Chipmunk (real name: Jamaal Fyffe) is a UK rapper and pop artist from Tottenham, originally part of the UK grime scene. He started MCing at the age of 14, practising at his youth club with other kids from his area from all different ages. He joined the Shoddy Crew, who had a show on a pirate radio station, and began to gain an underground following.
MC and music producer Wiley, one of the original founders of the Roll Deep crew and one of the integral pieces in the creation of the grime scene as a whole, started to show an interest in Chipmunk’s sound. He invited him to his label, Eskibeat Recordings, giving him more exposure and also an appearance on Tim Westwood’s Radio 1 show. Chipmunk later joined Alwayz Recordings, on which he released the popular single Chip Diddy Chip (the video for which Westwood made a guest appearance in) which went to number 21 in the UK chart.
Chipmunk released three mixtapes and two promos before he was 17, and won a MOBO award (Best Newcomer) before his debut album had even been released – beating Skepta and DJ Ironik for the prestigious title. This didn’t cause any bad feelings, as he collaborated with Ironik on his top five single Tiny Dancer.
After his A-Levels were finished Chipmunk released Diamond Rings, which went in at number six, kicking off his rise to chart dominance. His follow-up, Oopsy Daisy, hit the number one spot. At the 2009 MOBO Awards he overcame American heavyweights Eminem and Kanye West to win Best Hiphop Act. “It’s just been amazing to be considered in the same category as artists like Eminem and Kanye,” he said.
Chipmunk’s tour, The Shine Shine Tour, kicked off in June and he’s been making appearances at festivals including Radio 1’s Big Weekend and is lined up for lots more this summer. To be alerted of Chipmunk tickets and future tours, sign up to his Ticket Alarm.
