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Key Information

Dennis Junior Odunwo[4] (born 1 September 1993),[5] known professionally as Tion Wayne, is a British rapper and DJ from Edmonton, North London.[3][2]

He appeared on three top-10 singles on UK Singles Chart as a guest – NSG's "Options", "Keisha & Becky" with Russ Millions and KSI's track "Houdini" – before getting his first top 10 hit as the lead artist with "I Dunno" featuring Dutchavelli and Stormzy, which peaked at number 7, and having his first number 1 with "Body" alongside Russ Millions.[2][5]

Early life

[edit]

Dennis Junior Odunwo was born in Edmonton, North London.[2][3][4] His parents are Yoruba immigrants from Nigeria.[6] His mother was a nurse and his father was a computer engineer. He is a middle child and wanted to become an accountant.[7]

Career

[edit]

Odunwo began to make a name for himself in the music scene in 2010 after dropping a handful of videos on YouTube.[2][3][4] By 2014, he had released his first mixtape, titled Wayne's World.[8] Odunwo slowly began building a loyal following. By 2016, he had supported artists such as American rapper Rick Ross and Ghanaian artist Sarkodie.[8] His follow-up mixtape, Wayne's World Vol. 2, was also released that year. In 2017, Odunwo released Transition EP.[8] He made his UK Singles Chart-debut in early 2019 when he was featured on London-based group NSG's single "Options", which peaked at number seven.[9] He also released Wayne's World 3 in 2019.[9]

His single "Keisha & Becky" with fellow British rapper Russ Millions also reached the UK top 10, peaking at number seven.[9] In 2020, Odunwo was featured, alongside rapper and singer Swarmz, and rapper KSI's single "Houdini".[10] The single peaked at number six in the UK Singles Charts.[9][10] Soon after that, he released his single "I Dunno" featuring Dutchavelli and Stormzy, which also reached the UK top 10, peaking at number seven.[11][12]

In 2021, Tion Wayne released "Body", a second collaboration with Russ Millions. A remix was released on 22 April. The song charted at number 1 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the first UK drill song to chart at number 1.

In May 2023, Tion Wayne went to the residence of late rapper Sidhu Moose Wala at his village in Punjab, India. He also went to pay his respect to his parents and film a music video for the song "Healing". Tion Wayne and Moosewala previously collaborated on the track "Celebrity Killer" in 2021.[13][14]

Controversies

[edit]

On 4 March 2017, Odunwo was involved in a brawl outside a nightclub in Clifton, Bristol[4] where he was among the performers who had been DJing at the venue.[3] The brawl involved more than 100 people.[3] Odunwo, along with three other men, were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 9 November.[3] Odunwo was jailed for 16 months.[1][9]

On 17 November 2020, Odunwo was involved in an altercation with rapper Headie One on board a flight from Dubai to London which the rapper Morrisson tried to break up shortly after boarding.[15][16]

Highway obstruction

[edit]

Oduwuno was moved along by Derbyshire Police for obstruction of the highway in 2025 while filming a music video at Winnats Pass in a Rolls Royce."Tion Wayne: Police called after UK rapper blocks road for video".

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[17] 		UK
R&B/HH
[18] 		BEL
(FL)
[19] 		IRE
[20] 		NLD
[21]
Green With Envy 5 3 164 33 93

Mixtapes

[edit]
List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Year Peak chart positions
UK
[9]
Wayne's World 2014 —
Wayne's World 2 2016 —
T Wayne's World 3 2019 62
"—" denotes a mixtape that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[17] 		UK
R&B
/HH
[23] 		AUS
[24] 		CAN
[25] 		DEN
[26] 		IRE
[27] 		NLD
[21] 		NZ
[28] 		POR
[29] 		WW
[30]
"Streetz Dem"
(with Brandz) 		2017 — — — — — — — — — — Non-album singles
"I'm On"
(featuring Kojo Funds) 		— — — — — — — — — —
"Gone Bad"
(with Geko and One Acen) 		— — — — — — — — — —
"Cmon"
(with Hardy Caprio) 		— — — — — — — — — —
"Home" 2018 — — — — — — — — — —
"On My Life" — — — — — — — — — —
"Sweet Thug"
(with One Acen) 		— — — — — — — — — —
"Keisha & Becky"
(with Russ Millions) 		2019 7 1 — — — 44 — — — — T Wayne's World 3
"Married to the £" — — — — — — — — — — Non-album single
"Drive By"
(featuring Swarmz) 		57 30 — — — — — — — — T Wayne's World 3
"2 On 2"
(with Jay1) 		53 40 — — — — — — — —
"2/10"
(featuring One Acen) 		— — — — — — — — — —
"4AM"
(with Manny Norté, 6LACK, Rema featuring Love Renaissance) 		2020 — — — — — — — — — — Non-album singles
"I Dunno"
(featuring Dutchavelli and Stormzy) 		7 7 — — — 30 — — — —
"Deluded"
(featuring Mist) 		26 14 — — — 83 — — — —
"Body"
(with Russ Millions) 		2021 1 1 1 16 3 1 3 1 15 11 Green with Envy
"Wow" 21 8 — — — 49 — —[A] — —
"Wid It"
(with ArrDee)[B] 		19 6 — — — 41 — —[C] — —
"Knock Knock"
(with M24) 		2022 21 8 — — — 42 — —[D] — — TBA
"IFTK"
(with La Roux) 		6 1 — — — 10 — —[E] — —
"Let's Go"
(featuring Aitch) 		30 11 — — — 84 — —[F] — —
"Healing"[39] 2023 35 15 — — — — — —[G] — —
"Amen"
(featuring Nines) 		43 18 — — — — — — — —
"Lowkey (LDN Drift)"
(with Hedex featuring Takura)[41] 		2024 —[H] — — — — — — —[I] — — Non-album single
"We Won"
(with Russ Millions) 		— — — — — — — — — — TBA
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[17] 		UK
R&B/HH
[23] 		AUS
[24] 		IRE
[27] 		NLD
[21] 		NZ
Hot
[44]
"Gyaldem Sugar"
(Mazi Chukz featuring Tion Wayne) 		2017 — — — — — — Non-album singles
"Hot Property"
(Team Salut featuring Tion Wayne, Afro B and Eugy) 		— — — — — —
"Options"
(NSG featuring Tion Wayne) 		2018 7 3 — 52 — —
  • BPI: 2× Platinum[22]
 Roots
"Trendy"
(Cadet featuring Ay Em and Tion Wayne) 		— — — — — — Non-album singles
"Bally"
(Swarmz featuring Tion Wayne) 		2019 32 16 — — — —
"London"
(M24 featuring Tion Wayne) 		2020 32 16 — — — —
"Houdini"
(KSI featuring Swarmz and Tion Wayne) 		6 5 —[J] 11 — 3 Dissimulation
"Moncler"
(Tinie featuring Tion Wayne) 		— — — — — — Non-album single
"Last Night"
(B Young featuring Tion Wayne) 		— — — — — —
"Come Over"
(Rudimental featuring Anne-Marie and Tion Wayne) 		26 — — — — — Ground Control
"Celebrity Killer"
(Sidhu Moose Wala featuring Tion Wayne) 		2021 — — — — — — MooseTape
"Blama"
(Steel Banglez featuring Tion Wayne and Morrisson) 		94 — — — — — TBA
"Night Away (Dance)"
(A1 x J1 featuring Tion Wayne) 		2022 11 4 83 21
[46]		 42 26 Non-album single
"Suffer"
(GRM Daily featuring Giggs and Tion Wayne) 		— — — — — — TBA
"Je M’appelle"
(Benzz featuring Tion Wayne & French Montana) 		— — — — — — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[17] 		NZ
Hot
[35]
"Rock Dat"
(featuring Polo G) 		2021 — 35 Green with Envy
"Who's True"
(with Jae5 and Davido) 		50 —

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tion Wayne

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Dennis Junior Odunwo (born 1 September 1993), known professionally as , is a British rapper, songwriter, and DJ of Nigerian descent, raised in , .
Tion Wayne rose to prominence in the scene, releasing mixtapes such as Green and Lucky (2016) and (2019), before achieving mainstream success with the single "Body" featuring , which topped the UK Singles Chart for three weeks in 2021 and marked the first song to reach number one.
His career has included collaborations with artists like and , contributing to the fusion of with influences, while earlier tracks like "I Dunno" reached number seven on the charts.
Tion Wayne has faced legal challenges, including a 2017 conviction for after participating in a brawl in , where he was recorded stamping on a victim's head, resulting in a prison sentence.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Dennis Junior Odunwo, professionally known as Tion Wayne, was born on 1 September 1993 in Edmonton, North London, to parents who had immigrated from Nigeria. His mother worked as a nurse, and his father as a computer engineer, reflecting the professional aspirations common among Nigerian diaspora families in the UK. As the in his family, Wayne was raised in a household that emphasized traditional Nigerian values and . His parents encouraged pursuits like accountancy, aligned with his proficiency in , but he later pursued music amid the challenges of urban life. Limited public details exist on his siblings or , as Wayne has disclosed little beyond his parents' origins and professions.

