10 Things You Didn’t Know About Wiley

The British grime MC, songwriter and record producer with Caribbean roots, Wiley was born Richard Kylea Cowie on 19 January 1979 in East London, England. He 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. He is considered a pioneer in the English underground music scene with a prolific work rate and a versatile music artist with many crossover hits. There is no doubt that the 37-years-old British grime MC, songwriter and record producer is definitely a name to be reckon to in the music industry.

Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about the British grime MC, songwriter and record producer, Wiley:

1. Wiley was born Richard Kylea Cowie on 19 January 1979 in East London, England.

2. He is of Caribbean roots from Trinidad and Antigua.

3. He 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.

4. He is considered a pioneer in the English underground music scene with a prolific work rate and a versatile music artist with many crossover hits.

5. He is a father to two beautiful daughters. He also supports the Tottenham Hotspur.

6. His name Wiley is derived from the Thundercats cartoon character, ‘Wiley Kat’, a name he used briefly.

7. In 2005, he helped form the label Boy Better Know which is owned and run by JME (Jamie Adenuga) and his older brother Skepta.

8. In February 2010, he formed a UK supergroup/collective called A-List.

9. He is often cited as the “King of Grime” and “Godfather of Grime”. Other grime artists have cited him as a big influence in their careers.

10. He has collaborated with artists like Emeli Sande, Cadell, Ed Shereen, Skepta and Maniac.