Jump to content

Wiley (musician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wiley
Wiley in 2011
Born
Richard Kylea Cowie Jr.

(1979-01-19) 19 January 1979 (age 45)
London, England
Other names
  • Eskiboy
  • Wiley Kat
  • King of Grime
  • Godfather of Grime
  • Phaze One
Occupations
  • MC
  • songwriter
  • DJ
  • record producer
Years active1994–present
Children3
Musical career
Genres
DiscographyWiley discography
Labels

Richard Kylea Cowie Jr. (born 19 January 1979), better known by his stage name Wiley (formerly Wiley Kat),[1] is a British grime MC, songwriter, DJ and record producer from Bow, London. He is regarded as a pioneer in the British underground music scene, known for his prolific work rate and versatility, with many crossover hits.

Wiley is considered a key figure in the creation of grime music and often labelled the "Godfather of Grime".[2] In the early 2000s, he independently released a series of highly influential eskibeat instrumentals on white label vinyl,[3][4] such as the first in the series "Eskimo" and is known as a grime MC both for his solo work and for material released with his crew Roll Deep.

Wiley first tasted success as a member of UK garage crew Pay As U Go, with whom he had a top 40 hit, "Champagne Dance" in 2001. Wiley has continued to make grime music while also 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". Wiley's eleventh album, Godfather (2017), peaked at number nine on the UK Albums Chart, becoming his highest-charting album of his career, and also won an "Outstanding Contribution to Music" award by NME.

Wiley has been stabbed on several occasions. In 2008, a stabbing left him with a visible scar on the left side of his face.[5] On 24 July 2020, Wiley made a series of posts and videos on social media, widely condemned as anti-semitic.[6] Having been appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2018 New Year Honours for services to music,[7] in February 2024 Charles III formally stripped Wiley of his honour following the posts and criminal charges for assault and burglary.[8][9]

Early life

[edit]

Richard Kylea Cowie Jr. was born on 19 January 1979 in Bow, East London.[10] He is of Trinidadian and Antiguan descent. Cowie's father, Richard Cowie Senior was a reggae artist during Cowie's youth in the 1980s and introduced Cowie to early hip-hop such as The Sugarhill Gang.[11] Cowie's interest in music began when his father introduced him to the drums.[12] Cowie moved around London a lot as a child with his father[13] before moving to Chatham, Kent to live with his grandmother when he was ten. Cowie spent a year in Chatham and described it as a bad time, saying "I just wanted to go and live with my dad. I felt abandoned." Cowie eventually moved back to Bow to live with his father when he was eleven years old.[11]

When Cowie was a teenager in the early-1990s, he began to sell crack cocaine and heroin. Cowie was introduced to drug dealing from a DJ friend who was making a lot of money at the time. Cowie stopped dealing drugs when a local drug dealer who was much older than him began to threaten him and his friend. Cowie began producing music after he stopped dealing drugs as an alternative way to make money.[13] Cowie started as a DJ, and eventually began rapping, incorporating garage music and drum and bass into his produced instrumentals which led to the creation of the first ever grime beats such as "Eskimo", produced in Christmas of 1999 or 2000 and officially released in 2002.[14][15] He broadcast his productions over pirate radio stations such as Rinse FM.[11] Initially Wiley went by the name DJ Wildchild, until a woman from Kool FM began using the name Wildchild herself and surpassed Wiley in popularity. As a result, he changed his name to Wiley Kat, references to a Thundercats character and the Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote, and later simply Wiley.[16]

Though Cowie stopped selling drugs, he was still associated with criminal gangs and with people who took part in criminal activities.[13] This led to Wiley being involved in many situations that were life-threatening. On one occasion Cowie's friend had solicited money from someone following a drug deal though the money never was paid, Cowie argued with the person who owed his friend money and eventually Cowie was ambushed when attending a show. The confrontation led to Cowie being stabbed seven times. Several weeks later, the same people attacked Cowie outside a sports retail store, which led to Cowie almost dying in a hospital in Hammersmith.[17] Cowie has been stabbed more than twenty times in his lifetime[18] and has been in numerous other life-threatening situations including being chased by a man with a samurai sword and being shot at with shotguns.[11]

Music career

[edit]

1996–2003: early years

[edit]

