Chipmunk (rapper)
Encyclopedia
Jahmaal Noel Fyffe known by his stage name
Chipmunk, is a British hip hop
rapper and songwriter
from Tottenham, London.
In 2008 he signed a record deal with Columbia Records
of Sony Music UK, He has successfully released five top-ten hits on the UK Singles Chart
, of which "Oopsy Daisy
" debuted at number-one. He released his debut album, I Am Chipmunk
in 2009, which charted at number-two on the UK Albums Chart
. His follow-up debut album, Transition
was released on 18 April 2011.
In 2008, Chipmunk was nominated for best newcomer at the MOBO Awards
. It was later revealed he left the MOBO Awards with two awards, leaving with Best UK Newcomer and Best Hip-Hop act. He also won Best Hip-Hop Act at the MOBO Awards 2009. Himself and Emeli Sandé
won an award for Best British Single for their song "Diamond Rings
".
, Sony Music and began recording his first debut album. On 2 March 2009, he released his first single from the album, "Chip Diddy Chip
". The single charted at number twenty-one on the UK Singles Charts. It was written by Jahmaal Fyffe. The music video of the track featured Tim Westwood
and Dappy
of N-Dubz
, and was filmed in his secondary school, Gladesmore Community School
. After the release of the single, he announced his album would be titled, I Am Chipmunk
. Following the release of "Diamond Rings
" which featured guest vocals from Emeli Sandé
. The song became Sandé's and Chipmunk's first top 10 hit, after it charted at number-six on the UK Singles Charts.
He released "Oopsy Daisy
" as the third official single, the single featured guest vocals from Dayo Olatunji and was written by Talay Riley
. "Oopsy Daisy" is Chipmunk's most successful single to date. The track debuted at number-one on the UK Singles Charts and it later gained a certification of Silver, by the BPI
. It was Chipmunk's first single released internationally. The song was accompanied by a music video, Chipmunk's love interest was played by Red Madrell
, a British actress
. The song beat song candidates to the top spot, beating British girl-group, The Saturdays
to number-one with their come-back single, "Forever Is Over
". After the release of I Am Chipmunk
on 12 October 2009, it gained mainly positive reviews from critics. It debuted at number-two on the UK Albums Chart
. However, the album charted at number-one on the UK R&B Albums Chart
. A fourth single was released from the album, "Look for Me
" featuring vocals from Talay Riley. The single charted at number-seven on the UK Singles Charts, the song also gained a Silver certification by the BPI. The album then gained a Platinum Certification by the BPI.
which he stated it would be different from the first album, stating: "It kinda represents the growth in me as a person since my last album, so the sound has matured as well as I have and that’s the main thing for me with the record - I just wanted the sound, the sound and the feel of the album to feel… I feel like a granddad but you know, just more mature than my first album, you know life’s changed." The album features American artists Keri Hilson
, Chris Brown, Trey Songz
and Kalenna Harper
from Diddy-Dirty Money, Jamaican dancehall musician Mavado
and British rapper Wretch 32
. He released a promotional single onto iTunes
on 12 November 2010. The single charted at number seventy-two on the UK Singles Charts, with limited promotion.
In early 2011, he confirmed that "Champion
" would be released as the first main-stream single from the album, and the single would feature American
R&B singer, Chris Brown. The single was written by Harmony "H-Money" Samuels, Jahmaal Fyffe, Eric Bellinger, Erika Nuri. The single charted at number-two on the UK Singles Charts, being held off the top spot by Jessie J
and B.o.B
with their entry with "Price Tag
". However, both songs sold over 90,000 in their first week and Jessie J gained the top spot by 5%. The song is now used by the WWE as entrance song for their show Tough Enough.
It was announced that "In the Air" would be released as the second main-stream single released from Transition
the single would feature guest vocals from American R&B singer, Keri Hilson
. The single was released on 11 March 2011. The album Transition
itself attained its UK release through Sony Music's Jive label on April 18, 2011. He makes a cameo appearance in Wretch 32
and Example
's video for Unorthodox
.
The third single to be released from the album is titled "Take Off" and features Trey Songz
. Chipmunk also released a net video for the song "Every Gyal" featuring Mavado..
