N-Dubz
Background information
Origin	London, UK
Genres	Hip hop, R&B, grime
Instruments	Singing, rapping
Years active	2000–2012
Labels	LRC (2000–2007) Polydor (2007–2008) AATW (2008–present) Island (2010–present) Def Jam (2010–2011)
Associated acts	Tinchy Stryder
Website	ndubz.com
Members
Dappy Tulisa Contostavlos Fazer

N-Dubz were a British hip hop group from Camden Town, London. The group consisted of members Dappy, Tulisa Contostavlos and Fazer.

N-Dubz were previously signed to Polydor Records before joining All Around the World Records. They had eight top 40 hits on the UK Singles Chart, the most successful being "I Need You", which charted at number five.

Their debut album Uncle B was released on 17 November 2008 and debuted at number eleven on the UK Albums Chart. The album has since been certified platinum for shipments of over 300,000 in the UK.^[1] Their second album Against All Odds was released on 16 November 2009, which debuted at number 6 in the UK. It went platinum within approximately two months of release.^[2]

Early life[link]

All of the members of N-Dubz were born in Camden Town^{[citation needed]}, North London, and two of them are of Greek heritage. They each attended several different schools, meeting together for the first time when they were about 13 at Haverstock School,^[3] and coming together as a group for the first time at about this age under the management of Dino's father, Byron Contostavlos (formerly of Mungo Jerry), who died on 12 April 2007.^[4] They had a hard upbringing, living on tough estates and experienced a lot first-hand as teenagers, including violence, depression, drug abuse, extreme financial difficulty, bullying, and gang culture.^[5][6]

Recording career[link]

2000–2007: Group formation and Polydor Records[link]

Performing as the Lickle Rinsers Crew, they released the singles "Bad Man Riddim" and "Life Is Getting Sicker by the Day", which became hits on English pirate radio stations.^[7]

After Lickle Rinsers Crew, they then became NW1, after the area they hail from, making their first music video in 2005 for the track "Everyday Of My Life", which received airplay on Channel U, recording more demos as NW1 such as "Don't Feel Like Moving", "Girl On Road" and "Livin Broke". Their first single to be released was "You Better Not Waste My Time", which was available for download only until their 2006 self-released single, "I Swear", which gained them their first mainstream notice. It wasn't until 2007's "Feva Las Vegas" (also self-released) that the group appeared on the UK charts, peaking at No. 57.^[8] Each member appeared on the second series of Channel 4's Dubplate Drama after they began to get noticed as a group.

After winning a MOBO Award for Best Newcomer,^[9] the group signed to Polydor Records and re-released their first single "You Better Not Waste My Time" on the label, which debuted at No. 26 on the UK singles chart. In mid-2007, Dappy released "Love for my Slum" with fellow UK artist Baker Troble. This song was number one on Channel U for many weeks and was a big hit with the UK underground rap scene but was heavily criticised by the media for a scene in which Dappy is stood outside a block of expensive luxury flats with a "rich kid" who is trying to look like a gangster. The Independent wrote, "His lyrics combine jealousy with anger: 'You got too much to lose / You're in a great position... You wouldn't last a minute where I'm from / You'd go missing / So appreciate what you got / 'cos I'm still wishing.' And then he grabs the rich kid by his coat, pulls him toward him, and punches him in the face. The silent boy falls instantly to the pavement..."; they then went on to put "Do scenes like these suggest that music videos are encouraging their viewers to indulge in criminality?".^[10] Dappy appeared on the television show Never Mind the Buzzcocks on 29 November 2007, on Phill Jupitus's team, and wore a trademark "Dappy hat", also giving one to Simon Amstell to wear as part of the gag. Despite vowing he would not return to the show, he appeared for a second time on the guest team on 4 December 2008 and for a third time, on Phill's team, which was broadcast on 18 November 2009.