As a teenager, Wiley featured on pirate radio stations such as Rinse FM and drum and bass stations.[19] 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.[20] 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 Geeneus and MCs Major Ace and Plague A Lero from Brown Brothers whom Wiley occasionally deejayed for.[citation needed] God's Gift from Deck Collecters Crew, Flow Dan and Riko Dan joined soon after.[21] In 2002, the collective achieved a top 20 hit with "Champagne Dance".[22] Wiley also received wide recognition in 2000 for his UK garage record "Nicole's Groove" which he produced under the stage name Phaze One.[23][24]

After Pay As U Go disbanded, Wiley went on to form the Roll Deep entourage, which included Dizzee Rascal and Tinchy Stryder. They moved away from a traditional UK garage sound, and eventually found themselves creating music that would be termed grime.[25]

From 2001 onwards, Wiley began producing instrumental singles on his Wiley Kat Recordings label, including "Eskimo", "Avalanche", "Ice Rink" and "Snowman". These led to a solo record deal with XL Recordings.[citation needed]

2004–2007: Treddin' on Thin Ice, Da 2nd Phaze and Playtime Is Over

[edit]

In 2004, Wiley released his debut album, Treddin' on Thin Ice on XL.[26] Singles from the album include "Wot Do U Call It?", a record questioning what name should be given to his music, and "Pies".[26] Wiley's use of the Korg Triton on "Wot Do U Call It?" helped cement the synthesizer as a Grime staple.[27][28][29] Many reviews, including that by Pitchfork Media, made comparisons between Wiley and his previous labelmate Dizzee Rascal, who had achieved success with Boy in Da Corner the previous year.[30] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian noted the "comically polarised" fanbase Wiley had accrued; "At one extreme, its sonic experimentation has attracted the kind of people who run music blogs... [where] lengthy essays are posted on issues as the differentiation between Humean and Kantian views of motivation in the lyrics of Bonnie Prince Billy. At the other extreme, it is favoured by inner-city teens who appear to communicate entirely in an impenetrable mix of street slang and patois."[31]

Wiley in 2005

During this period, Wiley occasionally referred to his music as "eski", short for "eskibeat" – the name he initially gave to grime. Also, Wiley released mixtapes under the name 'Eskiboy'. He explained his choice of name for his music and the continuing theme in his song and album titles such as Treddin' on Thin Ice, partly because he likes the wintertime, but mainly meaning cold in spirit.[32] Wiley was quoted in conjunction with his cold theme:

"Sometimes I just feel cold hearted. I felt cold at that time, towards my family, towards everyone. That's why I used those names"[33]

Many of Wiley's early vinyl releases, such as 'Eskimo', were released under the alias "Wiley Kat"; this name was derived from a character in the cartoon Thundercats. However, the "Kat" is never officially used by Wiley any more, only being mentioned loosely in some of his songs.

In 2006, Wiley released his second album Da 2nd Phaze, released through Boy Better Know.[citation needed] The album consists of 20 tracks that have been put together by Wiley from the past three years, including exclusive bonus tracks from Gods Gift, Alex Mills and More Fire Crew.[citation needed]

This was followed in by Wiley's third album, Playtime is Over, released in 2007 on Big Dada Records, an album which followed his eskibeat roots. Wiley's eskibeat and solo material is managed by the Perpetuity Music Group.[citation needed] The album was released on the same day as Dizzee Rascal's third album, Maths + English, and includes a track "Letter 2 Dizzee" which calls for the end of his feud with Dizzee Rascal.[34][35]

2008–2009: Grime Wave, See Clear Now and Race Against Time

[edit]

In May 2008, Wiley found mainstream chart success with the hit single, "Wearing My Rolex". The instrumentation, such as the slower, house style beat and lack of sub bass,[36] caused some unrest within the grime scene, as Wiley had previously vowed that he would never change his sound to break into the mainstream.[citation needed] In the same month, Wiley released his fourth album, Grime Wave, which was described by The Times as a "very pre-Rolex album. With its roots firmly based in the harsh, bass-heavy rhythms of the scene".[37] This was followed by his fifth studio album, See Clear Now, in October 2008, which included the mainstream hits "Wearing My Rolex", "Cash in My Pocket" and "Summertime". See Clear Now took Wiley in a mainstream direction.[citation needed] Despite its success, Wiley has disowned the album as he was "very angry" with the label Asylum, about the production and also unhappy about his management at the time. Wiley then left the label.[38]

Now on his own label, Wiley went on to release his sixth studio album, Race Against Time. This was released eight months after his previous album in June 2009, on Eskibeat Recordings where he had far more creative control.[citation needed] The album includes the 2009 hit "Too Many Man" featuring Boy Better Know.[citation needed]

