Tinie Tempah returns to music after a nine-year break

British rapper Tinie Tempah will perform at the Iceland Noir literary festival on Friday and discuss his life and career, mbl.is reports. It is his third visit to Iceland.

Tempah released his first album in nine years, The Night’s Not Dead, last month. He told Morgunblaðið in an interview this week that returning to live performances had made him realise how much he missed them. The response, he said, had been full of love, and it had been a dream to reconnect with audiences and meet new listeners.

During his time away, Tempah had children and focused on business opportunities. He said he felt he had earned a break, which lasted longer than expected, in part because of the pandemic. He also worked with younger talent, including producers and songwriters, and explored other interests.

One of those interests was Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which began as a hobby and led him to compete. Tempah said the experience helped him understand himself at this stage of his life and renewed his hunger to make music.

He described the new album as an ode to nightlife, at a time when clubs are closing in Britain and young people are going out less. Tempah said social media interactions could not replace face-to-face connections. He acknowledged that young people are making healthier lifestyle choices, but said clubs offered a shared space where people from different backgrounds could come together through music.

He added that going out could encourage people to step beyond their comfort zones, talk to others and dance in front of them, experiences he believes can shape a person’s character.