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 βnumber oneβ. A self-fulfilling prophecy personified? Well, heβs certainly living up to his music moniker βStar in the Hoodβ.
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, βTake Me Backβ feat. Taio Cruz, released in January debuted at no 39 on downloads alone, the following week on itβs official release the single climbed 36 places to number 3, and maintained a Top 5 position for four weeks. In April, βNumber 1β feat. N-Dubz debuted at Number 1 and topped the UK charts for a whopping three weeks, this was followed in August by Tinchyβs second 1 single βNever Leave Youβ featuring Amelle from the Sugababes.
Tinchy Stryder, is undoubtedly one of the UKβs most exciting artists, The Independent recently said, βIf Grime was the football world, Tinchy Stryder would be like your Michael Owens and Wayne Rooneyβs of today.β 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 capitalβs most dangerous boroughs β 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 βRuff Sqwadβ, 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.
βItβs important to me to show that black males arenβt all about looking threatening and robbing your grannyβ Tinchy quips. βItβs 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.β
βI guess my writing is pretty much from my life experience right nowβ says Tinchy. βThatβs why Iβve focused a lot on the whole star in the hood thing β cos Iβm still here β where I always have been, but now people know me, so I canβt always go the same places I used to be able to. Iβm 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.β
By the age of 21, Tinchy was a seasoned MC on the grime and London pirate radio scene. One of the industryβs main players, Wiley of βWearinβ my Rolexβ fame, crowned Tinchy the βPrince of Grimeβ. 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 β for management, live, recording, merchandise and publishing. Together they designed the βStar in The Hoodβ T-shirts which they sold on myspace and ebay and the profits financed the promotion/marketing of Tinchyβs debut album Star In The Hood. Itβs 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 βStrydermanβ, 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 UKβs 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, βIβm out to takeover the world this time round, for 2010 and beyondβ he smiles.
preview
Tinchy Stryder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I was just a preview (eyeh, eyeh)
Your bringing out the sunshine now
Your shining like a diamond now
This is what you wanted some would even die for
Let him know how hes heart felt this is what you cry for
For you could'nt dream of it, now your feeling closer
Trying to spend the feeling, heart beats racing
I'm feeling with emotion, excitements, amazing
Tell dem
We've been ever so patient
And now were seeing sights so were reaching
[Chorus]
(And now) Looking down from the birdseye
(To shine) Shine on like a floodlight
Show dem, diss ain't nothing like a mistake
This is a risk that we all take
(And now) Your looking down from the birdseye
(To shine) Shine on like a floodlight
Show dem, right nows perfect timing, clocks just don't slow down
People starring in their own life (eyeh, eyeh)
But I was just a preview (eyeh, eyeh)
The neighbors are open now, the whole crowds watching now
People starring in their own life (eyeh, eyeh)
But I was just a preview (eyeh, eyeh)
Your bringing out the sunshine now
Your shining like a diamond now
Yo, and it feels like a step away, must be the only way
Yesterday was arms reach, now your fingertips away
Following the back street pressures on, more heat, stay cool
Don't freeze, now knowing another day show dem,
We ain't gon' blow them with a chance,
Remember where we started from the roots to plants,
Treating like it's final, that's why it's vital to focus,
Don't even look away your glance
[Chorus: x2]
And now were all healed,
Were up to the point we can see over the hills
You can play star, lead role in the films
But don't stand still
Cause your shining like a Diamond now
In Tinchy Stryder's song Preview, the lyrics describe how the rapper has gone from being a "ghetto kid" to being in the spotlight as a "preview" of what is to come. He acknowledges how people star in their own lives, but he was just a preview of the bigger things to come. The chorus talks about looking down from a "birdseye" view and shining like a "floodlight." Tinchy encourages the listener to keep going and not stand still, as they are now shining like a diamond. The upbeat tempo and motivational lyrics are meant to inspire the listener to keep pushing forward and reaching for their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
People starring in their own life (eyeh, eyeh)
Observing how everyone is the singer of their own story.
