220 Kid

220 Kid
Also known as
  • Willie the Kid
  • William Edward
Born
William Edward Graydon
(1989-05-08) 8 May 1989
Oxfordshire, England
OriginLondon[1]
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • DJ
Years active2019–present
Labels

William Edward Graydon[1] (born 8 May 1989[1]), known professionally as 220 Kid (pronounced "two-twenty kid"[6] and stylised in all caps[7]), is an English record producer, DJ and remix artist.[7] He gained recognition in 2019 with his song "Don't Need Love" with Gracey which peaked at number 9 in 2020,[8] his remix of Nathan Evans' "Wellerman" with Billen Ted reached the top spot in 2021.[9][10] He is based in Highbury, London.[1]

Early life

William Edward Graydon was born on 8 May 1989 in Oxfordshire.[1] His father Ken, former music manager for Bee Gees member Robin Gibb,[11] named Graydon after seeing a number plate ending in WEG from a hospital window.[1] He grew up in Thame and attended Magdalen College School,[12] going on to study at the University of Exeter, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in biosciences followed by a master's degree in sustainable development.[1][13] Following the George Floyd protests in 2020, he set up a three-year scholarship for a high-achieving BAME student studying at his alma mater.[13] He has dyslexia.[14] He has a sister named Charlie working in the healthcare industry.[15]

220 Kid's stage name originated from a charity effort where he ran 220 miles (350 km), a distance corresponding to nine marathons, over seven days.[7] The run was completed in 2013 on the Isle of Man in honour of Gibb and supported three medical charities.[11] After moving to London, he initially used the stage name "Willie the Kid" (named after the cowboy) without realising it was already the name of an existing artist.[4] He previously had jobs working for marketing company CPM Group,[16] as a model in Singapore,[17] as a carpenter,[18] and at a Tesco grocery store.[4]

Career

Prior to embarking on a solo career, Graydon went by the name "William Edward" and was a member of pop duo OMYO—an acronym for "Our Music Your Opinion"[12]—alongside Tom McCorkell while living in Thame.[4][16][19] The pair met on New Year's Eve in 2014 at the James Figg pub in Thame and made a bet to write a song together.[12][16] They wrote a few songs over the span of several days, including "Lady", which was used in an advert by clothing retailer New Look.[12][20] After being dropped by a major record label, they formed their own independent one; their debut single "Days with You" was released on Two Six Records in 2017, with its music video shot in New York City.[16][21] Their first gig was supporting Drake at the Wireless Festival and their debut album was planned for September 2017.[22][23]

Graydon's first song as a solo artist under the moniker "220 Kid" was "Lights" in 2018, which was a shift from OMYO's urban pop to electronic music.[24] Follow-up singles "Pleasure to Love You" and "Let Me Stay" both featured vocalist Chilli Chilton.[25] 220 Kid signed with Polydor Records in 2019.[19] His debut single with the label was "Don't Need Love", a collaboration with English singer Gracey, which was released in December 2019.[4][26] The song went on to reach the top ten of the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number nine in July 2020, and received a nomination for British Single at the 2021 Brit Awards.[8][27] His follow-up single, "Too Many Nights" with Northern Irish singer JC Stewart, was released in September 2020,[28] peaking at number 74 in the UK.[29] He lists the Bee Gees, Timbaland, and Motown artists as a few of his musical influences. In December 2025, promoter Billy McFarland posted on Instagram that he was arranging for 220 Kid to perform on an island. [3][26]

Discography

DJ mixes

  • D4 D4NCE: 220 Kid in the Mix (2022)[30]
  • Cr2 Live & Direct: 220 Kid (DJ Mix) (2024)[31]

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released
Title Year Peak chart positions CertificationsAlbum
UKAUT[32]IRL[33]
"Lights"[34](featuring Remy)2018 ——— Non-album singles
"Pleasure to Love You"[35](featuring Chilli Chilton)———
"Let Me Stay"[36](featuring Chilli Chilton)2019 ———
"Don't Need Love"(with Gracey)9[8]—9 The Art of Closure
"Too Many Nights"[38](with JC Stewart)2020 74[29]—56 Non-album singles
"Wellerman"(Nathan Evans, 220 Kid and Billen Ted)2021 1[10]12[40]
"Unconditional"[43](with Dillon Francis featuring Bryn Christopher)——— Happy Machine
"Stupid Feelings"(with LANY)——— gg bb xx
"I'll Take You Down"[44](featuring Chilli Chilton)——— Non-album singles
"Another Life"[45](with Jem Cooke)2022 ———
"Release"[46](with Ásdís)———
"Lose Control"[47](with S1mba)———
"See in Color"[48](with Wax Motif)———
"Somebody New"[49](with YouNotUs featuring Jordan Shaw)———
"Look Where We Are"[50](with Kang Daniel and Willim)2023 ———
"Wake 'n' Shake"[51](with AR/CO)———
"Let You Down"[52]———
"If This Isn't Love"[53](with Jack Wins and Caitlyn Scarlett)———
"Heart & Soul"[54]———
"Good Love"[55]———
"Lay Low"[56](with Toby Romeo and Izzy Bizu)———
"Feel Good"[57](with KOLIDESCOPES)2024 ———
"Reverse Cowgirl"[58](with VAVO)———
"Sleep Alone"

(featuring Justin Jesso)

2025
"Get To Love You"

(ft. LP)

"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.