2010–2011: Zip Files, iTunes Offload and 100% Publishing

[edit]

In 2010, Wiley released 11 zip files for free download via his Twitter page, containing over 200 tracks of old and unreleased music, including tracks from the forthcoming album The Elusive.[39]

Wiley was featured on the Mark Ronson song "Record Collection", also featuring Simon Le Bon, from the album of the same name, released first in Ireland on 24 September 2010. The song was included on the soundtrack to FIFA 11.[40]

On 4 March 2011, Wiley released Offload Volume 01 on iTunes. It did not get a physical release and it was partially slated by fans for containing some tracks which had already been released for free on the zip files. The album contained many songs that featured Wiley's crew A-List as well as the track "Yo Riley". On 6 March 2011, Wiley released a song called "Bright Lights", which features Giggs and Juelz Santana. On 9 March 2011, Wiley released an instrumental album entitled Run the Riddim Selecta. Offload Volume 01, "Bright Lights" and Run the Riddim Selecta were all released on Launchpad Records. Wiley's seventh studio album, 100% Publishing, was released on 20 June 2011 on the record label Big Dada, and charted in the UK Albums Chart at number 76.

On 8 July 2011, Wiley released an independent EP for digital download titled Chill Out Zone. Singles from the EP, "Seduction" and "If I Could" were released in May 2011.

On 25 July 2011, Wiley released the radio edit of "Link Up" on iTunes, which is the first single from his eighth studio album, Evolve or Be Extinct, which was released on 19 January 2012. "Link Up" is produced by Nana Rogues and the official "Link Up" single was released in September 2011.

2012–2013: Evolve or Be Extinct and The Ascent

[edit]
Wiley in 2012

In January 2012, he released his eighth studio album, Evolve or Be Extinct, on his 33rd birthday.[citation needed] It peaked at number 86 on the UK Albums Chart.[citation needed] Wiley began releasing grime freestyles over grime beats and releasing them for free via Twitter.[citation needed] This collection was released chronologically with the names "Step 1", "Step 2" and furthermore.[citation needed] After "Step 10", all of the freestyles were compiled and released as a mixtape titled It's All Fun and Games Till, Vol.1.[41] Alongside working on his "Step" freestyles, various other promo songs were released. This continuous releasing of music saw him receive the attention from major recording label Warner Music Group.[42][43] Wiley carried on with his "Step" freestyles, releasing Vol. 2 of It's All Fun and Games Till.[citation needed]

In June 2012, Wiley released his summer single "Heatwave", featuring Ms D and produced by Rymez to British radio, with the music video released at the end of June via YouTube.[citation needed] The song quickly received over 2 million hits.[44] On 5 August 2012, "Heatwave" peaked at number 1 on the UK Singles Chart, making this Wiley's first solo number 1, selling 114,000 copies.[citation needed] Shortly after, Wiley confirmed in an interview on the Official Chart Show that he will be releasing a further two singles and a new album in the coming months.[45] His next single, announced in late August, titled "Can You Hear Me" featuring Skepta, JME and Ms D,[46] was released in October 2012.[47] The song was renamed to "Can You Hear Me (Ayayaya)" and premiered on 24 August on DJ Target's BBC Radio 1Xtra show.[48]

Wiley then announced on Twitter that the third single off his next album, Hands in the Air, will feature Chip, Ice-Kid and Tulisa for release on 13 September 2012.[citation needed] The song originally featured Emeli Sandé. However, Wiley then tweeted that his next single would feature Rita Ora instead of Tulisa.[49] On 27 September, the name of the album was confirmed to be The Ascent.[50] The tracklist for the album was revealed on 11 October via Instagram, displaying 16 tracks.[51] Also on 11 October, Wiley announced he no longer intended to perform at universities and student unions, citing professional concerns and stating that he "had better things to do".[52] Despite this, Wiley played a club night at SUSU, the University of Southampton Students' Union, on 25 January 2013 as part of the Ministry of Sound Raveout tour.[53] Afterwards, Wiley took to Twitter to express his disappointment with the event, stating, "A proper crowd would [have] loved it tbh and tbf".[54]

On 4 April 2013, Wiley said that he was leaving his record label Warner following a dispute about The Ascent.[citation needed] Admitting he was unhappy with their choice of next single from the record, he tweeted: "My label are doing 'Lights On' next but I do not like that so you will not see me in the video."[55]

