Tom George Austin (born 7 December 2000), better known by his stage name Niko B (short for Niko Bellic), is an English rapper from Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.[1] He is best known for his single "Who's That What's That".
Niko B | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Tom George Austin |
| Born | 7 December 2000 Buckinghamshire, England |
| Origin | Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, England |
| Genres | |
Career
editAustin grew up on the "humdrum" suburban Poets Estate, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, son of a builder father and special needs teacher mother. He previously worked at a Subway fast food restaurant.[2] Austin's stage name is a reference to Niko Bellic, the protagonist of Grand Theft Auto IV.[3]
He began by releasing his first single, "Mary Berry",[4] with lyrics focusing around life in small-town Britain.[4] This song's popularity gave him the chance to tour with rappers K.O and V9.[5] In an interview with Clash, Austin says he vomited before every performance, and technical issues during the first show meant he instead sang happy birthday to a girl in the front row.[6] His most popular single, "Who's That What's That" was released in May 2020. It became a top 40 hit in the UK, and peaked at No. 26 on the UK Singles Chart.[7][8] The song's success was boosted by viral marketing on social media platforms Instagram and TikTok.[3]
Niko runs his own clothing label, CROWD, which is often featured in his music videos.[4][9]
In 2021 Niko B played The 1Xtra Dance stage at the Reading and Leeds Festivals and released two new singles: "International Baby" and "It's All Gone".[10]
In 2022, he released four new singles, these being "I Had a Fist Fight with an Emo Outside Subway", "Canada Goose", "Love Island Freestyle" and "Rips in Jeans". "Rips in Jeans" went on to feature in the video game FIFA 23.[11]
Musical style
editNiko B covers multiple genres, with "nothing off limits in terms of style."[8] For example, in an interview with Vogue, Austin said he wanted to have his own style with his lyrics, for example referencing removing a gherkin from a McDonalds Big Mac burger, written to be relatable to young British people but also unique to him.[12][13] Media outlets have consistently praised his lyrical storytelling, often comparing him to Mike Skinner of The Streets. Reviewers have also emphasised his hook writing and individual approach to the vocal style of rap.[8][10]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Dog Eat Dog Food World |
|
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [14] |
LTU [15] |
NZ Hot [16] | |||
| "Mary Berry"[17] | 2020 | — | — | — | Non-album singles |
| "Who's That What's That"[18] | 26 | — | — | ||
| "Quick Drive" | — | — | — | ||
| "International Baby"[19] | 2021 | — | — | — | |
| "It's All Gone" | — | — | — | ||
| "I Had a Fist Fight with an Emo Outside Subway" | 2022 | — | — | — | |
| "Canada Goose" | — | — | — | ||
| "Love Island Freestyle" | — | — | — | ||
| "Rips in Jeans" | — | — | — | ||
| "Trespass Coat" | 2024 | — | — | — | Dog Eat Dog Food World |
| "It's Not Litter If You Bin It" | — | — | — | ||
| "Boarded the Plane" | — | — | — | ||
| "Why's This Dealer?" | — | 95 | 36 | Non-album single | |
References
edit- ^ Barshad, Amos (2020-02-14). "What Happens When You Get Famous Off One Song?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
- ^ "What happens after you become an internet sensation?". Independent.co.uk. 21 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Niko B: Who's That What's That singer on life after lockdown". BBC News. 2020-10-11. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
- ^ a b c "What happens after you become an internet sensation?". The Independent. 2020-02-19. Archived from the original on 2022-06-21. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
- ^ "GRM Exclusive: Niko B Talks Getting Into Music, Touring With NSG". GRM Daily - Grime, Rap music and Culture. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
- ^ "Niko B: 10 Things You Need To Know About Me". Clash Magazine. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
- ^ a b c "Get to know Niko B, the Who's That What's That rapper with big plans". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
- ^ "Niko B Is His Own Biggest Fan". HYPEBEAST. 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
- ^ a b ""I Love Meeting People!" Niko B Interviewed". Clash Magazine. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
- ^ Arts, Electronic (2022-09-22). "FIFA 23 Soundtrack - Electronic Arts Official". Electronic Arts Inc. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
- ^ "The Teenager Behind The Song Of The Summer Doesn't Care If You Hate His Music". British Vogue. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
- ^ "Niko B - Coeval Magazine". COEVAL. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
- ^ "Niko B | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
- ^ "2024 37-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ "Mary Berry". Spotify. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
- ^ "Who's That What's That". Spotify. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
- ^ "Mary Berry". Spotify. Retrieved 2021-02-07.