Early influences and challenges

Born Dennis Junior Odunwo on 1 September 1993 in , , to Nigerian immigrant parents, Tion Wayne was exposed to a blend of cultural musical influences from an early age. His family background included Yoruba heritage from , , with his mother working as a nurse and his father as a computer engineer, instilling a mix of traditional Nigerian sounds like —whom he likened to "our "—alongside American hip-hop discovered through peers. Locally, he drew inspiration from the rising grime scene in the early 2010s, idolizing artists such as Scorcher and Terminator, whose trajectories motivated him to pursue as an outlet amid his urban surroundings. Growing up as the middle child in a challenging environment marked by economic pressures and street violence, Wayne navigated hardships that shaped his worldview and artistic drive. He pursued studies in accountancy, leveraging his aptitude for and affinity for financial success, but his youth was marred by reckless behavior and involvement in local conflicts, including inherited rivalries between Edmonton's 3x3 group and Tottenham's OFB/NPK affiliations. At age 15, he entered jail cells following incidents tied to street survival, serving a total of 16 months in , experiences that later informed his confessional early tracks about evading death and fleeting futures. These formative struggles fostered a hotheaded disposition in his , where protection of self and associates often escalated tensions, as he reflected on police perceptions hindering advancement. Despite such obstacles, music emerged as a redemptive path, channeling the grit of his upbringing into raw lyricism, though it required persistence through years of underground hustling before broader recognition.

Musical career

Initial releases and mixtapes

Tion Wayne initiated his music career by uploading tracks to online platforms starting in , gradually cultivating an audience through DIY efforts in the UK underground rap scene. His debut mixtape, , arrived on August 29, 2014, comprising 18 tracks that showcased raw street narratives and features from emerging artists such as Lee Weathers, S Sosa, and on skits. Key cuts included "Loyal," highlighting collaborative posse dynamics, and an outro reflecting personal introspection, which contributed to establishing his presence amid Tottenham's drill-influenced . Building on this foundation, Wayne released the sequel Wayne's World 2: Mixtape on July 31, 2016, a 14-track project emphasizing lifestyle flexes and relational tensions, with appearances from B Anca on "Lavish Living" and Moelogo on "Figures." Tracks like "Me or the " and "Bad B (feat. One Acen)" underscored themes of ambition versus personal costs, distributed independently via platforms like and to sustain grassroots momentum. These releases solidified a dedicated following without major label backing, predating his chart entries and focusing on culture's emphasis on volume and authenticity over polished singles. In 2017, Wayne followed with the Transition EP, bridging his mixtape era toward broader experimentation, though it retained the unrefined energy of prior works. These early projects, rooted in self-released , laid groundwork for his ascent by prioritizing prolific output and local collaborations over immediate commercial singles.

Breakthrough hits and mainstream ascent

Tion Wayne's ascent to mainstream prominence began with the release of "I Dunno", a collaboration with and issued on 29 May 2020, which peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart and marked his first top-ten entry. This track built on his prior underground traction, demonstrating his ability to blend rhythms with guest features from established artists, though it remained within niche rap audiences. The pivotal breakthrough arrived with "Body", a duet with Russ Millions released on 25 March 2021, which became the first song to reach number 1 on the UK Singles Chart, occupying the summit for three weeks and accumulating 71,000 sales alongside 10.7 million streams in its debut chart-topping week. The song's infectious hook and sparse production propelled viral challenges on , driving its crossover appeal beyond drill's core demographic and earning it designation as 's most popular artist track of 2021. A remix featuring , E1, ZT, , Buni, , and extended its momentum, further embedding Wayne in broader pop-rap conversations. "Body"'s commercial dominance certified platinum status and secured Wayne a BRIT Award nomination, solidifying his transition from mixtape artist to chart mainstay. The track's international reach included topping Australia's ARIA Singles Chart—the first British hip-hop song to achieve this—expanding Wayne's visibility and paving the way for subsequent releases like those on his album Green with Envy, where elements fused with more accessible melodies to sustain momentum. This period represented a causal shift in his career trajectory, as streaming algorithms and virality amplified empirical listener over traditional gatekeepers, enabling drill's raw street narratives to penetrate mainstream airplay despite genre stigmas.

Recent projects and collaborations

In 2024, Tion Wayne released multiple singles, including "We Won" in mid-year, which highlighted his ongoing focus on triumphant themes amid career milestones. "Wassup" followed later that year, maintaining his drill-influenced sound with direct, street-oriented lyrics. "Forever", featuring Nigerian and produced by Telz and Kevin Ekofo, dropped on September 6, emphasizing enduring success and international ties. Additionally, "Lowkey (LDN Drift)" with and an extended version showcased atmospheric production blending with elements. Early 2025 saw further activity, with Tion Wayne featuring on Giggs' "Road To Billions" alongside , released January 21, reinforcing his role in rap's established networks. In April, he collaborated with emerging artist LeoStayTrill on "Crazy Love", produced by , which sampled the classic garage track and peaked attention through its directed by Wowa. These releases, distributed via platforms like and , reflect Wayne's strategy of frequent singles over full-length albums since his 2022 project Green & Angry, prioritizing viral potential and cross-genre features. No major album announcements occurred in this period, though Wayne's output aligned with industry trends favoring standalone tracks for streaming metrics, as evidenced by playlist inclusions on services like Spotify's "Rap ". Collaborations extended his reach, linking roots with Afro-influenced and garage revival sounds, though varied, with some praising adaptability while others noted formulaic repetition in hooks.

Musical style and influences

Genre blending and evolution

Tion Wayne's early musical output in the mid-2010s leaned heavily toward UK road rap and , characterized by gritty narratives reflecting street life in , , with tracks like "F U" (2016) showcasing aggressive flows over sparse, ominous beats typical of the genre's emphasis on confrontation and authenticity. This phase drew from influences in UK rap's raw underbelly rather than grime's faster tempos, prioritizing hustle-driven that mirrored his lived experiences over melodic experimentation. By the late , Wayne began incorporating elements, blending trap-infused rhythms with African diasporic grooves, as evident in collaborations and singles that fused 's menace with danceable hooks, marking a shift toward broader commercial appeal. His breakthrough "Body" with exemplified this hybridity, combining UK 's sliding 808s and patois-inflected delivery with ' infectious percussion, propelling the track to platinum status and number one on the UK Singles Chart while introducing to global audiences beyond its origins. This evolution continued into his debut album Green With Envy (2021), where Wayne expanded into hip-hop and territories, featuring melodic flows and production that prioritized groove over pure aggression, signaling a deliberate pivot from drill's constraints to versatile, crossover sounds—though he has clarified that drill remains occasional rather than definitional to his artistry. Subsequent works, including remixes and features, further integrated pop-leaning sensibilities, with Wayne expressing ambitions for collaborations with mainstream artists like , underscoring his trajectory from niche exponent to genre-fluid entertainer.

Lyrical themes and production

Tion Wayne's lyrics frequently center on autobiographical storytelling drawn from his upbringing in , , emphasizing themes of hustle, , , and legal struggles as pathways to ambition and escape. Early works, such as those on mixtapes (2014) and (2016), detail gritty street narratives including jail time, family hardships, and survival through illicit means, reflecting a rooted in financial necessity. Over time, his content evolved to incorporate reflections on envy, career obstacles, and regional pride, as explored in the album Green With Envy (2021), while maintaining authenticity amid mainstream crossover tracks like "Keisha & Becky" (2019) that blend humor with realism. In hits such as "Body" (2021), co-written with , lyrics shift toward celebratory depictions of women and party culture, using vivid imagery like comparisons to a " bottle" to evoke physical appeal, marking a departure from pure aggression toward melodic, accessible bravado that propelled it to No. 1 as the first drill track to achieve the feat. Tracks like "I Dunno" (2020) featuring and further illustrate motivational themes of financial independence and defiance, with lines underscoring self-reliance ("Got everything I grind for on my own"), though they have sparked speculation on interpersonal rivalries within the scene. Wayne's production approach prioritizes and hit , beginning with beat selection to inspire hooks before layering personal narratives, as he describes: "As soon as I’ve got the beat, the will come. From there, I just tell my story." This process yields glossy, anthemic sounds blending UK 's sliding 140 BPM rhythms with , hip-hop, and R&B elements, often via collaborations with producers like Gotcha and Afro B, resulting in danceable structures that merge street credibility with broad appeal—evident in Body's infectious refrains and guitar-infused melodic on "I Dunno." His versatility avoids genre constraints, incorporating influences from grime, Nigerian artists like , and US rappers such as , enabling tracks that function culturally across underground and commercial contexts.

Controversies and criticisms

In 2016, Tion Wayne, legally Dennis Junior Odunwo, participated in a large-scale brawl outside Analog on Queen's Road in , following a White Lies on 4. The disorder involved over 100 and was characterized by the court as frightening , with and mobile footage documenting Odunwo stamping on the head of an unconscious man. Odunwo pleaded guilty to at and received a 16-month sentence on November 9, 2017. The judge highlighted the severity of the public , which escalated from group standoffs into widespread fighting. Wayne has described the incarceration as a pivotal "wake-up call" that influenced his shift away from street life, though he has referenced multiple prior stints in custody during interviews. Wayne faced additional scrutiny from , including an on suspicion of section 18 —a charge akin to in severity—which he attributed to overreach by authorities but did not result in or further . No other documented leading to have been reported in court records or major outlets.

