Tinie Tempah has spoken candidly about the highs and lows of his career, describing it as a 'rollercoaster of good and bad times'. The rapper, who rose to fame in the early 2010s with hits like Pass Out and Not Letting Go, is now embracing vulnerability with his latest track, Living Life featuring Daecolm.
Speaking at the MOBO Awards, the 37-year-old said the song is his favourite to date because it allowed him to show a more authentic side. 'You have your good times and your bad times, and I feel like as artists, even though things are changing slightly, people in the public eye always have to put on their face,' he explained. 'I feel like that was a real opportunity for me to just kind of be a bit vulnerable.'
Tinie, who has seven Number 1 singles and over 15 top ten tracks, acknowledged the shift towards more personal and autobiographical music across genres. 'Hearing it across other genres and music feeling a bit more personal, vulnerable and authentic so to speak is amazing,' he said. He noted that the industry has moved away from 'mega songs that didn't really have any meaning' to artists telling their own stories.
Reflecting on his success, Tinie said he always dreamed of achieving it but admitted it felt surreal. 'I do wake up sometimes, and I'm just like 'Bloody hell, am I living in a dream?' It's mental!' he added. The rapper also praised the MOBO Awards for being a vital part of his journey, especially as the ceremony celebrated its 30th anniversary.
