Star in the Hood (album)

Star in the Hood
Studio album by Tinchy Stryder
Released	13 August 2007
Recorded	2006-2007
Genre	Grime, bassline
Label	Takeover Entertainment Limited
Producer	Kwasi Danquah III (Record executive & Composer) Sarah Akwisombe & X.T.C (Composers) David Nkrumah (Sound engineer) DaVinChe (Mixing engineer) Prince Rapid & Brandon Jolie (Mastering engineers)
Tinchy Stryder chronology
Star in the Hood (2007) Tinchy Stryder vs. Maniac (2008)Tinchy Stryder vs. Maniac2008
Singles from Star in the Hood
"Breakaway" Released: 9 April 2007 "Something About Your Smile" Released: 6 August 2007 "Mainstream Money / Sorry, You Are?" Released: 12 November 2007

Star in the Hood is the debut studio album by recording artist Tinchy Stryder. It was released on 13 August 2007 on Takeover Entertainment Limited, and was well received by the grime scene.

Critical reception

Maxine Headley of BBC Music claimed: "In the same way that hip hop's current state of health has been recently questioned, the debate of whether or not Grime has a future is generating many heated discussions. Prominent icons are seemingly moving away from the genre - Kano's doing the hip hop thing, Dizzie Rascal's collaborating with the MySpace successes, Lily Allen and Arctic Monkey's, to sustain mainstream interest, and the 'Godfather of Grime', Wiley, is retiring - the need for a new ally to march the movement forward is essential. Step up Tinchy Styder, who after several mix tapes finally releases his debut album, Star In The Hood, in an attempt to see if grime really does pay. And you know what, it just might. Yes, fans that have known Tinch from the beginning will hear him tone down his fiery musical 'tantrums' on some of the tracks, in order to obtain mass appeal. Looking no further than the DaVinChe produced single 'Something About Your Smile', its catchy hook and upbeat tempo has all the signs of a successful pop song. Really, there isn't anything wrong with that, Tinch hasn't totally deserted those who have made him a 'household name' in fact much of the lyrical content is still grimy, notably on 'Not Like Me' where he declares his originality as an artist, as with the title track 'Star In The Hood' claiming, well, the same thing. However the effort in 'keeping it real' on 'Catch 'Em' doesn't help dispel the current issues of how inner city youths get caught up in unnecessary life threatening altercations. Lucky, the inclusion of female vocals creates diversity on the album; 'Hands Of Time' with its reggae undertones and sentimental message show a softer side to Tinch, while 'Stereotypes' featuring and produced by Goldielocks, commands you not to assume 'we're some wasted kids, who aint got a clue about the music biz'. A Grime album wouldn't be a Grime album without a boisterous MC talking about his takeover of the world. Soldier on a mission, we salute you!"^[1]

Singles

• "Breakaway" was released as the album's lead single on 9 April 2007.
• "Something About Your Smile" was released as the album's second single on 6 August 2007.
• "Mainstream Money" was released as a double A-side with "Sorry, You Are?", featuring Chipmunk, on 12 November 2007. The track also features on Stryder's Cloud 9 The EP.

Track listing

References

External links

• Star In The Hood At Rewind Magazine