TY

Outstanding hip hop, lyrical frankness & honest portrayals of everyday life

Ben Chijioke, better known as British rapper Ty, signed to Tru Thoughts in January 2013 to begin the next stage in a remarkable career with the release of two singles.

With a reputation built on his original style and refusal to hop on any industry bandwagon, Ty is best known for his lyrical frankness and honest portrayals of everyday life, setting him aside from many mainstream hip hop acts and allowing him complete artistic independence. This has led to the release of four successful albums and a Mercury Prize nomination, among many high profile plaudits.

After gaining notoriety on the London underground scene Ty signed to Big Dada records in 2001, the same year his mighty debut album Awkward was released. The union between the artist and label saw a further two albums 2003s Mercury-nominated Upwards and Closer (2006) released over five years.

Since his fourth solo album, Special Kind of Fool, was released in 2010 via BBE records, Ty has featured and collaborated with many artists stretching from America to France. Closer to home, Ty features on a tribute to the late Amy Winehouse, released in early 2012, and most recently recorded a track with former Radio 1 DJ and producer Kissy Sell Out.

A lifelong love of hip hop has seen the honest speaking South Londoner gain skills in sound engineering and producing, the latter leading to work with Scratch Perverts, Talib Kweli, Blak Twang and Arrested Development.

Ty is also known for his work as a spoken word artist. In 2013, he was asked to perform and host workshops for the British Council, which culminated in the conclusion of a 35 year halt on international performers in the Sudanese town of Port Sudan. As well as this, his spoken word efforts have seen Ty put in performances at The Big Chill Festival and The Royal Albert Hall. Alongside his work with the British Council Ty is also a member of The HipHop Shakespeare Company, running workshops with young people, showing the influences and works of Shakespeare in todays music scene.