The Rise of Grime: The Reality of UK Rap Culture with Ironik #8

James Christian Charters burst onto the music scene in relative youth, scoring Top 10 singles as the DJ and rapper ‘Ironik’, soon learning the joys of success, and the dark side of fame and notoriety…

Ironik’s influence has contributed to the rise of UK rap artists in the charts, and behind the artist is a genuine, gracious man who’s handled pressure, survived a horrifying attack, and grown as an artist & human being.

This episode covers
• Ironik’s early entry into DJ-ing and music production
• Working with music icons like Chipmunk & Wiley
• The story behind huge hits like Stay With Me and Tiny Dancer
• Signing a Warner Music record deal aged 20
• The darker side of fame & the celebrity lifestyle
• Surviving a shock attack and how it’s affected Ironik in the years since

0:00 - Intro
07:30 - Bedroom DJ to Ironik
15:53 - Did you ever struggle with that fame?
22:32 - The origin of ‘Stay With Me’ & being signed to Atlantic Records
27:04 - The Elton John sample
32:43 - Music scene then vs now
38:20 - The stabbing
46:24 - How Ironik’s fiancé changed everything
47:44 - Ty’s traumatic experience
53:31 - DJ Ironik’s future
55:06 - What advice would you give to your younger self?

Ironik:
  / officialdjironik  

Ty Temel:
  / ty_temel