[edit] 2008–09: All Around the World records and Uncle B

In May 2008, a song entitled "Ouch" surfaced along with a music video.^[11] The video for "Ouch" attracted over 4 million viewers on networking site YouTube in just over a month after release. On 6 August 2008, it was announced that the group had left Polydor Records and had signed to All Around the World records. The label predominantly specialises in dance music; however, they have occasionally released hip hop records such as Ice Cube's You Can Do It. The press release stated that the label would be releasing "Ouch" as the group's first single on the label in September 2008.^[12] The group's first album, Uncle B, was released on 17 November 2008. The album includes "You Better Not Waste My Time", "I Swear", "Feva Las Vegas", "Love for My Slums", "Ouch", "Defeat You" and "Papa Can You Hear Me?".^[13] "Strong Again" was touted as the third single to be released from the Uncle B album on 16 February 2009 and a music video was made,^[14] before the physical CD released of the song was cancelled for unknown reasons. The song charted for five weeks in the UK Singles Chart, peaking highest at number 24.^[15] Group member Dappy was featured in Tinchy Stryder's 2009 No. 1 single tentatively titled "Number 1", the video also featured cameo appearances from all N-Dubz's members.^[16] Due to the success of their debut album, the group embarked on their first headlining tour, Uncle B Tour. The tour was originally planned for 16 dates but due to high demand 5 extra dates were added. The tour was supported by Stevie Hoang and Tinchy Stryder with whom N-Dubz collaborated with on his No. 1 single "Number 1". The tour sold out within days.^{[citation needed]} During one performance, Tulisa fainted on stage. Multiple news sources reported that it was due to suspected swine flu.^[17][18][19] Jonathan Shalit, the group's manager, stated that Tulisa "was taken ill on the flight out to Greece on Thursday" and that "her bandmates are all very worried about her." The group were due to perform at Radio 1's Big Weekend on 10 May 2009, but their participation was placed in doubt while Tulisa was hospitalised.^[20] It was later confirmed that Tulisa had tested negative for swine flu and the group did perform.^[21][22]

The song "Wouldn't You" was then announced to be the seventh, and last, single to be released from the Uncle B debut album.^[23] The song was released digitally on 25 May 2009 and peaked at No. 64 in the UK.^[24]

[edit] 2009–10: Against All Odds

N-Dubz performing at the BBC in 2009

Tulisa and Dappy reprised their roles in the third and final series of the Channel 4 show Dubplate Drama. The story for the third series was mainly set around Laurissa's (Tulisa) relationship with her music manager and lead singer of an R&B group while tackling a drug addiction to cocaine. Dubplate Drama finished with Laurissa kicking her addictions and leaving in a taxi for a new life with her child.^[25]

N-Dubz appeared with other artists, including Tinchy Stryder and Pixie Lott, to record a charity song for War Child. The Noisettes, Chipmunk, MPHO, Ironik and Kid British also signed up for the project under the name The Young Soul Rebels. The music stars released "I Got Soul", a rewritten version of The Killers' "All These Things That I've Done", to raise money for marginalised children in war zones.^[26][27] Tulisa admitted she felt privileged to record the charity song. "It's an issue that hasn't been looked at enough. And you know, even until I found out about this event, I didn't really know that much about it, and that's saying something you know. And the fact that I'm only finding out now is not really good enough. So that was every reason for me to get involved." She told BBC Newsbeat.^[28]

The group embarked on a Christmas Party Tour beginning on 17 November 2009. They visited 10 cities across the UK performing songs from both albums Uncle B and Against All Odds, as confirmed by their official MySpace page.^[29] The tour was originally to be a taster of their new album, but it was announced that the album Against All Odds would be released a day before the tour starts.

The lead single from the group's second album titled "I Need You" was released on 9 November 2009 and charted at No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart. The album Against All Odds, was released on 16 November 2009,^[30] and charted at No. 6 in the UK Album Chart. The album went platinum within approximately 2 months of release.^[2] The second single, "Playing with Fire" features R&B/pop musician, Mr Hudson. The song reached No. 15 in the UK Charts on album downloads alone; however, when the single was released, it fell to No. 16, reaching a new peak at No. 14 the week after.

