Guns and Roses Volume. 2 in October 2006.^[8]

[edit] 2006-2008: Star in the Hood, Cloud 9 The EP and Tinchy Stryder Vs. Maniac

The debut album by Stryder, Star in the Hood, was released on 13 August 2007 on Takeover Entertainment Ltd. The album spawned two main singles, "Breakaway", which was released on 9 April 2007 and "Something About Your Smile", released on 6 August 2007, with British singer-songwriter, Cylena Cymone. Bonus track "Mainstream Money" was also released as an underground single in November 2007.^[11]

In 2008, Stryder released his debut extended play, Cloud 9 The EP, which was released on 31 March, also on Takeover Entertainment.^[13] This was succeeded by Stryder and grime producer Maniac collaborating on the studio album, Tinchy Stryder Vs. Maniac, which was released on 24 November 2008.^[14] Only one single was released from the album, "Rollin", which was released in October 2008.^[15] This track was also included on Stryder's 2009 second solo studio album, Catch 22, as part of the, Deluxe 2-Disc Edition.

Tinchy also collaborated with Gang Gang Dance on the track Princes which featured on the Saint Dymphna (album) released in October 2008.

[edit] 2008-2010: Hit singles and Catch 22

Tinchy Stryder performing at Ipswich Regent Theatre in Suffolk, UK, April 28, 2009.

Stryder began a partnership with producer/songwriter Fraser T. Smith whom he originally contacted through MySpace and then met while supporting Kano on tour.^[16] According to Smith in an interview with HitQuarters, "Tinchy had no shortage of beats and cool sounding production, but I think he wanted to try and break through into the mainstream, and I had some experience crossing urban over into pop having worked with artists like Kano and Craig David."^[16]

His next single, "Stryderman", became his first single to chart in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 73. It was the first single taken from his second album, Catch 22. The second single, "Take Me Back", entered the official UK Singles Chart at 39 on downloads alone,^[17] one day before its official release. The following week the single moved up 36 places to peak position 3.^[18]

On 26 April 2009, Stryder's next single, a collaboration with N-Dubz entitled "Number 1," topped the UK Singles Chart giving Stryder and N-Dubz their first number one single. Stryder's fourth single from Catch 22, "Never Leave You", was released on 3 August 2009 with the album following on 17 August. "Never Leave You" went to Number 1 on the week of its release. Catch 22 debuted at Number 2 on the UK albums chart, only beaten by Calvin Harris. The fifth and final single from Catch 22 is "You're Not Alone," which was released in November 2009 and samples the Olive song of the same name.^[19]

On 20 July 2009, Stryder was part of a line-up at The O2 arena 3D ELEKTRO RAVE 2009, that included Caspa and Rusko, Frankmusik, and High Contrast.^[20]

He also took part in a charity song entitled "I Got Soul", a cover of The Killers' "All These Things That I've Done", which was to raise money for War Child charity. This song was released on 19 October 2009 and peaked at number 10 in the Official UK Charts and 19 on the Irish Singles Chart.

In February 2010, Stryder headline toured for the third time, he invited Example and JME as his supporting acts. The tour was Stryder's second sell-out tour after he toured in 2009 and helped in raising the profile of Example.^[21]

Stryder opened on the pyramid stage at the UK Glastonbury Festival, on Saturday 27 June 2010. He also performed at the O2 Arena, for the Transformation Trust's first birthday alongside The Saturdays and Stacey Solomon.^[22][23]

[edit] 2010-2011: Third Strike

Stryder's third solo studio album, Third Strike was released on Monday 15 November 2010, but it failed to match the UK commercial success of Catch 22.^[24]

Stryder began recording Third Strike shortly after he completed his previous album, he then released a promotional single, "Gangsta?", six month's prior to the release of the studio album. This was followed by Stryder releasing the first official single from it, a year from the day he released his second studio album. He began working with Fraser T. Smith who also worked on his second studio album. Taio Cruz produced the largely, along with Fraser T. Smith. The album title was picked as Stryder thought the album would be a smash hit, so he thought he would rip off the title of Street Fighter III 3rd Strike which was also a massive success. Third Strike features several artists, including Amelle, with whom he collaborated on Catch 22 on the single "Never Leave You" where the pair gained a number one in the UK. The album features Taio Cruz who also featured on the Stryder's last album. The album also features artists affiliated with Roc Nation: Canadian singer Melanie Fiona on "Let It Rain", American singer Alexis Jordan, and American singer Bridget Kelly on "Take The World". The song "Game Over" features six different artists. Eric Turner from the Swedish rock band Street Fighting Man also features on the album.