In August 2011 Chipmunk performed a free concert in Dumfries
, Scotland, along with Basshunter
, Twenty Twenty (band)
, Emma's Imagination
, Wagner (XFactor 2010) and XAVIA called Youth Beatz which is organised by The Oasis Youth Centre Scottish Charity, in which N-Dubz
and Reece Robertson performed at in 2010 and in September, Chipmunk released a mixtape called Spazzz.com as a free download. It received positive feedback from fans.
On October 7, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding Jive Records along with Arista Records and J Records. With the shutdown, Chipmunk (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) will release his future material on the RCA Records brand. It does however remain a possibility that Chipmunk could be dropped from the label to balance the books as his follow-up album to I Am Chipmunk, Transition didn't sell nor chart as well as expected.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Chipmunk, is a British hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
rapper and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
from Tottenham, London.
In 2008 he signed a record deal with Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
of Sony Music UK, He has successfully released five top-ten hits on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, of which "Oopsy Daisy
Oopsy Daisy
"Oopsy Daisy" is a single released by the London-based British rapper Chipmunk, it features vocals by R&B singer Dayo Olatunji who performs the bridge & chorus and was produced by the pop production duo Kyle James & Pete Parker who co-wrote the top line alongside Talay Riley. The song was...
" debuted at number-one. He released his debut album, I Am Chipmunk
I Am Chipmunk
I Am Chipmunk is the debut album by British grime and R&B MC, Chipmunk released on 12 October 2009 by Columbia Records. It has produced four top 25 singles included three consecutive top-ten hits and one chart topper...
in 2009, which charted at number-two on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
. His follow-up debut album, Transition
Transition (Chipmunk album)
Transition received mixed to positive reviews from most music critics.Robert Copsey of Digital Spy was positive, he commented that After dazzling us with his 'Diamond Rings' two years ago and platinum selling debut I Am Chipmunk, the one-time underground MC withdrew from the music scene after...
was released on 18 April 2011.
In 2008, Chipmunk was nominated for best newcomer at the MOBO Awards
MOBO Awards
The Music of Black Origin Awards, established in 1995 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music....
. It was later revealed he left the MOBO Awards with two awards, leaving with Best UK Newcomer and Best Hip-Hop act. He also won Best Hip-Hop Act at the MOBO Awards 2009. Himself and Emeli Sandé
Emeli Sandé
Adele Emeli Sandé , known by her stage name Emeli Sande, is a Scottish R&B and Soul recording artist and songwriter, from Aberdeen, Scotland...
won an award for Best British Single for their song "Diamond Rings
Diamond Rings (song)
"Diamond Rings" is the third single released from Chipmunk's second album, I Am Chipmunk. The song was released digitally on 5 July 2009 and physically on Compact Disc a day later. It features Emeli Sande singing the chorus. Chipmunk told Rewind RWD magazine about the lyrics: “It’s not about being...
".
2009–10: I Am Chipmunk and breakthrough
In 2008, he signed a record deal with Columbia RecordsColumbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, Sony Music and began recording his first debut album. On 2 March 2009, he released his first single from the album, "Chip Diddy Chip
Chip Diddy Chip
"Chip Diddy Chip" is a song by rapper Chipmunk, released in March 2009. It is first official single from his debut album, I Am Chipmunk.- Music video :...
". The single charted at number twenty-one on the UK Singles Charts. It was written by Jahmaal Fyffe. The music video of the track featured Tim Westwood
Tim Westwood
Timothy Westwood is an English DJ and presenter of radio and television. He also presents the UK version of the MTV show Pimp My Ride...
and Dappy
Dappy
Costadinos Contostavlos better known by his stage name Dappy, is a British singer-songwriter, rapper, actor of Greek descent. He is best known for being the lead singer of the Camden-based Grime/hip hop/R&B trio N-Dubz, with his cousin Tulisa and their friend Fazer...
of N-Dubz
N-Dubz
N-Dubz are a British hip hop group from Camden Town, London. The group consists of members Dappy, Tulisa Contostavlos and Fazer.N-Dubz were previously signed to Polydor Records before joining All Around the World Records...
