Pa Salieu
{{short description|British rapper}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Pa Salieu
| honorific_suffix =
| image =
| image_upright =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Pa Salieu Gaye
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|07|1|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Slough, Berkshire, England
| origin = Coventry, West Midlands, England
| death_date =
| death_place =
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
}}
| years_active = 2018–present
| label = Warner Records
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
}}
| website =
}}
Pa Salieu Gaye (born 1 July 1997) is a British rapper and singer. He is signed to Warner Records.{{Cite web |title=Pa Salieu |url=https://www.warnerrecords.co.uk/artists/pa-salieu}} He gained recognition in January 2020 with the single "Frontline", which was the most-played track of 2020 on BBC Radio 1Xtra.{{Cite web|date=8 October 2020|title=Why Pa Salieu is the rapper to have on your radar|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/why-pa-salieu-is-the-rapper-to-have-on-your-radar-a4566486.html|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Evening Standard|language=en}} His style blends elements of afrobeats, grime and UK drill.{{Cite web|date=14 October 2020|title=The evolving sound of UK drill|url=https://djmag.com/longreads/evolving-sound-uk-drill|access-date=17 October 2020|website=DJMag.com}}{{Cite web|date=6 July 2020|title=Pa Salieu: UK rap's genre-blurring rising star on his journey from the Frontline to greatness|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/pa-salieu-interview-uk-rap-genre-blurring-rising-star-frontline-radar-2701805|access-date=17 October 2020|website=NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs {{!}} NME.COM|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/5rurpq/get-to-know-pa-salieu|title=Get To Know: Pa Salieu|website=www.mtv.co.uk}} He released his debut mixtape titled Send Them to Coventry on 13 November 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LYY587N |title=Amazon Music: Send Them to Coventry by PA Salieu |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |date= |accessdate=29 October 2020}}
In 2022, Salieu was sentenced to 33 months in prison after being charged with violent disorder. He served 21 months of that sentence and was released in September 2024.
Early life
Pa Salieu was born in Slough, on 1 July 1997, where he spent the early stages of his life. His parents moved to the UK from The Gambia. He was named after his father's eldest brother, Pa Salieu, a police officer who died in his early twenties during a motorcycle accident while on duty. His aunt is a folk singer, and Salieu describes her and Vybz Kartel as major musical influences.{{Cite web|title=Get To Know: Pa Salieu|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/5rurpq/get-to-know-pa-salieu|access-date=17 October 2020|website=www.mtv.co.uk|language=en}}{{Cite web |title=From the dust: The rise of Pa Salieu |url=https://mixmag.net/feature/pa-salieu-frontline-family-interview-feature-coventry-rap |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Mixmag}}
Before his first birthday, his parents sent him back to The Gambia where he lived with his grandmother. There, he spent his formative years living in a household with his elder relatives. He describes his time there as the most important period in his life.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2020/05/21/pa-salieu-interview-frontline|title=Pa Salieu is Coventry's hopeful rap star|website=The FADER}} At the age of 8, his mother brought him back to England. They moved to Hillfields, a suburb in the North of Coventry.{{Cite web |last=Boparai |first=Danil |date=28 February 2020 |title=Pa Salieu: "There's blood, sweat and tears on the frontline" |url=https://i-d.co/article/pa-salieu-interview-icons-idols-issue-spring-2020/}}
Career
= 2018–2021: Career beginnings and ''Send Them to Coventry'' =
Pa started taking his music career seriously when a friend, who encouraged him to make music instead of doing criminal activity, was killed.{{Cite web |date=28 May 2020 |title=100% Pa Salieu: the Coventry rapper leading the UK rap Frontline |url=https://theface.com/music/pa-salieu-frontline-interview-coventry-rap-twitter-j-hus |website=The Face}} He started rapping in 2018 under the name Tribal1, he released several videos with other artists in Coventry.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWEXLHPWHHA |title=Tribal1 - Tribal Lean (#M1ST) (#O.II.IV) [Music Video] {{!}} RatedMusic |date=2 January 2018 |publisher=RatedMedia |access-date=12 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225084227/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWEXLHPWHHA |archive-date=25 December 2021 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bptYkVZRgWI |title=PA Salieu ft Chxmpion - Fine Girl (Gorilla Nation) [Music Video] (4K) {{!}} KrownMedia |date=3 September 2017 |publisher=KrownMedia |access-date=12 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425155918/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bptYkVZRgWI |archive-date=25 April 2022 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} His first string of singles, "Never Had" with B.M. and "Say So" were released in July and September of 2018. In February 2019, he released his "Next Up?" Freestyle with Mixtape Madness. That March, he released his BL@CKBOX freestyle.{{Cite web |date=2020-05-27 |title=The Rise of Pa Salieu |url=https://www.mixtapemadness.com/blog/music/the-rise-of-pa-salieu |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Mixtape Madness |language=en}}