[edit] 2011-2012: Full Tank

The first single from this forthcoming solo studio album entitled Full Tank is "Spaceship" and it features Dappy from N-Dubz. Stryder performed at the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final in support of the single, making him the first rapper, contemporary artist and singer in history to perform at a UEFA Champions League final.^[25][26] Stryder teamed up with Scottish DJs/producers Calvin Harris and Matt Burns credited as 'BURNS', for the second single from this fourth solo studio album, "Off The Record".^[27] On Thursday, 3 November 2011, Stryder announced in an interview that his new album will be entitled; "Full Tank".^[28] On Tuesday, 3 January 2012, Stryder released the video for the third single from "Full Tank" entitled 'Bright Lights' which features British singer Pixie Lott. There is also another version of the song entitled 'Bright Lights Part II' that is featured on Pixie Lott's second studio album, Young Foolish Happy.^[29]

Other ventures and aspects[link]

Businesses[link]

Kwasi Danquah III
Born	(1986-09-14) September 14, 1986 (age 25) Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
Residence	Coloane, Macau Labone, Ghana
Nationality	Ghana
Ethnicity	Ghanaian
Citizenship	Republic of Ghana United Kingdom (naturalized 1996)
Alma mater	University of East London
Occupation	Business manager, Creative director
Title	Chairman & Creative director of S.I.T.H (2009–present) CEO & SEVP of Takeover Roc Nation (2010–present) Chairman of Takeover Entertainment (2010–present) President & CEO of Takeover/Cloud 9 (2009–present)

Takeover Entertainment Ltd.

Since 2006, Stryder's music career has been managed by Takeover Entertainment Ltd, comprising Archie Lamb IV and Jack Foster.^[11] Archie Lamb's father is Liberal Democrat MP, Norman Lamb, who has invested in Stryder's music career. Stryder became the company's Chairman and A&R executive in January 2010.^[11]

Star in the Hood (company)

Stryder founded the clothing brand Star in the Hood (company), named after his pseudonym "Star In The Hood", in September 2006, which he also named his first solo studio album.^[11]

Takeover/Cloud 9

In December 2008, Stryder, Archie Lamb IV and Jack Foster the two-man management team behind Stryder’s success, signed a joint venture publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing to create a global publishing company, Takeover/Cloud 9, which will enable Takeover Entertainment to publish the work of Takeover Entertainment's musicians and record producers in partnership with EMI.^[30]

Takeover Roc Nation

In June 2010, Stryder signed a business deal with Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter to ally Stryder's company, Takeover Entertainment Ltd, with Roc Nation LLC.^[11] The new leg of the company is called Takeover Roc Nation.^[2]

Endorsements[link]

Honda Motor Company, Ltd.

On Tuesday, 8 November, 2011, Honda's motorbike division hired Stryder for their pan-European campaign. The campaign featuring Stryder is being supported by Facebook, Inc., and a tie-up with fashion brand GAS in order to push the Vision 50, Honda's 50cc entry level scooter. The Vision 50 was launched on (8 November, 2011) at the EICMA (Milan Motorcycle Show) in Milan, Italy along with six other bike models.^[31][32]

Charitable causes[link]

On Thursday, 4 November 2010, Stryder performed at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, along with a couple of musicians and special guests for Alicia Keys' charity, Keep a Child Alive, charity ball. All proceeds from the tickets sales for the event was donated to Alicia Keys’ charity, Keep a Child Alive (KCA).^[33]

Personal life[link]

Stryder revealed in January 2010 that if his music career did not take off he would have become a professional footballer, by stating that: "I was quite athletic, I had to choose between football and music".^[35][36][37] Stryder was originally scheduled to be a professional footballer, being left-footed he played in the striker and second striker positions and was enrolled at the academy of Wimbledon F.C. from 2000–2003 and the youth team of Leyton Orient F.C. from 2003–2006.^[38]

Stryder is known to be a big fan of Manchester United. He has an executive box at Manchester United's football stadium, Old Trafford and considers himself to be their lucky mascot, as he told to Manchester United F.C. footballer and good friend Rio Ferdinand.^[39]

He plays golf in his free time and gives golf lessons to business partner Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and his wife Beyoncé Knowles.^[40]

Stryder also tries to return to Ghana and visiting his relatives whenever he can, as he can be "normal" there.^[41]

Discography[link]

With Gang Gang Dance

• 2008: Princes on Saint Dymphna (album)

Awards and nominations[link]

• See List of awards and nominations received by Tinchy Stryder

See also[link]

• List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart

References[link]

External links[link]

	Book: Tinchy Stryder
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tinchy Stryder

• Official website
• Tinchy Stryder discography at Discogs
• Tinchy Stryder at MTV
• Tinchy Stryder talks through Jay-Z business deal collected news and commentary at BBC
• MistaJam in conversation with Tinchy Stryder - MUSICIANS' MASTERCLASS 2011 collected video and commentary at BBC