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Headie One
Headie One.png
Headie One in 2017
Background information
Birth name Irving Ampofo Adjei
Born (1994-10-06) 6 October 1994 (age 30)
Tottenham, London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active 2010–present
Labels
  • Relentless
  • Epic
  • One

Irving Ampofo Adjei (born 6 October 1994), known professionally as Headie One (formerly Headz), is a British rapper and singer. In 2018 he released his second solo mixtape, titled ‘The One’, which included the single "Know Better" featuring rapper RV, it became an "underground hit". Headie One is a member of the UK drill group OFB and is considered to be a pioneer innovator of the UK drill scene.

He is best known for his tracks "18hunna" featuring rapper Dave, "Only You Freestyle" featuring rapper Drake, "Ain't It Different" featuring rappers AJ Tracey and Stormzy and his solo single "Both". The track "18hunna" peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart, while "Only You Freestyle" peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and "Ain't It Different" peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.

Headie One has released a series of mixtapes. In 2019, he released his seventh and first mainstream mixtape titled Music x Road, which peaked at number 5 on the UK Albums Chart. In 2020, he released his debut album titled Edna—an album that pays homage to his mother, Edna Duah—which peaked at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart.

Headie One has been involved in numerous altercations and controversies; he has been sentenced to spend time in jail on four separate occasions.

Early life

Adjei grew up in the Broadwater Farm housing estate in Tottenham, London. He is of Ghanaian origin and can speak Twi. His mother Edna Duah died when Adjei was three, and he was therefore raised by his father and sister.

In his youth, he was "obsessed" with football and played for local team Haringey Borough F.C. He was due to have a trial with Stevenage F.C. before an ankle fracture led to his exit from the sport.

He first began rapping in his early teens, though only began focusing on it after his first release from prison. His moniker derives from a childhood nickname due to his head's resemblance to a 50p coin.

Career

2010–2019: Career beginnings and mixtapes

Adjei began releasing music in the early 2010s under the name Headz, including as part of a group named Star Gang. In 2014, he released his only mixtape under that alias, titled Headz or Tails. Also part of Star Gang was fellow Tottenham rapper RV – he and Headie One became frequent collaborators, including co-releasing the mixtapes Sticks & Stones (2016) and Drillers x Trappers (2017). Together they formed part of OFB, a UK drill group based in the Broadwater Farm estate.

In February 2018, he released his next solo mixtape as Headie One, titled The One. This included "Know Better" with RV, which became an "underground hit".[6] This was his first release that was signed to Relentless Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music.[7] In May, he was featured on "Missing", a Belly Squad track that peaked at number 84 on the UK Singles Chart.[8] This was followed by another solo mixtape, The One Two, in June 2018, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number 32.[9] In November, he performed on his first national UK tour.[10]

In January 2019, his single "18Hunna", featuring Dave, entered the UK chart at number 6 – the highest a drill artist ever charted prior to "Body" by Russ Millions and Tion Wayne.[11][12] In March, Adjei released his sixth mixtape, and third with RV, Drillers x Trappers II.[13] It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 21.[14] "Match Day", the first single from the mixtape, entered the Singles Chart at number 86.[11] In July, he featured on the "I Spy" single by Krept and Konan, which peaked at number 18.[15]

2019–2020: Music x Road

In August 2019, Adjei released his seventh mixtape in five years, Music x Road.[16] The release was praised by critics,[16][17][18] and was noted for being a move away from his usual sound – with NME describing it as being "often far from drill".[17] It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 5 – his highest chart placing to date.[11] Other than the previously released "18Hunna", several tracks from the mixtape also charted, such as "Back to Basics" with Skepta, "Rubbery Bandz" and "Both".[11]

In December 2019, he featured on Stormzy's new album Heavy Is the Head on the song "Audacity". In April 2020, Adjei collaborated with Fred Again… to release his mixtape Gang. In July 2020, he released a single featuring Drake called "Only You Freestyle" produced by M1onthebeat which peaked at number 5. In August 2020, his single "Ain’t It Different" with Stormzy & AJ Tracey peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart - his highest charting single to date. The song was certified platinum by British Phonographic Industry on 21 January 2021.

2020–present: Edna and Too Loyal for My Own Good

In October 2020, his debut album Edna topped the UK charts.[19] The album was dedicated to his late mother of the same name. It has garnered plenty of praise within the music world. NME praised the "melancholy, minor-key trap beats requisite of in-vogue modern hip-hop",[20] while The Times described Adjei as the "breakout star of drill".[21]

On 1 October 2021, he released his ninth mixtape, Too Loyal for My Own Good. He later released the single "Came In The Scene" on 5 May 2022. this was followed up by the single "Can't Be Us" with Abra Cadabra and Bandokay on 5 August 2022. Following a number of features with European artists, Adjei released his tenth mixtape No Borders: European Collaboration Project on 11 November 2022, featuring Luciano, Koba LaD, Gazo, and more.

