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.
Help Me
Tinchy Stryder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm begging You to please help me out.
You're all I've got, save me, I don't know how I'll make it
Begging You to please help me out.
Can You hear me?
You had me knocked down soon on a race, complex,
I may need help, I may lose, I won't win.
But I'm nothing out the way so the dust game,
About to shut it down, knock it down,
Everybody's thought different so Mondays,
In this living with the pure. Bail up this sight and when I visit it before
Where's tiny hoes I'm looking for?
From the late 80's, don't call me Tinch, girl, some call me crazy.
Flow and I run like I never had a belly,
Race team, trying in my mind, help me.
Yeah, and I'm asking you to save me,
Use your skills on my head, I'm going crazy.
Hundred percent when I'm giving a fifty,
I am the fool lp Slim Shady.
I'm screaming
God, help me, I'm down on my knees, help me,
I'm begging You to please help me out.
You're all I've got, save me, I don't know how I'll make it
Begging You to please help me out.
Can You hear me?
Yeah,
In this world where we come from,
And I hope this reaches your ear drum
But it come mind this, not even a ramsome.
Can you hear me?
Yeah,
In this world where we come from,
And I hope this reaches your ear drum
But it come mind this, not even a ramsome.
See, I scope in and I'm taking out the timeless,
Yours are the last, no money in the driers,
I don't wanna hear you pressing any charges,
Ass world, I ain't going any far.
It's funny how this world changes round,
Some girls say 'no' and then they chase me down
I want my enemies to face me.
But the fayer rap back and I'm going let down
And they're screaming
"hear me"
And I hear she was the perfect picture,
And I drove but at her so I jump in the essenza,
That seem like a honey leaning on a beamer.
Scoot a long jump but she's far from a keeper.
Got my head screwed on track with the brain
And I promised a fan I will never change,
So I listen to my thoughts, never change.
Coming from the present, the f-ck, you know my name.
I've come this far, I do this so hard,
And what is it all for?
So I call to You, it's all I can do,
You know that I need Your love right now.
God, help me, I'm down on my knees, help me,
I'm begging You to please help me out.
You're all I've got, save me, I don't know how I'll make it
Begging You to please help me out.
Can You hear me?
Yeah,
In this world where we come from,
And I hope this reaches your ear drum
But it come mind this, not even a ramsome.
Can you hear me?
Yeah,
In this world where we come from,
And I hope this reaches your ear drum
But it come mind this, not even a ramsome
The song "Help Me" by Tinchy Stryder is a cry for help from the artist. He begins the song pleading with God to help him, as he is down on his knees and in desperate need of assistance. He expresses that God is all he has left and begs for salvation, admitting that he does not know how to make it on his own. He repeats the phrase "help me out" throughout the song, emphasizing the urgency of his need for assistance.
The lyrics also reflect Tinchy Stryder's struggles and challenges as an artist. He references his race and a complex he may have, as well as the pressure and expectations he faces in the music industry. He talks about wanting to stay true to himself and his fans while not succumbing to the pressures of fame and fortune. The repeated question of "Can you hear me?" suggests a feeling of isolation and a need for someone to listen to him and help him through his struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
God, help me, I'm down on my knees, help me,
I am in a desperate situation and I am calling on God to help me during this difficult time.
I'm begging You to please help me out.
I am pleading with God to show me mercy and help me in whatever way possible.
You're all I've got, save me, I don't know how I'll make it
God, I have no one else to turn to and I need you to save me because I don't see how I can survive without your help.
Can You hear me?
I am questioning whether God is listening to my prayers and if he is aware of my desperation.
From the late 80's, don't call me Tinch, girl, some call me crazy.
I have been in the music industry for a long time and some people refer to me as 'crazy', which may have affected my mental health over time.
Flow and I run like I never had a belly,
I am confident in my music and the way I deliver my lyrics, as if I've never faced any fear or insecurity.
I'm asking you to save me,
I am specifically asking God to intervene and save me from my troubles.
Use your skills on my head, I'm going crazy.
I am asking for divine intervention to calm my chaotic thoughts and emotions.
In this world where we come from,
I am acknowledging the struggles and hardships that we all face in the world we live in.
And I hope this reaches your ear drum
I am hoping that my message will be heard by those who need it, in order to provide comfort and hope.
It's funny how this world changes round,
I am reflecting on how the world can be unpredictable and dynamic, always changing.
Some girls say 'no' and then they chase me down
I've experienced situations where someone initially rejects me, but later changes their mind and shows interest.
I want my enemies to face me.
I am asking for the opportunity to confront and overcome those who have wronged me in the past.
And I hear she was the perfect picture,
I've heard about someone who is described as perfect and ideal, likely causing me to feel inferior or envious.
I don't wanna hear you pressing any charges,
I don't want anyone to try and take legal action against me, likely due to some wrongdoing on my part.
I've come this far, I do this so hard,
I have faced many challenges and obstacles to get to where I am now in my music career, and I have put in a lot of effort to reach this point.
And what is it all for?
I am questioning the purpose and meaning of my hard work and success in the music industry.
So I call to You, it's all I can do,
Since I am feeling lost and unsure about the meaning of my work, I am turning to God to provide me with guidance and answers.
But it come mind this, not even a ramsome.
I am stating that it doesn't matter how much money or material possessions I have, they cannot provide the answers and guidance that I am seeking.
Contributed by Sebastian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sid Raines
His greatest song. Love the lyrics especially the chorus. Wish he did more like this. Uplifting messages. Please people keep the faith. God bless.
norciusz colombus
Absolutely amazing. Camille Purcell's voice is incredible!
Night Addict
I've spent over a year looking for this song and finally I found it. It is so good
CsepelGang
Hold my beer. I was looking 10 years for this song, finally i found this in yesterday.
KingHeartification9
Still hoping to this day that this song will pop up in Spotify...
Ezati Marvin Feta
Need this on Spotify please🙏🏿😭
Usted Moron
This is definitely Tinchy's best song. Absolutely beautiful, it's going straight 2 no.1!!!
Segawa Rashid Lwanga
I have been looking for the Title of this song for the past 9 years…am so happy that I have found it today ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
CsepelGang
I was founded this in yesterday, after 10 years. I saw this on the TV in 2012. 😅
Behlul Sulimani
This song needs to get the recognition it deserves, this song is a tune !