Dappy

North London MC and vocalist Dappy first drew widespread attention through his woolly chullos, scallywag persona, and signature “na na nai” catchphrase, which helped propel his urban-pop trio N-Dubz toward mainstream success, yet his public profile has since been shaped more by offstage missteps than by the group’s run of multi-platinum releases. Born Costadinos Contostavlos in 1987, he spent his early years in Camden Town, cycling through several schools until expulsion for truancy led him to abandon formal education at fifteen. Prompted by his father Byron—formerly of the 1970s folk-rock band Mungo Jerry—to reconsider his path, he later enrolled in college while forming a musical partnership with cousin Tulisa and childhood friend Richard Rawson, known as Fazer. The trio, initially operating as Lickle Rinsers Crew, soon adopted the name N-Dubz. After building a following on the pirate-radio circuit, they secured a Polydor Records deal in 2007 that yielded a chart-topping collaboration with Tinchy Stryder on “Number 1,” multiple MOBO Awards, and three Top 20 albums: Uncle B, dedicated to his late father, followed by Against All Odds and Love.Live.Life.

Throughout this period Dappy remained a tabloid fixture for contentious reasons, including a video for Baker Trouble’s “Love for My Slums” that drew criticism for glamorizing criminality, a four-month suspended sentence after admitting two counts of assault, and removal from a British Airways flight alongside Fazer for unruly conduct. His most publicized incident occurred during an appearance on Chris Moyles’ Radio 1 breakfast show, when he sent a text containing death threats to a listener who had labeled him “a little boy with a silly little hat.” Following a public apology, the band was removed from the government’s anti-bullying R U Cyber Safe initiative and faced calls for stations to stop playing his material. The next year Dappy began assembling a solo project that included work with U.S. rapper Mann, guest spots on Top 40 singles by Loick Essien (“Stuttering”) and Tinchy Stryder (“Spaceship”), and the release of his own debut single “No Regrets.” His first solo album, Bad Intentions, arrived in late 2012.