On 8 December 2022 he released the single "50s". Following months of anticipation and previews, he released the single "Martin's Sofa" on 13 January 2023.

On 4 May 2023, he was presented with the Brits Billion Award by the British Phonographic Industry for achieving over 1 billion career streams in the UK.

Personal life

Adjei is an avid supporter of Manchester United.

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
UK
R&B
AUS
BEL
CAN
IRE
NLD
Edna 1 2 22 84 86 3 36
The Last One
  • To be released: 14 June 2024
  • Label: Columbia, Sony
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
colspan="9" 0To be released-12-33

Mixtapes

List of commercial mixtapes, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
UK
R&B
IRE
Headz or Tails
  • Released: 29 March 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
The One
  • Released: 2 February 2018
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
The One Two
  • Released: 22 June 2018
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
32 14
Music x Road
  • Released: 23 August 2019
  • Label: Relentless
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
5 4 71
  • BPI: Silver
Too Loyal for My Own Good
  • Released: 1 October 2021
  • Label: Relentless
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
26 5 93

Collaborative mixtapes

List of collaboration mixtapes, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown
Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
UK
R&B
Sticks & Stones
(with RV)
  • Released: 25 December 2016
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Drillers x Trappers
(with RV)
  • Released: 17 July 2017
  • Label: Starish Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Drillers x Trappers II
(with RV)
  • Released: 22 March 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
21 9
Gang
(with Fred again..)
  • Released: 3 April 2020
  • Label: Relentless
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
49 10
Strength to Strength
(with K-Trap)
  • Released: 22 September 2023
  • Label: One Records, Thousand8
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
4 1

Compilations

List of compilation albums, with release date and label shown
Title Album details
No Borders: European Compilation Project
  • Released: 11 November 2022
  • Label: Relentless
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions and certifications, and album name shown
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
UK
R&B
AUS
BEL
Bub.

CAN
GER
IRE
NLD
NZ
Hot
US
Bub.
"On Sight" 2014 Headz or Tails
"Golden Boot"
(with RV)
2016 The One
"Know Better"
(with RV)
  • BPI: Silver
"Tracksuit Love"
(with Kenny Allstar)
2018 Block Diaries
"18Hunna"
(featuring Dave)
2019 6 3 75
  • BPI: Gold
Music x Road
"All Day"
"Back to Basics"
(featuring Skepta)
42 27
  • BPI: Silver
"Both" 13 7 64
  • BPI: Platinum
"Charades"
(with Fred Again)
2020 57 Gang
"Rose Gold" 49 32 Non-album single
"Only You Freestyle"
(with Drake)
5 2 51 24 37 13 54 6 18
  • BPI: Gold
  • MC: Gold
Edna
"Ain't It Different"
(featuring AJ Tracey and Stormzy)
2 2 16 16 53 5 52 4
  • BPI: Platinum
  • ARIA: Platinum
  • IFPI AUS: Gold
  • IFPI DEN: Gold
"Breathing"
"Princess Cuts"
(featuring Young T & Bugsey)
11 7 29
  • BPI: Gold
"Back To Back"
(with RV)
Rico Vondelle
"Siberia"
(featuring Burna Boy)
2021 Edna (Deluxe)
"Daily Duppy"
(with GRM Daily)
Non-album singles
"Pound Signs" 49 17 82
"2 Chains" 59 28 Too Loyal for My Own Good
"Cry" 66 27
"Came in the Scene" 2022 67 28 Non-album single
"My Way"
(with Smallgod, Eugy and Medikal)
Connecting The Dots
"22 Carats"
(with Gazo)
No Borders: European Compilation Project
"Cloud"
(with Luciano)
"Bigger Than Life"
(with Frenna)
"Can't Be Us"
(with Abra Cadabra and Bandokay)
27 8 66 Non-album singles
"Illegal"
"50s" 40 12 81
"Martin's Sofa" 2023 9 5 17
  • BPI: Silver
The Last One
"Guilty"
(with RV)
Inconspicuous (Deluxe)
"Rivals"
(with Bandokay)
M.A.R.K
"Catfish"
(with K-Trap and M1onTheBeat)
Strength to Strength
"Park Chinois"
(with K-Trap)
39 18
"Triple Threat"
(with K-Trap and Clavish)
31 13
"Skinfade"
(with M1onTheBeat)
M1onTheBeat The Mixtape
"Socials" 2024 Non-album single
"Cry No More"
(featuring Stormzy)
33 59
13 The Last One
"Play For Keeps"
(with RV and Abra Cadabra)
Fresh Prince of Tottenham 2
"I Still Know Better" The Last One
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions and certifications, and album name shown
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
UK
R&B
BEL
Bub.