On 11 October 2013, over 2,000 Wiley fans signed a petition, which was presented to Tower Hamlets' mayor Lutfur Rahman, requesting that a monument to the artist be erected in Bow.[56]

On 19 October 2013, Wiley was awarded "Best Male" at the MOBO Awards' 18th Anniversary.[57]

2014–2015: Snakes & Ladders

[edit]

Wiley began recording his tenth studio album, Snakes & Ladders, in 2013. The first single from the album, "Flyin", was released in August 2013, and towards the end of that year he leaked a track list for the album.[58] However, he later confirmed his intention in February 2014 to scrap the record and start again as he was unhappy with it, saying it "needs to be epic or there's no point".[59] The first single from the newly recorded album, ""On A Level", was released on 25 September 2014 by Big Dada.[citation needed] Wiley was later featured on Ay Yeah So What, and in 2015 released the non-album single ""Chasing the Art"".[60]

2016–2021: Godfather series and Boasty Gang album

[edit]

In March 2016, Wiley announced that he would be releasing his eleventh studio album, Godfather, and that the album would include 16 songs, 3 of which were to be released as singles.[citation needed] The album was released on 13 January 2017.[61][62] The album entered at number 9 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Wiley's highest-charting album of his career.[citation needed] On 16 February 2017, Wiley won an "Outstanding Contribution to Music" award by NME for Godfather.[citation needed]

In late 2017, Wiley announced his next album, Godfather II. The first single, "I Call the Shots" featuring Jme, was released on 3 November 2017, alongside the album's pre-order and track listing.[63] The album was released on 27 April 2018.[64]

In January 2019, Wiley released "Boasty" featuring Idris Elba, Stefflon Don, and Sean Paul.[65][66] The song was one of the biggest dancehall releases of the year.[67][68]

Wiley announced Godfather III would be released on 2 November. After delays, the album was finally released on streaming services on 5 June 2020.[69]

On 22 June 2020, Wiley released his 14th studio album, Boasty Gang – The Album.[70] The album features a solo version of his hit single, "Boasty".

2022–present: 'Anti-Systemic' album

[edit]

Following the social media controversy in 2021, Wiley released his 15th studio album on all online music platforms in August 2022 Anti-Systemic.

The album was independently released with a limited run of vinyl and CD physical copies.[71] The roll out of the 'Anti-Systemic' album involved a temporary website 'Anti-Systemic.com' with sold out merchandise including tracksuits, t-shirts, and stickers. Two singles were released on white label vinyl; 'Tourbus' produced by Olja Beats and 'Tinted Metro' by Teddy (Silencer). A third single was set for release 'I Aint Gonna Fold' also produced by Olja Beats, however this was not released due to vinyl manufacture delays during the COVID-19 pandemic.[72]

Artist features included JME, Kozzie, Scrufizzer, Faultsz, Realz, SBK, Capo Lee, FFSYTHO, Preshus, Duppy, K9 and more.[73]

Artwork for the album depicts Wiley in a protest setting. The front cover portrays a face off with police, and the back cover portrays a face off with aristocrats holding money and contracts. The artwork was provocative, as was the album title; a direct play on the recent social media controversy and accusations of antisemitism. It was designed by a previously unknown collaborator, Dr Khuram Ahmed MD MRCGP, who was also responsible the manufacture, promotion and distribution of the album.[74]

A-List

[edit]

In February 2010, Wiley formed a UK supergroup/collective called A-List. This group consists of R&B singers and sisters Shola and Sadie Ama; grime artists Wiley, J2K & Brazen all from Roll Deep; Mz. Bratt, Wrigley, Margs, Young Kye and Kivanc.[75] Their producer is Bless Beats and their DJ is JJ.[76][77]

A-List released their first music video on 23 March 2010 called "Midnight Lover", featuring Captin.[78] Despite receiving airplay, the single was never released. The last 20 seconds of the music video is the A-List song "Make My Own Money".[79]

Legacy

[edit]
Wiley performing in 2005

Branded as the "British Nas" by Noisey,[80] Wiley is often cited as the "Godfather of Grime" and the "King of Grime". Other grime artists have cited Wiley as a big influence in their careers.[81][82] 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

[edit]

Wiley has been with 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.

In 2010, Wiley founded A-List Records (A-List Music LTD). On 26 and 27 September 2012, Wiley signed J2K and 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. Wrigley from Manchester is also signed to the label. Producers include Rymez who is behind the hits "Heatwave" and "Can You Hear Me?" and Flava D.

