Artist

Wiley

Bow, London, GB

grime · eskibeat · uk garage · electronic

British grime MC and producer born Richard Kylea Cowie Jr. on 19 January 1979 in Bow, East London. Widely known as the "Godfather of Grime," he pioneered the eskibeat sound in the early 2000s with influential instrumentals like "Eskimo." Co-founded the Roll Deep crew and later the Boy Better Know collective. His career spans underground grime and mainstream success, with UK chart hits including "Wearing My Rolex," "Never Be Your Woman," and the number-one single "Heatwave." His eleventh album Godfather (2017) became his highest-charting release and earned an NME Outstanding Contribution to Music award. Awarded an MBE in 2018 for services to music.