Stryder started at the age of 14 on pirate radio sets in East London with other well known grime MCs such as Wiley and Dizzee Rascal. His stage name derives from the video 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 5'1" (1.55m) making him the shortest male artist ever to top the UK Top 40. Tinchy made a number of appearances on Sky's Channel U and especially their 1Xtanra radio show taking part in freestyles, sometimes joined by his crew Ruff Sqwad. Tinchy Stryder was part of a spectacular line up at The O2 arena 3D ELEKTRO RAVE alongside Caspa and Rusko, Frankmusik, High Contrast and Dancing Robot Music.[7] Tinchy Stryder was part of well-known grime crew Roll Deep for a while, featuring on some songs including 'U Were Always', which was released years later on Roll Deep's compilations album, Street Anthems.
Many before him have tried and failed; in April 2009 Tinchy Stryder became the first artist ever to reach number 1 in the official national singles charts with a song title featuring the phrase ‘number one’. A self-fulfilling prophecy personified? Well, he’s certainly living up to his music moniker ‘Star in the Hood’.
Over the past six months, 23 year-old Tinchy has signed a recording deal with Island Records and has racked up three consecutive top 3 hits, ‘Take Me Back’ feat. Taio Cruz, released in January debuted at no 39 on downloads alone, the following week on it’s official release the single climbed 36 places to number 3, and maintained a Top 5 position for four weeks. In April, ‘Number 1’ feat. N-Dubz debuted at Number 1 and topped the UK charts for a whopping three weeks, this was followed in August by Tinchy’s second 1 single ‘Never Leave You’ featuring Amelle from the Sugababes.
Tinchy Stryder, is undoubtedly one of the UK’s most exciting artists, The Independent recently said, “If Grime was the football world, Tinchy Stryder would be like your Michael Owens and Wayne Rooney’s of today.” He just completed a sold out arena tour in September 2009, which caused such a demand with fans that he has had to put a larger arena tour straight on for February 2010.
Tinchy, real name Kwasi Danquah, was born in Ghana in 1986 and moved to East London at a young age. He was brought up and still lives in one of the capital’s most dangerous boroughs – Tower Hamlets; yet despite his tough upbringing he has a distinctly positive outlook on life and is determined to provide a positive role model for kids across the country. Having started making music, along with his group ‘Ruff Sqwad’, aged just 13 Tinchy has seen through the years the negative press that the music he loves has received and is on a mission to change this. He recently completed a degree in Digital Arts and Moving Imagery at University of East London.
“It’s important to me to show that black males aren’t all about looking threatening and robbing your granny” Tinchy quips. “It’s not always easy growing up in an inner city area, wherever it is, but in my music I want to show people that you can take that experience and turn it into something positive.”
“I guess my writing is pretty much from my life experience right now” says Tinchy. “That’s why I’ve focused a lot on the whole star in the hood thing – cos I’m still here – where I always have been, but now people know me, so I can’t always go the same places I used to be able to. I’m not in a rush to get out cos I know my area and I love it, but hopefully one day through my music I can.”
By the age of 21, Tinchy was a seasoned MC on the grime and London pirate radio scene. One of the industry’s main players, Wiley of ‘Wearin’ my Rolex’ fame, crowned Tinchy the ‘Prince of Grime’. In 2006 he was booked by two forward thinking teenagers, Archie Lamb and Jack Foster to play one of their club nights they ran while at school; this meeting changed the course of his career. The three of them struck an immediate bond and Tinchy signed to their company Takeover – for management, live, recording, merchandise and publishing. Together they designed the ‘Star in The Hood’ T-shirts which they sold on myspace and ebay and the profits financed the promotion/marketing of Tinchy’s debut album Star In The Hood. It’s now a flourishing clothing line, which has just expanded into retail, with the kind of profit margins that would impress Phillip Green. The buzz surrounding ‘Stryderman’, one of the singles released from the album caught the attention of execs at Island records. Tinchy Stryder, Jack and Archie signed a joint venture with the major at the end of 2008.
