Wiley (musician)

Wiley

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
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • DJ
  • record producer
Years active1994–present
Children2
Musical career
Genres
Labels
  • XL (2004-2005)
  • BBK (2005-2018)
  • Big Dada (2007-2014)
  • Asylum (2008-2008)
  • Island (2009-2009)
  • Virgin (2010-2010)
  • Warner (2012-2013)
  • CTA (2015-2017)
  • Wiley (2018-present)
Websitewileyofficial.com

Richard Kylea Cowie Jr. MBE (born 19 January 1979), better known by his stage name Wiley (formerly Wiley Kat),[1] is a British grime MC, rapper, songwriter, DJ and record producer from Bow, London. He is known for making grime music. He is from the group Roll Deep. Wiley was regarded as the "Godfather of Grime". He had hit singles such as "Wot Do U Call It?", "Boasty", "Take That", "Wearing My Rolex", and "Heatwave". Wiley's eleventh album, Godfather (2017), went to number nine on the UK Albums Chart. It became his highest-charting album of his career and won an "Outstanding Contribution to Music" award by the NME.

He has collaborated with artists such as Emeli Sandé, Ed Sheeran, Skepta, Dizzee Rascal, Tinchy Stryder, and Dot Rotten. He was a member of the UK garage band Pay As U Go.

He is of Antigua & Barbuda and Trinidadian descent.


References

  1. Kellman, Andy (2008). "Biography". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Archived from the original on 25 November 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2008.