220 Kid

Last updated

220 Kid
Birth nameWilliam Edward Graydon
Also known as
  • Willie the Kid
  • William Edward
Born (1989-05-08) 8 May 1989 (age 35)
Oxfordshire, England, UK
OriginLondon [1]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • DJ
Years active2019–present
Labels

William Edward Graydon [1] (born 8 May 1989 [1] ), known professionally as 220 Kid (pronounced "two-twenty kid" [6] and stylised in all caps [7] ), is an English record producer, DJ and remix artist. [7] On the UK Singles Chart, his collaboration "Don't Need Love" with Gracey peaked at number 9 in 2020, [8] while his remix of Nathan Evans' "Wellerman" with Billen Ted reached the top spot in 2021. [9] [10] He is based in Highbury, London. [1]

Contents

Early life

William Edward Graydon was born on 8 May 1989 in Oxfordshire. [1] His father Ken, former music manager for Bee Gees member Robin Gibb, [11] named Graydon after seeing a number plate ending in WEG from a hospital window. [1] He grew up in Thame and attended Magdalen College School, [12] going on to study at the University of Exeter, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in biosciences followed by a master's degree in sustainable development. [1] [13] Following the George Floyd protests in 2020, he set up a three-year scholarship for a high-achieving BAME student studying at his alma mater. [13] He has dyslexia. [14] He has a sister named Charlie working in the healthcare industry. [15]

220 Kid's stage name originated from a charity effort where he ran 220 miles (350 km), a distance corresponding to nine marathons, over seven days. [7] The run was completed in 2013 on the Isle of Man in honour of Gibb and supported three medical charities. [11] After moving to London, he initially used the stage name "Willie the Kid" (named after the cowboy) without realising it was already the name of an existing artist. [4] He previously had jobs working for marketing company CPM Group, [16] as a model in Singapore, [17] as a carpenter, [18] and at a Tesco grocery store. [4]

Career

Prior to embarking on a solo career, Graydon went by the name "William Edward" and was a member of pop duo OMYO—an acronym for "Our Music Your Opinion" [12] —alongside Tom McCorkell while living in Thame. [4] [16] [19] The pair met on New Year's Eve in 2014 at the James Figg pub in Thame and made a bet to write a song together. [12] [16] They wrote a few songs over the span of several days, including "Lady", which was used in an advert by clothing retailer New Look. [12] [20] After being dropped by a major record label, they formed their own independent one; their debut single "Days with You" was released on Two Six Records in 2017, with its music video shot in New York City. [16] [21] Their first gig was supporting Drake at the Wireless Festival and their debut album was planned for September 2017. [22] [23]

Graydon's first song as a solo artist under the moniker "220 Kid" was "Lights" in 2018, which was a shift from OMYO's urban pop to electronic music. [24] Follow-up singles "Pleasure to Love You" and "Let Me Stay" both featured vocalist Chilli Chilton. [25] 220 Kid signed with Polydor Records in 2019. [19] His debut single with the label was "Don't Need Love", a collaboration with English singer Gracey, which was released in December 2019. [4] [26] The song went on to reach the top ten of the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number nine in July 2020, and received a nomination for British Single at the 2021 Brit Awards. [8] [27] His follow-up single, "Too Many Nights" with Northern Irish singer JC Stewart, was released in September 2020, [28] peaking at number 74 in the UK. [29] He lists the Bee Gees, Timbaland, and Motown artists as a few of his musical influences. [3] [26]

Discography

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
AUT
[30]
IRL
[31]
"Lights" [32]
(featuring Remy)
2018Non-album singles
"Pleasure to Love You" [33]
(featuring Chilli Chilton)
"Let Me Stay" [34]
(featuring Chilli Chilton)
2019
"Don't Need Love"
(with Gracey)
9
[8]
9The Art of Closure
"Too Many Nights" [36]
(with JC Stewart)
202074
[29]
56Non-album singles
"Wellerman"
(Nathan Evans, 220 Kid and Billen Ted)
20211
[10]
12
[38]
"Unconditional" [41]
(with Dillon Francis featuring Bryn Christopher)
Happy Machine
"Stupid Feelings"
(with LANY)
Non-album single
"I'll Take You Down" [42]
(featuring Chilli Chilton)
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.