In 2015, Wiley released an EP on his new record label called Chasing The Art Records. In 2016, Wiley and his manager John Woolf signed a distribution deal with Warner Music Group to release some music by Wiley and future artists that sign to the label.

Wiley is currently signed to Big Dada and Boy Better Know. He has a joint venture distribution deal with Warner Music Group under two brand names, one being Wiley, and the other being Chasing the Arts records, as of 2017.

Following his alleged anti-semitic tweets, on 25 July 2020, Big Dada released a statement saying that "we fully condemn Wiley's comments and royalties from those records will be donated to campaigns that fight anti-Semitism."[83]

Personal life

[edit]

Cowie has two daughters and one son.[11] His younger half-brother Cadell is also a grime artist.[84] He supports the English football team Tottenham Hotspur.[85] The name Wiley is derived from the ThunderCats cartoon character, 'Wiley Kat', a name he used briefly.[86][87]

Wiley has been stabbed on several occasions.[5] One of his stab wounds in 2008 resulted in a scar visible on the left hand side of his face. He has stated he was slashed in the face three days before the shoot of "Wearing My Rolex", and the scar on his face ruined his confidence[88] and self-esteem[89] for a while: he did not want to turn up to interviews or music videos.

Wiley's autobiography, Eskiboy, was published in November 2017.[90]

Antisemitism on social media

[edit]

Following the controversy surrounding antisemitic comments made by Nick Cannon on 14 July 2020, Wiley made a series of posts and videos on social media on 24 July 2020, generally condemned as antisemitic,[91][6] that described Jewish people as "cowards" and "snakes",[92] alleged significant racism and exploitation from Jewish people towards black people (particularly in business and the music industry), and compared the power of the Jewish community to that of white supremacist group Ku Klux Klan.[93][94] He also tweeted that Jews write laws, own the police, run banks and run the world.[95] Wiley received a temporary ban from Twitter.[96][97] A police investigation was launched into the posts.[98] The next day, Wiley's manager John Woolf announced that Wiley had been dropped from A-List Management.[99]

The Campaign Against Antisemitism issued a statement saying: "We consider that Wiley has committed the offence of incitement to racial hatred, which can carry a substantial prison sentence." and said it had reported Wiley to the Metropolitan Police. Wiley's Twitter and Instagram accounts reportedly had a total of 940,000 followers. The CAA called for both his accounts to be removed and wrote to the Honours Forfeiture Committee at the Cabinet Office to ask for his MBE to be revoked.[100][101]

Home Secretary Priti Patel demanded an explanation from Twitter and Instagram on the length of time it took to remove the posts.[102] On 27 July, a 48-hour boycott of Twitter by some users was started under the hashtag "#NoSafeSpaceForJewHate", protesting the social media site's slow response to the tweets.[103] The following day, Facebook, Inc. deleted his personal accounts on Facebook and Instagram for "repeated violations" of their terms of conduct in his posts towards Jewish celebrities who had criticised him.[6] On 29 July 2020, it was announced that Wiley was permanently suspended from Twitter.[104]

On 29 July 2020, Wiley apologised for generalising about Jewish people and said that he is not a racist.[105]

In August 2020, Wiley was suspended from YouTube[106] and TikTok.[107] In response, he joined social media app Parler, a right-wing social media platform.[108] The following month, the Metropolitan Police dropped their investigation when it was discovered that Wiley was in Rotterdam in the Netherlands when he sent the messages, and thus not under the jurisdiction of English law.[109]

In October 2020, The Campaign Against Antisemitism said that it had launched a private prosecution against Wiley to pursue race-hate charges.[110][needs update]

On 2 December 2021, Wiley was banned from Twitter and Instagram again for using a new account to share antisemitic content.[111][112]

Assault and burglary charges

[edit]

On 6 September 2021, Wiley was arrested and subsequently charged with assault and burglary. He is alleged to have broken into the flat of ex-kickboxer Ali Jacko, smashed plates and then assaulted him and caused injury. Before the coronavirus pandemic, Wiley used Jacko's recording studio. During pre-trial hearings, Wiley was granted an adjournment to allow him more time to apply for legal aid due to his presently impoverished state, and speak to his lawyers. Wiley was scheduled to appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on 27 September, charged with assault by beating and burglary with intent to cause criminal damage.[113]

