- Title: UK: UK rapper Chip unveils four rap greats at Madame Tussauds
- Date: 14th January 2013
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (FILE - NOVEMBER 7, 2010) (REUTERS) DIZZEE RASCAL ON THE RED CARPET AT THE MTV EUROPE MUSIC AWARDS LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE-MAY 19, 2011) (REUTERS) UK RAPPER TINIE TEMPAH KISSING IVOR NOVELLO STATUETTE IN MEDIA ROOM LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (FILE-NOVEMBER 15, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BRITISH RAPPER TINCHY STRYDER ARRIVING TO PHOTO CALL AT WHITELEYS SHOPPING CENTRE IN BAYSWATER AND POSING FOR PHOTOS
- Embargoed: 29th January 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA3CLU9AIZBALKUPJVE8K2ZYO0
- Story Text: Wax figures of four U.S. rap greats, including Snoop Dogg, P Diddy and the late Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac, were unveiled by British rapper Chip in London on Monday (January 14).
The figures are on loan to London's Madame Tussauds from other wax museums in New York and Las Vegas.
It is the first time for the four figurines to be in one place at the same time. Nicole Fenner, PR Manager at Madame Tussauds hopes this latest arrival will mix up the visitor experience at the London branch.
"So the figures that you see here, our first figure that was made was the Biggie Smalls back in 2007 and then we made the rest of the figures from then on over the past six years. Actually with Tupac we did create his figure after his death and his mother was really heavily involved with creating his figure, and making sure we get the true likeness which I think we've done pretty well," she said.
Chip, 22, whose real name is Jahmaal Noel Fyffe, who first rose to fame in the UK with singles "Diamond Rings" and "Oopsy Daisy", in 2009.
He was barely six when rapper Tupac died in 1996 in a drive-by shooting and Biggie Smalls, aka The Notorious B.I.G, a year later.
Nevertheless, those rap stars past and present, have had a big impact on him, Chip says.
"To say a fan would be an understatement. -- You know when I think of rhyming in my career, aged 22, and I think I look at them and I think you know two things you can take from it like music kind of lives forever you know if you solidify yourself as part of you know your (inaudible) your culture you know you might pass physically but your music will live on," Chip told Reuters.
Even though he had been a fan for a long time, Chip, who recently changed his artist name from Chipmunk, revealed, that he wasn't allowed to own any of B.I.G. or Tupac's music for some time, as their work includes explicit lyrics.
"To be honest I wasn't really allowed Biggie or Tupac's music as a kid, but -- the first I think I bought Biggie Smalls 'Ready to Die' and 'Life After Death' at the same time, I bought both at an age when I was actually allowed to have them as music on my own -- yeah I bought both at the same time," he grinned.
While the likes of P Diddy and Snoop Dogg have become global household names over the years, representatives of UK rap, or grime, have slowly been trying to popularize their music on both sides of the Atlantic. While British rap stars are probably still lacking behind the global success of their U.S. counter-parts, the likes of Lady Sovereign, Dizzee Rascal and Tinie Tempah have slowly been paving the way for other grime artists to try their fortune on the other side of the pond.
Fellow rapper Tinchy Stryder has even struck a business relationship with rap super star Jay-Z. The two co-own a label, Takeover Roc Nation.
"You know the gap between what's culturally accepted over here and over there is getting closer you know. I'm actually going back to America in February to start promoting my free mix tape which I just put out, 'London Boy'. And you know all the worries that everyone had for me about you know your accent, and they really love it you know what I mean. But it takes, it's took you know years of moving forward. I think the biggest artist in the world today is Adele and every time she wins an award she speaks with a clear English accent so it's working in all of our favours," he said.
Chip, who is currently promoting his latest project, "London Boy", thinks there is a market for more British rap talent in the U.S. His new single "London Boy" featuring various guest appearances by both UK and U.S. rappers, including label mates T.I. and B.o.B.
"The game is definitely changing. I can honestly say that you know three or four years ago when I first went to the BET Hip Hop Awards in America you know the acceptance for an English guy that raps is completely different to just three four years ago, so I honestly don't know what the next five years holds, but I think if we think it's possible and it's doable, then the first part of doing is thinking so if you think it's possible then you go for it. So why shouldn't I be able to do it?"
But he says he is trying to stay realistic and hasn't set his benchmark to trying to replicate the success of P Diddy and Co.
"I think you know in terms of what these guys have done for hip hop in the past ten or even the past decade close to, I would say, it's good for us to see and learn. I'm 22, if I could be you know even half of what these guys have done within the next ten years, I would be very happy," he said.
Chip also wrote a short rap for the occasion at Madame Tussauds, and is inviting fans to contribute to it with their own verses.
The wax rap foursome will remain in London until March 24 before they go back to the U.S. In London, Biggie Smalls and Co. will be standing next to Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson and other fellow legends of the past, including Bob Marley and Elvis. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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