Tinie Tempah: My music and lyrics bring joy, so why would I stop?

Tinie Tempah, a well-known British rapper, is making a comeback in the music industry after several years away. He first rose to fame in 2010 with his hit single Pass Out, a song that many people still remember and associate with him. Back then, fans would buy his music and listen to it on early smartphones like the iPhone 4. However, the music scene has changed a lot since then. Today, it is much more crowded and competitive, with thousands of new songs being uploaded to streaming platforms every day. Tinie told BBC Newsbeat that he finds this new environment exciting because he loves a challenge. He has been adapting to the changes by using social media and performing on popular TV shows like Love Island, which helps him reach new audiences. Tinie believes that a single post on social media can change an artist's life, but he also knows that it is difficult to maintain long-term success. A song might be popular one day and forgotten the next, which he finds a bit scary. Despite these challenges, Tinie has managed to stay relevant. He still has nearly five million monthly listeners on Spotify, and his classic track Pass Out has been streamed 174 million times. However, he is concerned about the decline of grassroots music venues and clubs, which he sees as essential for new artists to develop their skills and build a fanbase. Recent reports show that many of these venues are closing, and Tinie worries that by 2029, there may be very few left in the UK. This trend troubles him because he believes these spaces are crucial for the future of music. In addition to performing, Tinie is involved in supporting songwriters. He is a member of the Ivors Academy board, which oversees the Ivor Novello songwriting awards. At a recent ceremony, singer Raye spoke out about songwriters often being asked to work for free, which led to new agreements ensuring they are paid for their work. Tinie feels it is sad that songwriters are often overlooked, but he is glad that the industry is starting to recognize their importance. He says that while he personally enjoys making music regardless of the money, he understands that many songwriters travel long distances to work on projects that might never be released. He sees the new rules as a big improvement. Over the past three years, Tinie has been writing new music and says his break from the industry has given him a fresh perspective. Seeing other artists come through his London studio has inspired him to start creating again. His latest release, Eat It Up, is a collaboration with Skepsis, and he enjoys hearing from fans who share memories connected to his older songs. Tinie says it is amazing to know that his music has been the soundtrack to people's lives and special moments. He feels that if his music and lyrics have brought joy to so many people, there is no reason for him to stop now. Tinie is aware of the challenges of standing out in today's crowded music market, but he feels prepared because of his experience. He has seen public interest in his music rise and fall over the years and believes that is just part of the journey. For Tinie, the most important thing is making music he loves and sharing it with others. He is excited for people to hear his new work and hopes it will continue to bring happiness to his fans.