Tinie Tempah 'going big' for Scunthorpe visit

Tinie Tempah says he would be interested in mentoring the next generation of music artists in Scunthorpe as part of his upcoming visit.

The rapper confirmed he will perform in the town after an online campaign was started by a local fan - 16 years after his single Pass Out was released, which includes a reference to Scunthorpe.

Tempah said he would like to make his visit a "full day affair," which he thinks will happen "at some point during the summer, or just before summer" next year.

He added: "I'm definitely big on mentoring the next generation, which I do anyway. But if we could do some sort of workshop in Scunthorpe, that would definitely be fun."

"I think a workshop is definitely not off the cards," he added.

Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, Tempah said he recognised it was "super difficult for an emerging artist to cut through the noise," and highlighted the pressures grassroots music venues are facing.

On performing in Scunthorpe, he said: "I'm really excited, and I can feel the excitement as well, which makes me even more eager to get down there.

"We're going to go big." he added. "It's going to be one big day out, sort of festival vibes. I think that's all I can say for now without giving too much away."

Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, praised the rapper for "raising the profile" of the town.

"I know we've approached him about coming and doing something with our young people, and while we don't know much about what the what the gig will be, it'll certainly be good to have him there.

"I think all of this stuff is about creating aspiration for young people."

The rapper said he wanted to gave a "massive shout out" to fan Ben Johns, who is from Scunthorpe, who started the campaign.

He said his visit has also raised the question of if he will alter the lyrics in his 2010 number one hit, "I been Southampton but I've never been to Scunthorpe".

"Am I going to have to, you know, change the lyric? I've been Southampton, but now I've been to Scunthorpe.

"Do I re-release it? What do I do?" he joked. "I think for now, I'm just kind of taking one day at a time."

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