Tinchy Stryder

When he was young he wanted to become a footballer. He was a left-footed player and used to play in the striker position. Presently, he supports Manchester United.

He is also into philanthropy and does charity work for 'Keep a Child Alive' (KCA), which brings dignified treatment, care and support to children and families affected by HIV.

He was born as Kwasi Danquah on September 14, 1986, in Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana, and moved to East London at a young age.

From 1995 to 2008, he lived in Bow, London and was brought up in one of the capital’s most dangerous boroughs, Tower Hamlets. He received his early education from St. Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School in nearby Forest Gate, Newham.

He forayed into music at the age of 14 on pirate radio sets in East London with other established grime MCs such as Wiley and Dizzee Rascal. He was also part of a well-known grime group, ‘Roll Deep’, featuring in some songs including ‘U Were Always’.

Later, he obtained a degree in B.A. (Hons) in Digital arts, Moving image and Animation from the University of East London.

In 2006, he was hired by two forward thinking teenagers, Archie Lamb and Jack Foster, to play at one of the club nights they ran. The three of them struck an immediate bond and later on he signed to their company, Takeover, for management, live performances, recording, merchandise and publishing.

In August 2007, his debut solo studio album, ‘Star in the Hood’ was released on the independent record label ‘Takeover Entertainment Ltd.’ This album spawned two main singles, ‘Breakaway’ and ‘Something About Your Smile’ with British singer-songwriter Cylena Cymone. The bonus track ‘Mainstream Money’ was also released as an underground single in November 2007.

In 2009, he released his second solo studio album, ‘Catch 22’, which was influenced by the electro hop and alternative hip hop genres. The album’s single, ‘Take Me Back’, peaked at #3 on the U.K. Singles chart in January 2009.

Then he collaborated with N-Dubz to release the single, “Number 1”, which entered the U.K. chart at #1 in keeping up with its title. Later he released another single titled ‘Never Leave You’ with Amelle Berrabah, which became his second #1 hit.

In 2010, he released his third solo studio album, ‘Third Strike’ but it failed to match the commercial success of his previous albums. The album charted poorly when released, reaching only the 48th spot on the U.K. Albums chart,

Catch 22’, was his most successful album featuring hit singles such as ‘Number 1’ and ‘Never Leave You’, both of which topped the UK Singles Chart giving him the first #1 single of his career.

He is a also an entrepreneur having interests in diverse domains, such as fashion, entertainment and electronics. He is the C.E.O. of ‘Star in the Hood’ (fashion company), ‘Takeover Roc Nation’ (entertainment company) and ‘Goji Electronics’