Wiley (rapper)

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Wiley (rapper) bigraphy, stories - Rapper and record producer

Wiley (rapper) : biography

19 January 1979 –

Richard Kylea Cowie (born 19 January 1979), better known by his stage name Wiley, is an English rapper, MC, songwriter, record producer and recording artist with Caribbean roots from Trinidad and Antigua, originating from Bow, East London. He first rose to fame as a grime MC and continuously produces grime music while releasing mainstream singles, such as the UK Singles Chart top 10 hits "Wearing My Rolex", "Never Be Your Woman" and his UK number-one "Heatwave". He is considered a pioneer in the UK underground music scene, and a versatile music artist with many crossover hits. His consistency and influence within the grime scene is why he is honoured as the "Godfather of Grime" or "The King of Grime".

Legacy

Wiley has always had a strong presence in the grime scene and his music has often influenced the up-and-coming MCs and producers. Wiley has been a major factor at the early career stages of several UK Stars such as Dizzee Rascal, Tinchy Stryder and Chipmunk, and other artists Ice-Kid and Little Dee. Wiley is often cited as the "King of Grime" and "Godfather of Grime". Other Grime artists have cited Wiley as a big influence in their careers. He has been a prolific artist producing several albums and mixtapes for a number of labels. His origins have often been a subject of his work (e.g. "Bow E3").

Record Labels

Wiley has a number of record labels. In 2004, Eskibeat Recordings was formed by Wiley to bring young grime artists into the spotlight as well as release his own music under the label. In 2005 Wiley helped form the label Boy Better Know which is owned and run by JME (Jamie Adenuga) & his older brother Skepta.

In 2010, Wiley founded A-List Records (A-List Music LTD.) On 26 & 27 September 2012, Wiley signed J2K & Ice-Kid to A-List Records. Two weeks after, he had also signed Scratchy Demus, Manga and A. Star(the younger brother of singer Angel) to the record label. He is also planning to release a Riko Dan & God’s Gift album on the label, which Wiley will be Exucetive Producer of. Wrigley from Manchester is also signed to the label. Producers include Rymez who is behind big hits Heatwave and Can You Hear Me? and female producer Flava D.

Wiley is currently signed to Warner Music and has a label deal with Sony Music as of 2013.

Personal life

Cowie supports Tottenham Hotspur.

Cowie’s name comes from the Thundercats cartoon character, "Wiley Kat", which he used briefly, until he shortened his name down to "Wiley".

The nickname "Eskiboy" derives from the name he originally gave to grime, "Eskibeat". It also comes from his famous underground grime instrumental "Eskimo". He was then known and nicknamed as "Eskiboy".

Wiley has two children, both daughters.

Cowie has been stabbed seven times in two separate occasions. One stab wound is visible as a scar on the left hand side of his face. He has talked about how he got slashed in the face three days before the shoot of "Wearing My Rolex", and the scar on his face ruined his confidence and self-esteem for a while, as he did not want to turn up to interviews or music videos.

In 2011, Wiley brought back his famous Eskimo Dance raves, where numerous grime MCs spit bars on stage whilst a selection of DJs play instrumentals.

Music career

1997–2003: Career beginnings

As a teenager Wiley featured on pirate radio stations such as Rinse FM & drum & bass station ect. In 2000, Wiley went from SS Crew to join "The Ladies Hit Squad", a garage crew with his college friends DJ Target and MC Maxwell D. They achieved some success on the UK Garage scene and soon decided to combine with rival crew Pay As U Go to become a ‘super crew’ containing members of Ladies Hit Squad, as well as DJ Slimzee & DJ Geenenus and MC’s Major Ace and Plague A Lero from Brown Brothers whom Wiley occasionally deejayed for. God’s Gift from Deck Collecters Crew, Flow Dan and Riko Dan joined soon after. In 2002 the collective achieved a top 20 hit "Champagne Dance" Wiley also received a wide recognition in 2000 for his UK Garage produced record ‘Nicoles Groove’ which he made under the stage name ‘Phase One’.