ArrDee, born Riley Jason Davies on September 17, 2002, in Brighton, England, is a British rapper known for his energetic delivery and cheeky lyricism. Raised in the Woodingdean suburb of Brighton, he grew up in a single-parent household with his mother and older brother, who is autistic. His mother, a trained special needs teacher with a black belt in kickboxing, has been a significant influence in his life, instilling in him beliefs in spirituality and the power of manifestation. From a young age, ArrDee was nicknamed “Smiley Riley” due to his jovial nature. He developed an early interest in music, initially influenced by rock bands like Bon Jovi and Guns N’ Roses, before gravitating towards rap artists such as Eminem and 50 Cent. He began writing and sharing his own raps during his school years at Hove Park School and briefly attended Worthing College. Before achieving fame, ArrDee worked night shifts at an Amazon warehouse in Littlehampton. His breakthrough came with the release of his freestyle “Cheeky Bars” in 2021, which led to a collaboration on the remix of “Body” by Russ Millions and Tion Wayne, propelling him into the spotlight. ArrDee remains deeply connected to his Brighton roots, often expressing pride in his hometown and its influence on his identity and music.
Four: Wid It
“Wid It” is a high-energy UK drill track released in August 2021 by British rappers Tion Wayne and ArrDee. The song showcases both artists’ dynamic flows and charismatic delivery, building upon their previous collaboration on the remix of “Body.” “Wid It” features a blend of boastful lyrics and catchy hooks, reflecting themes common in UK drill music. The track achieved notable chart success, peaking at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart and maintaining a presence on the chart for 10 weeks. It also reached number 2 on the Official Video Streaming Chart and number 6 on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart. It has garnered over 69M streams on spotify and over 28M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. The accompanying music video, directed by Wowa, features Tion Wayne and ArrDee alongside their crews, with visuals including luxury cars and vibrant settings, complementing the song’s energetic vibe. “Wid It” is also featured on Tion Wayne’s debut studio album, Green With Envy, released in September 2021. The album blends various musical styles, including drill, Afrobeats, and pop.
FYI
- In May 2023, adverts for Davies’ alcohol brand Litty Liquor were banned for featuring ArrDee(who was under-25) and encouraging excessive and irresponsible drinking.
Three: Oliver Twist
“Oliver Twist” is a breakout single by British rapper ArrDee, released in June 2021. The track marked his first solo chart success, peaking at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and spending 22 weeks across multiple charts. The song’s title and opening line—“I just wanted some more, Oliver Twist”—reference the iconic scene from the 1968 film Oliver! where the character Oliver Twist asks for more food. ArrDee cleverly reimagines this plea as a metaphor for ambition and desire for success in modern life. In his lyrics, he portrays himself as a contemporary Oliver, not just asking but demanding more from life, fame, and fortune. It has garnered over 16lM streams on spotify and over 69M views on its Official Music Video on YouTube. “Oliver Twist” solidified ArrDee’s place in the UK rap scene, following his viral verse on the remix of “Body” by Russ Millions and Tion Wayne. The track’s success led to its inclusion in the compilation album Now That’s What I Call Music! 109. The song’s blend of witty lyricism and relatable themes resonated with a wide audience, contributing to its commercial success and establishing ArrDee as a prominent figure in UK rap.
Two: Cross The Line
ArrDee’s latest single, “Cross the Line,” was released on April 3, 2025, marking his most recent addition to the UK rap scene. “Cross the Line” showcases ArrDee’s signature blend of confident lyricism and introspective themes. The track delves into the complexities of personal boundaries and the consequences of overstepping them. With a compelling hook and dynamic verses, ArrDee reflects on the challenges of navigating relationships and personal growth. It has garnered over 1.1M streams on spotify and over 580K views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. Since its release, “Cross the Line” has garnered attention for its relatable themes and catchy production. While specific chart positions are yet to be detailed, the song’s presence on platforms like Official Charts indicates its growing popularity. Listeners have praised ArrDee’s ability to balance humor with serious themes, making the track both entertaining and thought-provoking. The official music video for “Cross the Line” complements the song’s themes with striking visuals and narrative elements. It captures the tension and emotion conveyed in the lyrics, offering viewers a deeper connection to the track.
Awards/Nominations
- In 2021, ArrDee won the Song of the Year award at the MOBO Award for his contribution to the “Body (Remix)” alongside Russ Millions, Tion Wayne, Bugzy Malone, Fivio Foreign, ZT, Darkoo, and others.
- In 2022, ArrDee was nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2022 BRIT Awards, the 2022 GRM Daily Rated Awards – Male Artist of the Year and the 2022 Global Awards – Best Male and Rising Star, recognizing his rapid rise in the UK rap scene.
One: Body (Remix) by Tion Wayne ft ArrDee, E1 (3×3), ZT (3×3), Bugzy Malone, Russ Millions
Originally released in March 2021, “Body” became the first UK drill song to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart. The remix, which dropped in April 2021, featured a lineup of prominent artists, including the then-emerging ArrDee. His verse stood out for its energetic delivery and witty lyrics, contributing significantly to the track’s viral success. The song’s popularity was amplified by a TikTok dance challenge, leading to over 450,000 recreations and further cementing its place in UK music history. Before “Body (Remix),” ArrDee was relatively unknown, having worked night shifts at an Amazon warehouse. His standout performance on the remix showcased his talent to a broader audience, leading to widespread recognition. This exposure opened doors for collaborations with other artists and set the stage for his subsequent releases. It has garnered over 350M streams on spotify and over 149M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. Following the remix’s success, ArrDee released his debut mixtape, Pier Pressure, in March 2022. The mixtape received positive reviews for its blend of party anthems and introspective tracks, demonstrating his versatility as an artist. The remix’s success also had broader implications for the UK drill genre, demonstrating its potential for mainstream appeal. ArrDee’s involvement showcased the genre’s diversity and the emergence of new talent from different backgrounds.
