Artist info:
Also known as
Verified yes
GenreHip-Hop, R&B, Electronic, Rap, Reggae
Rank3,163 (new)
Albums1
Songs48
AboutCostadinos Contostavlos, better known by his stage name Dappy, is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, and actor. He is best known for being the lead singer of the Camden-based Grime/hip hop/R&B trio N-Dubz, with his cousin Tulisa and their friend Fazer. He is known for his slightly unusual dress sense and his love for what he describes as "eye-catching headwear". His trademark is wearing a selection of woolly chullos (sometimes referred to as "Dappy hats"), turning up one of or both the ear-flaps of the hat.
Born and raised in Camden Town, North London, Dappy grew up with his parents, Byron Contostavlos and Zoi Agorou and older brother Spiros. His father had been a member of the group Mungo Jerry. Byron died on 12 April 2007.
When Costadinos was younger, he attended Richard Cobden Primary school, then St Aloysius secondary, a Roman Catholic boys-only school in Islington, attending for a year before being expelled for truancy. In N-Dubz's book Against All Odds: From Street Life to Chart Life, Dappy says that he doesn't remember the school "because I wasn't there often". He then attended Bishop Douglass school when he was around twelve years old, where he got into fights "almost everyday", which "...always started if someone had been making fun of me or something stupid".
Dappy eventually dropped out of education when he was 15, but he returned later to study at college and received an A* in English and a B in GCSE Music.
However, realising they shared so much in common, Dappy and Fazer (who he had first met at karate lessons when he was 9, before becoming best friends with him at school) started making beats together and coming up with lyrics, later asking Dappy's cousin, Tulisa, to join the band and started to perform in and around Camden Town from the age of thirteen. At the time they were called the Lickle Rinsers Crew and went under the management of Dappy's father Byron, who had found success with 1970s pop band Mungo Jerry, and to Dappy was the "inspiration behind the band". Byron worked at a local barbers shop, putting all the money he had into equipment and resources for the band at their studio. However, Byron died on 12 April 2007 after a heart-attack and N-Dubz wrote the song "Papa (Can You Hear Me?)", which was played at his funeral and became the group's second biggest hit at #19, and at #17 in the download charts. Dappy later described his dad's death as "the lowest point in our lives, we had no money, no manager, no driver, no accountant, but most of all I had no father - B was everything to me and it hurts so much to think that he never got to see what we have achieved now, but I know he's looking down on us and he'd be really proud".
Dappy had the words "RIP Dad" tattooed on his neck and doesn't like to say his dad's name, instead referring to him as "B" or "Uncle B", which was also the name of N-Dubz's debut album. Before Byron died, he said he'd like their album to be called Against All Odds but after his death, the group called their debut album Uncle B in tribute, with their second album being called Against All Odds.
It was announced on Friday, June 17, 2011, that N-Dubz had left their American record deal, amidst rumours that the band had split. These rumours began circulating again in August 2011, however, Dappy insisted the band had not split, but were simply taking a break. As such, during the band's hiatus period, all three members decided on embarking upon solo careers. Prior to the band's split, Dappy signed a contract with Takeover Entertainment Ltd, which, confirmed that if the band ever split or went on hiatus, would mean he would continue as a solo artist. His first taste of solo stardom came as a guest artist on label-mate Tinchy Stryder's single, "Spaceship", which was released in June 2011. Whilst deciding upon his debut solo single, Dappy was contacted by Def Jam, asking him what he would like done with the demos of a track N-Dubz had recorded whilst under the label, which remained unreleased. As such, Dappy decided to re-record the track, "No Regrets", and release it as his debut solo effort. Featuring a cameo appearance from band-mate Fazer, "No Regrets" took the charts by storm, peaking at #1 in the UK and Scotland, and at #8 in Ireland.
Following the success of "No Regrets", Dappy claimed during an interview that: "With my solo stuff, I really want to earn the respect of an older audience. I don't think there's any shame in trying to write music that will be recognised by people I admire. Bono. I have big goals. I want to have two #1 singles back-to-back as a solo artist." Dappy soon succeeded, gaining praise from Queen guitarist, Brian May, who was "impressed" with "No Regrets". As such, Dappy invited May for a guest stint on his second single, which co-incidentally was entitled "Rockstar". "Rockstar" was released on February 26, 2012. On February 29, 2012, Dappy revealed that the title of his album will be Bad Intentions, claiming that the album "is motivational music for people who believe they can't do nothing, a battle we have with our own mind." Subsequently, he revealed that the album's third single will also be entitled "Bad Intentions", and if "Rockstar" peaks at #1 on the UK Singles Chart, he will enlist Barbadian singer Rihanna and British superstar Adele, who will both have vocal sections on the single. He claimed that Rihanna contacted him after she was impressed with a demo tape she had heard of his music. Dappy confirmed in September 2011, before the release of "Rockstar" and "Bad Intentions", that the album's final single will be a collaboration with The Wanted, which will be released towards the end of 2012.