The music video for the third single taken from the album, "Say It's Over", was released on 5 March 2010 on Channel AKA. It was announced that the single will be released on 25 April, it reached No. 27 on album downloads alone before the single was released. In late 2009, N-Dubz announced that they will tour their current album, Against All Odds in spring 2010, making it their third tour in two years, starting on 31 March and finishing on 20 April. It included 17 shows with supporting acts Skepta, Talay Riley and Ultra. On 1 April 2010, they released their first book, N-Dubz – Against All Odds: From Street Life to Chart Life, which they described as "the answer to the critics, there is a lot of bad press about N-Dubz at the moment and this is going to put the record straight about who we really are and what we're about!", saying they want to put "everything out there", and Fazer also adding "It's going to surprise you!".^[31] The book also gives access to a secret N-Dubz website.

[edit] 2010–2011: Def Jam deal & Love.Live.Life

The group filmed a 6 part documentary, Being... N-Dubz, which premiered on 21 June 2010 on 4Music,^[32] and was later renewed for a second series in 2011.^[33] After much speculation, it was confirmed that US label Def Jam signed the group. The first release was the album Love.Live.Life, N-Dubz's third studio album. It was released in the UK on 29 November 2010.

Five singles were released from Love.Live.Life. The first, "We Dance On", had previously been released in May 2010 from the StreetDance soundtrack. On 1 September 2010, N-Dubz announced via Facebook that their first new single from the album would be "Best Behaviour", which was eventually released on 17 October. The music video premiered on Channel AKA and Clubland TV on 8 September and was uploaded on YouTube by AATW Records later that day.^[34]

The final three singles from Love. Life. Live were "Girls", "So Alive" and "Morning Star".^[35] Love. Life. Live became N-Dubz' third platinum selling album.^[33]

2011-2012: Greatest Hits and split[link]

In August 2011, it emerged that N-Dubz had parted company with record label Def Jam, stating that they were "Never going to co-operate with them when they decided to change what we are".^[36] With Contostavlos taking up a role as a judge on series 8 of The X Factor and Dappy releasing his solo single "No Regrets", N-Dubz' gig on 18 September 2011 was described as "their final gig for the foreseeable future".^[33]

In November, Contostavlos confirmed that N-Dubz were undergoing a two-year hiatus as Dappy and herself pursued solo careers. Contostavlos also confirmed the release of a Greatest Hits album, which was released on 28 November 2011.^[37] However, on 15 March 2012, Contostavlos confirmed via her Twitter account that N-Dubz had in fact split. It is thought the split is due to an argument between her and Dappy.^[38]

Controversy[link]

N-Dubz had been involved in much media criticism and publicised controversy mainly to do with Dappy. Since early 2010 Dappy and Fazer have both been struggling to secure U.S. visas due to their past convictions.^[39]

In December 2008, Dappy pleaded guilty to two counts of assault at Chelmsford Magistrates Court, Essex after reportedly spitting in a girl's face while drunk on a night out. He received four weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, to run concurrently and 100 hours community service. He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to the girl and her friend and £300 costs.^[40]

On 29 January 2009, Dappy was arrested and bailed after he was accused of making death threats with a gun. He denied the allegation. His home in Camden was raided following the incident by police looking for a firearm. On 31 January he and fellow N-Dubz performer Fazer were escorted from a BA flight from Edinburgh to London by police after it touched down, after allegedly threatening other passengers. A source told The Sun "They were swearing at kids on the plane, being foul and threatening passengers. Cabin crew called ahead to the police, who were waiting when the plane landed. They were taken away by armed officers."^[41]

In late 2009, a feud started between Tulisa and Elly Jackson of La Roux who stated that all the females that do hip hop music dress up like prostitutes. Contostavlos took offence saying "she shouldn't talk about people's jobs that way... it's just wrong, where was she brought up – in a barn?", calling Jackson a "twat".^[42]

In November 2009, Fazer was caught without car insurance in St Albans, Hertfordshire, while driving his BMW and was banned for 6 months. This has since meant that he has been refused an American visa.^[43]

Later that month it surfaced that N-Dubz's DJ Maze had allegedly raped a young fan after a show N-Dubz had done at Butlins holiday camp in Skegness. They instead had BBC Radio 1Xtra's Twin B as their Christmas Party Tour DJ.^[44]