Wiley failed to appear in court, and subsequently on 11 November 2021 the district judge issued an arrest warrant due to his failing to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court.[114] On 11 May 2022, the Metropolitan Police issued an official wanted notice on their Twitter page announcing that it had been six months since Wiley was due in court.[115] In February 2024, his MBE was rescinded by the Government.[116]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Wiley discography

Studio albums

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kellman, Andy (2008). "Biography". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Archived from the original on 25 November 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
  2. ^ Wolfson, Sam (28 July 2012). "Wiley: 'I could have been as big as Tinie, anyone can play the O2'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  3. ^ "The 20 best Grime records ever made". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 22 April 2012. Archived from the original on 1 September 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  4. ^ Cliff, Aimee. "The 10 best grime tracks, according to Ruff Sqwad". dummymag.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  5. ^ a b "The Godfather of Grime: From drug dealing to MBE honour". expressandstar.com. 25 July 2020. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b c Spring, Marianna (28 July 2020). "Facebook removes Wiley over Jewish critic abuse". BBC News. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  7. ^ "No. 62150". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 2017. p. N17.
  8. ^ "No. 64326". The London Gazette. 26 February 2024. p. 358.
  9. ^ "List of individuals who have forfeited their honour (since August 2023)". Gov.uk. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Index entry". FreeBMD. ONS. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d e Hancox, Dan (24 January 2017). "Wiley: the enigmatic Godfather of Grime". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  12. ^ "Wiley on his "final" album, Drake and grime's next generation". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 15 January 2017. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  13. ^ a b c djvlad (10 January 2017). "Wiley on Selling Drugs as a Kid, Extorted by the "Local Suge Knight"". YouTube. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  14. ^ "Hyperdub Archive: Eski Beat: An interview with Wiley – Part 2 (November 2003) – fabric blog". fabric london. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  15. ^ Hancox, Dan (24 January 2017). "Wiley: the enigmatic Godfather of Grime". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  16. ^ Collins, Hattie (2016). This Is Grime. Hodder & Stoughton. p. 9. ISBN 9781473639270.
  17. ^ djvlad (16 March 2017). "Wiley on Getting Stabbed 7 Times Twice within 3 Weeks by the Same Person". YouTube. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  18. ^ "Watch Wiley's Not For The Radio interview". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 24 January 2016. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  19. ^ Wiley (Eskiboy): From 1995 Onwards On Pirate Radio, [1] Archived 26 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ Wiley B2B DJ Target & MC Maxwell D (Ladies Hit Squad) | Rinse FM 100.3 | UK Garage 2000 [2] Archived 26 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ "Pay As U Go Cartel website". Payasugocartel.com. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  22. ^ "The Official Charts Company for Champagne Dance – Pay As U Go Cartel". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  23. ^ Rose, Ajay (5 April 2019). "20 Years On, Glyn & Riki Are Still Changing The Face Of British Music". Complex. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  24. ^ Wiley (30 October 2017). "Here's an Exclusive Chapter from Wiley's 'Eskiboy' Autobiography". www.vice.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  25. ^ "Wiley Interview 2023". Rolldeep.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  26. ^ a b Wiley. "Treddin' On Thin Ice". Discogs.
  27. ^ Raw, Son (29 February 2016). "Wot U Call It, Eski? The Stickiness Of Grime's Old-School Sounds". Complex UK.
  28. ^ Collins, Hattie (16 April 2018). "Novelist's Grime Centered Debut Album Is Very Bold and Very Needed". i-d.vice.com. Vice Media.
  29. ^ MacInnes, Paul (25 March 2015). "Joker: 'If you really want to make music, sign on … go and live at mum's'". The Guardian.
  30. ^ "Wiley: Treddin' on Thin Ice | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 13 May 2004. Archived from the original on 19 July 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  31. ^ Petridis, Alexis (23 April 2004). "Wiley, Treddin' on Thin Ice". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 14 January 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  32. ^ McKinnon, Matthew (5 May 2005). "Grime Wave". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 26 January 2007. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  33. ^ Clark, Martin (December 2002 – January 2003). "Eski Beat: An Interview with Wiley". Jockey Slut. Archived from the original on 16 February 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  34. ^ "Wiley: Eskiboy's Dalliance With An Electro-Dance Alliance". The Quietus. 9 October 2009. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  35. ^ Thompson, Ben; Service, Tom (22 April 2007). "Word champion". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  36. ^ Frere-Jones, Sasha (21 March 2005). "True Grime". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. Retrieved 12 March 2008.
