Tinie Tempah has said it would be “such a shame” to lose grassroots music venues, and cited his support for these spaces as a “motivation” for his latest projects. The rapper, 37, added that he hopes to “raise awareness and advocate for the next generation of artists” that need these spaces with his new music.
Rapper's Passion for Grassroots Venues
The chart-topping musician, born Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, has previously said he owes his career to grassroots venues and is a passionate advocate for them and the independent live music sector. In an interview with the Press Association, he said: “At the moment, I’m back in the circuit of music. I took a long hiatus. I was motivated by a few things – one of the things being our night-time industries.”
Tempah highlighted the economic and cultural significance of these venues, stating: “This year we’ve lost 30 grassroots music venues. They are contributing half a billion to the UK economy annually. However, the profit margins for the majority of these grassroots venues is a little bit under 2.5%, so they’re struggling to stay open.”
Demand for UK Music and Upcoming Performances
The star also emphasised that there is “such a demand for UK music” as he hailed the importance of grassroots music venues, and said he will be returning to them for several upcoming performances. Tempah told PA: “The fact that we’re losing these venues, which in my opinion should be institutions, and which have birthed so many artists, DJs… (They) also have little ecosystems of bouncers, bartenders, people that are maintaining the club and the owners of the venues. It’d be such a shame to lose them.”
He added: “It kind of motivated me to want to step back into the arena of music, raise awareness and advocate for the next generation of artists that are coming through that need these spaces to sustain a living and to build a long-term career.”
Advocacy Beyond Music
The rapper discussed his passion for live music venues as the King visited the Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in London, where he practices the “incredible” sport. Tempah, known for hits including Written In The Stars and Pass Out, is a keen advocate of the growing martial art, and told the King he took it up thanks to actor Tom Hardy.
He told of how the sport “changed my life” and gave him discipline, as well as introducing him to father-figure role models, a Jiu Jitsu community across the globe – and now his two young daughters “love it so much”. He added: “I wish I had done this as a kid, which is why I’ve encouraged my kids to do this. Because I think I turned out all right, but I think I would have turned out even better.”
Career and Future Projects
The award-winning rapper rose to fame in the 2010s and went on to achieve seven UK number one singles including RIP, Crazy Stupid Love and Not Letting Go. He has since shifted his focus towards his business ventures, investments and advocacy, but continues to release new music.