, and was filmed in his secondary school, Gladesmore Community School
Gladesmore Community School
Gladesmore Community School is a comprehensive, 11-18 secondary school in Tottenham, London. The school holds Mathematics and Computing Specialist status.-Notable alumni:*Chipmunk, solo grime artist*Emmanuel Frimpong, footballer playing for Arsenal...
. After the release of the single, he announced his album would be titled, I Am Chipmunk
I Am Chipmunk
I Am Chipmunk is the debut album by British grime and R&B MC, Chipmunk released on 12 October 2009 by Columbia Records. It has produced four top 25 singles included three consecutive top-ten hits and one chart topper...
. Following the release of "Diamond Rings
Diamond Rings (song)
"Diamond Rings" is the third single released from Chipmunk's second album, I Am Chipmunk. The song was released digitally on 5 July 2009 and physically on Compact Disc a day later. It features Emeli Sande singing the chorus. Chipmunk told Rewind RWD magazine about the lyrics: “It’s not about being...
" which featured guest vocals from Emeli Sandé
Emeli Sandé
Adele Emeli Sandé , known by her stage name Emeli Sande, is a Scottish R&B and Soul recording artist and songwriter, from Aberdeen, Scotland...
. The song became Sandé's and Chipmunk's first top 10 hit, after it charted at number-six on the UK Singles Charts.
He released "Oopsy Daisy
Oopsy Daisy
"Oopsy Daisy" is a single released by the London-based British rapper Chipmunk, it features vocals by R&B singer Dayo Olatunji who performs the bridge & chorus and was produced by the pop production duo Kyle James & Pete Parker who co-wrote the top line alongside Talay Riley. The song was...
" as the third official single, the single featured guest vocals from Dayo Olatunji and was written by Talay Riley
Talay Riley
Talay Riley is a British singer signed to record label Sony Music. Riley began his musical career after featuring on rapper Chipmunk's single "Look for Me". He is due to release his fourth single, Make You Mine on August 28, 2011....
. "Oopsy Daisy" is Chipmunk's most successful single to date. The track debuted at number-one on the UK Singles Charts and it later gained a certification of Silver, by the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
. It was Chipmunk's first single released internationally. The song was accompanied by a music video, Chipmunk's love interest was played by Red Madrell
Red Madrell
Red Madrell is a British actress who is best known for her role as Alisa in the 2006 British film Kidulthood, as well as Adulthood which was released June 2008...
, a British actress
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The song beat song candidates to the top spot, beating British girl-group, The Saturdays
The Saturdays
The Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
to number-one with their come-back single, "Forever Is Over
Forever Is Over
"Forever Is Over" is a single by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays. The track was released by digital download on October 3, 2009, and CD single the following day. The song was written by, Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters, James Bourne and produced by The Runaways...
". After the release of I Am Chipmunk
I Am Chipmunk
I Am Chipmunk is the debut album by British grime and R&B MC, Chipmunk released on 12 October 2009 by Columbia Records. It has produced four top 25 singles included three consecutive top-ten hits and one chart topper...
on 12 October 2009, it gained mainly positive reviews from critics. It debuted at number-two on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
. However, the album charted at number-one on the UK R&B Albums Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
. A fourth single was released from the album, "Look for Me
Look for Me
"Look for Me" is the fifth single released from Chipmunk's second album, I Am Chipmunk. The song was released on 28 December 2009. It features Talay Riley....
" featuring vocals from Talay Riley. The single charted at number-seven on the UK Singles Charts, the song also gained a Silver certification by the BPI. The album then gained a Platinum Certification by the BPI.
2011–present: Transition
Chipmunk announced he was working on a new studio album in late 2010, and confirmed it would be titled, TransitionTransition (Chipmunk album)
Transition received mixed to positive reviews from most music critics.Robert Copsey of Digital Spy was positive, he commented that After dazzling us with his 'Diamond Rings' two years ago and platinum selling debut I Am Chipmunk, the one-time underground MC withdrew from the music scene after...
which he stated it would be different from the first album, stating: "It kinda represents the growth in me as a person since my last album, so the sound has matured as well as I have and that’s the main thing for me with the record - I just wanted the sound, the sound and the feel of the album to feel… I feel like a granddad but you know, just more mature than my first album, you know life’s changed." The album features American artists Keri Hilson
Keri Hilson
Keri Lynn Hilson is an American R&B singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Decatur, Georgia, Hilson began her music career as a songwriter, penning tracks for several artists in the mid-2000s as part of the five-person production and songwriting team, The Clutch...
