Interview with Tinchy Stryder
On the 15th October 2008, one of the biggest events of the year took place at Oceana Kingston to celebrate Black History Month through entertainment. Tinchy Stryder was there to perform before heading off to the MOBO awards later that evening. The Youth Unlimited team caught up with Tinchy back stage to find out more about his music career and what black history means to him.
As we all know, Tinchy Stryder later went on to top the charts with his no.1 hit "Number 1" in April 2009!
Interview
Are you excited about the Mobo awards?
Am I excited about the Mobo awards? Like yeah, I’m excited about it. But last year when I was nominated I was more excited about it. But obviously, as the days and days get closer to it, the excitement builds up. So yeah I am.
So what inspired you to get involved in the music scene?
Is like when I was young my older brother was a DJ. So he used to make beats, I used to pick up the mic and we used to make mix tapes and, like, dizzle! Realising that I could actually MC and using the decks at the youth club is what really started it though.
Who would you say was your biggest role model on the music scene?
You! (joke/laughs), My biggest role model? In the sense of music, considering the music that I do, would probably be Wiley. 'Cos like, from when I was coming up as an MC, I’ve seen his positive and his negative side, and I’ve learnt a lot. You know what I mean?!
Who would you say is your personal role?
Personal role model? I would say my parents man! Yeah.
So how do you see your personal identity? What do you think the public see you as?
Star in the Hood! (laughs) Simple as that! But now I think... I’d like them to see me as someone trying to do a positive thing.
How important are your roots to you? Do they play a big part in your career?
Yeah, definitely, to myself more than my career 'cos I’m from Ghana so I know my roots and talking about them – you know what I’m saying! But it’s not really something that reflects in my music, obviously. I might talk about a few things and whatever, but my music really isn’t influenced from Ghanaian music, so yeah.
Lots of music today is hip-hop influenced. Does it make you proud that this music has originated from your culture?
Yeah, 'cos when you learn the history of hip-hop – how it started and everything – it was a way for them to talk back against what was ruling them, through like people break dancing and battling and whatever. It’s deep. It’s important to know where you come from.
Recently in the press, people have reported an increase in crime and gang culture. Some people have said that there is a link between hip-hop and gang culture. What do you think about that?
I can’t really agree with that, 'cos gangs do what they do. I don’t think music can make someone do something, although music can influence your mind and put you into moods or whatever. Sometimes I listen to music when I’m happy or… you know what mean! It’s deeper than that, man! 'Cos if that was the case then they’d have to stop a lot of things, like films… loads of things that make people feel like they want to do a lot of harm. On the flip, people can also get help from what musicians have to say, 'cos they have a feel for what they’re saying.
Do you like feel that celebrating things like black history month, like today, is a good way to try and get today’s generation to change their views on black culture?
A lot of young people haven’t been taught about their heritage. I knew about my history but the reality is deeper than what I knew, so it’s good for them to learn, and today, things like this help young people to understand what happened in the past. So I think it’s a good thing.
What kind of music do you listen to yourself?
I listen to everything really, but right now I’m listening to a lot of hip-hop. A while ago I came off hip-hop for a bit, but now I’m back on it. I listen to a lot of T.I. at the moment, but there’s a lot of music I listen to. If it sounds good, I’ll listen to it.
So, you working on anything new this year?
Yeah man, I’ve got an album that should be coming out in April 2009. And I’ve got a new single that should be coming out in January. It’s called “Take Me Back”.
- ("Take Me Back" feat. Taio Cruz was released on 19th January 2009 and peaked at number 3 in the UK charts following numerous plays on Radio 1, Kiss FM and many other TV and radio stations).
OK then, KFC or McDonalds?
KFC.
Just to finish off, if for some crazy, absurd reason, you don’t win your Mobo tonight – who would you like to win?
Ok, in my category, who would I like to win? Bashy, 'cos he’s like, from the same scene. In his video, everyone’s in their own different bodies, like, mind-state.
Interviews by Joni Clarke, Ramanan Gukathasan, Philip Ball, Sarah Cooper and Aylon Wijaiyarajah. Photos by Sebastian Santa-Maria and Nan Pancoast.
Also see:
- Youth Unlimited Issue 9
Read more about the Black History Month Event at Oceana in issue 9 of Youth Unlimited magazine.
Related External Links:
- Star in the Hood
Visit Tinchy Stryder's official website.