Born and raised in Camden Town, North London, Dappy grew up with his parents, Byron Contostavlos and Zoi Agorou and older brother Spiros. His father had been a member of the group Mungo Jerry. Byron died on 12 April 2007.
When Costadinos was younger, he attended Richard Cobden Primary school, then St Aloysius secondary, a Roman Catholic boys-only school in Islington, attending for a year before being expelled for truancy. In N-Dubz's book Against All Odds: From Street Life to Chart Life, Dappy says that he doesn't remember the school "because I wasn't there often". He then attended Bishop Douglass school when he was around twelve years old, where he got into fights "almost everyday", which "...always started if someone had been making fun of me or something stupid".
Dappy eventually dropped out of education when he was 15, but he returned later to study at college and received an A* in English and a B in GCSE Music.
However, realising they shared so much in common, Dappy and Fazer (who he had first met at karate lessons when he was 9, before becoming best friends with him at school) started making beats together and coming up with lyrics, later asking Dappy's cousin, Tulisa, to join the band and started to perform in and around Camden Town from the age of thirteen. At the time they were called the Lickle Rinsers Crew and went under the management of Dappy's father Byron, who had found success with 1970s pop band Mungo Jerry, and to Dappy was the "inspiration behind the band". Byron worked at a local barbers shop, putting all the money he had into equipment and resources for the band at their studio. However, Byron died on 12 April 2007 after a heart-attack and N-Dubz wrote the song "Papa (Can You Hear Me?)", which was played at his funeral and became the group's second biggest hit at #19, and at #17 in the download charts. Dappy later described his dad's death as "the lowest point in our lives, we had no money, no manager, no driver, no accountant, but most of all I had no father - B was everything to me and it hurts so much to think that he never got to see what we have achieved now, but I know he's looking down on us and he'd be really proud".
Dappy had the words "RIP Dad" tattooed on his neck and doesn't like to say his dad's name, instead referring to him as "B" or "Uncle B", which was also the name of N-Dubz's debut album. Before Byron died, he said he'd like their album to be called Against All Odds but after his death, the group called their debut album Uncle B in tribute, with their second album being called Against All Odds.
It was announced on Friday, June 17, 2011, that N-Dubz had left their American record deal, amidst rumours that the band had split. These rumours began circulating again in August 2011, however, Dappy insisted the band had not split, but were simply taking a break. As such, during the band's hiatus period, all three members decided on embarking upon solo careers. Prior to the band's split, Dappy signed a contract with Takeover Entertainment Ltd, which, confirmed that if the band ever split or went on hiatus, would mean he would continue as a solo artist. His first taste of solo stardom came as a guest artist on label-mate Tinchy Stryder's single, "Spaceship", which was released in June 2011. Whilst deciding upon his debut solo single, Dappy was contacted by Def Jam, asking him what he would like done with the demos of a track N-Dubz had recorded whilst under the label, which remained unreleased. As such, Dappy decided to re-record the track, "No Regrets", and release it as his debut solo effort. Featuring a cameo appearance from band-mate Fazer, "No Regrets" took the charts by storm, peaking at #1 in the UK and Scotland, and at #8 in Ireland.
Following the success of "No Regrets", Dappy claimed during an interview that: "With my solo stuff, I really want to earn the respect of an older audience. I don't think there's any shame in trying to write music that will be recognised by people I admire. Bono. I have big goals. I want to have two #1 singles back-to-back as a solo artist." Dappy soon succeeded, gaining praise from Queen guitarist, Brian May, who was "impressed" with "No Regrets". As such, Dappy invited May for a guest stint on his second single, which co-incidentally was entitled "Rockstar". "Rockstar" was released on February 26, 2012. On February 29, 2012, Dappy revealed that the title of his album will be Bad Intentions, claiming that the album "is motivational music for people who believe they can't do nothing, a battle we have with our own mind." Subsequently, he revealed that the album's third single will also be entitled "Bad Intentions", and if "Rockstar" peaks at #1 on the UK Singles Chart, he will enlist Barbadian singer Rihanna and British superstar Adele, who will both have vocal sections on the single. He claimed that Rihanna contacted him after she was impressed with a demo tape she had heard of his music. Dappy confirmed in September 2011, before the release of "Rockstar" and "Bad Intentions", that the album's final single will be a collaboration with The Wanted, which will be released towards the end of 2012.
Most Popular Songs (More)
Most Popular Albums (More)
Artists you may also like
Pictures (3)
Fans (5)