Having just released his major label debut, Catch 22, which went Gold within 2 weeks of release and just signing a joint venture deal with EMI Publishing alongside Takeover for a joint music publishing company allowing Tinchy Jack and Archie the opportunity to develop and invest in new talent, the future is looking extremely bright for Stryder.
As 2010 draws near he embarks on pushing the boundaries of Star In The Hood clothing and entering into partnerships with some of the UK’s largest retailers, planning his all new fully live show and summer full of festivals whilst also beginning the recording process for his second major label album with a host of exciting collaborators including re-uniting with Fraser T Smith and working with some of the top US record producers and writers, Tinchy is feeling great about the new year, “I’m out to takeover the world this time round, for 2010 and beyond” he smiles.
Halo
Tinchy Stryder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause you don't wanna let go (don't, don't)
Don't get stuck in the halo (don't, don't, Skyliner)
Cause you don't wanna let go (don't, don't)
Yo, as soon as I step in, scopin'
Early, soon as I get in,
And I came move words in danger,
I can see you're the best in here,
And I've got room keys in my pocket ready,
Lift or stairs, just meet me there,
Said you can't breathe so I gave you air
I approach the girls with ease,
Somebody told 'em I've got keys,
The room number's 303,
So you play your role, I'll do me,
If you roll up, I will set you free,
If you need help, I can help you leave,
Come chill man, it's all on me
Don't get stuck in the halo (don't don't)
Cause you don't wanna let go (don't, don't)
Don't get stuck in the halo (don't, don't)
Cause you don't wanna let go (don't, don't)
It's like they're waiting over there,
When it's poppin' over here,
Why you waitin' over there? (No, oh)
I see you standin' over there,
When it's poppin' over here,
You start acting like you care, (Woah)
Don't get stuck in the halo
Yo, where's the love in here?
Come let me speak two lines in your ear,
You might just turn blind if you stare,
Too long with the thing in my ear,
Yeah, I'm here, alright then, selectin' the one that I'm likin'
I get around fast like I'm cyclin'
Gotta make sure that the night's excitin'
I approach the girls with ease,
Somebody told 'em I've got keys,
The room number's 303,
So you play your role, I'll do me,
If you roll up, I will set you free,
If you need help, I can help you leave,
Come chill man, it's all on me
Don't get stuck in the halo (don't don't)
Cause you don't wanna let go (don't, don't)
Don't get stuck in the halo (don't, don't)
Cause you don't wanna let go (don't, don't)
It's like they're waiting over there,
When it's poppin' over here,
Why you waitin' over there? (no, oh)
I see you standin' over there,
When it's poppin' over here,
You start acting like you care, (Woah)
Don't get stuck in the halo
Can you see that room, are you liking that?
I got the keys to the door no latch,
Come join me, be my match,
I'll keep it low to the floor like mats,
I aint tryin to rush in' this
But keep up, I don't wanna lose you Miss,
And I caught your drift,
I can see you know what time this is
I approach the girls with ease,
Somebody told 'em I've got keys,
The room number's 303,
So you play your role, I'll do me,
If you roll up, I will set you free,
If you need help, I can help you leave,
Come chill man, it's all on me
Don't get stuck in the halo (don't don't)
Cause you don't wanna let go (don't, don't)
Don't get stuck in the halo (don't, don't)
Cause you don't wanna let go (don't, don't)
It's like they're waiting over there,
When it's poppin' over here,
Why you waitin' over there? (No, oh)
I see you standin' over there,
When it's poppin' over here,
You start acting like you care (whoa)
Don't get stuck in the halo
Cause you don't wanna let go
Don't get stuck in the halo (Cloud nine)
Cause you don't wanna let go (don't don't)
Cause once it's gone it's gone for life
In the song "Halo" by Tinchy Stryder, he sings about not getting stuck in a halo and letting go. The halo in this context is a metaphor for a situation or an action that may seem heavenly, but is ultimately detrimental to one's well-being. Tinchy is warning his listeners not to become too attached to the fantasy world they may be living in, but rather to come back to reality and live in the present moment.
