Wiley

Quite possibly the key U.K. grime player -- though he calls his knotty, brittle style "eski" or "eskibeat" -- producer and MC Wiley (born Richard Cowie) was a member of Pay as U Go Cartel and was later a founding member of Roll Deep Crew. Though he released a pair of strong albums during the early 2000s -- 2004’s Treddin’ on Thin Ice (XL) and 2007’s Playtime Is Over (Big Dada) -- much of his best work as a producer has trickled out as white-label vinyl releases. Low-key, independent CD releases have come out as well, including the Tunnel Vision series. In addition to being prolific as a producer and solo artist, he has helped guide the careers of several grime MCs younger than him, including onetime Roll Deep partner Dizzee Rascal. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide