Eskiboy: Wiley

by Richard Kylea Cowie

Wiley is one of the most innovative and influential musicians of today. Over the course of a twenty-year career, he has released ten top-twenty records, sold over 4 million singles and helped to launch the careers of a new generation of artists. He is the creator of a movement that was born in east London in the early 2000s, and is now taking over the world. Eskiboy will be an account of Wiley's life and music - from white-label releases and illegal broadcasting to lifetime achievement awards and beyond. Structured in 96 short chapters, it will cover his influences, his friendships and rivalries, and the triumphs and tragedies of a life in music, as well as explore the history and future of Grime and the `Eskimo Sound'. Featuring lyrics, notes and never-before-seen photographs, it will celebrate a singular musical icon, and the world he has created.

Genres: Music, Biography

352 pages, Hardcover

Published November 2, 2017

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only did reading this bring back many memories from my early to mid-teens, but it also gave me a new understanding of Wiley. Wiley is for sure the king of Grime music. And he’s someone who should be celebrated in British culture. He’s a producer with a unique sound who has helped paved the way for many artists.

This book is a bit confusing at first because it’s not just Wiley writing about his own experiences, his family and friends are also chiming in and talking about him so sometimes it feels a bit muddled. But overall it gave some good insight on what was happening in Wiley’s life around certain memorable times in UK urban culture. For instance, I didn’t know he got his face sliced when Wearing My Rolex was out.

A good read overall.

[Latarshia Bailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was completely lost at the attempt to sell out. The lingo wasn't true to cockney East Londoners like myself. It sad really that Wiley thought that The US would appreciate his story, more than his own people dem.

Sorry. But the story's alot about nothing! If selling out was the goal then he should have just wrote fiction.

[Shannon]

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