Wiley

**Richard Kylea Cowie Jr**, MBE (born 19 January 1979), better known by his stage name **Wiley**, is an English grime artist and record producer from London.

He started his career as a member of UK garage group Pay As U Go. Working solo he produced several influential beats, including some of the first grime beats. Wiley soon became one of the first grime MCs to achieve mainstream success, earning the name **Godfather of Grime**. In 2018 Wiley was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

## Career

### 1996-2003: Early Career

Wiley began his career on pirate radio stations and Drum and Bass stations, joining UK garage group The Ladies Hit Squad in 2000. After achieving some success they joined with rival group Pay As U Go to form a garage super crew, eventually achieving a top 20 hit. After the group disbanded, Wiley formed another group, Roll Deep, which included Dizzee Rascal. Together they moved away from UK garage to form a new sound that would eventually become grime. From 2001, Wiley began producing instrumentals through his own record label, Wiley Kat Recordings, gaining a solo deal with XL Recordings.

### 2004-07: *Treddin' on Thin Ice, Da 2nd Phaze* and *Playtime Is Over*

In 2004, Wiley released his debut album *Treddin' on Thin Ice* drawing comparisons with former labelmate Dizzee Rascal who had achieved success the previous year with *Boy in Da Corner.* At this time Wiley termed the new genre 'Eski' and released under the name Eskiboy. In 2006 he released his second album *Da 2nd Phase* through Boy Better Know. In 2007 he released his third album *Playtime Is Over.*

### 2008-09: *Grime Wave, See Clear Now* and *Race Against Time*

In 2008 Wiley received mainstream success with the song "Wearing My Rolex". The song caused unrest in the grime scene as it moved towards a more radio friendly sound despite Wiley stating he would never change his sound to receive mainstream success. However, in the same month Wiley released *Grime Wave* which was a more traditional grime sound. In October 2008 he released *See Clear Now* which included "Wearing My Rolex" and was a much more mainstream friendly album. Wiley has since disowned the album, claiming he was angry at his label for changing his sound. This caused him to leave his label and become independent where he released *Race Against Time,* having more control over his artistic direction.

### 2010-11: Zip Files*,* iTunes Offload and *100% Publishing*

In 2010 Wiley released 11 Zip files on Twitter containing 200 tracks of old and unreleased music. In 2011 he released *Offload Volume 1* on iTunes as well as an instrumental album *Run The Riddim Selecta.* In June 2011 he released the album *100% Publishing.* The next month he released an independent EP *Chill Out Zone.*

### 2012-13: *Evolve or Be Extinct* and *The Ascent*

In January 2012 he released the album *Evolve or Be Extinct.* He also began releasing grime freestyles for free on Twitter, eventually compiled into the mixtape *It's All Fun and Games Till Vol. 1.* In June he released the single "Heatwave" which charted at number 1 in the UK, his first to do so. In April 2013 he released the album *The Ascent.*

### 2014-Present: *Snakes & Ladders* and *Godfather* series

In November 2014 Wiley released his tenth studio album *Snakes & Ladders,* announcing it would be his last. However in 2016 he changed his mind, announcing the album *Godfather* which was released in January 2017 charting at number 9 in the UK, his highest. In April 2018 he released another album *Godfather II.*

## Discography

### Extended plays

* Label: Elusive Entertainment
 *#8* | * Released: 26 July 2015
* Label: Chasing the Art Records
* Formats: CD, digital download

### Mixtapes

* Label: Boy Better Know
 ***Tunnel Vision Vol. 2*** | * Released: 2006
* Label: Boy Better Know
 ***Tunnel Vision Vol. 3*** | * Released: 2006
* Label: Boy Better Know
 ***Tunnel Vision Vol. 4*** | * Released: 2007
* Label: Boy Better Know
 ***Tunnel Vision Vol. 5*** | * Released: 2007
* Label: Boy Better Know
 ***Tunnel Vision Vol. 6*** | * Released: 2008
* Label: Eskibeat Recordings
 ***Umbrella Vol. 1*** | * Released: 1 February 2008
* Label: Eskibeat Recordings
 ***The Elusive*** | * Released: 8 July 2010
* Label: Self-released
 ***Offload Vol. 1*** | * Released: 4 March 2011
* Label: A-List Music Ltd.
 ***Creating a Buzz Vol. 1*** | * Released: 6 July 2011
* Hosted by: DJ Whoo Kid
* Label: Self-released
 ***It's All Fun and Games Till Vol. 1*** | * Released: 21 May 2012
* Label: Self-released
 ***It's All Fun and Games Till Vol. 2*** | * Released: 21 March 2013
* Label: Self-released
 ***Ya Dun Know Vol. 1*** | * Released: 6 March 2014
* Label: Self-released
* Format: digital download

### Instrumentals

* Label: Avalanche Music
 ***Run the Riddim Selecta*** | * Released: 9 March 2011
* Label: Elusive Entertainment
* Format: digital download

### Miscellaneous

* Label: Self-released
 ***The Grime Leaks*** | * Released: 20 December 2010
* Label: Self-released
 ***Twitter Mix 2011*** | * Released: 21 December 2011
* Label: Self-released
 ***Twitter Downloads 2012*** | * Released: 27 May 2012
* Label: Self-released
* Format: digital download

### With Roll Deep

* Label: Roll Deep Recordings
 ***Creeper Vol. 2*** | * Released: 2004-2005
* Label: Roll Deep Recordings
 ***In at the Deep End*** | * Released: 6 June 2005
* Label: Relentless Records/ Virgin Records
 ***Roll Deep Presents Grimey Vol. 1*** | * Released: 27 February 2006
* Label: Roll Deep Recordings
 ***Rules and Regulations*** | * Released: 26 March 2007
* Label: Roll Deep Recordings
 ***Return of the Big Money Sound*** | * Released: 6 September 2008
* Label: Roll Deep Recordings
 ***Street Anthems*** | * Released: 19 October 2009
* Label: Roll Deep Recordings
 ***Say No More*** | * Released: 16 August 2010
* Label: Roll Deep Recordings
 ***Winner Stays On*** | * Released: 8 November 2010
* Label: Relentless Records/Virgin Records
* Format: CD, digital download

### With Boy Better Know

* Label: Boy Better Know
 ***Tunnel Vision 1-5*** | * Released: 2006-2008
* Label: Boy Better Know
* Format: CD, Digital download