Beefs, public persona, and artistic critiques

Tion Wayne has been involved in several high-profile beefs within the UK drill scene, often stemming from longstanding territorial rivalries between , where he grew up, and areas like associated with groups such as OFB and NPK. One notable incident occurred in November 2020 on a flight from to , where Wayne clashed physically with , escalating from verbal exchanges to a scuffle witnessed by passengers and captured on video; the altercation was linked to broader tensions. His feud with has been more protracted, involving multiple confrontations, including a 2022 altercation in where Dutchavelli accused Wayne of assaulting him alongside others, claiming unfair numbers in the fight. Dutchavelli has publicly challenged Wayne's credibility in diss tracks and statements, alleging tactics like buying streams and avoiding one-on-one confrontations, while Wayne responded indirectly through music and associates. These disputes, typical of drill's rival group dynamics, have reinforced Wayne's image as actively engaged in street-level conflicts despite his rising commercial profile. Wayne's public persona blends street authenticity with mainstream appeal, portraying him as a resilient figure from Edmonton's challenging environment who navigates fame while maintaining a "bad boy" edge rooted in his past legal troubles and affiliations. He has expressed frustration with systemic barriers like policing targeted at young black men in music, positioning himself as an underdog who succeeded through hustle rather than institutional favor. Recent incidents, such as a September 2024 altercation at a party involving Wayne, Fredo, and , have perpetuated perceptions of volatility, though he emphasizes reflection and family priorities in interviews to counterbalance the combative narrative. Artistically, Wayne's work has drawn mixed critiques for prioritizing glossy, anthemic hooks over raw lyrical depth, with his 2021 debut album Green With Envy praised for blending aggression with pop sensibilities but faulted for uneven execution in mainstream ambitions, resulting in forgettable tracks amid commercial hits like "Body." Reviewers note his flow and energetic live performances as strengths, evoking a surfer-like over beats, yet criticize a shift from earlier, more introspective rap styles to formulaic , which some view as less innovative within the genre. While solid for party-oriented tracks, his output is often seen as commercially viable but not elevating UK rap's artistic frontier, with user analyses highlighting quotable bangers overshadowed by unremarkable filler.

Personal life and worldview

Family commitments and community involvement

Tion Wayne, born Dennis Junior Odunwo to Yoruba immigrant parents from , grew up as the in Edmonton, , with his mother working as a nurse and his father as a computer engineer. He has described his early family life as involving regular , where he played drums during services alongside his relatives. Wayne maintains strong familial bonds, frequently sharing public moments with extended family members, such as taking his to events, reflecting a sense of duty toward relatives. Wayne is a father to multiple children, including a son with whom he engages in bonding activities like reading, underscoring his personal commitments amid a demanding music career. These family responsibilities have influenced his worldview, as evidenced in interviews where he discusses prioritizing relationships and stability over street life. In terms of community involvement, Wayne has supported anti-knife crime initiatives, participating in a charity football match organized by alongside other rappers to raise awareness and funds against youth violence. On June 9, 2024, he played for the in at , a celebrity match that generated millions for UNICEF's children's programs worldwide. These efforts align with his broader emphasis on giving back, positioning him as a for youth in urban communities facing similar challenges to those in his upbringing.

Perspectives on society and policing

Tion Wayne has articulated strong criticisms of policing practices in the UK, particularly their impact on young black men from deprived urban areas like Edmonton and Tottenham. He has claimed that police target rappers not merely for criminal activity but to undermine community figures who represent success outside traditional paths, stating, "Police don’t want us to win, they want us to go to jail." He attributes this to rappers serving as "the platform to the people they don’t like," suggesting a deliberate effort to suppress drill music as a genre, including efforts to "take out the genre" through heightened scrutiny. Wayne has cited personal experiences, such as being banned from events like Notting Hill Carnival in his early teens and receiving a 16-month sentence for affray in 2017 after a nightclub brawl in Bristol—where he was the only one imprisoned among 14 co-defendants— as evidence of being made an example to deter others. In a separate interview, he extended this critique to judges, describing both police and judicial figures as driven by "green with envy," imposing "dumb cases" to obstruct rising artists from similar backgrounds. Regarding broader societal dynamics, Wayne frames his music and public persona as tools for uplift rather than personal gain, emphasizing, "It’s not for me any more, it’s for my people." He describes environments like his upbringing in as characterized by "survival mode," where individuals are "forced" into personas shaped by necessity, leading to societal judgments that overlook structural constraints. Wayne has highlighted racial inequalities in the UK , noting that "our country is more white" and that black artists face steeper barriers to mainstream breakthrough because success requires appeal across demographics, unlike in more diverse markets like the . He warns that silencing prominent rappers risks "tear[ing] down a whole ," positioning not as glorification of violence but as a reflection of and counter to systemic disenfranchisement, informed by his own early arrests starting at age 15 and family instability, including repeated evictions from home. These views underscore a perspective rooted in of incarceration and marginalization, advocating for cultural expression as a pathway to collective resilience.