Remixes

List of remixes, showing year released
TitleYearArtist
"1984" [43] 2019Alexander Wood
"Honest" [44] 2020 San Holo featuring Broods
"Better Off Without You" [45] Becky Hill and Shift K3Y
"Boyfriend" [46] Mabel
"I Need You to Hate Me" [47] JC Stewart
"To Be Young" [48] Anne-Marie featuring Doja Cat
"Holiday" [49] Little Mix
"The Business" [50] Tiësto
"Deal with It" [51] 2021 Ashnikko featuring Kelis
"Summer 91 (Looking Back)" [52] Noizu
"Lost" [53] Jake Bugg
"Chemical" [54] MK

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jax Jones</span> British DJ (born 1987)

Timucin Lam, known professionally as Jax Jones, is an English DJ, producer and remixer. He rose to prominence in 2014 by featuring on Duke Dumont's number-one single "I Got U". He followed this up with his own singles "You Don't Know Me" featuring Raye and "Instruction" featuring Demi Lovato and Stefflon Don in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Jax's debut studio album, Snacks (Supersize), was released in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dua Lipa discography</span>

English singer Dua Lipa has released three studio albums, two reissues, one remix album, five extended plays (EPs), thirty-four singles, ten promotional singles, two charity singles, and thirty-five music videos. After signing with Warner Bros. Records, she released her debut single "New Love" in 2015. The following year, she gained recognition through the singles "Hotter than Hell" and "Blow Your Mind (Mwah)". In 2017, Lipa released her self-titled debut studio album, which reached the top 10 charts in Australia, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The album's chart-topping hits "Be the One", "New Rules" and "IDGAF" propelled Lipa to international fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spoon discography</span>

The discography of American rock band Spoon consists of 10 studio albums, four extended plays (EPs), and 26 singles. Formed in 1993 in Austin, Texas by Britt Daniel and Jim Eno (drums), Spoon released their debut studio album, Telephono, in 1996 on Matador Records. Their follow-up full-length, A Series of Sneaks, was released in 1998 on Elektra, who subsequently dropped the band. Spoon went on to sign with Merge Records, where Spoon gained greater commercial success and critical acclaim with the albums Girls Can Tell (2001), Kill the Moonlight (2002), and particularly Gimme Fiction (2005), which debuted at number 44 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 300,000 copies in the US. The group's next three albums - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2007), Transference (2010), and They Want My Soul (2014) - reached the top 10 of the US charts, while the latter two peaked in the top 20 in Canada and the top 50 in Australia. The band's ninth album, Hot Thoughts, was released on March 17, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Walker (singer)</span> Scottish singer-songwriter

Thomas Alexander Walker is a Scottish singer-songwriter. He rose to fame after the release of his single "Leave a Light On", which peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart in June 2018.

Montell Samuel Daley, known professionally as MoStack, is a British rapper and singer from Hornsey in North London. After releasing a string of online songs and non-album singles between 2014 and 2016, he released his debut mixtape, High Street Kid on 2 June 2017; which debuted at number 16 on the UK Albums Chart. His debut studio album, Stacko, was released on 7 June 2019; and debuted at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart. In addition to his own material, MoStack is also known for featuring on the hit singles "No Words" and "Fashion Week" ; which peaked at number 17 and number 7 in the UK respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fontaines D.C.</span> Irish rock band

Fontaines D.C. are an Irish post-punk band formed in Dublin in 2017. The band consists of Grian Chatten (vocals), Carlos O'Connell (guitar), Conor Curley (guitar), Conor Deegan III (bass), and Tom Coll (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Corry</span> English DJ, producer and TV personality (born June 10, 1989)

Joel Corry is an English DJ, producer and television personality. He came to prominence in 2019 with the release of his single "Sorry", featuring vocals from Hayley May, which reached number six in the UK Singles Chart. In 2020, Corry released the singles "Lonely" and "Head & Heart". The latter, which features MNEK on vocals, spent six weeks at number one in the UK Top Singles Chart and also became Corry's first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aitch (rapper)</span> British rapper

Harrison James Armstrong, known professionally as Aitch, is a British rapper from Manchester. He rose to fame in 2018 with the track "Straight Rhymez". His debut studio album Close to Home (2022) reached number two on the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imanbek</span> Kazakh record producer (born 2000)

Imanbek Maratuly Zeikenov, known professionally as Imanbek, is a Kazakh DJ and record producer. In 2019, he became known for his remix of Saint Jhn's "Roses". In 2021, Imanbek won a Grammy for his remix of "Roses", becoming the first Grammy recipient from Kazakhstan, and the first Grammy award winner in a non-classical category from within the CIS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holiday (Little Mix song)</span> 2020 single by Little Mix