CAN
FRA
IRE
NLD
US
"Missing"
(Belly Squad featuring Headie One)
2018
  • BPI: Silver
Bon Appétit
"I Spy"
(Krept and Konan featuring Headie One and K-Trap)
2019 18 11
  • BPI: Gold
Revenge Is Sweet
"Don't Rush"
(Young T & Bugsey featuring Headie One)
19 7 12 64 31 24 91 56
  • BPI: Platinum
  • MC: Gold
  • SNEP: Gold
  • AFP: Platinum
  • IFPI SWI: Gold
  • RIAA: Gold
Plead The 5th
"Audacity"
(Stormzy featuring Headie One)
6 2 8
  • BPI: Gold
Heavy Is the Head
"Impress Me"
(Scribz Riley featuring Headie One)
2020 Non-album singles
"Chop It"
(Dezzie featuring Headie One, Sykes Beats and ONE RECORDS)
"Opp Diddy Bop"
(Dezzie featuring Headie One and ONE RECORDS)
Uno Uno
"Don't Judge Me"
(FKA twigs featuring Headie One and Fred again..)
2021 Non-album singles
"Sinner"
(Smallgod featuring Headie One, O'Kenneth, Kwaku DMC and Lp2loose)
"Wandsworth to Bullingdon"
(Fredo featuring Headie One)
36 8 Independence Day
"Ring My Line"
(King Promise featuring Headie One)
5 Star
"Aston Martin"
(Shiva featuring Headie One)
Non-album single
"10von10 (Remix)"
(Pajel featuring Headie One and Luciano)
Seelenfrieden
"Warzone"
(M Huncho featuring Headie One)
2022 41 22 Chasing Euphoria
"Local"
(Abra Cadabra featuring Headie One and Bandokay)
Non-album single
"Let's Talk Money"
(Slim featuring Headie One)
2023 Still Working 2
"I Know You Care"
(Nemzzz featuring Headie One)
2024 Do Not Disturb (Deluxe)
"... Red"
(Booter Bee featuring Headie One)
True Stories
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles, with year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Shellings Riddim"
(with Tel Money and Lowkey)
2017 non-album single
"The Jugg"
(with RV)
"90 on the M"
(with Colo)
"Live in the T"
"Profit"
(with BKO & Dun D)
"Banter on Me" 2018
"Free Bradders"
(with Mikabeats, RV, Skat and Tuggzy)
The One
"In to Win", non-album single
"Issa Mood"
(featuring Not3s)
"Of Course"
"Not Over Yet (Remix)"
(KSI featuring Headie One and Nines)
2022
"More Money More Problems" 2023

Other charted songs

List of non-single chart appearances, with year released and album name shown
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
NZ
Hot
"Rubbery Bandz" 2019 86 Music x Road
"Hard to Believe" 79 Top Boy (A Selection of Music Inspired by the Series)
"Gang"
(with Fred Again)
2020 51 Gang
"Parlez-vous anglais"
(featuring Aitch)
24 Edna
"Siberia"
(featuring Burna Boy)
2021 35 27
"Extra Sleeve"
(K-Trap featuring Headie One)
2022 71 The Last Whip II

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with year released, other artist(s) and album name shown
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"No Convo" 2017 K-Trap K-Trap Presents The Last Whip Mixtape
"Drill" 2018 Loski, RV Call Me Loose
"Ugly Faces (Remix)" Smoke Boys, RV Dont Panic II
"Art Of War" Fumez the Engineer, M Huncho, RV The Mix-tape 2
"Why" 2019 Carns Hill, K-Trap, LD, Blade Brown Hurt Your Parents Feelings
"Touring" Slim Still Working
"No Caller" K-Trap No Magic
"Kris Jenner" RV Savage
"Hard To Believe" None Top Boy (A Selection of Music Inspired by the Series)
"Once In A While" OFB, Bandokay Frontstreet
"Money Moves" Lil Berete 1 Way Out
"PCX" 2020 DigDat Ei8ht Mile
"Head Huncho" M Huncho Huncholini the 1st
"Porsche" Yxng Bane Quarantine: The Lost Files
"Money, Power, Respect" Jonna Fraser Calma
"Ringaling" Nines, Odeal Crabs in a Bucket
"Impress Me" Scribz Riley Wish Me Luck
"Opp Biddy Bop" 2021 Dezzie Uno Uno
"Street Politics" Dezzie, K-Trap
"Spaghetti" Hamza, Gazo 140 BPM 2
"Done Know" Chip Snakes & Ladders
"Arrived" Luciano Aqua
"Wandsworth to Bullingdon" Fredo Independence Day
"Air BnB" M1llionz Provisional Licence
"Fuk How You Feel" Akz The Come Up 1
"10von10 (Remix)" 2022 Pajel Seelenfrieden
"Ring My Line" King Promise 5 Star
"Thalasso" Doums Pull á capuche et billets mauves
"Life Lessons" Luciano Majestic
"Extra Sleeve" K-Trap The Last Whip II
"Operation Fortress" 2023 D-Block Europe DBE World
"... Red" 2024 Booter Bee True Stories
"59901R" Potter Payper Thanks for Hating

Filmography

Web

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2018 Shiro's Story Ty's Friend Part 3 (Short YouTube Series); Cameo
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