Discography

Studio albums

Tion Wayne's debut studio album, Green with Envy, was released on September 17, 2021. The project consists of 17 tracks and features guest appearances from artists including , , and V9. It debuted at number five on the , marking his highest-charting full-length release. The album's lead single, "Body" (with ), had previously topped the UK Singles Chart earlier in 2021, contributing to its commercial momentum. As of October 2025, no subsequent studio albums have been released.

Mixtapes

Tion Wayne's early career was marked by a series of s under the banner, which helped cultivate his fanbase in the UK rap scene through online distribution and DIY promotion starting around 2010. His debut , , was released on August 29, 2014, comprising 18 tracks that showcased his emerging style blending street narratives with energetic delivery. The project built on initial buzz from self-uploaded videos and tracks, establishing foundational themes of ambition and life without major label backing. Wayne's World 2: Mixtape followed on July 31, 2016, with 14 tracks expanding on the original's formula and further solidifying his underground following amid his rising visibility in the drill-influenced rap landscape. This release aligned with increased online engagement, positioning Tion Wayne as a key figure in independent UK hip-hop releases. The third installment, T Wayne's World 3, arrived on September 27, 2019, as a 13-track that reflected years of anticipation following legal setbacks, incorporating more polished production while retaining raw lyrical content on personal struggles and . These mixtapes collectively demonstrated Tion Wayne's progression from grassroots efforts to a more refined sound, prioritizing direct-to-fan accessibility over commercial charting at the outset.

Singles as lead artist

Tion Wayne has released several singles as lead or co-lead artist, many of which have charted prominently on the UK Singles Chart, reflecting his prominence in the UK and rap scenes. His collaboration "Body" with marked a milestone as the first to reach number one on the chart, debuting the remix in April 2021 and peaking at the top for three weeks. The following table summarizes key charted singles as lead artist, including solo releases, features where Tion Wayne is primary, and co-leads:
TitleCollaborator(s)Peak UKYearWeeks on Chart
7202031
I Dunno, 7202022
IFTK6202022
Body1202128
Wid It1920219
Wow.—2120228
Knock KnockM242120227
Deluded (feat. )2620225
Let's Go (feat. Aitch)Aitch3020226
—3520223
4320233
Additional singles such as "2 on 2" with (peak 53 in 2022) and "Drive By" featuring (peak 57) have also charted lower. More recent non-charting or lower-profile releases include "One Of Them" in 2024 and "Crazy Love" in 2025, distributed via platforms like . Tion Wayne has contributed guest verses to multiple singles by other s, several of which achieved notable commercial on the UK Singles Chart.
YearTitleLead artist(s)Peak UK chart position
2018"Options"NSG7
2019"Bally"Swarmz32
2020"London"M2432
2020"Houdini"KSI (with Swarmz)6
2020"Last Night"B Young68
2020"Come Over"Rudimental (with Anne-Marie)26

Reception and legacy

Commercial achievements

Tion Wayne's breakthrough commercial success came primarily through singles rather than albums, with his collaboration "Body" alongside topping the UK Singles Chart on 7 May 2021 and becoming the first track to achieve this milestone. The garnered 71,000 chart units in its peak week, including 10.7 million streams, and accumulated 887,551 UK sales equivalent by early 2022 per data. It also reached number one in and , appearing on 13 international charts for 138 weeks. The track's viral momentum on platforms like propelled it to be named the 's Song of 2021, contributing to Tion Wayne's broader streaming dominance, with two billion global streams across his catalog in 2021 alone—74% of which originated outside the . Earlier singles like "I Dunno" (featuring and ) peaked at number seven on the chart and amassed over 310,000 sales by late 2020. His has generated over 500 million streams cumulatively as of 2021, reflecting sustained digital consumption. Albums such as Green and Lucky (2021) entered the UK Albums Chart but achieved modest peaks compared to his singles, underscoring a career oriented toward hit-driven releases over full-length sales. Tion Wayne's YouTube channel maintains 854,000 subscribers, supporting ongoing revenue from video views tied to his music catalog.

