BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Kwasi Danquah III (/ˈkweɪsi dæŋˈkwɑː/ kway-see dang-kwah), better known by his stage name Tinchy Stryder (born 14 September 1986)[1][2] also known as The Star in the Hood, is a Ghanaian-born British[3][4] musician, music executive, A&R executive, investor, and businessman. He is the co-founder and co-chief executive officer (CEO) of Takeover Roc Nation.[5][6]
He has recorded and released three solo studio albums, Star in the Hood (2007), Catch 22 (2009), and Third Strike (2010).
His non-music business ventures include the clothing line Star in the Hood, among others. He is also the president and chief executive of Takeover/Cloud 9 (music publishing company through EMI Music Publishing), and he currently serves as the Chairman and A&R executive of Takeover Entertainment Limited,[7] and along with Jay-Z, also co-owns Takeover Roc Nation.
Biography
Early life & Education
Stryder was resident in the United Kingdom from 1995 until 2008,[8] in Bow, London and he attended St Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School in nearby Forest Gate, Newham;[2] he gained a B.A. (Hons) in Digital arts, Moving image and Animation at theUniversity of East London.[9][10] He began making music in 1997, and started in business almost immediately after completing hisGCE advanced level and general certificate of education in 2006.
Music career
1997–2006: Music career beginnings
Stryder's recordings date back to 1997, he would make appearances in 2000[11] on pirate radio along with Dizzee Rascal andWiley,[12] and would be part of grime collective and record production team Ruff Sqwad from 2001. His pseudonym Tinchy Stryder derives from Strider and from the nickname given to him "Tinchy":[8][13] his height at 5 ft 5 in (1.67 m).[14]
In 2002, the grime group Roll Deep was formed, and included Stryder and Dizzee Rascal. They were making music that was a derivative of Garage. For a while there was not even a name for it. The name "grime" was the one that stuck.[15] While performing with Roll Deep, he performed some songs including, "U Were Always" in 2002, which was released years later on Roll Deep's compilations album, Street Anthems in 2009. He also performed on Roll Deep's 2004 mixtape, Creeper Vol. 2.[15]
In 2003, Stryder featured as a cameo in the music video of Dizzee Rascal's third single from his debut album Boy in da Corner, "Jus' a Rascal", and would feature on the Ruff Sqwad albums Guns and Roses Volume. 1 in March 2005 and Guns and Roses Volume. 2 in October 2006.[16]
2006–2008: Star in the Hood
The debut album by Stryder, Star in the Hood, was released on 13 August 2007 on Takeover. The album spawned two main singles, "Breakaway", which was released on 9 April 2007 and "Something About Your Smile", was released on 6 August 2007. Bonus track "Mainstream Money" was also released as an underground single in November 2007.[13]
In 2008, Stryder released his debut extended play, Cloud 9 The EP, which was released on 31 March, also on Takeover.[17] This was succeeded by him and grime producerManiac collaborating on the album, Tinchy Stryder vs. Maniac, which was released on 24 November 2008.[18] Only one single was released from the album, "Rollin", which was released in October 2008.[19] This track was also included on his 2009 second solo studio album, Catch 22, as part of the, Deluxe 2-Disc Edition, and he would collaborate with American band Gang Gang Dance on their album Saint Dymphna that was released in October 2008.
