Wretch 32
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This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2012) |
| Wretch 32 | |
|---|---|
 Performing at Jersey Live in 2011. |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jermaine Sinclair |
| Born | 9 March 1985 |
| Origin | Tottenham, London, England |
| Genres | Grime, British hip hop, UK rap, bass music |
| Occupations | Rapper |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | Ministry of Sound (2010–present) |
| Associated acts | The Movement, Bashy, Chipmunk, Ed Sheeran, Skepta, Wiley, Double S, Tinie Tempah, Kano, Example, Angel, Skyhigh, Sherif, Lowkey |
| Website | wretch32.com |
Jermaine Scott Sinclair (born 9 March 1985),[1][2] better known by his stage name Wretch 32 (three-two), is an English rapper and former Grime MC from Tottenham, London where he grew up the son of a local reggae DJ in the Tiverton Estate.[3] He was a member of the grime collective "Combination Chain Gang", before forming The Movement with Scorcher, Ghetts, and Mercston. Wretch released his first single "Traktor" in January 2011.
2009 Mp3 Music Awards announced that Wretch 32 was nominated for an Mp3 Award alongside Chipmunk and Haringey Independent[4] and Channel U / Channel AKA published the story.[5]
On 6 December 2010, the BBC also announced that Wretch 32 had been nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll[6] and MTV named him as a nominee for MTV Brand New for 2011.[7]
In 2011, Wretch 32 had three top-five charting songs from debut album Black and White and amassed over a million record sales. In 2012 he was used by both Adidas and Coca Cola as one of the main faces of their London 2012 Olympics campaigns and on 1 July 2012 he won 'Best International Act' at the 2012 BET Awards.
Contents |
Career [edit]
Early life [edit]
Born in March 1985, Scott grew up alongside crews Combination Chain Gang and The Movement, the latter of which featured Scorcher, Ghetto, Mercston and Devlin & Wretch 32 In My Lifetime. Continuing his MC career in 2006, Scott under the name Wretch 32 released a series of mixtapes, including Teacher's Training Day – which featured guest appearances from Ghetts, Bashy and Scorcher.[8]
2007: Early exposure [edit]
Wretch 32 got his first big break when he performed at the first annual MP3 Music Awards in 2007. After performing at MMA 2007, his album was released.
2008–2011: Early career [edit]
The movement into mainstream began when Wretch 32 appeared at Radio 1's Big Weekend on the BBC Introducing stage in 2009. His debut studio album, Wretchrospective was released in the United Kingdom during 2008, prior to Wretch's signing with record label Ministry of Sound. Wretch 32 and Chipmunk were both nominees for the UGG Awards, Urban/Garage/Grime category at the 2009 Mp3 Music Awards followed by Haringey Independent Press Release. On 6 December 2010, Wretch 32 was named as one of the nominees for BBC's Sound of 2011, an annual poll which predicts artists that will progress during the upcoming year. In 2010 Wretch 32 won an Official Mixtape Award for the 'best hiphop mixtape of 2009.
2011–2012: Black and White [edit]
On 16 January 2011, Wretch released "Traktor" as the lead single from his second studio album Black and White.[9] through Ministry of Sound as both a digital download and a CD single. The track saw commercial success, having been selected as BBC Radio 1's Reggie Yates Weekend Anthem on 19–20 December 2010,[10] before debuting at number five on the UK Singles Chart as the third highest entry of the week.[11] "Unorthodox", featuring British rapper Example, was released as the second single from the album on 17 April 2011. The song, which sampled The Stone Roses' 1989 hit "Fools Gold" debuted at number two in the UK, also topping the R&B chart and independent releases chart; having been selected as Jo Whiley's Weekend Anthem on 26–27 March 2011.[12] "Don't Go", featuring Josh Kumra, was released as the album's third single on 14 August 2011. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number one, being Wretch's most successful single to date. On 11 December 2011, "Forgiveness" featuring Etta Bond was released as the album's third single. It charted at number 49 on the UK Singles Chart as the album's least successful single. "Hush Little Baby", featuring Ed Sheeran, was released as the fifth and final single from Black and White on 27 May 2012, peaking at number 35 on the UK Singles Chart.
2012-present: Third studio album [edit]
During April and May 2012, Wretch completed an arena tour around the UK, first supporting Example from 20 to 30 April 2012 and then starting his own second headline tour from 8—19 May 2012, supported by Jakwob and Kyra. The tours saw the debut of a new track titled "Blur", to be featured on his upcoming album.
In early 2012, Wretch 32 led a national TV and advertising campaign with Adidas for the London 2012 Olympics. Wretch recorded a song alongside friend and producer Wizzy Wow that was used for the Adidas #takethestage campaign and TV advert. He featured as the main face of the TV advert and was also one of the key faces of the billboard and poster campaign across the country. On 1 July 2012, Wretch 32 won 'Best International Artist' at the BET Awards. Over the course of July he also partnered with Coca Cola and completed a tour along the south coast of Britain, following the Olympic Torch Relay in the buildup to London 2012 and playing sets in the evening celebrations. He played a stripped version of his arena tour setlist, cutting out "Forgiveness", "Hush Little Baby", "Blur" and "Don't Be Afraid". A freestyle rap was filmed in Dorset to celebrate the event,[13] taking a tour of the area with some parkour experts. On 15 August 2012, Wretch released his mixtape Wretchercise. It features collaborations with several artists including Chip, Scorcher, Loick Essien, Krept, Konan and Kano.
