Tinie Tempah has told Music Week that the increasing chart presence of UK rappers can create a new generation of career artists.
Speaking in the latest issue, he said: “I feel like every artist has a shot at an incredible career, and they’ll be around for the next 10 years if they get it right.”
Tempah is enjoying success with Not3s, the teenage rapper signed to his Imhotep publishing roster alongside Drake collaborator Nana Rogues. Following strong sales for My Lover, which peaked at No.14, Not3s is now aiming for his first Top 10 finish as a featured artist on Mabel’s Fine Line.
“He is an unstoppable force at the moment,” said Tempah. “As an artist myself, it’s always amazing to see that first spark of someone who’s just burst onto the scene. There’s no stopping Not3s, it’s going to continue to get bigger and bigger.”
The mainstream impact of grime and UK rap in recent months has included Stormzy’s double BRITs win and Atlantic deal, BRITs recognition for Dave and J Hus, as well as this week’s Sony/ATV worldwide deal for Yungen - exclusively revealed in Music Week.
“I really like what Dave is doing at the moment,” said Tempah. “Stormzy has obviously done phenomenally. I like what AJ Tracey is doing, Ramz had an amazing track with Barking, Fredo is doing amazingly well. It’s anybody’s game – that whole scene, young London and young Britain, I’m excited for every single artist.”
He added: “The platforms have changed now. Artists have power in their own hands - they can set up their own labels and then go to Ditto, they can go to Kobalt. It’s like a brand new day.”
Tempah described the ethos of Imhotep as a “safe, creative environment” for young talent.
“I just want to have a hand in helping them become global artists,” he added.
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