2008–2010: Catch 22
Stryder began a partnership with English producer/songwriter Fraser T Smith.[20] According to Smith in an interview with HitQuarters, "Kwasi had no shortage of beats and cool sounding production, but I think he wanted to try and break through into the mainstream, and I had some experience crossing underground over into mainstream having worked with artists like Craig David."[20]
The single "Stryderman", was released on 20 July 2008. It was the first single taken from Catch 22. The second single, "Take Me Back", was released on 19 January 2009.[21][22]His third single, a collaboration with the English hip-hop band N-Dubz entitled "Number 1," peaked at number 6 on the European Hot 100 Singles. His fourth single from Catch 22, "Never Leave You", was released on 3 August 2009 with the album following on 17 August 2009. "Never Leave You" peaked at number 5 on the European Hot 100 Singles on the week of its release. Catch 22 debuted at Number 11 on the European Top 100 Albums. The fifth and final single from Catch 22 is "You're Not Alone," which was released in November 2009 and samples the Olive song of the same name.[23]
In February 2010, Stryder headline toured for the third time, he invited the English singer Example and rapper JME as his supporting acts. The tour was Stryder's second sell-out tour after he toured in 2009 and helped in raising the profile of Example.[24] Stryder opened on the pyramid stage at the England Glastonbury Festival, on Saturday, 27 June 2010. He also performed at the O2 Arena in England, for the Transformation Trust's first birthday alongside The Saturdays.[25][26]
2010–2011: Third Strike
Stryder's third solo studio album, Third Strike was released on Monday, 15 November 2010 and was a successful electronic dance music album.[27] Stryder began recording Third Strike shortly after he completed his previous album, he then released a promotional single, "Gangsta?", six month's prior to the release of the studio album. This was followed by him releasing the first official single from it, a year from the day he released his second studio album. He began working with Fraser T Smith who had also worked on his second studio album. English singer and record producer Taio Cruz produced the largely, along with Fraser T Smith. The album title was picked by the title of Street Fighter III 3rd Strikewhich was also a massive success. Third Strike features several artists, including English singer Amelle, with whom he collaborated on Catch 22 on the single "Never Leave You". The album features Taio Cruz who also featured on the Stryder's last album. The album also features artists affiliated with Roc Nation: Canadian singer Melanie Fiona on "Let It Rain", American singer Alexis Jordan, and American singer Bridget Kelly on "Take The World". The song "Game Over" features six different artists. Eric Turner from the Swedishrock band Street Fighting Man also features on the album.
2011–2014: Non-album singles
The first single from the scrapped studio album entitled Full Tank is "Spaceship" and it features English singer-songwriter Dappy from N-Dubz. Stryder performed at the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final in support of the single, making him the first rapper, contemporary artist and singer in history to perform at a UEFA Champions League final.[28][29]
He teamed up with Scottish DJs/producers Calvin Harris and Matt Burns credited as 'BURNS', for the second single from the scrapped album, "Off The Record".[30] On Thursday, 3 November 2011 Stryder announced in an interview that his fourth album to be released would be entitled; "Full Tank".[31] On Tuesday, 3 January 2012 Stryder released the video for the third single from Full Tank entitled 'Bright Lights' which features English singer Pixie Lott. There is also another version of the song entitled 'Bright Lights Part II' that is featured on Pixie Lott's second studio album, Young Foolish Happy.[32] In various media outlets in July 2012, Stryder spoke of the single 'Help Me' being released in September 2012. The video of the single was released on 15 August 2012. The single features singer-songwriter Camille Purcell.[33] It has been described as "unmistakably Tinchy" and "among his better work".[33] On December 25, 2012, on his Facebook page, Tinchy released a freestyle titled "Look At Me Now" along with it he said "Look out for the first single from my fourth album early next year. Can't wait to share this new music with you all!". This being said means "Spaceship", "Off the Record", "Bright Lights" and "Help Me" became non-album singles.
2014–present: 360°
Four years after his last album, Tinchy premiered his new promotional single "Misunderstood" in April 2014. It will feature on his forthcoming fourth album 360º. "Misunderstood" was released on 14 April. The album's lead single "ESG" will be released on 9 June 2014.[34] It features vocals from Takura and production by Show N Prove.
Business career
| Kwasi Danquah III | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 September 1986 Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana |
| Residence | Coloane, Macau  |
| Citizenship | Dual Citizen: Republic of Ghana andUnited Kingdom (naturalized 1996) |
| Alma mater | University of East London |
| Occupation | Investor, Business manager |
| Title | Chairman & CEO of S.I.T.H (2009–present) President & CEO of Takeover/Cloud 9 (2009–present) Chairman of Takeover Entertainment (2010–present) CEO & SEVP of Takeover Roc Nation (2010–present) CEO & Creative director of Goji Electronics (2012–present) |
| Signature | _signature.jpg) |
Kwasi Danquah III is the Chairman of holding company Takeover Entertainment, a global entertainment company.
