Kwasi Danquah III

Kwasi Danquah III (born September 14, 1986), also known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star in the Hood, is a musician, music executive, A&R executive, investor, and businessman. He is the co-founder and co-chief executive officer (CEO) of Takeover Roc Nation.

His song "Take Me Back" peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart in January 2009. He then released the song "Number 1", (a collaboration with N-Dubz) which entered the UK chart at number 1 on 26 April 2009. He later released "Never Leave You" with Amelle Berrabah from girl-group Sugababes, which became his second number 1 on 9 August 2009, and he continues to make hit songs.

His non-music business ventures include the clothing line Star in the Hood (company), among others. He is also the president and chief executive of Takeover/Cloud 9 (music publishing company through EMI Music Publishing), and he currently serves as the Chairman and A&R executive of Takeover Entertainment Limited.

Early life & Education
Danquah had been resident in the United Kingdom since 1995, and had lived in Bow, East End of London until 2006 and primarily resided in the United Kingdom until 2008, where he attended St Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School in Forest Gate, Newham; he gained a B.A. (Hons) in Digital arts, Moving image and Animation at the University of East London. He began making music in 1997, and started in business almost immediately after completing his general certificate of secondary education in 2006.

1997–2006: Career beginnings, Ruff Sqwad and Roll Deep
Danquah's recordings date back to 1997, he started in 2000 on UK pirate radio in East End of London along with Dizzee Rascal and Wiley. Danquah was a member of grime supergroup Ruff Sqwad from 2001 consisting of 5 members. His pseudonym Tinchy Stryder derives from the arcade game Strider and from the nickname given to him "Tinchy": his height at 5 ft 6½ in (1.69 m).

In 2002, the grime collective Roll Deep was formed, and included Danquah and Dizzee Rascal as MCs (Master of Ceremonies). They were making music that was a derivative of UK Garage. For a while there was not even a name for it. The label "grime" was the one that stuck. While Danquah was a member of Roll Deep, he performed some songs including, "U Were Always" in 2002, which was released years later on Roll Deep's compilations album, Street Anthems in 2009. He also performed on Roll Deep's 2004 mixtape, Creeper Vol. 2. Back then he had a high pitched voice.

His music videos made a number of appearances on the Sky (UK & Ireland), Channel U (now Channel AKA) between 2004 and 2006 and he also made a number of appearances on BBC Radio 1Xtra taking part in freestyle rap, sometimes joined by his rap crew the Ruff Sqwad, with whom he released with the studio albums Guns and Roses Volume. 1 in March 2005 and Guns and Roses Volume. 2 in October 2006.

2006-2008: Star in the Hood, Cloud 9 The EP and Tinchy Stryder vs. Maniac
The debut album by Danquah, Star in the Hood, was released on 13 August 2007 on Takeover. The album spawned two main singles, "Breakaway", which was released on 9 April 2007 and "Something About Your Smile", was released on 6 August 2007. Bonus track "Mainstream Money" was also released as an underground single in November 2007.

In 2008, Danquah released his debut extended play, Cloud 9 The EP, which was released on 31 March, also on Takeover. This was succeeded by Danquah and grime producer Maniac collaborating on the album, Tinchy Stryder vs. Maniac, which was released on 24 November 2008. Only one single was released from the album, "Rollin", which was released in October 2008. This track was also included on Danquah's 2009 second solo studio album, Catch 22, as part of the, Deluxe 2-Disc Edition.

Danquah also collaborated with Gang Gang Dance on the track Princes which featured on the Saint Dymphna (album) released in October 2008.

2008-2010: Catch 22
Danquah began a partnership with producer/songwriter Fraser T. Smith. According to Smith in an interview with HitQuarters, "Kwasi had no shortage of beats and cool sounding production, but I think he wanted to try and break through into the mainstream, and I had some experience crossing underground over into mainstream having worked with artists like Craig David."

His next single, "Stryderman", became his first single to chart in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 73. It was the first single taken from his second album, Catch 22. The second single, "Take Me Back", entered the official UK Singles Chart at 39 on downloads alone, one day before its official release. The following week the single moved up 36 places to peak position 3.

On 26 April 2009, Danquah's next single, a collaboration with N-Dubz entitled "Number 1," topped the UK Singles Chart giving Danquah and N-Dubz their first number one single. His fourth single from Catch 22, "Never Leave You", was released on 3 August 2009 with the album following on 17 August. "Never Leave You" went to Number 1 on the week of its release. Catch 22 debuted at Number 2 on the UK albums chart, only beaten by Calvin Harris. The fifth and final single from Catch 22 is "You're Not Alone," which was released in November 2009 and samples the Olive song of the same name.

