Image: Wikimedia Commons

Wiley

English rapper and record producer

PersonAge 47humanQ936479

Also known as Wiley Kat · Eski Boy · Eskiboy · Richard Cowie · Eski Sound · Phaze One

Born: January 19, 1979
Birthplace: London
1
Sources
1.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3363595.stm
View statement on Wikidata ↗
Citizenship: United Kingdom
Occupation: record producer
1
Sources
1.bbc.co.uk/blogs/legacy/1xtrabreakfast/2009/08/
View statement on Wikidata ↗
, rapper
1
Sources
1.Stated in Integrated Authority FileRetrieved 2026-04-20
View statement on Wikidata ↗
, composer
+3 more
Education: Bow School
Languages spoken, written or signed: English

Overview

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · Read full article · Text CC BY-SA 4.0

Richard Kylea Cowie Jr., better known by his stage name Wiley, is a British grime MC and producer from Bow, London. Wiley is often labelled the "Godfather of Grime". In the early 2000s, he independently released a series of highly influential eskibeat instrumentals on white label vinyl, such as the first in the series "Eskimo" and is known as a grime MC both for his solo work and for material released with his crew Roll Deep.

Overview

Produced

2 linked to Wiley in Wikidata

Composed

1 linked to Wiley in Wikidata

NNumbers In Action2011 · single by Wiley

Performed

38 linked to Wiley in Wikidata

Show all 38

Founded

1 linked to Wiley in Wikidata

Roll Deep2002 · British grime group

All data

83 statements · 41% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations

Discography: Wiley discography
Label: Big Dada
Boy Better Know
XL Recordings
Ninja Tune
Island Records
Back Yard Recordings
Universal Music Group
Xploded Music
Show 3 moreShow less
Warner Music Group
Virgin Records
Asylum Records
Website: wileyofficial.com
Genre: grime
UK garage
2
Sources
1.gigslutz.co.uk/listen-bristol-production-duo-gotsome-share-new-track-vibe-feat-wiley/
2.Stated in AllMusic
View statement on Wikidata ↗
drum and bass
1
Sources
1.skiddle.com/whats-on/Milton-Keynes/Wonderworld/WILEY-BRING-THE-NOISE/12341695/
View statement on Wikidata ↗
Given name: Richard
Family name: Cowie
Awards: MOBO Awards
Member of the Order of the British Empire(until 2024)
1
Sources
1.Stated in The London Gazette 62150
View statement on Wikidata ↗
Birth name: Richard Kylea Cowie Jr
Sex or gender: male
1
Sources
1.Stated in Integrated Authority FileRetrieved 2024-07-07
View statement on Wikidata ↗
Pseudonym: Wiley
Start of work period: 1994
Instrument: voice

On other databases

41 identifiers linking Wiley across the web's reference databases

Data quality

statements

41%

externally sourced

Source last edited August 12, 2026. AIDB refreshes this page daily.

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AIDB. (2026). Wiley (Q936479). Retrieved from https://aidb.si/e/wiley-Q936479