Artist

Wiley

1996-present·Bow

Richard Cowie grew up in Bow, born in 1979, and spent his teenage years selling crack and heroin before threats from other dealers pushed him toward music instead. He cut his teeth as DJ Wildchild on pirate radio, rebranded as Wiley Kat after the Thundercats character, then dropped it to just Wiley.

The full story is in UK Grime.

At a glance

Active
1996–present
From
Bow, East London, UK
Records in the issues
2 (2004–2017), 1 of them a Start here pick
Original labels
XL Recordings and CTA Records
Listening guide track
“Bring Them All / Holy Grime (feat. Devlin)”

Listen

In the UK Grime listening guide: “Bring Them All / Holy Grime (feat. Devlin)”

Spotify

In the issues

  • UK Grime
    Principal · 2000-2010 · Members

    UK Grime is a genre from East London, UK, 2000–2010. Its principal artists include Wiley, Dizzee Rascal and Skepta. This issue covers 10 essential albums and 12 dated events.

Records

Terms

Pirate radio
An unlicensed radio station broadcasting without government authorization.