, Chris Brown, Trey Songz
Trey Songz
Tremaine "Trey" Aldon Neverson , better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. His debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005, while his second album, Trey Day, was released in 2007...
and Kalenna Harper
Kalenna Harper
Kalenna Harper , better known mononymously as Kalenna , is an American singer-songwriter. She is currently a member of the hip hop group Diddy-Dirty Money, along with Diddy and fellow singer-songwriter Dawn Richard .The winner of four Russian Grammy Awards, Kalenna is currently working on her solo...
from Diddy-Dirty Money, Jamaican dancehall musician Mavado
Mavado (singer)
David Constantine Brooks , better known by his stage name Mavado, is a Jamaican musician, actor, DJ and music producer.- Biography :...
and British rapper Wretch 32
Wretch 32
Jermaine Scott , better known by his stage name Wretch 32 , is a Black British rapper and former Grime MC from Tottenham, London where he grew up the son of a local reggae DJ in the Tiverton Estate. He was a member of the grime collective "Combination Chain Gang", before forming The Movement with...
. He released a promotional single onto iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
on 12 November 2010. The single charted at number seventy-two on the UK Singles Charts, with limited promotion.
In early 2011, he confirmed that "Champion
Champion (Chipmunk song)
"Champion" is a song by British rapper Chipmunk featuring American singer Chris Brown from Chipmunk's second studio album Transition. It was released as the second single from the album on February 6, 2011 in the United Kingdom. The song was written by Harmony "H-Money" Samuels, Chipmunk, Eric...
" would be released as the first main-stream single from the album, and the single would feature American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B singer, Chris Brown. The single was written by Harmony "H-Money" Samuels, Jahmaal Fyffe, Eric Bellinger, Erika Nuri. The single charted at number-two on the UK Singles Charts, being held off the top spot by Jessie J
Jessie J
Jessica Ellen Cornish , better known by her stage name Jessie J, is an English recording artist currently signed to Island Records. She began her career as a songwriter for artists including Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus. Her debut single, "Do It Like a Dude", was released in November 2010 and peaked...
and B.o.B
B.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
with their entry with "Price Tag
Price Tag
"Price Tag" is a song by English singer-songwriter Jessie J, featuring American rapper B.o.B. It was released on 28 January 2011 in the United Kingdom as the second single from Jessie J's debut studio album, Who You Are. "Price Tag" was written by Jessie J, Dr. Luke, Claude Kelly and B.o.B, and it...
". However, both songs sold over 90,000 in their first week and Jessie J gained the top spot by 5%. The song is now used by the WWE as entrance song for their show Tough Enough.
It was announced that "In the Air" would be released as the second main-stream single released from Transition
Transition (Chipmunk album)
Transition received mixed to positive reviews from most music critics.Robert Copsey of Digital Spy was positive, he commented that After dazzling us with his 'Diamond Rings' two years ago and platinum selling debut I Am Chipmunk, the one-time underground MC withdrew from the music scene after...
the single would feature guest vocals from American R&B singer, Keri Hilson
Keri Hilson
Keri Lynn Hilson is an American R&B singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Decatur, Georgia, Hilson began her music career as a songwriter, penning tracks for several artists in the mid-2000s as part of the five-person production and songwriting team, The Clutch...