  37. ^ Elan, Priya (24 May 2008). "Wiley Grime Wave". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  38. ^ Mistajam (19 September 2008). "Wiley walks from label – BBC 1Xtra". Bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 September 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  39. ^ Hancox, Dan (14 July 2010). "Wiley's grime giveaway". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  40. ^ "FIFA 11 Soundtrack". FIFPlay. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  41. ^ "Wiley – It's All Fun And Games Till Vol.1". Download A Mixtape. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  42. ^ "Wiley's back with the majors – Signs to Warner Music". RWDMag. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  43. ^ "Wiley signs to Warner: Big summer single presumably on the way". FactMag. Archived from the original on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  44. ^ "Wiley – Heatwave feat. Ms. D (Official Video)". Youtube. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  45. ^ "Wiley on the Official Chart". Youtube. 6 August 2012. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  46. ^ "Wiley Twitter Status". Twitter. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  47. ^ "Wiley Twitter Status". Twitter. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  48. ^ "Wiley Feat. Skepta, JME & Ms. D (Prod. By Rymez) – Can You Hear Me (Ayaya)". YouTube. 24 August 2012. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  49. ^ "Twitter / EskiDance: My 3 singles". Twitter. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  50. ^ "Twitter / EskiDance: My new album is called Wiley – The Ascent". Twitter. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  51. ^ "Wiley Instagram: The tracklisting or my new album "The Ascent"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 30 January 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  52. ^ Rapper Wiley cancels gig at Warwick University after post on Twitter saying he had 'other things to do' Archived 12 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine Coventry Telegraph.
  53. ^ SUSU – University of Southampton Students' Union Archived 6 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine . Blogs.susu.org (17 January 2013).
  54. ^ Twitter / WileyUpdates: A proper crowd would of [sic] loved. Twitter.com.
  55. ^ Copsey, Robert (4 April 2013). "Wiley to leave record label Warner: "Enough is enough"". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 6 April 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  56. ^ Michaels, Sean (11 October 2013). "Fans petition for east London statue of rapper Wiley". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  57. ^ "Wiley Wins Best Male 2013 at MOBO Awards". What's Good? Online. 19 October 2013. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  58. ^ "Wiley reveals tracklist for upcoming album Snakes and Ladders". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 6 November 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  59. ^ "Wiley scraps new album after spending £25,000 on it". NME. 4 February 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  60. ^ "New Music: Wiley "Chasing The Art"". MOBO. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  61. ^ "Wiley announces new album 'Godfather'". NME. 17 March 2016. Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  62. ^ "Godfather – Wiley". iTunes. Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  63. ^ "Wiley announces new album 'Godfather II' and shares new JME-featuring single 'I Call The Shots'". NME. 3 November 2017. Archived from the original on 3 November 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  64. ^ "Godfather II by Wiley on Apple Music". iTunes. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  65. ^ "Wiley, Idris Elba, Stefflon Don & Sean Paul Drop 'Boasty' Video But Something Important's Missing". Capital XTRA. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  66. ^ "Idris Elba drops a verse on new song with Wiley, Stefflon Don, and Sean Paul". NME Music News. 22 January 2019. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  67. ^ "Without The Windrush Generation, British MC Culture Would Be Non-Existent". Complex. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  68. ^ "Idris Elba signs global publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group". Music Business Worldwide. 26 June 2019. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  69. ^ "Wiley Drops New Album 'The Godfather 3'". Clash Magazine. 5 June 2020. Archived from the original on 24 June 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  70. ^ "Boasty Gang – The Album". iTunes. 22 June 2020. Archived from the original on 25 June 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  71. ^ "Wiley – Anti-Systemic | Releases". Discogs. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  72. ^ Christman, Ed (8 June 2021). "The Pandemic Caused An Explosion In Vinyl Demand – Here's Why The Music Industry Can't Meet It". Billboard. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  73. ^ "Anti-Systemic". open.spotify.com. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  74. ^ "Home". Wheres Wiley. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  75. ^ "Wiley Plots 'Elusive' Tour". Clickmusic.com. Archived from the original on 7 August 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  76. ^ "Westwood – Wiley introducing the A-List (Radio 1)". YouTube. 4 March 2010. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  77. ^ "Wiley speaks on A-List". YouTube. 12 February 2010. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  78. ^ "A-List – Midnight Lover (Official Video)". YouTube. 23 March 2010. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  79. ^ "A-List – Make My Own Money". YouTube. 31 March 2010. Archived from the original on 30 September 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  80. ^ "Why Is Wiley Not the Biggest Rapper in the World?". Noisey. 17 November 2014. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  81. ^ "Music lyrics – Wiley". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  82. ^ "Sound of 2004: Wiley". BBC News. 7 January 2004. Archived from the original on 12 June 2007. Retrieved 20 September 2007.
