Tinie Tempah on New Music and the Vital Fight for Grassroots Venues

Tinie Tempah has opened up to NME about his commitment to supporting the UK’s grassroots music scene, while simultaneously teasing what could be his first new album in nearly a decade.

The London-based singer, rapper, and producer spoke on the red carpet at the 2026 Ivor Novellos, where he serves on the board, dedicated to uplifting and protecting songwriters across the country. Reflecting on his own career trajectory, which began with his 2011 debut hit ‘Pass Out’ alongside Labrinth, he emphasized that the industry landscape has shifted significantly since he first broke through.

As a long-standing supporter of the Music Venue Trust, Tinie Tempah is actively involved in the ‘Everywhere At Once’ festival, an initiative spanning hundreds of independent venues across the UK. “When I think about my time coming up, I think about the 10,000 hours that I put into going around the UK and performing in all the small venues from 100 capacity to 500 capacity,” he explained. “I think of all the times I got cheered, all the times I got booed, all the times there was no one there.”

He described these intimate spaces as his “rite of passage,” noting that they were instrumental in building a core fan base that has remained loyal throughout his career. “Think about all the scenes that the UK has been able to bring to the forefront over the years – they typically start underground and they typically start in places and spaces like that. So if we lose these spaces, I worry for the next generation of artists.”

Beyond the cultural impact, he highlighted the economic necessity of these venues. “Live music is where a lot of musicians make the lion’s share of their income, so if we don’t have these venues to perform in, we’re screwed. Considering how much UK music has impacted around the world, it’s almost our duty as the British population to preserve some of these venues and spaces.”

On the musical front, the artist—real name Patrick Okogwu—revealed he has completed work on a new project, marking his first major release since 2020. “I took a long hiatus and I just went to figure out my life. But I’m definitely back now,” he shared. “There’s a lot of new music coming your way. I’m going to drop the project in September.”

He described the upcoming album as a conceptual journey through nightlife culture, capturing the experience from the initial desire to go out to the early morning hours. “I’m super excited for people to hear it. I’ve worked super hard on it. I’m super proud of it as well.”

The push to save grassroots venues comes at a critical juncture, with reports indicating that 30 such venues were lost between July 2024 and July 2025. Industry leaders are currently advocating for a mandatory ticket levy on arena and stadium shows to ensure the survival of smaller gig spaces, with a deadline set for June 2026 for the industry to adopt these measures voluntarily.