Critical and cultural impact

Tion Wayne's collaboration "Body" with Russ Millions, released in 2021, marked a pivotal moment for UK drill by becoming the first track in the genre to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart on May 7, 2021, demonstrating the style's potential for mainstream commercial viability despite its origins in London's street culture. This achievement, certified platinum, highlighted Wayne's role in bridging underground drill with broader pop accessibility, incorporating Afrobeats and melodic elements that broadened the genre's appeal beyond niche audiences. Critically, Wayne's debut album Green with Envy (2021) received mixed assessments, praised for its glossy production and anthemic hooks aiming at rap's mainstream echelons but critiqued for uneven execution in blending street-oriented with pop sensibilities. Reviewers noted its balance of hardcore tracks and accessible singles, yet some observed limitations in lyrical depth amid the focus on commercial momentum. Aggregate critic scores placed it at 70 out of 100 based on limited professional evaluations, reflecting a consensus on its energetic appeal tempered by formulaic tendencies in . Culturally, Wayne has embodied the persistence of UK rap's evolution from early mixtapes like (2014), influencing a generation of artists by exemplifying transition from local roots to international recognition through consistent output over a decade. However, drill's association with Wayne has fueled debates on its causal links to youth violence, with empirical patterns showing correlations between genre lyrics and real-world affiliations among practitioners, though mainstream success like his has arguably diluted such raw edges for wider consumption. His public stance on policing, expressing distrust toward authorities as barriers to black artists' success, underscores tensions in cultural narratives around drill's societal role.

