So far grime’s conversion to mainstream success has lacked a stand out performer but twenty-year-old Tinie Tempah might just be the jewel in the crown. Taking an American swagger and marrying it to a typically English sense of lyrical wordplay Tempah takes what can be a small-town sound and makes it global. His use of simile and metaphor is questionable but with an irrepressible energy and guest vocal spots from Kelly Rowland (Invincible) and Ellie Goulding (Wonderman) on top of three top five hits, this Peckham born rapper might just have made the most fun pop album of the year.
8/10
Words by David Renshaw
