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 โnumber oneโ. A self-fulfilling prophecy personified? Well, heโs certainly living up to his music moniker โStar in the Hoodโ.
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, โTake Me Backโ feat. Taio Cruz, released in January debuted at no 39 on downloads alone, the following week on itโs official release the single climbed 36 places to number 3, and maintained a Top 5 position for four weeks. In April, โNumber 1โ feat. N-Dubz debuted at Number 1 and topped the UK charts for a whopping three weeks, this was followed in August by Tinchyโs second 1 single โNever Leave Youโ featuring Amelle from the Sugababes.
Tinchy Stryder, is undoubtedly one of the UKโs most exciting artists, The Independent recently said, โIf Grime was the football world, Tinchy Stryder would be like your Michael Owens and Wayne Rooneyโs of today.โ 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 capitalโs most dangerous boroughs โ 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 โRuff Sqwadโ, 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.
โItโs important to me to show that black males arenโt all about looking threatening and robbing your grannyโ Tinchy quips. โItโs 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.โ
โI guess my writing is pretty much from my life experience right nowโ says Tinchy. โThatโs why Iโve focused a lot on the whole star in the hood thing โ cos Iโm still here โ where I always have been, but now people know me, so I canโt always go the same places I used to be able to. Iโm 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.โ
By the age of 21, Tinchy was a seasoned MC on the grime and London pirate radio scene. One of the industryโs main players, Wiley of โWearinโ my Rolexโ fame, crowned Tinchy the โPrince of Grimeโ. 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 โ for management, live, recording, merchandise and publishing. Together they designed the โStar in The Hoodโ T-shirts which they sold on myspace and ebay and the profits financed the promotion/marketing of Tinchyโs debut album Star In The Hood. Itโs 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 โStrydermanโ, 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 UKโs 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, โIโm out to takeover the world this time round, for 2010 and beyondโ he smiles.
Never Know
Tinchy Stryder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And they're asking where my soul is asking if I sold it
Talking bout my life like I'm dealing with some odd shit
I ain't under orders I'm god blessed know this
Angels are priced so devils cant afford them
Maybe 'cos I'm young black rich and the rest of it
Maybe 'cos where doing jay-z and now where working it
Next way next stage they wont level this
Stop all the rumors I ain't playin' mind games
Intruders staring into my lane (my lane)
This might be the price of fame or maybe they just hate
I wont ever I wont ever know
Maybe 'cos I listen
Maybe 'cos I glow
Maybe they be fixing
Maybe 'cos they're broke
Maybe 'cos I'm missing
I I'll be unlisted
I wont ever I wont ever I wont ever know
Telling me is blatant telling me shows
Never doing satin I got a halo
Let me be a victim look right kissin'
Let me on lock-down let me be on hold
Yeah so let me roll
None of this is fiction nothin' like a show
Yeah I wanna know
I wont ever I wont ever I wont ever know
Why they question my life in the fast lane
No wonder they put some gossip next to my name
Hating them closer im laying them not far
Maybe 'cos my dress codes the opposite of cocaine (black)
Why you staring at my videos on youtube
My attitude stinks nothin I cant handle
'cos I spend it like money when I come through
Take in the fumes sneeze then ill bless you (bless you)
This is what the lime light brings us safe
Maybe 'cos where shinging then busting away
It might be the price of fame or maybe its just hate
I wont ever I wont ever know
Maybe 'cos I listen
Maybe 'cos I glow
Maybe they be fixing
Maybe 'cos they're broke
Maybe 'cos I'm missing
I I'll be unlisted
I wont ever I wont ever I wont ever know
Telling me is blatant telling me shows
Never doing satin I got a halo
Let me be a victim look right kissin'
Let me on lock-down let me be on hold
Yeah so let me roll
None of this is fiction nothin' like a show
Yeah I wanna know
I wont ever I wont ever I wont ever know
So I guess I gotta work it
Comes to the life-style none of this is perfect
State is the profile mines on the highest success
Brings hatred I'm guessing I deserve it yeah
So far man this journey's been outstandin'
Life of a star on the dotted line I signed it
Not once have I thrown any cords up
I throw the first track sign up standard
Yeah and I ain't saying this again
You can take it from me or you can hear it from a main (hear it from a main)
This might be the price of fame of maybe its just hate
I wont ever I wont ever know
Maybe 'cos I listen
Maybe 'cos I glow
Maybe they be fixing
Maybe 'cos they're broke
Maybe 'cos I'm missing
I I'll be unlisted
I wont ever I wont ever I wont ever know
Telling me is blatant telling me shows
Never doing satin I got a halo
Let me be a victim look right kissin'
Let me on lock-down let me be on hold
In Tinchy Stryderโs song โNever Know,โ he talks about the scrutiny he faces from people who question his wealth. The opening lines are describing how people question Tinchyโs soul and wondering if he sold it to attain his riches. He emphasizes that he is not under any orders, but he feels blessed by God. He then goes on to say that angels are priced so high that devils cannot afford them, meaning that his blessings can only come from a higher power.
Tinchy believes that the reason he faces this level of scrutiny is because he is black, young, and rich, and others are just envious. He states that he tries his best, but they cannot bring him down, and he is always looking to level up his game. Tinchy Stryder is saying that he will never know what people have against him despite his success, but he is okay with that.