On 12 January 2010, N-Dubz appeared on The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1. The show received a text message from a Chloe Moody in Boston, Lincolnshire complaining that Dappy was "vile" and "a little boy with a silly hat" and that N-Dubz were "losers". Dappy secretly copied Moody's phone number from the studio console and, the following day, tried calling her and sent threatening messages including: "Your [sic] gonna die. U sent a very bad msg towards Ndubz on The Chris Moyels [sic] show yesterday Morning and for that reason u will never be left alone!!! u say sorry I will leave u alone u ****." Moody claimed that she continued to receive messages after declining to apologise but N-Dubz management later apologised on his behalf and offered free tickets to one of his concerts, although Dappy has not apologised to Moody personally.^[45] The rapper had appeared with the then-Schools Secretary Ed Balls to launch pop single "RU Cyber Safe" in November 2009, but was dropped from the campaign with Mr Balls saying: "This text message was totally unacceptable. There is no excuse."^[46]

In March 2010, a dispute then started between N-Dubz and Lethal Bizzle, who claimed he had written and produced N-Dubz's hit "I Need You" for them and so should be acknowledged in the credits for it, with Tulisa hitting back on Twitter that "he's jus triena boost his status, ...wat an unbelievable loser!"^[47] and N-Dubz later posted a video on their official YouTube channel through Twitter with the caption: "THE PROOF WE DIDNT STEAL S**T, WE MAKE OUR OWN HITS!" of when he had sent them the finished song and when they had actually finished the song, implying that their version was over 2 months older than his.

N-Dubz hit the headlines again in early April 2010 on the front page of The Sun and other newspapers after Dappy and Fazer were caught firing at passers-by and fans, with toy paintball guns, outside the O2 Academy Newcastle, with Dappy hitting a girl on the bottom, who called the police. The guns were confiscated and Northumbria Police confirmed: "We were called to the court car park at the rear of the O2 Academy in Fenkle Street just before 8 pm on Saturday following complaints pellets were being fired from a coach at the location. Officers spoke to two persons who had been firing plastic toy guns at each other, discharging small 6mm pellets."^[48]

Dappy was also exposed live on GMTV on 28 April 2010 after he was on that day's front pages with CCTV pictures of him, snorting the since banned recreational drug Mephedrone in an Essex nightclub. He tried to apologise, insisting "It's just not a thing to be doing. I've learnt my mistake. I'll never do such things again", going on to say, "I was just a bit tipsy and it just fell into the wrong place at the wrong time", and also issued a public apology.^[49][50]

Just a day later, Dappy was removed from Alton Towers theme park hotel in Staffordshire, for allegedly smoking cannabis. Contostavlos and his two other companions, who were suspected to be Kaye Vassell and fellow hip-hop musician Fearless, were kicked out after guests complained about a "funny smell" coming from his room, according to reports. An Alton Towers spokesperson told Sky News: "We can confirm a guest was asked to leave."^[51][52]

Discography[link]

• Uncle B (2008)
• Against All Odds (2009)
• Love.Live.Life (2010)

Tours[link]

• 2009: Uncle B tour
• 2009: N-Dubz Christmas Party
• 2009: Clubland Live (supporting act)
• 2010: The Against All Odds Tour
• 2011: Love.Live.Life.Tour

Bibliography[link]

• 2010: Against All Odds – From Street Life to Chart Life

Awards[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website

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

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2012)

"The Man" is a slang phrase that may refer to the government or to some other authority in a position of power. In addition to this derogatory connotation, it may also serve as a term of respect and praise.

The phrase "the Man is keeping me down" is commonly used to describe oppression. The phrase "stick it to the Man" encourages resistance to authority, and essentially means "fight back" or "resist", either openly or via sabotage.^[1]

History[link]

The earliest recorded use^{[citation needed]} of the term "the Man" in the American sense dates back to a letter written by a young Alexander Hamilton in September 1772, when he was 15. In a letter to his father James Hamilton, published in the Royal Dutch-American Gazette, he described the response of the Dutch governor of St. Croix to a hurricane that raked that island on August 31, 1772. "Our General has issued several very salutary and humane regulations and both in his publick and private measures, has shewn himself the Man." ^{[2][dubious – discuss]} In the Southern U.S. states, the phrase came to be applied to any man or any group in a position of authority, or to authority in the abstract. From about the 1950s the phrase was also an underworld code word for police, the warden of a prison or other law enforcement or penal authorities.

