Tinie Tempah says success is sweet

Tinie Tempah's success has been made "sweeter" by having so many knock backs in his career.

The 22-year-old rapper had been trying to break into the music business for years before landing a record deal at the age of 21, and he insists being able to eventually make it because of his own hard work is very satisfying.

He said: "What I like about what I've achieved is that we did it off our own backs. We also had so many doors shut in our faces.

"We didn't rely on anyone to get us to where we are now. That's the sweetest feeling. No one can come and say, 'You owe me this.' So yes, it makes it all the sweeter."

Tinie is nominated for four awards at this week's BRITs but he admits didn't expect to get any nods this year.

He added: "I wasn't expecting the BRIT nominations. I was there the year before watching my idols pick up their awards.

"I thought it would be a few years before I even got nominated."