The song โNever Knowโ delves into Tinchy Stryderโs perspective on fame and the harsh realities that come with it. It highlights how people tear down successful individuals for no reason, but regardless, Tinchy remains focused and determined to succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
And they're asking where my soul is asking if I sold it
People are questioning Tinchy Stryder's morality, wondering if he has compromised his values for success.
Talking bout my life like I'm dealing with some odd shit
People are discussing Tinchy's life as if it's something unusual or strange to them.
I ain't under orders I'm god blessed know this
Tinchy is not following anyone else's commands, but rather feels blessed by a higher power.
Angels are priced so devils cant afford them
Tinchy believes that angels, representing goodness and positivity, are valuable while devils, representing negativity, cannot attain them.
Maybe 'cos I'm young black rich and the rest of it
Perhaps people are scrutinizing Tinchy's success and questioning how he achieved it, considering his age, race, and wealth.
Maybe 'cos where doing jay-z and now where working it
Tinchy and his team are trying to emulate the success of Jay-Z, which may be drawing attention and criticism from others.
Really trying ever so hard but they cant ridded this
Despite their best efforts, people are unable to find fault or discredit Tinchy's success.
Next way next stage they wont level this
Even as Tinchy advances to new levels in his career, people will still not be able to bring him down.
Stop all the rumors I ain't playin' mind games
Tinchy wants people to stop spreading rumors and understands that they are not trying to manipulate him.
Intruders staring into my lane (my lane)
Tinchy feels like people are invading his personal space and scrutinizing his every move.
This might be the price of fame or maybe they just hate
Tinchy is considering that negative attention may just be an unfortunate side effect of fame, but acknowledges that some people may just hate him for no reason.
I won't ever I won't ever know
Tinchy accepts that he may never understand why people are scrutinizing him or hating on him.
Maybe 'cos I listen
Tinchy is open to listening to feedback and criticism.
Maybe 'cos I glow
Tinchy's confidence and self-assuredness may be drawing unwanted attention from others.
Maybe they be fixing
Perhaps people are trying to interfere with or sabotage Tinchy's success.
Maybe 'cos they're broke
People who are not successful themselves may be envious or resentful of Tinchy's achievements.
Maybe 'cos I'm missing
Tinchy may not be aware of some underlying issue or factor that is causing people to criticize him.
I I'll be unlisted
Tinchy may feel like he needs to withdraw from the public eye to avoid scrutiny and criticism.
Telling me is blatant telling me shows
People's actions and words are making it clear that they are criticizing Tinchy and trying to bring him down.
Never doing satin I got a halo
Tinchy is staying away from negative or immoral actions, and sees himself as righteous and pure like an angel with a halo.
Let me be a victim look right kissin'
Tinchy wants people to see him as a victim of unwarranted criticism, and to understand that he has done nothing wrong.
Let me on lock-down let me be on hold
Tinchy may feel like he needs to put his career or public image on hold to avoid further scrutiny and criticism.
None of this is fiction nothin' like a show
Tinchy is emphasizing that his life is not a scripted or manufactured reality, but rather his own lived experience.
So I guess I gotta work it
Despite the challenges he's facing, Tinchy knows that he needs to continue working hard to succeed.
Comes to the life-style none of this is perfect
Tinchy acknowledges that the lifestyle that comes with fame and success is not without its flaws or difficulties.
State is the profile mines on the highest success
Tinchy is at the peak of his success and celebrity.
Brings hatred I'm guessing I deserve it yeah
Tinchy understands that with success often comes hate or criticism, and accepts that he may deserve some of it.
So far man this journey's been outstandin'
Despite the negative attention he's received, Tinchy is appreciative of the success he's achieved so far in his career.
Life of a star on the dotted line I signed it
Tinchy deliberately chose to pursue a life of fame and success, aware of the challenges and rewards it would entail.
Not once have I thrown any cords up
Tinchy has not compromised his values or ethics in pursuit of success, and remains true to himself.
I throw the first track sign up standard
Tinchy was confident in his abilities and success from the very beginning of his career.
You can take it from me or you can hear it from a main (hear it from a main)
Tinchy is confident in his own experiences and understanding, and doesn't need validation or confirmation from others.
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TMS, KWASI DANQUAH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@damo128
This is one of those awesome songs what sounds as good as the first time when you play it 100 times
It's awesome
It always puts me in a good mood when my depression tries to get the better of me
They should play this on the radio more frequently
Awesome tune!!!
@jrim92
Still a banger to this day. its a shame music today isn't like this. I'm blessed to be a 90s kid and grown up with music like this
@JuiceyTutorialsHD
Most music now is a joke totally agree, it was so much better back then
@QuakkHan
Ikr- Iโm a 2000s kid, I wouldโve loved to have been born in the 90s
@danfrost6753
I'm a 90s kid I was 17 when this came out everyone had this song on thier phones what a tune
@omarshire6664
This track was dead
@Girl-101
80s kid but had teenage years from 1994 and the 90s hits were everything ๐ฉท
@DweenieeTodd
I'll admit that 2009 was an awesome year fo music.
@neilmurphy8520
DweenieeTodd yes it definitely was a very good year for good music like this one
@WedgePee
@Sorrowli I've reviewed every number one from November 1952 to the present time.
2009 was consistently bad, so much so that, unlike any year before, I almost gave up.
@AbhijeetSingh-tr3tn
Damn true