by Drago Bonacich
Ms. Dynamite (aka Niomi McLean-Daley) grew up in North London, listening to reggae and turning to hip-hop at the age of 12. Even when she wanted to become either a primary school teacher or a social worker, her passion for music was stronger. After starting out in a pirate radio station called RAW FM, Ms. Dynamite met Richard Forbes (aka Sticky) in a West End club. The two began working on her debut single, "Boo!," licensed from DJ Jason Kaye's Social Circles label to London Records.

Punch, Salaam Remi, Tony Kelly, and Dave Kelly produced her first full-length record in Miami, New York, and Jamaica. A Little Deeper featured the hit singles "Dy-Na-Mi-Tee" and "It Takes More." In September 2002, Ms. Dynamite became the first black female artist achieving a Mercury Music Prize, beating favorites the Streets, the Coral, and even music legend David Bowie. Three years later, she released her second album, Judgement Days.