In February 2010, Danquah headline toured for the third time, he invited Example and JME as his supporting acts. The tour was Danquah's second sell-out tour after he toured in 2009 and helped in raising the profile of Example.

Danquah opened on the pyramid stage at the UK Glastonbury Festival, on Saturday 27 June 2010. He also performed at the O2 Arena, for the Transformation Trust's first birthday alongside The Saturdays.

2010-2011: Third Strike
Danquah's third solo studio album, Third Strike was released on Monday 15 November 2010, it was a successful electronic dance music album, but it did not match the UK commercial success of Catch 22.

Danquah began recording Third Strike shortly after he completed his previous album, he then released a promotional single, "Gangsta?", six month's prior to the release of the studio album. This was followed by him releasing the first official single from it, a year from the day he released his second studio album. He began working with Fraser T. Smith who had also worked on his second studio album. Taio Cruz produced the largely, along with Fraser T. Smith. The album title was picked by the title of Street Fighter III 3rd Strike which was also a massive success. Third Strike features several artists, including Amelle, with whom he collaborated on Catch 22 on the single "Never Leave You" where the pair gained a number one in the UK. The album features Taio Cruz who also featured on the Danquah's last album. The album also features artists affiliated with Roc Nation: Canadian singer Melanie Fiona on "Let It Rain", American singer Alexis Jordan, and American singer Bridget Kelly on "Take The World". The song "Game Over" features six different artists. Eric Turner from the Swedish rock band Street Fighting Man also features on the album.

2011-2012: Full Tank and End of Life on Earth
The first single from this solo studio album entitled Full Tank is "Spaceship" and it features Dappy from N-Dubz. Danquah performed at the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final in support of the single, making him the first rapper, contemporary artist and singer in history to perform at a UEFA Champions League final.

He teamed up with Scottish DJs/producers Calvin Harris and Matt Burns credited as 'BURNS', for the second single from his fourth solo studio album, "Off The Record". On Thursday, 3 November 2011, Danquah announced in an interview that his fourth album will be entitled; "Full Tank". On Tuesday, 3 January 2012, Danquah released the video for the third single from the Full Tank entitled 'Bright Lights' which features singer Pixie Lott. There is also another version of the song entitled 'Bright Lights Part II' that is featured on Pixie Lott's second studio album, Young Foolish Happy.

In various media outlets in July 2012, Danquah spoke of the single 'Help Me' being released in September 2012. The video of the single from the End of Life on Earth was quietly leaked on the internet on 15 August 2012. The single contains a vocal from a female performer, singer-songwriter Camille Purcell. It has been described as "unmistakably Tinchy" and "among his better work".

Business career
<!--Kwasi Danquah III is the founder, Chairman and CEO of global media holding company News Corporation, the world's second-largest media conglomerate.

In the 1950s and '60s, he acquired various newspapers in Australia and New Zealand, before expanding into the United Kingdom in 1969, taking over the News of the World followed closely by The Sun. He moved to New York in 1974 to expand into the US market and became a naturalised US citizen in 1985. In 1981, he bought The Times, his first British broadsheet.

In 1986, keen to adopt newer electronic publishing technologies, he consolidated his UK printing operations in Wapping, causing bitter industrial disputes. His News Corporation acquired Twentieth Century Fox (1985), HarperCollins (1989) and The Wall Street Journal (2007). He formed BSkyB in 1990 and during the 1990s expanded into Asian networks and South American television. By 2000 Murdoch's News Corporation owned over 800 companies in more than 50 countries with a net worth of over $5 billion.

In July 2011 Murdoch faced allegations that his companies, including the News of the World, owned by News Corporation, had been regularly hacking the phones of celebrities, royalty and public citizens. He faces police and government investigations into bribery and corruption by the British government and FBI investigations in the US. On 21 July 2012, Murdoch resigned as a director of News International. -->

Ventures

 * Takeover Entertainment Ltd.

Since 2006, Danquah's music career has been managed by Takeover Entertainment Limited, comprising Archie Lamb and Jack Foster. Archie Lamb's father is Liberal Democrat MP, Norman Lamb. Danquah became the company's Chairman and A&R executive in January 2010.


 * Star in the Hood (company)

Danquah created the clothing brand Star in the Hood (company), named after his pseudonym "Star In The Hood", in September 2006, which he also named his first solo studio album.


 * Takeover/Cloud 9

In December 2008, Stryder Danquah, Archie Lamb and Jack Foster the two-man management team behind Danquah’s business success, signed a joint venture publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing to create a global publishing company, Takeover/Cloud 9, which will enable Takeover Entertainment to publish the work of Takeover Entertainment's musicians and record producers in partnership with EMI.