"Holiday" is a song released by British girl group Little Mix, on 24 July 2020 as the second single from their sixth studio album Confetti (2020). It was co-written by members Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, alongside Chris Loco, Camille Purcell and Goldfinger; the latter who produced the song. It was written during a drunk session, with lyrics being inspired about how a boy can make them feel good. Described as a pop track with electro-pulsating bass lines, it was met with generally positive reviews from critics. It reached number fifteen on the UK Singles Chart, and charted in twelfth other music markets. It has been certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and Pro-Música Brasil (PMB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Need Love (220 Kid and Gracey song)</span> 2019 single by 220 Kid and Gracey

"Don't Need Love" is a song by English musicians 220 Kid and Gracey, released on 13 December 2019 on Polydor Records. The song peaked at number 9 on the UK Singles Chart in 2020. The song is included on Gracey's debut mini-album, The Art of Closure (2020). Commercially successful in the UK, the song has been certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry and received a nomination for Song of the Year at the 41st Brit Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Business (Tiësto song)</span> 2020 single by Tiësto

"The Business" is a song by Dutch DJ and producer Tiësto, with uncredited vocals from James "Yami" Bell. It was released on 25 September 2020 as the lead single from his seventh studio album Drive.

Grace Barker, known professionally as Gracey, is an English singer who made her breakthrough in 2020 when she collaborated with 220 KID on the BRIT nominated single "Don't Need Love". The song reached a peak of number 9 for two weeks on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Confetti (Little Mix song)</span> 2020 song by Little Mix

"Confetti" is a song by British girl group Little Mix. It was released through RCA UK on 4 November 2020, as the third promotional single from their sixth studio album of the same name. The song was written by MNEK, Kamille, Maegan Cottone and TMS, and was produced by the latter. "Confetti" is a pop song with elements of R&B, pop rap and hip hop, which sees the group celebrating independence after a break-up and their individual enjoyment of life.

"Soon May the Wellerman Come", also known as "Wellerman" or "The Wellerman", is a folk song in ballad style first published in New Zealand in the 1970s. The song refers to the "wellermen", pointing to supply ships owned by the Weller brothers, who were amongst the earliest European settlers of Otago.

Nathan Evans is a British songwriter from Airdrie, Scotland. Evans first gained fame in 2020 by posting videos of himself singing sea shanties on social media service TikTok. In 2021, he released a cover of the folk song "Wellerman", which peaked at the top of the UK Singles Chart and also charted in several other countries.

Billen Ted is a British record production and songwriting duo based in London, consisting of Tom Hollings and Sam Brennan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiss My (Uh-Oh)</span> 2021 single by Anne-Marie and Little Mix

"Kiss My (Uh-Oh)" is a song by English singer-songwriter Anne-Marie and British girl group Little Mix. It was released by Asylum Records, as the fourth single from Anne-Marie's second studio-album Therapy (2021). It was written by Anne Marie, Taylor Upsahl, Camille Purcell, Pete Nappi, and John Banfield, with production by Nappi and Mojam. An electropop and calypso-pop song which samples Lumidee's song "Never Leave You ", the song lyrically discusses the liberation someone feels after walking away from a toxic relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not Over Yet (KSI song)</span> 2022 song by KSI

