Music Venue Trust Announces Tinie Tempah As New Patron

Music Venue Trust (MVT) has announced that award-winning British rapper, songwriter and entrepreneur Tinie Tempah has become a patron of the charity, recognising his commitment to championing the UK’s Grassroots Music Venues and the vital role they play in developing new talent.

One of the most successful British rappers of his generation, Tinie has been a vocal advocate for protecting Grassroots Music Venues, highlighting their importance to his own career and the wider UK music industry. His appointment follows his ongoing support for Music Venue Trust and his active role in raising awareness of the challenges facing the grassroots music sector.

Emerging from South London’s grime scene, Tinie went on to achieve international success with hits including ‘Pass Out’, ‘Written in the Stars’, ‘Not Letting Go’, ‘Girls Like’ and ‘Miami 2 Ibiza’, winning two BRIT Awards and an Ivor Novello Award, and scoring seven UK Number One singles. Throughout his career, he has remained deeply connected to the grassroots music culture that helped shape him as an artist.

The appointment coincides with the physical release of his fourth studio album, The Night’s Not Dead, on 2LP vinyl, CD and cassette on 6 November. Released digitally on 16 October 2026, his first album in nine years celebrates nightlife, shared experiences and the cultural importance of the spaces where music communities come together.

Tinie has worked closely alongside Music Venue Trust and nightlife advocates Save Our Scene to raise awareness of the threats facing Grassroots Venues and the importance of ensuring that future generations of artists have access to the same opportunities that helped launch his career. He also took part in Music Venue Trust’s Everywhere At Once festival, further demonstrating his commitment to celebrating and supporting the grassroots venues and music communities at the heart of British music.

Tinie Tempah

“Grassroots Music Venues are a huge part of my story. The night ‘Pass Out’ went to Number One, I was celebrating at 229 on Great Portland Street, surrounded by the people who’d been coming to my shows from the start. When I was coming up, I spent years travelling around the UK performing in small venues, sometimes to packed rooms, sometimes to just a handful of people. That’s where I put in my 10,000 hours, where I learned my craft, built my confidence and connected with fans who are still with me today.

British music has had an incredible impact around the world, but so much of that talent and so many of those scenes started in small venues and underground spaces. Without them, I genuinely worry about where the next generation of artists will come from.

I’m really proud to become a patron of Music Venue Trust and to support the work they’re doing to protect these spaces. We need to make sure that the opportunities I had are still there for the next generation. These venues aren’t just important to music, they’re important to our culture and our communities, and we can’t afford to lose them. That’s what ‘The Night’s Not Dead’ is about: a celebration of those spaces and the people who keep them alive.”

Mark Davyd, CEO and Founder of MVT

“Tinie Tempah’s career demonstrates exactly why Grassroots Music Venues matter. These are the spaces where artists find their voice, develop their skills and build the audiences that can take them to the world’s biggest stages. Tinie understands how important it is that those opportunities remain available to the next generation. He’s already been a passionate advocate for the sector, and we’re delighted to welcome him as a patron of Music Venue Trust.

Tinie joins an established group of Music Venue Trust patrons, including the recently announced Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Chris Hawkins and singer-songwriter Ciaran Lavery, who use their platforms to champion the importance of Grassroots Music Venues and support the charity’s work to protect, secure and improve them.

Music Venue Trust has worked with artists, broadcasters and cultural figures throughout its history to increase public and political understanding of the importance of Grassroots Music Venues, the challenges they face and their essential role in the development of British music.”

‘The Night’s Not Dead’ is out now. The 2LP vinyl (including bonus track ‘Bounce’), CD and cassette editions are released on 6 November via Imhotep Records/Believe: https://tinietempah.tmstor.es/. ‘The Night’s Not Dead Tour’ begins in Stockholm on 16 November and arrives at London’s Roundhouse on 3 December. Tickets: https://www.tinietempah.com/#dates