In 2020, he released his breakout single "Frontline" with a music video released via Mixtape Madness.{{Cite web|title=2020 vision: Pa Salieu is ready to deliver his testimony|url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/get-to-know-pa-salieu-career-interview|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Red Bull|date=26 June 2020 |language=en}} It has also become the most played track of 2020 on BBC 1Xtra, Reprezent Radio and Rinse FM. Salieu's music has received support from Virgil Abloh,{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/virgil-ablohs-lockdown-playlist|title=Virgil Abloh's Lockdown Playlist|first=Nicole|last=Phelps|website=Vogue|date=19 March 2020}} BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000fwtc|title = BBC Radio 1 – Radio 1's Future Sounds with Clara Amfo, HAIM Hottest Record}} and Tiffany Calver{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000dz30|title = BBC Radio 1Xtra – 1Xtra's Rap Show with Tiffany Calver, Pa Salieu does a Tiffany Calver freesyle!}} as well as OVO Sound co-founder Oliver El Khatib. Throughout 2020, he collaborated with South London rapper SL on the song "Hit the Block", as well as Meekz, M1llionz and Teeway on "Year of the Real". He also collaborated with Backroad Gee and Ambush for the remix to their track, "Party Popper". In June 2020, Salieu released two tracks – "Betty" and "Bang Out".{{Cite web |title="It's in my blood to build": Why Pa Salieu is in his own lane in the UK music scene |url=https://mixmag.net/feature/pa-salieu-uk-rap-drill-afro-dancehall-interview |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Mixmag}}
In November 2020, he released his debut mixtape Send Them to Coventry, which peaked at number 14 on the UK R&B Albums Chart.{{Cite web |last=Pritchard |first=Will |title=Pa Salieu: Send Them to Coventry |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/pa-salieu-send-them-to-coventry/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}
= 2021–present: ''Afrikan Rebel'', prison and release =
In January 2021, he was announced as the winner of the BBC Sound of... 2021.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55319957|title=Rapper Pa Salieu wins BBC Sound of 2021: 'I am the voice of the voiceless'|work=BBC News|date=6 January 2021}} On 22 January 2021, he performed "Frontline" on Jimmy Fallon's "The Tonight Show".{{Cite web|title=Pa Salieu: Frontline – YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLdQI7KAYl8|access-date=15 February 2021|website=www.youtube.com}} Pa Salieu has been selected by GQ as one of 11 "new musicians who'll make 2021 better"{{Cite web|title=Pa Salieu|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/gallery/best-new-musicians-2021?image=5ff8205e48a749ea907ba51e|access-date=16 February 2021|website=British GQ|date = 11 January 2021|language=en-GB}} and he was also on the cover of NME's first issue of 2021, NME 100 edition.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/big-reads/pa-salieu-cover-interview-2021-send-them-to-coventry-2852072|title=Pa Salieu: "I've been cut from the system, but I will rise up like a phoenix"|website=NME|date=8 January 2021}} In September 2021, he released the EP Afrikan Rebel with features from Tay Iwar, Obongjayar, and Zlatan.{{Cite web |title=Pa Salieu drops surprise new EP 'Arikan Rebel' |url=https://mixmag.net/read/pa-salieu-drops-surprise-new-project-arikan-rebel-news |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Mixmag}} In October 2021, Salieu released the single "Bad" with Aitch.{{Cite web |last=Skinner |first=Tom |date=2021-10-14 |title=Listen to Pa Salieu and Aitch's new collaborative single, 'Bad' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/pa-salieu-aitch-single-collaboration-bad-listen-3071056 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} In August 2022, he appeared on the song "Blessing Me" by British producer Mura Masa alongside Kali Uchis and Skillibeng.{{Cite web |title=Mura Masa, Pa Salieu & Skillibeng Drop Music Video For "Blessing Me" |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/james-keith/mura-masa-pa-salieu-skillibeng-blessing-me |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=www.complex.com |language=en}} In September 2022, he appeared alongside Swedish rapper Yasin on the song "Magazine".{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Oli |date=2023-05-12 |title=11 UK & European Rap Link Ups |url=https://grmdaily.com/uk-rap-european-drill-collaborations-eurovision/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=GRM Daily |language=en-GB}}
