Tinie Tempah

Tinie Tempah
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Name	Tinie Tempah
Caption	Tinie Tempah performing in 2011
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu
Birth date	7 November 1988
Birth place	London Borough of Lambeth, London, England
Origin	London Borough of Lambeth, London, England
Genres	Grime, Hip hop, Electropop, Dance-pop
Occupations	Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, DJ
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Sony Music, Disturbing London
Associated acts	Example, Emeli Sandé, Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora, David Guetta, Eric Turner, 2 Chainz, Machine Gun Kelly

Tinie Tempah

Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, known professionally as Tinie Tempah, is an English rapper, singer, songwriter, DJ and entrepreneur from London Borough of Lambeth, London. He rose to prominence in the late 2000s with breakthrough singles that reached the top of the UK Singles Chart and collaborations with domestic and international artists. Tempah has expanded into fashion, media and business ventures while maintaining a presence on tours and festival stages across Europe and North America.

Early life and background

Born in London to Nigerian parents from Igbo heritage, he grew up in Southwark and later Lambeth neighborhoods near Brixton, attending local schools before studying at University of Westminster for a period. Influenced by the multicultural scenes of North West London and the UK urban underground, his early exposure included grime crews, pirate radio stations such as those in East London and mixtape culture associated with artists from Wales and Scotland as well as contemporaries from Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow. He adopted his stage name as part of the emerging 2000s London rap scene alongside peers linked to labels like XL Recordings and collectives tied to venues such as Fabric and festivals including Glastonbury Festival.

Music career

His initial singles and independent releases circulated on UK pirate radio and online platforms, attracting attention from industry figures and leading to a deal with Sony Music and releases on his imprint Disturbing London. The debut album featured chart-topping singles that reached the UK Singles Chart top ten and collaborations with vocalists from Scotland and producers associated with Sweden and France. He worked with producers and artists linked to Ministry of Sound, EMI Records, Universal Music Group, and international DJs such as David Guetta and Calvin Harris, while touring with acts who had played at Wireless Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Coachella and T in the Park.

Subsequent albums expanded stylistically into Electropop, Dance-pop and crossover hip hop with guest appearances from American rappers connected to Atlantic Records and Def Jam Recordings as well as British singers affiliated with RCA Records and Island Records. Singles achieved certifications by industry bodies like the British Phonographic Industry and garnered nominations and awards from institutions including the BRIT Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards and Ivor Novello Awards. He collaborated with contemporaries such as Example, Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding, Emeli Sandé, and US artists like 2 Chainz and Machine Gun Kelly on both studio releases and live festival slots across Europe, Australia, and North America.

Other ventures and business activities

Beyond recording, he co-founded the lifestyle and record imprint Disturbing London which signed and promoted artists, partnerships and events across London and Los Angeles. He launched fashion collaborations and capsule collections with retailers and designers operating in Oxford Street and partnering with brands that have flagship stores in Soho, Mayfair, New York City, and Paris. Tempah invested in hospitality and nightlife projects tied to clubs in Shoreditch and venues associated with promoters who stage events at Ministry of Sound and XOYO. He has also worked on broadcast projects with networks and platforms such as BBC Radio 1, MTV, and streaming services that commission music documentaries and live sessions.

Public image and philanthropy

Tempah cultivated a high-profile image through appearances at award ceremonies, editorial features in magazines sold alongside publications distributed in London and interviews on programmes broadcast by BBC One, Channel 4 and music channels like MTV UK. He supported charitable causes and partnered with charities operating in Lagos, Accra, and UK-based non-profits focused on youth empowerment and arts education, collaborating with campaigns aligned with organisations such as those that have worked with Prince's Trust affiliates and community initiatives in Brixton, Camden and Hackney. His public persona has been shaped by associations with fashion houses that show at London Fashion Week, appearances alongside athletes from clubs like Arsenal F.C. and Chelsea F.C., and participation in benefit events tied to cultural institutions including Southbank Centre.

Personal life

He maintains ties to family of Nigerian Igbo descent and residences in London while frequently traveling between London, Los Angeles and other cultural centres. He has appeared on television specials and guest-hosted radio segments linked to personalities from BBC Radio 1, Capital FM and presenters who have worked with networks such as Sky Sports and ITV. His interests include fashion collaborations showcased during London Fashion Week and DJ sets at festivals and clubs associated with promoters of Glastonbury Festival and Wireless Festival.

Category:English rappers Category:Musicians from London Category:British people of Nigerian descent