Tinchy Stryder

About

Also known as: Kwasi Danquah, Kwasi Danquah III, Kwasi Esono Danquah III, Tinchy Strider

Tinchy Stryder, born Kwasi Esono Danquah III, came up through the early grime scene alongside Dizzee Rascal and Wiley, appearing on pirate radio as far back as 2000 and rolling with grime collective Roll Deep from 2002. His stage name is a mashup of his nickname "Tinchy" and the video game Strider, which tells you something about the playful energy he brings to his music. He found mainstream success with his second album Catch 22, particularly the N Dubz collaboration "Number 1" which genuinely hit the top spot in the UK and Ireland. His third album Third Strike followed in 2010, a more ambitious project stacked with collaborators from Roc Nation including Melanie Fiona and Alexis Jordan, plus Taio Cruz handling much of the production alongside Fraser T Smith. The track "Game Over" featured no fewer than six artists, including Professor Green, Tinie Tempah, Giggs and Chipmunk. Beyond music, Stryder has also built out a clothing line and a headphone range under the Cloud 9 X Goji brand.