He talks about a party scene, where he's the centre of attention and has the keys to the hotel room. He's trying to lure a girl into the room and offers to help her leave when she's had enough. He emphasizes that it's his treat and that he's got everything under control, encouraging her to come chill with him. Tinchy's message, in this case, is that people should be careful about who they put their trust in, especially in a party setting, and should always keep their eyes open to reality.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about getting lost in the moment and forgetting about the consequences of actions. Tinchy stresses the need to be mindful of oneself and to avoid letting go of the things that matter most.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't get stuck in the halo (don't, don't, Tinchy Stryder)
Don't be deceived by the fancy lifestyle and status associated with fame and fortune.
Cause you don't wanna let go (don't, don't)
Because you may become addicted and unable to leave that fake world.
Yo, as soon as I step in, scopin'
I enter the party scanning the room for potential romantic partners.
Early, soon as I get in,
I arrive at the party earlier than most people.
And I came move words in danger,
I use my words and charm to get close to the girls without them noticing any danger.
For the guys here, to he's on the next ting
I am not worried about competition as I am confident in my ability to attract the ladies.
I can see you're the best in here,
I have spotted the most attractive girl in the party.
And I've got room keys in my pocket ready,
I am prepared to take her to my hotel room.
Lift or stairs, just meet me there,
We could take the elevator or climb the stairs to get to my room.
Said you can't breathe so I gave you air
The girl is feeling overwhelmed so I provide her with relief.
I approach the girls with ease,
I have no problem striking up conversations with women.
Somebody told 'em I've got keys,
Someone has informed the girls that I have access to a hotel room.
The room number's 303,
The room that I have secured is numbered 303.
So you play your role, I'll do me,
The girl just needs to follow my lead.
If you roll up, I will set you free,
If a girl ends up getting bored, I will allow her to leave.
If you need help, I can help you leave,
I am willing to assist the girl with finding a way back to her own room.
Come chill man, it's all on me
I invite the girl to relax and let me handle everything.
It's like they're waiting over there,
Other people are lingering in less interesting areas of the party.
When it's poppin' over here,
The fun and excitement is happening where I am standing.
Why you waitin' over there? (No, oh)
I question why other people are wasting their time in dull locations.
I see you standin' over there,
I notice a girl lingering by herself.
You start acting like you care, (Woah)
She begins to take interest and wants to get closer.
Can you see that room, are you liking that?
I am presenting the girl with another invitation to my hotel room.
I got the keys to the door no latch,
I have a special access to a room that cannot be opened by anyone else.
Come join me, be my match,
I want the girl to be my perfect partner for the night.
I'll keep it low to the floor like mats,
I will keep the volume low to avoid any unwanted attention.
I aint tryin to rush in' this
I am not in a hurry to leave the party.
But keep up, I don't wanna lose you Miss,
I want the girl to keep pace with me and not get distracted by anyone else.
And I caught your drift,
I understand that the girl is interested in me.
I can see you know what time this is
The girl is aware of what is happening between us and is comfortable with it.
Don't get stuck in the halo (don't don't)
I caution the girl not to become lost in the allure of the party lifestyle.
Cause once it's gone it's gone for life
The fun and excitement of tonight will only exist in our memories.
Don't get stuck in the halo (Cloud nine)
I repeat my earlier warning not to get caught up in the fake world of fame and fortune.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FRASER SMITH, KWASI DANQUAH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Lightning2011
Got his album on CD...... Best jams ever
@speebly
I remember hearing this exclusive on radio 1 a few weeks ago, and was pissed I couldn't get an MP3 of it till the album came out. :(
@createdchannel263
Hello, if you see this then congrats on being 13 years older
@AhhDeej91
Quality! best from Catch 22
@MYmusikz
this one and warning r my fav. off the album
@jane787
loving it \ woop (L)
@liam1socool
his best ever song
@shano101
sick tune
@devalish28
BIG TUNE...!!!!
@JamieDwyer
fucking chooon his album is amazing :)