But I was just a preview (eyeh, eyeh)
Feeling like a mere glimpse of what's to come, not yet the main event.
Your bringing out the sunshine now
The subject of the song is positively impacting someone's life, shining light on them.
Your shining like a diamond now
The subject of the song is causing someone to beam brightly, like a valuable jewel.
This is what you wanted some would even die for
Acknowledging that some people have high aspirations that they would go to great lengths to achieve.
Let him know how hes heart felt this is what you cry for
Encouraging the listener to communicate their heartfelt emotions, as that is what they truly desire.
For you could'nt dream of it, now your feeling closer
Reminding the listener of how far they've come and how much closer they are to their dreams.
Yeah I'm just a ghetto kid, now I'm on a poster
Expressing a sense of awe at how far the subject of the song has come, from humble beginnings to being featured prominently.
Trying to spend the feeling, heart beats racing
Attempting to savor the emotions being felt, with a heightened pulse.
I'm feeling with emotion, excitements, amazing
Experiencing a wave of various emotions due to newfound excitement.
We've been ever so patient
Acknowledging the effort put in by both the listener and the subject of the song to get to this point.
And now were seeing sights so were reaching
Expressing a sense of accomplishment and progress in finally seeing the fruits of one's labor.
Looking down from the birdseye
Viewing things from a higher perspective, with a clearer understanding of the bigger picture.
Shine on like a floodlight
Continuing to positively impact others with one's newfound success.
Show dem, diss ain't nothing like a mistake
Encouraging others to pursue their goals and not regret taking risks.
This is a risk that we all take
Reminding the listener that taking a chance is an inherent part of the journey towards success.
Your looking down from the birdseye
Continuing to have a clear and elevated perspective on one's journey.
Right nows perfect timing, clocks just don't slow down
Emphasizing the importance of seizing the moment and not letting time slip away.
The neighbors are open now, the whole crowds watching now
Commenting on how the community is now aware of the listener's success and is watching closely.
Yo, and it feels like a step away, must be the only way
Feeling like success is right within reach and that continuing to pursue it is the only option.
Yesterday was arms reach, now your fingertips away
Reflecting on how close the listener is to achieving their goals compared to the previous day.
Following the back street pressures on, more heat, stay cool
Acknowledging that there will be obstacles and challenges along the way, but it's important to stay composed and resilient.
Don't freeze, now knowing another day show dem,
Urging the listener to stay focused and not get stuck, as every day is an opportunity to showcase their progress.
We ain't gon' blow them with a chance,
Not squandering the opportunity to make an impact and impress others.
Remember where we started from the roots to plants,
Reflecting on how far the listener has come, from humble beginnings to progress to their current situation.
Treating like it's final, that's why it's vital to focus,
Emphasizing the importance of staying committed and not getting complacent despite progress made.
Don't even look away your glance
Maintaining focus, discipline, and drive to continue the journey towards success.
And now were all healed,
Reflecting on how things have improved and come together.
Were up to the point we can see over the hills
Feeling confident and having clarity about what's ahead.
You can play star, lead role in the films
Realizing that one now has the opportunity and platform to be a star and lead their own story.
But don't stand still
Reinforcing the need to take action and continue to move forward.
Cause your shining like a Diamond now
Reiterating the impact and influence that the listener has and encouraging them to keep shining.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management
Written by: FRASER SMITH, KWASI DANQUAH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
K U
Tynchy Stryder reminds me of the old days π’ love him and this song
K U
Your bringing out the sunshine now shining like a diamond now β¨
K U
βRemember where we started the roots the plantsβ ππ
luko76ers
Fuckin sick man!
luko76ers
Sick as fuck!
Dillon .Templeton
i seen tichy at lush he woz unreal !!!!!
Courtney Currie
i lOve this sOng :D albums brilliant ! XoOx
K U
The best.
David Zwiebel
still fucking awesome.
daniel cook
I don't care this is a phat tune bro