Tinie Tempah Shares Childhood Tidbits and Starstruck Moments in New Memoir
British rapper Tinie Tempah is getting ready to release his autobiography 'My Story So Far' on Oct. 13. The book will account his 22 years on earth, from his humble beginnings growing up in south-east London to his launch to fame with songs like 'Written in the Stars.' Courtesy of The Sun, here a few highlights from Tinie Tempah's memoir, including one of his most starstruck encounters, his list of celebrity crushes, and his love for stars like Dolly Parton and Justin Bieber.
On the music he grew up on: "Believe it or not, the music I grew up on was Dolly Parton. My mum loves her so we went to see her in concert and everything. Dolly Parton, I was on that. I'm incredibly close to my mum and dad. Even to this day I call them Mummy and Daddy."
On his actual name: "My real name is Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu Junior. My middle name means "God is great" in the Nigerian Igbo language. I'm very proud of that — although it's really tough to say when you are little."
On how he got his rap pseudonym: "I got my name when I was in Year 8 in citizenship class. I was flicking through a thesaurus, daydreaming and thinking what I could have as a name. I didn't get very far — I only got up to "A". I saw "angry" and beneath it the word "temper" stood out but I was aware that might sound a bit aggressive, a bit too much, so I randomly stuck "tiny" at the front. By playtime I was Tinie Tempah and that's what I've been called ever since."
On being totally starstruck when he met Prince William and Kate Middleton at a BBC radio interview: "They just looked like a very normal, happy couple — but it was the future king and queen, Prince William and Kate Middleton. William was really dressed down. Kate looked gorgeous in a nice dress. He put his hand on my shoulder and I cringed. I was so sweaty, like eurgggh. He made a little joke about my trousers being so low, saying he thought they were going to fall off halfway through my performance and said he loves going to festivals but he goes incognito."
"His aide came out with a box of Soleros and there was only four in there but there were five of us in the room. William offered me one and I was like: "No thanks." I didn't want to deprive the future King of his Solero!"
On his dream girl: "I've had my fair share of experience though and I think I've learned a few lessons. I like a girl who's confident and has a great sense of humor. She has to have great fashion sense. I like a girl who takes pride in her appearance, has her hair and nails done nice."
On his celebrity crushes: "Like any boy, I've got a few celebrity crushes. I love Jameela Jamil, Rihanna, Freida Pinto, Zoe Saldana, Eva Mendes -- and I know everyone says her but I love Kim Kardashian."
On his biggest musical guilty pleasure: My most embarrassing record buy: Justin Bieber – 'My World.' I love him.