Tinchy Stryder

Tinchy Stryder
	;
Background information
Birth name	Kwasi Danquah
Also known as	Tinchy Stryder, Stryderman
Born	June 10, 1987
Origin	Bow (E3), London, UK
Genre(s)	Grime
Years active	2002-present (maybe earlier)
Label(s)	Island Records, Takeover Entertainment
Associated acts	Ruff Sqwad, Roll Deep
Website	http://myspace.com/tinchystryder http://www.starinthehood.net/

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Biography

Tinchy Stryder (real name Kwasi Danquah) is an MC hailing from Bow E3, East London, and is a leading member of the crew Ruff Sqwad. He is currently signed to Island Records and managed by his former label 'Takeover Entertainment'. He signed to the independent 'Takeover Entertainment' in 2006, after performing at a show organised by the label in Norwich.

Tinchy has been an active member of the Grime scene from it's earliest days appearing with Wiley,Dizzee Rascal and Roll Deep. He was listed as a member of Roll Deep under the name Titchy Strider[1] however at this time Roll Deep had members/affiliates that they rolled with who were members of others crews and sometimes both, e.g Riko and Target were still members of Pay As U Go while rolling with Roll Deep and Tinchy was a member of Ruff Squad.

A young Tinchy Stryder with Dizzee Rascal.

Tinchy first came to prominence in 2003, winning 'Best Newcomer' at the Sidewinder Awards and performing on numerous pirate stations such as Deja Vu FM and Rinse FM, often with Wiley and Dizzee Rascal who were getting press attention at the time. His single 'Underground', which features on his first mixtape 'Lost and Found, is widely seen as the track that helped him break through in his own right. Tinchy and fellow members of Ruff Squad were busy building names for themselves within the Grime scene releasing mixtapes and performing at shows.

His debut album 'Star In The Hood' was released in the summer of 2007 and sold approximately 30,000 copies. It featured his two famous songs "Breakaway" and "Something About Your Smile". To support this release he also released a collection of t-shirts and jumpers with the phrase "Star In The Hood" printed on the front. Star In The Hood clothing has gone on to become very successful.

'Stryderman' was a single released in 2008, gaining airplay on Radio 1. Tinchy has supported acts including Kano and Jack Penate. His next project is 'Stryder Vs Maniac', which features productions from producer Maniac and Tinchy vocaling six tunes. From this project, Tinchy has released a video for the remix of the tune Rollin' which features Roachee.

Like fellow Bow E3 MC Dizzee Rascal, Tinchy has experienced huge success. He gained two Number 1 singles in the UK Charts in 2009 in 'Number 1' featuring N Dubz and then with 'Never Leave You' featuring Amelle from the Sugababes. His second album, Catch 22, which featured these two number 1s as well as other hits, reached a high position in the UK Album Charts. It was released on 17th August 2009. Before the release of Catch 22, Tinchy released two free EPs - Star In The Hood EP Vol.1 and Star In The Hood EP Vol.2.