Grime Godfather Wiley Celebrates 30th Birthday
19:57 - Saturday 10 January 2009 - In Category Memory Bank
Wiley, real name is Richard Cowie, kicked off his career as the Wildchild Wileycat working with east London music groups such as SS Crew and the Ladies Hit Squad.
In the late 90s he began recording, producing and selling his own music, and found success with tracks such as Nicole’s Groove and Eskimo, which sold more than 50,000 copies.
In 2001, he formed Pay As You Go Kartel and released Champagne Dance, which peaked at number 13 in the national charts.
As an MC, Wiley regularly features in lyrical battles and following a series of bitter feuds announced his retirement in 2007.
The self-imposed exile was short-lived and in April 2008 he returned with Wearing My Rolex, one of the biggest selling downloads of the year.
On 19 January, Wiley will mark his 30th birthday.
The follow up, Cash in My Pocket, broke into the top 20 last December.