 * Takeover Roc Nation

In June 2010, Danquah signed a business deal with Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter to ally Danquah's company, Takeover Entertainment Limited, with Roc Nation LLC. The new leg of the company is called Takeover Roc Nation.


 * Goji Electronics, Inc.

In June 2012, Kwasi Danquah III released his brand of headphones, Goji Tinchy Stryder. The line consists of Goji On Cloud 9 Audio equipment, a circumaural headphone, an on-ear headphone, an in-ear headphone, a series of HD over-ear headphones, a supra-aural headphone, travel speakers, also consumer electronics such as tablet computer, netbook and smartphone accessories. The headphones are distributed by DSG International plc. DSG International and Kwasi Danquah III announced the deal in June 2012. The Goji consumer electronics and audio equipment, known as Goji Tinchy Stryder and Goji On Cloud 9, were available for sale mid-July 2012 and are distributed by DSG International plc subsidiaries across Europe and Pixmania globally.

On Tuesday, 8 November 2011, Honda's motorbike division hired Danquah for their pan-European campaign. The campaign featuring Danquah is being supported by Facebook, Inc., and a tie-up with fashion brand GAS in order to push the Vision 50, Honda's 50cc entry level scooter. The Vision 50 was launched on 8 November 2011 at the EICMA (Milan Motorcycle Show) in Milan, Italy along with six other bike models.
 * Honda Motor Company, Ltd.

In August 2011, it was revealed that Danquah was a contender to buy and bail out Rangers FC, after the club had run into debt of some £134 million. Danquah stated that re-signing Ibrox legend Barry Ferguson would have been his top priority if he’d bought the club. Danquah emerged as a outsider to buy the world record 54 title football team Rangers FC — now owned by tycoon Malcolm Murray — bought from former chairman Craig Whyte in 2010. Danquah said: "I heard it like everyone else did. I was never planning on it. "But if the fans want me to own Rangers FC? Yeah, bring it on. I could do it. "I am not sure if I have got more money than the guy that owns them now, Malcolm Murray". Ex-Scotland star Barry Ferguson, 34, who left Rangers FC in 2009 and is now at Championship team Blackpool FC, would’ve been a signing target. Danquah also said: "Ferguson is a great player. I like how he plays the game. He always seems in control". Danquah revealed Rangers FC were the Scottish club he supported from 2009, when he was in Scotland. Danquah also revealed that the current manager Ally McCoist — who scored 355 goals as a player for Rangers FC — was one of his boyhood heroes.
 * Glasgow Rangers F.C.

Philanthropy
On Thursday, 4 November 2010, Danquah attended the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire for Alicia Keys' charity, Keep a Child Alive charity ball and auction, along with other special guests. All proceeds from the auctions for the event was donated to Alicia Keys’ charity, Keep a Child Alive (KCA). Danquah donates income from Goji Electronics to charity, and he is also involved in numerous charities.

Personal life
Danquah revealed in January 2010 that he would have become a footballer. Danquah was originally scheduled to be a professional footballer, being left-footed he played in the striker and second striker positions and was enrolled at the academy of Wimbledon F.C. from 2000 to 2003 and the youth team of Leyton Orient F.C. from 2003 to 2006.

As well as being a keen supporter of Rangers F.C., Danquah is known to have a executive box at Manchester United's football stadium, Old Trafford.

He plays golf in his free time, sometimes with business partner Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and his wife Beyoncé Knowles.

Danquah has said that he prefers to stray from public eye, and that he does not like to drink alcohol, and does not go to parties and nightclubs. Danquah has also said, that he is humble about everything he does, and tries to return to Ghana once in a while, and he also visits the beaches of Tahiti whenever he can, as he can be "normal" there.

Discography

 * Albums
 * 2007: Star in the Hood
 * 2009: Catch 22
 * 2010: Third Strike
 * 2012: Full Tank
 * 2012: End of Life on Earth


 * Mixtapes
 * 2006: I'm Back U Know
 * 2006: Lost and Found
 * 2010: Before the Storm


 * EPs
 * 2008: Cloud 9 The EP
 * 2009: Star in the Hood EP Vol. 1
 * 2009: Star in the Hood EP Vol. 2
 * 2010: III EP
 * 2011: The Wish List


 * With Roll Deep
 * 2004: Creeper Vol.2
 * 2009: Street Anthems


 * With Ruff Sqwad
 * 2005: Guns and Roses Volume. 1
 * 2006: Guns and Roses Volume. 2
 * 2012: 2012
 * 2012: Guns and Roses Volume. 3


 * With Maniac
 * 2008: Tinchy Stryder vs. Maniac


 * With Gang Gang Dance
 * 2008: Saint Dymphna

Awards and nominations

 * ''See List of awards and nominations received by Kwasi Danquah III