Following a two-year break due to his incarceration, he returned with the single "Belly" in September 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-07 |title=Pa Salieu Released From Prison, Drops New Single "Belly" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2279314/pa-salieu-released-from-prison-drops-new-single-belly/music/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Stereogum |language=en}} Salieu followed up with the songs "Allergy" and "Epiphany / Crash" in the same month.{{Cite web |last1=Interviews |first1=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & |last2=Murray |first2=Robin |date=2024-09-16 |title=Pa Salieu Shares Neck-Snapper 'Allergy' {{!}} News |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/pa-salieu-shares-neck-snapper-allergy/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Kyann-Sian |date=2024-10-11 |title=Listen to Pa Salieu's powerful double single, 'Epiphany/Crash' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-pa-salieus-powerful-double-single-epiphany-crash-3801909 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} On 30 October, he released the single "Round & Round".{{Cite web |title=Pa Salieu Continues His Prolific Run With Melodic "Round And Round" |url=https://trenchtrenchtrench.com/news/pa-salieu-round-and-round |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=trenchtrenchtrench.com |language=en-US}} On 5 November 2024 he made his debut on the COLORS show with a premiere of his new song "Dece (Heavy)".{{Cite web |title=Pa Saleiu makes his COLORS debut with "Dece (Heavy)" |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/pa-saleiu-makes-his-colors-debut-with-dece-heavy |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}
Personal life
In October 2019, he was unfortunately caught in the firing line when a shot gun went off outside Ivy House in Coventry, spraying pellets in the back of his head. 19 pieces of bullet shrapnel were removed from the back of his head but it wasn’t life threatening. He made a full recovery in hospital and went straight back to making music.{{Cite web |last=Layton |first=Josh |date=12 February 2020 |title=Coventry rapper's defiant message after being shot in the head |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/you-cant-stop-greatness-coventry-17731524 |website=CoventryLive}}
https://archive.thetab.com/uk/coventry/2019/10/26/two-men-shot-outside-ivy-house-last-night-7092
Legal issues
In 2015, Salieu was given a suspended sentence for knife possession.{{Cite news |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=2022-12-02 |title=UK rapper Pa Salieu jailed for 33 months over mass brawl |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/dec/02/british-rapper-pa-salieu-sentenced-to-33-months-in-jail |access-date=2024-11-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
On 1 September 2018, Fidel Glasgow, who was a friend of Salieu and the grandson of musician Neville Staple, was fatally stabbed near a nightclub; Salieu and a group of men chased another man from the scene who was then attacked by the group. Salieu admitted to hitting the victim with a tree branch, and smashing a bottle to defend himself. On 2 December 2022, Salieu was convicted of possessing a bottle as an offensive weapon & violent disorder leading to a sentence of 33 months in prison.{{cite web |date=2 December 2022 |title=Pa Salieu sentenced to 33 months in prison for part in mass brawl |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/pa-salieu-sentenced-to-33-months-in-prison-for-part-in-mass-brawl-3359757 |website=NME}} After serving 21 months of his sentence, he was released in September 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-03 |title=British Rapper Pa Salieu Released From Prison |url=https://hypebeast.com/2024/9/pa-salieu-rapper-prison-release |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Hypebeast}}
Discography
= Mixtapes =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Details ! scope="col"| Peak chart positions |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK R&B |
| scope="row"| Send Them to Coventry
|
| 14 |
| scope="row"| Afrikan Alien
|
| — |
= Extended plays =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| style="width:12em;" | Title
! Details |
|---|
| scope="row"| Afrikan Rebel
|
|
= Singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK Peaks in the UK:
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SWE |
| scope="row"| "Frontline"
| rowspan="6"| 2020 | — || — | rowspan="6"| Send Them to Coventry |
| scope="row"| "Betty"
| — || — |
| scope="row"| "My Family" (featuring BackRoad Gee)
| — || — |
| scope="row"| "B***K"
| — || — |
| scope="row"| "Block Boy"
| — || — |
| scope="row"| "Energy" (featuring Mahalia)
| — || — |
| scope="row"| "Glidin'" (featuring Slowthai)
| rowspan="2"| 2021 | 78 || — | rowspan="3" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Bad" (featuring Aitch)
| 82 || — |
| scope="row"| "Magazine" (with Yasin) | 2022 | — || 29 |
| scope="row"| "Belly"
| rowspan="6"| 2024 | — || — | rowspan="2"| Afrikan Alien |
| scope="row"| "Allergy"
| — || — |
| scope="row"| "Epiphany / Crash (Freestyle)"
| — || — | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row"| "Round & Round"
| — || — | rowspan="2"| Afrikan Alien |
| scope="row"| "Dece (Heavy)"
| — || — |
| scope="row"| "King Steps" (with Disclosure) | — || — |{{TBA}} |
References
{{reflist}}
{{BBC Sound of...}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Salieu, Pa}}
Category:Black British male rappers
Category:English people of Gambian descent
Category:Musicians from Coventry