Early career
Stryder started at the age of 14 on pirate radio sets in East London with other well known grime MCs such as Dizzee Rascal. His stage name was derived from the video game, Strider, a video game he grew up with, and Tinchy derives from a nickname given to him due to his short height.
2006-2008: Star in the Hood
The debut album by Tinchy Styder Star in the Hood was eased on 13th of August 2007 on Takeover Entertainment.
2008-2009: Catch 22
On September 11 2008, it was revealed that Stryder will be featured on Craig David's new single "Where's Your Love" and eased on November 10, 2008. He also appears on the track "Princes" from the album Saint Dymphna by Gang Gang Dance. His next single, called "Take Me Back", featuring Taio Cruz, (eased on January 19, 2009) was a popular hit following numerous plays on Radio 1, Kiss FM and many other TV and radio stations. On January 18, the song entered the official UK Singles Charts at 39 on downloads alone,one day before its official ease. The following week the single moved up 36 places to peak at number 3.
On 26 April, 2009, Stryder's next single, a collaboration with N-Dubz (whom he had toured with on their recent Uncle B tour), titled "Number 1" topped the UK Singles Chart giving Stryder and N-Dubz their first number one single. In an interview with Tim Westwood, Tinchy stated that due to the success of "Number 1" not going away yet, he had to push the album and a few things back to August 2009. Tinchy's third single from Catch 22, titled "Never Leave You", featuring Amelle Berrabah of the Sugababes, was eased on August 3rd 2009 with the album following on August 17th. "Never Leave You" went straight to #1 on its week of ease.
Catch 22 debuted at #2 on the UK albums chart, only to be beaten by Calvin Harris. The 4th single of Catch 22 will beYou're Not Alone which will be eased in November 2009.
Also in mid 2009, Stryder completed a BA degree in moving image and animation at the University of East London.