"Not Over Yet" is a song by British YouTuber and rapper KSI featuring British singer-songwriter Tom Grennan. The song was written by the two artists alongside Sara Boe, Richard Boardman, and producers Digital Farm Animals & Billen Ted. "Not Over Yet" was released for digital download and streaming by Warner Music Group, Beerus Limited, and Atlantic Records on 5 August 2022. A remix of the song was released 27 August 2022 featuring British rappers Headie One and Nines. The remix was performed for KSI’s ring walk against Luis Alcaraz Pineda on 27 August 2022.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Phelan, Bobby (8 January 2021). "#AtHome with PAUSE: 220 KID". pausemag.co.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  2. "Culture Clash: 220 Kid". Clash . 18 September 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Meet 220 Kid". Hunger Magazine. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Phillips, Aimee (18 August 2020). "Dial 220 KID For A Dance Party". Notion . Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  5. Byatt, Luke (1 July 2020). "Creative Conversations 013: 220 Kid Breaks Down Chart Doinating Single, Don't Need Love". Futuremag Music. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  6. VOTE 220 KID FOR MTV PUSH (Promotional video). MTV. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021 via YouTube.
  7. 1 2 3 "220 KID Tells Us The Heroic Reason Behind His Name". MTV. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 "220 KID & GRACEY | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  9. Copsey, Rob (19 March 2021). "Nathan Evans' Wellerman hits Number 1 on Official Singles Chart: "We made it!"". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Nathan Evans, 220 Kid & Billen Ted | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Man runs 220 miles in memory of Bee Gee Robin Gibb". BBC News. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Phillips, Jessica (18 July 2016). "VIDEO: Oxford man's debut single to be used for New Look's autumn/winter campaign". Oxford Mail . Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Floella Benjamin and Black Lives Matters protests inspires musician 220 Kid to set up new scholarship for BAME students". University of Exeter. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  14. "220 Kid: Questions + Answers". Arcminute. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  15. Graydon, William [@220kid] (20 November 2018). "🔥🔥That look you give when" . Retrieved 23 March 2021 via Instagram.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Bet in pub leads duo to global success". Bucks Herald . 4 July 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  17. Barnes, Kelsey (7 December 2020). "220 KID". 1883 Magazine . Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  18. Honorato, Mariana V. (26 February 2020). "INTERVIEW: 220 KID; The Rising London-Based Producer". Peachy Magazine. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  19. 1 2 Hunt, Danni (28 December 2019). "Hot For 2020". BBC Hereford & Worcester . Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  20. "My Journey: OMYO". AWAL. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  21. Murray, Robin (8 May 2017). "Premiere: OMYO - 'Days With You'". Clash . Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  22. Marston, Andrew (10 September 2016). "Andrew Marston introduces OMYO (Weobley)". BBC Hereford & Worcester . Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  23. Gold, Johnson (9 March 2017). "Up & Coming In Music: Ryan de La Cruz, Mugun, Puzzle & OMYO". pausemag.co.uk. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  24. Lin, Vivian (26 November 2018). "220 KID turns on the "Lights" with dreamy track featuring Remy [Video]". Earmilk . Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  25. Keith, James (19 March 2021). "Premiere: 220 Kid Teams Up With Chilli Chilton To Create Break-Up Banger "Let Me Stay"". Complex UK . Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  26. 1 2 "Introducing Music's Rising Triple-Threat 220 KID". Spindle Magazine. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  27. "2021 British Single announced!". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  28. Hawkridge, James (4 December 2020). "220 KID ON THE BLOCK". TMRW Magazine. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  29. 1 2 "220 KID & JC STEWART | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  30. "Austria Top 40 - Singles" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  31. "Discography 220 KID". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  32. "Lights - Single by 220 KID". Spotify . Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  33. "Pleasure to love you - Single by 220 KID". Spotify . Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  34. "Let Me Stay - Single by 220 KID". Spotify . Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  35. "British certifications". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  36. Corner, Lewis (18 September 2020). "220 Kid is creating a dance floor where everyone can be themselves". Gay Times . Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  37. "British certifications – 220 Kid & Jc Stewart – Too Many Nights". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  38. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  39. "British certifications – Nathan Evans/220Kid/Billen Ted". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  40. "Gold & Platin" (in German). IFPI Austria . Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  41. Weisband, Sami (4 June 2021). "Dillon Francis shines optimistic light on first original track of 2021, 'Unconditional'". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  42. "I'll Take You Down (feat. Chilli Chilton) – Single by 220 KID on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  43. "1984 (220 Kid Remix and More) - Single by Alexander Wood on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  44. "Honest (Remixes) [feat. Broods] - Single by San Holo on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  45. "Better off without You (Remixes) - Single by Becky Hill & Shift K3Y on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  46. "Boyfriend (Remixes) - EP by Mabel on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  47. "I Need You To Hate Me (220 KID Remix) - Single by JC Stewart on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  48. "To Be Young (feat. Doja Cat) [220 KID Remix] - Single by Anne-Marie on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  49. "Holiday (220 KID Remix) - Single by Little Mix on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  50. "The Business (220 KID Remix) - Single by Tiësto on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  51. "Deal With It (feat. Kelis) [Remixes] - Single by Ashnikko on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  52. "Summer 91 (Looking Back) (220 KID Remix) - Single by Noizu on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  53. "Lost (220 KID Remix) - Single by Jake Bugg on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  54. "Chemical (220 Kid Remix) - Single by MK on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 25 June 2021.