Chip Diddy Chip is one of Grime’s true OGs, despite only being 29 years of age. The Tottenham lyricist first started rapping as a child, when he heard the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Wiley popping off on Private Radio, right when Grime was first taking shape. At 13, he was paying £20 a session to write with his friends in the studio, which became the start of something huge. After he put a track out called ‘Who Are You?’ in 2006 at just 16, it reached new heights in the underground and his name began circling. By 2007, a young Chipmunk and Ice Kid were brought onto Tim Westwood’s Radio Show by none other than Wiley himself. Tim had a huge platform and still to this day is hugely responsible for helping some of the scene’s greats, but this particular freestyle is now considered legendary status. Chip went through some time on the charts after being catapulted into the main stream with a deal at Sony, landing him a number 1 with his track ‘Oopsy Daisy’ and even collaborated with Chris Brown on a track called ‘Champion’. However, after leaving his deal at Sony with some Mobo Awards in his pocket and a whole load of talent under his belt, he resigned with T.I.’s ‘Grand Hustle’ label and dropped the name to just ‘Chip’ as per his new labelmate’s advice.
Chip’s story is one of twists and tails, but after years of major label work at such a young age, he decided the best route would be to go independent and form his own label for the release of his clothing and music, ‘Cash Motivation’ or ‘Cash Motto’. The Believe And Achieve EP series that followed featured BBK’s Jammer, Stormzy, Kano, and Wretch 32, to name but a few top Grime MC’s. It was the start of a new era for one of the most talented MC’s the U.K. has to offer. Chip has been undeniably one of the greatest lyricists ever since his Westwood Freestyle. Despite working with major labels and some fans saying he “went Pop,” no one can deny this man’s raw talent. Ever since his independence, Chip has dropped some of the hardest verses of his career and appears to be in a truly comfortable place, as one of Grime’s best. His story is fascinating and his discography is endless, but here are three absolute must-listen tracks and THAT freestyle.
Chip / Wiley / Ice Kid Freestyle
One look at all three of these acts and you can see just how far back this is. 2007 was the birth of Chip and this freestyle had a huge part to play. Westwood was helping pioneer many young artists into the limelight and when the stage was set, who better to turn up and spray lyrics than Chip Diddy Chip.
Champion feat. Chris Brown
At nearly 10 years of age, it’s definitely a throw back. However, not many artists at the time or even now could say they have a collaboration with Chris Breezy. A more mainstream Chip, but even at this young age his lyrical capabilities were shining through.
One Take
Rude Kid’s One Take Beat was originally for a Ghetts tune, but just like the OG days, every Grime rapper wanted to hop on it. Chip was of course one of them and the product is truly for the barrers out there. With lyrical content and wordplay that is both catchy and delivered effortlessly, it’s all too natural for Chip.
Hear Dis feat. Stormzy
