Last year’s biggest selling British solo male artist is back! Grime emcee Tinchy Stryder is set to release In My System, the first single from his forthcoming album Third Strike on August 9th 2010 and we've been chatting to him to hear all about it.
Hey Tinchy, how's it going?
I'm good, jus talking easy while I can you know!
What have you got on this week, anything exciting?
Yeah I've got a show in Scotland, so that should be fun, all though I aint really looking forward to the flight.
Your new single, In My System, is released a week on Monday (9 August), it's the first single from the new album, so tell us a bit about it.
In My System is about how you get into someone so fast without even knowing and my 1st line ' How did you grab my soul like that?' explains it all.
Does the new album, Third Strike see you taking a different musical direction?
Yeah man, I believe being creative is the key to being a good artist so naturally there was progression in the sound to the new album '3rd Strike'.
You've obviously had two albums out in the past but you only really achieved so-called 'mainstream' success after your collaboration with N-Dubz, were there any points where you felt really frustrated and thought about jacking it all in?
Nah man I've always been cool and patient and its always been a hobby before it became my job, I just love music.
You then teamed up with Amelle Berrabah of the Sugababes for the next number one single; how important do you think those duos were in making you the name you are now?
Amelle is a lovely girl man, I enjoyed working with her and we're still tight. I think a good song is a good song away from the names on it but I guess its always a bonus when talents combine.
Yesterday it was announced that you're going to be headlining a charity gig on November 4 at London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire in association with Alicia Keys' charity Keep A Child Alive, is charity something that's really important to you?
Yeah I went to Alicia Keys' event she put on for her charity in London which I was invited to and I really thought she was doing something great to help out the children in Africa so I decided to put on a show and donate all the profits to the charity.
You also met Jay-Z last month right and I hear he gave you some good advice?
Yeah man jus the general conversation with him was influential, he's a real cool guy
You obviously have a whole host of influential stars who see great potential in your music, but is there anyone on the scene who you think I should be keeping my eyes open for?
Yep Ruff Sqwad, that's my crew and family right there... And we're getting back in the studio so look out for some fire
If I was contemplating coming to your show or sitting at home and watching Big Brother, how would you get me out of the house?
Offering you some VIP passes… Haha!
We’ve got to admit you’re a little bit cool, so what advice would you give to someone just starting out, knowing what you know now?
Be yourself, its harder to be someone or something you aint, you can be yourself without even trying... It's easy.
FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison
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