4Music

Rising from pirate radio to the top of the charts, grime star Tinchy Stryder is back with his third single from sophomore album, Catch 22.With two No. 1’s already under his belt, we find out whether the grime star is hoping to score a hat trick with You’re Not Alone…

Your new single You’re Not Alone samples the 90s classic by Olive. The original went to No.1. Are you hoping to do with your mix? 

If I can get another No. 1 that would be crazy for me. It would be three in a row. Obviously it’s a different situation now that my album’s out and my single is already available. The album has been out since August so people have been buying that, but people like the track so hopefully I can get another hit with this. 

You’ve already had hits collaborating with N-Dubz, Amelle and Taio Cruz. This single is more about you. Do you prefer working with others or claiming the limelight?  

I’ve been writing since I was 13 and done loads of tracks by myself so I like working by myself but I like collaborating because when you’re collaborating it brings different ideas to the table. Also, it depends what song it is. Everything’s got its place. I enjoy a bit of both. When something’s for you, then you bring your feelings to the track. When you work with other people, then two heads come together. It works good both ways. 

For the War Child single, you worked alongside people like VV Brown, Pixie Lott and Frankmusik who have very different music styles and music backgrounds to yours. How did you find that?   

We were covering a Killers track and everyone was influencing it with their style of singing or rapping or whatever.  It was good fun and there was a good vibe in the studio.

 Have you got your sights set on working with anyone else? 

Not right now. I’m more a person that when I’m in the studio I might have an idea for a track and then think that someone’s voice will suit it so I’ll reach out to them. I grew up listening to a lot of Jay-Z. He’s someone I respect musically, so he would be a dream collaboration.

 Speaking of dreams, you’ve managed to achieve yours and become a successful artist. If you hadn’t, what would you have ended up doing? 

I’d have been a footballer. I used to play for Wimbledon Academy youth team when I was younger, so that was the other thing that I was doing and then I got sidetracked. But maybe one day…! 

 The single You’re Not Alone is taken from the album Catch 22. Both are available now.