Tempa T

Nicky Nyarko-Dei, known professionally as Tempa T, was born on October 9, 1984, in Forest Gate, London, England. His career in grime music began in 2006, performing at events across the U.K. and as a member of the urban collective Slew Dem Crew, which included artists like Chronik and Spooky. From his early appearances, Tempa T demonstrated a high-energy performance style and aggressive lyrical content, quickly establishing his presence in the grime scene.

His breakthrough moment arrived in 2009 with the release of his single “Next Hype,” which gained recognition as an underground anthem. This period marked a significant turning point in his career, solidifying his reputation within the U.K. music landscape. In 2010, Neo-Publishing.Inc documented his musical journey in “Tempa T: Reviewing the Hype So Far.” His work continued to evolve, leading to further releases and collaborations.

In 2012, Tempa T re-released the mixtape “All-Star Pars,” which reached number 99 on the U.K. album charts. He also collaborated with Lethal Bizzle and JME, achieving a number 11 chart position. In 2015, his single “Shell,” produced by So Real Sounds, topped the UK Grime Chart show with DJ Cameo on BBC Radio 1Xtra for eight weeks, further cementing his influence in the genre. Tempa T has also ventured into acting, appearing in the 2010 British film “Shank” and the 2016 film “Gangsters, Gamblers and Geezers.”