. The single was released on 11 March 2011. The album Transition
Transition (Chipmunk album)
Transition received mixed to positive reviews from most music critics.Robert Copsey of Digital Spy was positive, he commented that After dazzling us with his 'Diamond Rings' two years ago and platinum selling debut I Am Chipmunk, the one-time underground MC withdrew from the music scene after...
itself attained its UK release through Sony Music's Jive label on April 18, 2011. He makes a cameo appearance in Wretch 32
Wretch 32
Jermaine Scott , better known by his stage name Wretch 32 , is a Black British rapper and former Grime MC from Tottenham, London where he grew up the son of a local reggae DJ in the Tiverton Estate. He was a member of the grime collective "Combination Chain Gang", before forming The Movement with...
and Example
Example (rapper)
Elliot John Gleave , better known by his stage name Example, is an English singer and rapper signed to Data Records. His name arose due to his initials being E.G., which is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase "exempli gratia", which means, "for example".Example's third album Playing In The Shadows...
's video for Unorthodox
Unorthodox (song)
"Unorthodox" is a single from Tottenham-born rapper Wretch 32 that appears on his début album and features vocals from British recording artist Example. The single was released in the United Kingdom as a digital download on 17 April 2011 with a 12" vinyl released the following day...
.
The third single to be released from the album is titled "Take Off" and features Trey Songz
Trey Songz
Tremaine "Trey" Aldon Neverson , better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. His debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005, while his second album, Trey Day, was released in 2007...
. Chipmunk also released a net video for the song "Every Gyal" featuring Mavado..
In August 2011 Chipmunk performed a free concert in Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
, Scotland, along with Basshunter
Basshunter
Jonas Erik Altberg , better known by his stage name Basshunter, is a Swedish singer-songwriter, record producer and DJ. He is best known for his number one hits "Boten Anna", "Dota", "Now You're Gone" and "All I Ever Wanted". Basshunter has so far released a total of six albums, two of which have...
, Twenty Twenty (band)
Twenty Twenty (band)
Twenty Twenty are a 3 piece pop band based in London, Cambridge and Essex UK, who pride themselves on their vocal talents. They are made up of lead vocalist/guitarist Sam Halliday, brother and bassist/vocalist Jack Halliday, and drummer/vocalist Sonny Watson-Lang. The band have supported acts such...
, Emma's Imagination
Emma's Imagination
Emma Gillespie , better known by her stage name Emma's Imagination, is a Scottish singer. She first came to prominence after winning the Sky1 TV talent contest Must Be the Music. She has since been signed to Gary Barlow's music label Future Records...
, Wagner (XFactor 2010) and XAVIA called Youth Beatz which is organised by The Oasis Youth Centre Scottish Charity, in which N-Dubz
N-Dubz
N-Dubz are a British hip hop group from Camden Town, London. The group consists of members Dappy, Tulisa Contostavlos and Fazer.N-Dubz were previously signed to Polydor Records before joining All Around the World Records...
and Reece Robertson performed at in 2010 and in September, Chipmunk released a mixtape called Spazzz.com as a free download. It received positive feedback from fans.
On October 7, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding Jive Records along with Arista Records and J Records. With the shutdown, Chipmunk (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) will release his future material on the RCA Records brand. It does however remain a possibility that Chipmunk could be dropped from the label to balance the books as his follow-up album to I Am Chipmunk, Transition didn't sell nor chart as well as expected.
Studio albums
- I Am ChipmunkI Am ChipmunkI Am Chipmunk is the debut album by British grime and R&B MC, Chipmunk released on 12 October 2009 by Columbia Records. It has produced four top 25 singles included three consecutive top-ten hits and one chart topper...
(2009) - TransitionTransition (Chipmunk album)Transition received mixed to positive reviews from most music critics.Robert Copsey of Digital Spy was positive, he commented that After dazzling us with his 'Diamond Rings' two years ago and platinum selling debut I Am Chipmunk, the one-time underground MC withdrew from the music scene after...
(2011) - TBA (2012)
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | MOBO Awards MOBO Awards The Music of Black Origin Awards, established in 1995 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music.... |
Best UK Newcomer | ||
| 2009 | Best Hip-Hop Act | |||
| MP3 Music Awards | The UGG Award – Urban / Garage / Grime | "Diamond Rings Diamond Rings (song) "Diamond Rings" is the third single released from Chipmunk's second album, I Am Chipmunk. The song was released digitally on 5 July 2009 and physically on Compact Disc a day later. It features Emeli Sande singing the chorus. Chipmunk told Rewind RWD magazine about the lyrics: “It’s not about being... " |