Tinie Tempah announces new album and reveals new track
20 June 2016
Newsdesk
After establishing himself as one of the most important artists of his generation with the albums ‘Disc-Overy’ and ‘Demonstration’, Tinie Tempah is now set to unveil the third chapter of his career with the new album ‘YOUTH’ which will be released on September 16th.
Even before its release, ‘YOUTH’ is an album that’s packed with hits with Tinie’s 6th and 7th #1 singles – ‘Not Letting Go’ (featuring Jess Glynne) and the KDA / Katy B collab ‘Turn The Music Louder’ – both included, alongside the recent Top 5 track ‘Girls Like’ (featuring Zara Larsson) which has sold over half a million copies. Tinie has now had as many UK #1s as Michael Jackson, U2, Kylie, Robbie Williams and Elton John, and is the artist with the most UK # 1s this decade.
Anticipation for the album continues to build with the unveiling of Tinie’s brand new single ‘Mamacita’. A summer explosion of Latin rhythms and swinging salsa grooves, ‘Mamacita’ finds Tinie weaving his distinctive rhymes around a hook courtesy of guest artist Wizkid. Wizkid commands a huge social media following and previously won Best African Act at the MOBO Awards. ‘Mamacita’ follows his recent guest feature on Drake’s ‘One Dance’. Wizkid and Tinie both share a Nigerian heritage as well as management at Disturbing London.
Tinie has spent the majority of the past year writing and producing new material in his home studio. The result is that ‘YOUTH’ is an album that’s infused with ideas relating to its title, but also one that brims with the playful and uplifting aspects that fizzled throughout ‘Disc-Overy’.
“I wanted to give a nod to all of the genres of music I heard growing up that made me want to be a rapper,” explains Tinie. “The good thing about being from London is that you hear so many different styles of music, and are exposed to so many different things. I wanted to make an album that felt nostalgic with elements of those big British sounds from different genres, whether that was garage, grime, hip-hop or R&B.”
“It’s also about empowering young people to think outside the box,” he continues. “I was just a young boy out of south London who loved music and wanted to see the world and contribute to something that I love and have a passion for. I honestly feel that there is no limit to where you can get in life. I really believe that. Youth is the time where you dream without any limitations or fear. And I wanted to share MY story with the world through MY music.”
In addition to Wizkid, ‘YOUTH’ also showcases Tinie’s collaborations with emerging London-based talent including TroyBoi, Shift K3Y and Jakwob.
Recent months have seen Tinie preparing the roots for an all-conquering comeback. After last year’s double-bill of chart-toppers, he revisited his underground grime roots with the ‘Junk Food’ mixtape. Released on Disturbing London, it featured guests including Stormzy, Giggs, Big Narstie and JME. He then followed a sold-out O2 Academy Brixton show by performing in front of 80,000 people at Wembley Stadium before the FA Cup Final.
Tinie Tempah shot to prominence in 2010 when his debut single ‘Pass Out’ and his debut album ‘Disc-Overy’ both went straight to #1. Numerous awards followed, including Best Breakthrough Act and Best Single at the BRITs; Best Newcomer at the MOBOs and an Ivor Novello for Best Contemporary Song – all of which underlined his status as one of the most important artists of his generation. His second album ‘Demonstration’ reiterated his powers as it entered the charts at #3.
In addition to ‘Not Letting Go’ and ‘Turn The Music Louder’ (Rumble)’, Tinie’s previous chart-topping singles are ‘Pass Out’ (2010); ‘Written In The Stars’ featuring Eric Turner (2010); ‘R.I.P.’ with Rita Ora (2012); ‘Tsunami (Jump)’ with DVBBS & Borgeous (2014); and ‘Crazy Stupid Love’ with Cheryl Cole (2014).
Tinie’s highest profile live shows have included the closing ceremony of the Olympics; every major festival from Coachella to Glastonbury; as well as supporting the likes of Jay-Z, Usher and Rihanna. Tinie famously high-fived none other than Prince William at 2014’s BAFTAs, while his fashion credentials were underlined when he was named Best Dressed Man at GQ’s Men of the Year Awards and selected as a London Collections Men Ambassador.