References

  1. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/28392740/tion-wayne-rapper-net-worth-songs/
  2. https://www.liveone.com/artist/tion-wayne/7961163
  3. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/49992/tion-wayne/
  4. https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/tion-wayne-russ-millions-score-first-uk-number-1-drill-single-with-body__33093/
  5. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/grime-star-tion-wayne-stamped-754319
  6. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/shocking-moment-grime-music-star-11495223
  7. https://www.tuko.co.ke/417898-tion-wayne-net-worth-height-nationality-family-background-songs.html
  8. https://www.the-rhythm.com/news/who-tion-wayne-5-facts-body-rapper-4001
  9. https://kids.kiddle.co/Tion_Wayne
  10. https://au.news.yahoo.com/tion-wayne-interview-good-maths-084719596.html
  11. https://notion.online/tion-wayne/
  12. https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/music/1620940-tion-wayne-wale-dax-foreign-rappers-dont-nigeria/
  13. https://www.complex.com/music/a/minou-itseli/tion-wayne-green-with-envy-interview
  14. https://www.vice.com/en/article/tion-wayne-uk-rap-interview/
  15. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/sep/17/rapper-tion-wayne-police-dont-want-us-to-win-they-want-us-in-jail
  16. https://genius.com/albums/Tion-wayne/Wayne-s-world
  17. https://music.apple.com/gb/album/waynes-world/1448635967
  18. https://open.spotify.com/album/1AeN3j2F5HJm9uKRTTkSNS
  19. https://genius.com/albums/Tion-wayne/Waynes-world-2-mixtape
  20. https://tidal.com/browse/album/63259149
  21. https://open.spotify.com/album/5pezrNQjsIzpZanaIrwzn3
  22. https://www.mixtapemadness.com/blog/music/the-rise-of-tion-wayne-the-journey-from-waynes-world-to-green-with-envy
  23. https://genius.com/artists/Tion-wayne/albums
  24. https://music.apple.com/gd/artist/tion-wayne/709788643
  25. https://www.musicweek.com/interviews/read/body-soul-the-story-of-brits-nominee-tion-wayne-s-epic-2021/084826
  26. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/tion-wayne-russ-millions-body/
  27. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/may/07/tion-wayne-and-russ-millions-body-is-first-drill-song-to-go-to-uk-no-1
  28. https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-59635983
  29. https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/body-talk-atlantic-s-top-team-on-tion-wayne-and-the-first-ever-drill-no-1/083215
  30. https://www.billboard.com/pro/russ-millions-tion-wayne-chart-title-australia-body/
  31. https://music.apple.com/la/artist/tion-wayne/709788643
  32. https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC3EFF6mAfJu2P3J9vyLk_Mg
  33. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_lW41ARyLk/?hl=en
  34. https://open.spotify.com/artist/7b79bQFziJFedJb75k6hFt
  35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ1Nww_mnVc
  36. https://www.wordplaymagazine.com/blog-1/2025/4/12/tion-wayne-ft-leostaytrill-crazy-love-single
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RThoQxARq2M
  38. https://music.apple.com/md/artist/tion-wayne/709788643
  39. https://earmilk.com/2025/04/15/tion-wayne-and-leostaytrill-bring-the-heat-in-new-single-crazy-love/
  40. https://www.reddit.com/r/ukdrill/comments/nz0rs8/how_do_ppl_genuinely_rate_this_man_lol_one_of_the/
  41. http://www.musicweek.com/interviews/read/body-soul-the-story-of-brits-nominee-tion-wayne-s-epic-2021/084826
  42. https://www.stereogum.com/2158536/tion-wayne-takes-london-drill-worldwide/columns/status-aint-hood/
  43. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/sep/19/tion-wayne-green-with-envy-review
  44. https://www.clashmusic.com/features/from-north-london-to-the-world-tion-wayne-interviewed/
  45. https://www.reddit.com/r/ukdrill/comments/n1lezb/someone_break_down_to_me_real_quick_why_tion/
  46. https://www.capitalxtra.com/features/facts/headie-one/tion-wayne-beef/
  47. https://www.the-sun.com/news/1814735/tion-wayne-headie-one-plane-fight/
  48. https://www.clashmusic.com/news/tion-wayne-vs-headie-one-the-fall-out-continues/
  49. https://allhiphop.com/news/u-k-rapper-tion-wayne-appears-to-viciously-kick-punch-man-in-dubai-fight/
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnBhJyFYEvc
  51. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/news/headie-one-tion-wayne-fight-dubai-video-b1724333.html
  52. https://thequietus.com/quietus-reviews/tion-wayne-green-with-envy-review/
  53. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/oct/13/tion-wayne-review-o2-academy-brixton-london
  54. https://musicboard.app/medugout/review/artist/tion-wayne/
  55. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/403707-tion-wayne-green-with-envy/user-reviews/
  56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKDuGfxtF3I
  57. https://www.tiktok.com/discover/tion-wayne-with-his-son-reading
  58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF6jOhzGTJM
  59. https://www.instagram.com/p/BvjxRlUDb-I/?hl=en
  60. https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/football/soccer-aid-2024-tion-wayne-explained/
  61. https://newsite.b2ps.com/13280435/tion-wayne-net-worth.html
  62. https://genius.com/albums/Tion-wayne/Green-with-envy/q/release-date
  63. https://grmdaily.com/tion-wayne-green-with-envy-announced/
  64. https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/interpreter/tion-wayne/2998739
  65. https://www.shazam.com/album/1448635967/waynes-world
  66. https://genius.com/albums/Tion-wayne/Waynes-world-2-mixtape/q/release-date
  67. https://www.last.fm/music/Tion%2BWayne/Wayne%2527s%2BWorld%2B2%2B-%2BMixtape
  68. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/tion-wayne-waynes-world-2-mixtape/
  69. https://genius.com/albums/Tion-wayne/Waynes-world-3
  70. https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/t-waynes-world-3-tion-wayne/wyuy3wcg1ve8b
  71. https://music.apple.com/be/album/t-waynes-world-3/1481601551
  72. https://www.mixtapemadness.com/blog/news/tion-waynes-waynes-world-3-has-finally-arrived
  73. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/russ-millions-tion-wayne-body/
  74. https://goodstarvibes.com/tion-wayne-nines-amen-43-uk-chart/
  75. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/nsg-tion-wayne-options/
  76. https://music.apple.com/us/album/options-feat-tion-wayne-single/1442945857
  77. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/swarmz-ft-tion-wayne-bally/
  78. https://music.apple.com/us/album/bally-feat-tion-wayne-single/1449733832
  79. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/m24-ft-tion-wayne-london/
  80. https://music.apple.com/us/album/london-feat-tion-wayne-single/1496767127
  81. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/ksi-ft-swarmz-tion-wayne-houdini/
  82. https://music.apple.com/us/album/houdini-feat-tion-wayne-swarmz-single/1506298864
  83. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/b-young-ft-tion-wayne-last-night/
  84. https://music.apple.com/us/album/last-night-feat-tion-wayne-single/1523682751
  85. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/rudimentalanne-marietion-come-over/
  86. https://music.apple.com/us/album/come-over-feat-anne-marie-tion-wayne-dub-single/1537122007
  87. https://acharts.co/song/161829
  88. https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/warner-music-uk-s-international-marketing-team-talk-tion-wayne-s-2-billion-streams-and-rap-exports/085732
  89. https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/atlantic-records-signs-true-trailblazer-tion-wayne/081095
  90. https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/7b79bQFziJFedJb75k6hFt?si=QyDq4U7nRBSEd564KWvAQw
  91. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3EFF6mAfJu2P3J9vyLk_Mg
  92. https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210607-the-controversial-music-that-is-the-sound-of-global-youth
  93. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/artist/91465-tion-wayne/
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