  83. ^ "Big Dada tweet". Twitter. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  84. ^ Patterson, Joseph. "Cadell Is The Rockstar Kid Grime Music Needs". Trench. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  85. ^ "I am a spurs fan and when i leave the earth i will still be a spurs fan ..." @wileyupdates. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  86. ^ "Wiley". The Guardian. 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  87. ^ "Old Wiley Interview (2007)". Chantelle Fiddy's Blogspot. 3 February 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  88. ^ "Wiley: Scar destroyed my confidence". Pappzd. 9 June 2011. Archived from the original on 27 October 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  89. ^ "Wiley "My stab ruined my self-esteem"". The Voice. 8 June 2011. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  90. ^ Eskiboy by Wiley. Penguin. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  91. ^ Kelly, Emma (24 July 2020). "Wiley accused of anti-Semitism over 'Jewish people are the law' tweets". Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  92. ^ Simpson, Craig (25 July 2020). "Police investigate Wiley over rapper's 'anti-Semitic' Twitter tirade". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  93. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (24 July 2020). "Wiley accused of antisemitism after likening Jews to Ku Klux Klan". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  94. ^ Harpin, Lee (24 July 2020). "Rapper Wiley sparks antisemitism storm with stream of vile posts about Jews and Israel". The Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  95. ^ Barnett, Emma (28 July 2020). "Wiley, Jews don't run the world". The JC. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  96. ^ Brewis, Harriet (25 July 2020). "Wiley dropped by management after Grime star launches 'venomous' anti-Semitic rant on Twitter". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  97. ^ "Grime artist Wiley given temporary ban from Twitter amid anti-Semitism accusations". ITV News. 25 July 2020. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  98. ^ "Police investigate grime artist Wiley's antisemitic tweets". The Guardian. 25 July 2020. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  99. ^ "Grime artist Wiley dropped by management over antisemitic social media posts". The Independent. 25 July 2020. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  100. ^ "Wiley dropped by management over anti-Semitic posts". BBC News. 25 July 2020. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  101. ^ Duffy, Nick (25 July 2020). "Grime star Wiley dropped by management and investigated by police after posting anti-Semitic tweets". inews. Archived from the original on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  102. ^ Binding, Lucia (26 July 2020). "Home Secretary Priti Patel demands explanation from Twitter and Instagram over 'abhorrent' Wiley tweets". Sky News. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  103. ^ "Wiley: Anti-Semitism row prompts 48-hour Twitter boycott". BBC News. 27 July 2020. Archived from the original on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  104. ^ "Wiley permanently banned by Twitter". BBC News. 29 July 2020. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  105. ^ "Wiley sorry for tweets 'that looked anti-Semitic'". BBC News. 29 July 2020. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  106. ^ "Wiley removed from YouTube after anti-Semitic comments". metro.co.uk. 5 August 2020. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  107. ^ "TikTok removes Wiley's account". jewishnews.timesofisrael.com. 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  108. ^ "British rapper Wiley is continuous to put up conspiracy theories on new unregulated app Parler |". Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  109. ^ Harpin, Lee (25 September 2020). "Police drop Wiley antisemitism probe after learning he was abroad at time of alleged offences". The Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  110. ^ Philips, Aleks (5 October 2020). "Charity to launch private prosecution against Wiley". The Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  111. ^ Ghermezian, Shiryn (2 December 2021). "British Rapper Wiley Again Suspended From Twitter, Instagram After Antisemitic Tirade". The Algemeiner. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  112. ^ Brown, David (2 December 2021). "Banned rapper Wiley 'returned to tweet antisemitic hate'". The Times. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  113. ^ "Rapper Wiley charged with east London assault and burglary". BBC News. 6 September 2021. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  114. ^ "Rapper Wiley issued with arrest warrant after failing to attend court". BBC News. 27 September 2021. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  115. ^ "Grime artist Wiley wanted by Met Police over court no-show". BBC News. 11 May 2022. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  116. ^ "List of individuals who have forfeited their honour (since August 2023)". Cabinet Office. 23 February 2024. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wiley (musician).


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wiley_(musician)&oldid=1256133709"