Released: 2010 • Features: Eric Turner
Tinie Tempah’s poetic anthem ‘Written in the Stars’ is an audacious proclamation of his destined success and an unwavering resolve. It’s a tale of struggle and triumph, affirming that his rise to stardom wasn’t just a chance occurrence, but rather a narrative written in the stars, indelibly marked by a ferocious determination to rise from obscurity.
From the drop, Tinie Tempah maps his journey out the trenches, saying “Yeah, you’re listening now / They say they ain’t heard nothing like this in a while”. He’s letting you know that his sound is unique, not something you hear every day. He’s got a point, too – his particular blend of UK grime and mainstream hip-hop was fresh on the scene and made him stand out. His quick punchline, “Cause I got more fucking hits than a disciplined child” is Tempah showcasing his wit while also highlighting his record of success.
Tempah goes further by likening himself to “a young gun fully black Barack”, a nod to the groundbreaking significance of Barack Obama as the first black President of the United States. His mention of “massive attack” hits us with two drops – one, a reference to the legendary British triphop band, Massive Attack, and two, a metaphor for the hardships he’s faced in life. The racket and bat quip drives this home, implying he’s batting against adversity to score hits in life and music.
He wears his humble beginnings as a badge of honour, taking the line “I’m just a writer from the ghetto like Malorie Blackman”. Tempah’s referencing the renowned British author who penned her stories from a similar background, emphasizing his own narrative comes from a place of authenticity.
Verse two reveals more of Tempah’s backstory; his struggles before fame, the hardships that pushed him to his limit. Lyrics like “I even done illegal stuff and was leaded astray” and “have you ever been so hungry it keeps you awake?” paints a clear picture of desperation and the lengths he went to survive. Simultaneously, he rebukes the notion that money is intrinsically evil, arguing instead it’s the circumstances that drive people to desperate actions.
To sum up, ‘Written in the Stars’ takes us on a powerful journey – from Tempah’s humble beginnings to his rise as a force in the music scene. His lyrics are both a diary of his past and a bold declaration of his potent potential. He champions perseverance, urging everyone, especially those in similar situations, to keep pushing, keep striving, keep “screaming ’til they hear you out”. And for Tempah, they definitely have.