"Blur" features on the FIFA 13 soundtrack, as the full track's first appearance. In November 2012, Wretch's debut album Wretchrospective was re-released on iTunes, with Action Man (a track from Wretchercise) as a bonus track. In late 2012 a new track titled "Pop?" received airplay on many major radio stations, and remixes from Melé, Fake Blood and Wonder have been revealed. The track was released as a promotional single on 27 January 2013 and the Melé remix features on the Ministry of Sound compilation Clubbers Guide 2013. It received mixed reviews as it samples "P's and Q's" by Kano, a fellow UK rapper.
On 4 March 2013, MistaJam on BBC Radio 1Xtra premiered "Blackout" featuring Shakka, the lead single from Wretch's upcoming third studio album. The song is produced by Knox Brown, who also worked on several songs for Wretchercise. During the premiere, Wretch confirmed that the album title has yet to be decided. He revealed in an interview with Link Up TV that he has also been working with George the Poet and Jacob Banks, within the "Renowned" music group.[14] The album is expected to be released in August.[15]
Discography [edit]
- Studio albums
- 2008: Wretchrospective
- 2011: Black and White
Awards and Nominations [edit]
| Year | Organisation | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | BBC 1Xtra | Wretch 32 | Best Hip Hop | Won |
| 2009 | Official Mixtape Awards | Wretch 32 | Most Street Heat | Won |
| 2010 | BBC Sound of 2011[6] | Wretch 32 | Sound of 2011 | Nominated |
| MTV Brand New[7] | Wretch 32 | New for 2011 | Nominated | |
| 2011 | MOBO Awards | Wretch 32 | Best UK Act | Nominated |
| MOBO Awards | Wretch 32 | Best Newcomer | Nominated | |
| MOBO Awards | Wretch 32 | Best UK Hip Hop/Grime Act | Nominated | |
| MOBO Awards | Wretch 32 | Best Song | Nominated | |
| Urban Music Awards | Wretch 32 | Artist of the Year | Won | |
| Urban Music Awards | Wretch 32 | Best Hip Hop Act | Won | |
| Urban Music Awards | Wretch 32 ft. Example ‘Unorthodox’ | Best Single | Won | |
| Urban Music Awards | Wretch 32 ft. Example ‘Unorthodox’ | Best Music Video | Won | |
| MP3 Music Awards | Wretch 32 ft. Example ‘Unorthodox’ | The UGG Award | Won | |
| 4 Music Video Honours | Wretch 32 ft. L Marshall ‘Traktor’ | Best Big Beats | Nominated | |
| 4 Music Video Honours | Wretch 32 | Best Breakthrough | Nominated | |
| 2012 | BET Best International Act 2012[6] | Wretch 32 | Best International Act | Won |
| NXG Awards | Wretch 32 | Inspiration Act | Won |
References [edit]
- ^ Wretch 32 – Grimepedia Page, Retrieved 2010-12-04.
- ^ Wretch 32 – Homepage – Biography, Retrieved 2010-12-03.[dead link]
- ^ Wretch 32 interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' January 2011
- ^ Wretch 32 & Chipmunk Haringey Independent Press Release, Retrieved 2009-09-11.
- ^ Wretch 32 & Chipmunk Channel U / Channel AKA Press News, Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- ^ a b c BBC – Sound of 2011 – Nominees, Retrieved 2010-12-04.
- ^ a b MTV Brand New for 2011 – Nominees, Retrieved 2010-12-20.
- ^ Wretch 32 – Teacher's Training Day, Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ Wretch 32 – Traktor – Information, Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ BBC Radio 1 – Switch – 20 December 2010 – Tracklisting, Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ^ Peak positions for singles in the United Kingdom:
- For "Traktor": "Chart Archive > UK Singles > 29 January 2011". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- For "Unorthodox": "Chart Archive > UK Singles > 30 April 2011". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
- For "Don't Go": "Chart Archive > UK Singles > 27 August 2011". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
- For Black and White: "Chart Archive > UK Albums > 3 September 2011". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
- For "Hangover": "Chart Archive > UK Singles > 1 October 2011". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
- ^ BBC Radio 1 – Request Show – 26 March 2011 BBC Radio 1, Retrieved 2011-04-18.
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sutl38Dqa30
- ^ "Link Up TV: Wretch 32 talks Pop, New Album, Renowned + MORE - YouTube". YouTube. 2013-02-09.
- ^ "Twitter / iAmShakka: #AhYeah. @Wretch32 @KnoxBrown ...". Twitter. 2013-03-16.
External links [edit]
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