W R E T C H 3 2 The 3 stands for freedom. 'I'm very lyrical so you've got to listen carefully to everything that I say,' explains Wretch 32, one of the UK's most celebrated MCs. 'I want people to feel free when they listen to my music. I'm a free spirited individual who just wants people to enjoy what I'm creating and take on board the gems that I'm dropping.' Growing up among Tottenham's Tiverton Estate high rises, Wretch 32 (real name Jermaine Scott) was born to an Afro-Caribbean family deep rooted in Jamaican culture and reggae music. His father is a reggae DJ from a well-respected local sound system who used to fill the living room with massive speakers, much to the amazement of Wretch and his young enquiring mind. 'That was my first introduction to music,' he admits.

Listen to your favorite songs from Black and White (Deluxe Version) by Wretch 32 Now. Stream ad-free with Amazon Music Unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Download our mobile app now. Sep 14, 2011  Wretch 32 - Unorthodox (Ft. Example) (Black And White) (Track 5).

'Being surrounded by all of those records instilled something in me. As a kid I was always trying to play on my dad's decks.

I was fascinated by the needle back when there was nothing but innocence and optimism in my brain. It will forever remain a part of my musical journey.' Before the dazzling lyricism and poetic resonance he brought to the masses, before the countless accolades, and before his ascension to the Brit rap pantheon, Wretch 32 was a struggling teen trying to find his place in the world. Kicked out by his mother at the age of 17, it was exactly what he needed. Getting a job at Sainsbury's - the same one that singer Lemar once worked at - and living in a council flat on White Hart Lane, he was forced to fend for himself and face the harsh realities of life. Yubka iz fatina so shlejfom. 'It was the best thing that ever happened to me,' Wretch remembers.

'It forced me to go extra hard with everything I wanted to accomplish.' It was at this point he became a focal point in the crews Combination Chain Gang and The Movement, the latter of which featured himself, Scorcher, Ghetts, Mercston and Devlin. Trying his hand at grime but quickly realising he didn't want to be pigeonholed to one genre, Wretch went on to fuse a lot of his favourite genres (rap, reggae and R&B) creating his own individual sound. Releasing the mixtape 'Teacher's Training Day' and his debut album, 'Wretchrospective', early on in his career, his music was full of vivid, poignant narratives delivered via an accessible flow and deployed over a blend of sampled beats and original rhythms. Proud to represent the current reigning Tottenham ends as far as music stars go, Wretch 32 joins a graduating class that includes the likes of Skepta, JME, Chip, Meridian Dan and international superstar Adele.

'I always knew there was something special about the artists in Tottenham,' he says. 'I couldn't quite put my finger on it but I just knew there was something special about the artists that come from my neck of the woods. I feel like everybody there approaches their music with care, caution and precision.'

Describing himself as an 'artistic rapper,' Wretch's early musical influences came by way of reggae artists Dennis Brown and Bob Marley, as well as U.S. Rap titans JAY-Z and Nas. Aside from these and his father's obvious influence, one of the rapper's main inspirations was Arsenal footballing legend Ian Wright. 'In terms of mannerisms he was someone I really looked to for inspiration.

He's my idol,' Wretch explains. More inspiration came in 2006 at 21-years-old when Wretch's son Kyrayn was born - a sister, Skye-Laurell, later joined him in 2011. Admitting that they have given him extra impetus to succeed, Wretch says not only do they make him a better person but they also make his music better. 'They inspire my music so much,' he reveals.