Grime artist Tinie Timpah comes to Liverpool Cube on Saturday

Feb 25 2010 by Paul Mannion, Flintshire Chronicle

Grime artist Tinie Tempah is hoping to make a big impact on the garage music scene, starting with a gig at the Liverpool Cube on Saturday.

London born rapper Tinie Tempah, real name Patrick Okogwu, has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of peers N-Dubz, Dizzee Rascal, Tinchy Stryder and Chipmunk, to become the sound of 2010 with his debut album this summer.

“I’ve never tried to be anything other than what I am”, he said.

“I was well bought up, I liked school, I liked learning, I’m well educated, I’m well spoken,” Tinie insists, before pointing out there were times that he would be on TV, yet have no money to take a bus, feed his dog, put credit on his phone.

“I want my album to show that you can always do more; there’s always more to achieve, wherever you’re from and whoever you are.

“Think that’s the undertone of the whole album; aspiring to be more.”

Distinctive in his delivery and creative in his approach, the album will reflect the charismatic rapper’s unique point of view, somewhat at odds with some of his contemporaries’ more gritty sounds.

“I love everything from Britney to Busta Rhymes,” points out the Regina Spektor, Calvin Harris and Kanye fan.

“As I made the album I realised there’s a lot more to music than being whisked about in cabs and having the latest phone,” says Tinie.

“It’s a lot of hard work that goes into it. My goal, my aim is to be a superstar, but not in a cheesy way,” he said.

“I want to go to America and do what they do. But better. I have so much ambition. I feel like even if I got a No.1, I still wouldn’t be satisfied. There’s so much more you can do.”

Tinie Tempah plays the Cube, Seel Street, Liverpool, on Saturday, February 27, for more information ring 0151 709 327.