Tinie Tempah compares Adele’s unreleased rap to Nicki Minaj’s style

British rapper Tinie Tempah has revealed that Adele recorded an unreleased rap for “Earthquake”, his 2011 hit with Labrinth, saying the singer’s performance was inspired by Nicki Minaj.

British rapper Tinie Tempah has revealed that Adele recorded an unreleased rap for “Earthquake”, his 2011 hit with Labrinth, saying the singer’s performance was inspired by Nicki Minaj.

Adele was in the studio during the recording sessions for the track and joined in on the microphone, but her version was never released.

“She was actually in the studio when I made ‘Earthquake’ with Labrinth. We were having a little muck around on the mic,” Tinie told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column.

“At the time, she really liked Nicki Minaj and had Nicki Minaj-type raps and stuff like that,” he said.

Asked whether the recording might be released to mark the song’s 15th anniversary, Tinie said its release would depend on Adele’s approval.

“Oh my goodness, let’s see if she clears it. Let’s see,” he said.

The revelation comes as Tinie promotes his latest project, The Night’s Not Dead, which he has developed as a three-part musical experience titled 9PM, 12AM and 3AM. The instalments explore different moods associated with a night out.

“With times being as they are and division at an all-time high, I became more interested in creating an inclusive world that people can relate to and feel part of. The Night’s Not Dead is my way of telling the story … the power and fun of a night out,” he said.

Tinie also spoke about the importance of live music venues and the role they play in supporting artists.

“The venues that gave so many artists, including me, a place to grow are disappearing and this project is a celebration of those spaces and the people who keep them alive,” he said.

The rapper has been working with Music Venue Trust and Save Our Scene to highlight the challenges facing independent music venues across Britain.

He is due to begin a UK and European tour in Stockholm on November 16, with a performance at London’s Roundhouse scheduled for December 3.