It was also used as a term for a drug dealer in the 1950s and 1960s and can be seen in such media as Curtis Mayfield's "No Thing On Me", William Burroughs's novel Naked Lunch, and in the Velvet Underground song "I'm Waiting for the Man", in which Lou Reed sings about going to Uptown Manhattan, specifically Lexington Avenue and 125th Street, to buy heroin.

The use of this term was expanded to counterculture groups and their battles against authority, such as the Yippies, which, according to a May 19, 1969 article in U.S. News and World Report, had the "avowed aim ... to destroy 'The Man', their term for the present system of government". The term eventually found its way into humorous usage, such as in a December 1979 motorcycle ad from the magazine Easyriders which featured the tagline, "California residents: Add 6% sales tax for The Man."

In present day, the phrase has been popularized in commercials and cinema, featuring particularly prominently as a recurring motif in the 2003 film School of Rock.^[3][4][5][6]

Use as praise[link]

The term has also been used as an approbation or form of praise. This may refer to the recipient's status as the leader or authority within a particular context, or it might be assumed to be a shortened form of a phrase like "He is the man (who is in charge)." One example of this usage dates to 1879 when Otto von Bismarck commented, referring to Benjamin Disraeli's pre-eminent position at the Congress of Berlin, "The old Jew, he is the man."^{[7][dubious – discuss]}

In more modern usage, it can be a superlative compliment ("you da man!") indicating that the subject is currently standing out amongst his peers even though they have no special designation or rank, such as a basketball player who is performing better than the other players on the court. It can also be used as a genuine compliment with an implied, slightly exaggerated or sarcastic tone, usually indicating that the person has indeed impressed the speaker but by doing something relatively trivial.

See also[link]

• Absentee landlord
• Big Brother (Nineteen Eighty-Four)
• New World Order (conspiracy theory)
• Ruling class
• The Establishment
• Power elite
• Corrections officer
• YTMND

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Lighter, J.E. (Ed.). (1997). Random House Dictionary of American Slang. New York: Random House.

Loick Mark Essien (born 29 April 1990) is an English singer signed to record label Sony Music. Essien began his musical career after featuring on rapper Chipmunk's single "Beast". He released his debut album, Identity, on 5 March 2012.^[2]

Personal life[link]

Loick is from Harrow, North West London, and went to school at Hatch End High School in Harrow. He studied vocals at The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. His mother is Nigerian

and his father is Ghanaian.[3]

Career[link]

Essien began his musical career in 2007 when he sang the chorus on Bashy's controversial track, "Black Boys". Essien was uncredited on the track, however. His next appearance was in 2008 when he appeared on rapper Chipmunk's debut single "Beast". The single, released on 8 October 2008,^[4] debuted at number 181 in the UK Singles Chart^[5] and later appeared on the album I Am Chipmunk. Essien also featured on artist Bashy's lead single from his upcoming second album, "When the Sky Falls". The single, which was released independently on 12 March 2010,^[6] debuted at number 114 in the United Kingdom. On 12 October 2010, Essien released his debut solo single "Love Drunk" in the United Kingdom through Sony Music, where it debuted at number 56 in the UK chart. It was then confirmed in February 2011 that Essien would release his debut album, entitled Identity later that year.^[7] The second single to be released from the album, entitled "Stuttering" was released on 6 February 2011 and featured rap group N-Dubz, although only Dappy and Fazer appeared in the single's accompanying music video. The single marked Essien's top 40 debut, when it charted at number 36 on the UK Singles Chart.^[8]

Essien released his third single "How We Roll" featuring singer Tanya Lacey on 3 July 2011. It entered at number two in the UK Singles Chart to become his biggest hit to date. It sold 52,010 copies in its first week. His fourth single from forthcoming album Identity called "Me Without You" was released on 6 November 2011 it debuted and peaked at number 14. On 3 October 2011, he appeared as a guest on Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Later in 2012 Essien was dropped from Sony Music Entertainment.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]