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Wiley

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Wiley, born Richard Cowie Jr. in 1979 in Bow, in the east of London, is often called the Godfather of Grime. His father was a reggae artist and introduced him to drums and to early hip hop. He started out as a DJ, then moved on to rapping, and played his own productions on pirate radio stations such as Rinse FM. In UK garage he had success with the crews Ladies Hit Squad and Pay As U Go, who had a hit with Champagne Dance in 2002. He then founded Roll Deep, a group that also included Dizzee Rascal and Tinchy Stryder, which broke away from the garage sound and eventually became grime.

Music and breakthrough

From 2001 Wiley released instrumental singles on his own label, including Eskimo, Avalanche and Ice Rink. His debut album Treddin' on Thin Ice was released in 2004 on XL Recordings. It included Wot Do U Call It?, a song that asked what name belonged to his music. Hits such as Wearing My Rolex and Heatwave followed later, and in 2017 the album Godfather.

Influence

Grime is hard, fast and angular, with short, digital sounds and rap in a hectic rhythm. Wiley used the Korg Triton on Wot Do U Call It?, and as a result that synthesizer became a fixture of the genre. He laid the foundation for a British style that grew independently of American hip hop.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Wot Do U Call It? and notice the synthesizer sound and the angular beat. Can you hear how the question in the title returns in the lyrics?

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: ArtistsGrime