In 2006 and 2008, he had created Star in the Hood, an international fashion company, then in December 2008 he founded the global publishing company, Takeover/Cloud 9.[35] In June 2010, he aligned Takeover Entertainment Limited, with entertainment powerhouses Roc Nation LLC and Live Nation, and created Takeover Roc Nation.[5]
In November 2011, he was hired by Honda's motorbike division for their pan-European campaign to push the division's Vision 50,[36] and in December 2011, Danquah incepted Goji Electronics Incorporation, a consumer electronics company and from June 2012, audio products began to be manufactured by the company.[37]
Ventures
- Takeover Entertainment Ltd.
Since 2006, Stryder's music career has been managed by Takeover Entertainment Limited.[13] Stryder became the company's Chairman and A&R executive in January 2010.[13]
- Star in the Hood (company)
Stryder created the clothing brand Star in the Hood (company), named after his pseudonym "Star In The Hood" in September 2006, it became global in 2010.[13]
- Takeover/Cloud 9
In December 2008, Stryder created his own global publishing company, Takeover/Cloud 9 by a joint venture with EMI divisionEMI Music Publishing.[35]
- Takeover Roc Nation
In June 2010, Stryder signed a business deal with Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter to ally Stryder's company, Takeover Entertainment Limited, with Roc Nation LLC.[13] The new leg of the company is called Takeover Roc Nation.[5]
- Goji Electronics, Inc.
In June 2012, Danquah released a line of consumer electronics. The Goji Electronics line consists of the brand of headphones, Goji Tinchy Stryder, the Goji On Cloud 9 Audio equipment, a circumaural headphone, an on-ear headphone, an in-ear headphone, a series of HD over-ear headphones, a supra-aural headphone, travel speakers, alsoconsumer electronics such as tablet computer, netbook and smartphone accessories.[38][39] The headphones are distributed by DSG International plc.[37][40] DSG International and Danquah announced the deal in June 2012. The Goji Electronics consumer electronics and audio equipment, known as Goji Tinchy Stryder and Goji On Cloud 9, were available for sale mid-July 2012 and are distributed by DSG International plc subsidiaries across Europe and Pixmania globally.[37]
- Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
On Tuesday, 8 November 2011 Honda's motorbike division hired Stryder for their pan-European campaign. The campaign featuring Stryder was supported by Facebook, Inc., and a tie-up with fashion brand GAS in order to push the Vision 50, Honda's 50cc entry level scooter. The Vision 50 was launched on 8 November 2011 at the EICMA (Milan Motorcycle Show) in Milan, Italy along with six other bike models.[36]
Personal life
Stryder revealed in January 2010 that he would have become a footballer.[41][42][43] Stryder was originally scheduled to be a professional footballer, being left-footed he played in the striker and second striker positions and was enrolled at the academy of Wimbledon F.C. from 2000 to 2003 and the youth team of Leyton Orient F.C. from 2003 to 2006.[44]
Stryder supports Scottish Football Club Rangers F.C. and Manchester United, where he is known to have an executive box at Old Trafford.[45]
Charity work
On Thursday, 4 November 2010 Stryder attended the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire in England, for Alicia Keys' charity, Keep a Child Alive charity ball and auction, along with other special guests. All proceeds from the auctions for the event was donated to Alicia Keys’ charity, Keep a Child Alive (KCA).[46] Stryder donates income from Goji Electronics to charity.[47]
Discography
Main article: Tinchy Stryder discography
Studio albums
- Star in the Hood (2007)
- Catch 22 (2009)
- Third Strike (2010)
- 360° (2014/15)
Mixtapes
- I'm Back U Know (2006)
- Lost and Found (2006)
- Before the Storm (2010)
Extended plays
- Cloud 9 The EP (2008)
- Star in the Hood EP Vol. 1 (2009)
- Star in the Hood EP Vol. 2 (2009)
- III EP (2010)
- The Wish List (2011)
See also
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