Riley Jason Davies (born 17 September 2002),[4] known professionally as ArrDee, is a British rapper and songwriter. His debut mixtape, Pier Pressure, was released on 18 March 2022. ArrDee has received numerous accolades, including silver, gold and platinum plaques from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for his string of successful tracks.
ArrDee's third solo single, "Flowers (Say My Name)", was released on 11 November 2021. The track, sampling both "Flowers" by Sweet Female Attitude and "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child,[12] peaked at number 5 on the UK's Official Singles Chart Top 100,[13] spending thirteen weeks in the Top 40, seventeen weeks in the Top 100, and seven of those weeks in the chart's Top 10.[14]
On 3 February 2022, ArrDee released his single, "War", featuring rapper Aitch.[15] On the same day, it was announced that ArrDee's debut mixtape, titled Pier Pressure would be released on 18 March 2022.[16][17] "War" debuted at number 6 on the UK Official Singles Top 100 Chart[18] and debuted at number 21 on the UK Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100[19] on 11 February 2022. On 4 March 2022, ArrDee released "Come & Go" as the next single from the album.[20][21] "Come & Go" samples rapper Ironik's 2008 single "Stay with Me", which in turn samples "Written in the Stars" by Westlife.[22]
Pier Pressure was released on 18 March 2022 to generally mixed reviews.[23][24][25] The mixtape entered the UK Official Albums Chart Top 100 at number 2, placing at number 6 on the UK Official Album Download Charts Top 100 and debuted at number 1 on the UK Official Albums Streaming Chart Top 100[26] on 25 March 2022.[27] In July 2022, ArrDee announced his next single, "Hello Mate".[28] The track features a sample of "Do You Mind" by Kyla.
In January 2023, ArrDee released the single "Loser". On 9 March 2023, he released the single "Home for My Heart", a collaboration with singer Cat Burns, which saw ArrDee adopting a different sound to what he has released previously.[29][30] The official music video, directed by Najeeb Tarazi,[31] was released the same day.[32] Actor and writer Kwame Kwei-Armah is credited as a lyricist on the single.[33] After three days of release, the Official Charts Company predicted the track would debut at number 36 on the UK Singles Top 100.[34] "Home for My Heart" debuted and peaked at number 35 on the UK singles chart on 17 March 2023.[35]
In August 2023, it was announced that ArrDee had collaborated with boohooMAN on a line of clothing, named ArrDee Certified. ArrDee shared, "Clothing was on my list this year and I wanted to make something available for everyone. You don’t need expensive designer to be fly, all my lot wear boohooMAN so it made sense we work and create something cold for tracksuit season". The line was released in September 2023.[42] On 7 March 2024, he released the "Time", featuring French rapper Favé.[43][44] On 18 July 2024, he released the single "Different", which features house duo The Shapeshifters.[45] The song samples the latter's 2004 debut single "Lola's Theme".[46]
Controversies
In May 2023, adverts for Davies' alcohol brand Litty Liquor were banned for featuring the former (who was under-25) and encouraging excessive and irresponsible drinking.[47][48]