Remixes

List of remixes, showing year released
Title Year Artist
"1984"[59]2019 Alexander Wood
"Honest"[60]2020 San Holo featuring Broods
"Better Off Without You"[61]Becky Hill and Shift K3Y
"Boyfriend"[62]Mabel
"I Need You to Hate Me"[63]JC Stewart
"To Be Young"[64]Anne-Marie featuring Doja Cat
"Holiday"[65]Little Mix
"The Business"[66]Tiësto
"Deal with It"[67]2021 Ashnikko featuring Kelis
"Summer 91 (Looking Back)"[68]Noizu
"Lost"[69]Jake Bugg
"Chemical"[70]MK
"Hopeless Romantic"[71]2022 Sam Fischer
"Entertain Me"[72]Ylona Garcia
"No One Dies from Love"[73]Tove Lo
"Moving On"[74]2023 Arizona
"Time After Time"[75]Pascal Letoublon and Ilira
"Live More & Love More"[76]Cat Burns
"Nice to Know You"[77]2024 Lovelytheband

See also

References

  1. ^ abcdefgPhelan, Bobby (8 January 2021). "#AtHome with PAUSE: 220 KID". pausemag.co.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  2. ^"Culture Clash: 220 Kid". Clash. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  3. ^ ab"Meet 220 Kid". Hunger Magazine. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  4. ^ abcdePhillips, Aimee (18 August 2020). "Dial 220 KID For A Dance Party". Notion. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  5. ^Byatt, Luke (1 July 2020). "Creative Conversations 013: 220 Kid Breaks Down Chart Doinating Single, Don't Need Love". Futuremag Music. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  6. ^VOTE 220 KID FOR MTV PUSH (Promotional video). MTV. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ abc"220 KID Tells Us The Heroic Reason Behind His Name". MTV. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  8. ^ abc"220 KID & GRACEY | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  9. ^Copsey, Rob (19 March 2021). "Nathan Evans' Wellerman hits Number 1 on Official Singles Chart: "We made it!"". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  10. ^ ab"Nathan Evans, 220 Kid & Billen Ted | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  11. ^ ab"Man runs 220 miles in memory of Bee Gee Robin Gibb". BBC News. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  12. ^ abcdPhillips, Jessica (18 July 2016). "VIDEO: Oxford man's debut single to be used for New Look's autumn/winter campaign". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  13. ^ ab"Floella Benjamin and Black Lives Matters protests inspires musician 220 Kid to set up new scholarship for BAME students". University of Exeter. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  14. ^"220 Kid: Questions + Answers". Arcminute. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  15. ^Graydon, William [@220kid]; (20 November 2018). "🔥🔥That look you give when". Retrieved 23 March 2021 – via Instagram.
  16. ^ abcd"Bet in pub leads duo to global success". Bucks Herald. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  17. ^Barnes, Kelsey (7 December 2020). "220 KID". 1883 Magazine. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  18. ^Honorato, Mariana V. (26 February 2020). "INTERVIEW: 220 KID; The Rising London-Based Producer". Peachy Magazine. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  19. ^ abHunt, Danni (28 December 2019). "Hot For 2020". BBC Hereford & Worcester. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  20. ^"My Journey: OMYO". AWAL. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  21. ^Murray, Robin (8 May 2017). "Premiere: OMYO - 'Days With You'". Clash. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  22. ^Marston, Andrew (10 September 2016). "Andrew Marston introduces OMYO (Weobley)". BBC Hereford & Worcester. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  23. ^Gold, Johnson (9 March 2017). "Up & Coming In Music: Ryan de La Cruz, Mugun, Puzzle & OMYO". pausemag.co.uk. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  24. ^Lin, Vivian (26 November 2018). "220 KID turns on the "Lights" with dreamy track featuring Remy [Video]". Earmilk. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  25. ^Keith, James (19 March 2021). "Premiere: 220 Kid Teams Up With Chilli Chilton To Create Break-Up Banger "Let Me Stay"". Complex UK. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  26. ^ ab"Introducing Music's Rising Triple-Threat 220 KID". Spindle Magazine. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  27. ^"2021 British Single announced!". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  28. ^Hawkridge, James (4 December 2020). "220 KID ON THE BLOCK". TMRW Magazine. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  29. ^ ab"220 KID & JC STEWART | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  30. ^"D4 D4NCE: 220 Kid in the Mix (DJ Mix) – Album by 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  31. ^"Cr2 Live & Direct: 220 Kid (DJ Mix) – Album by 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  32. ^"Austria Top 40 - Singles" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  33. ^"Discography 220 KID". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  34. ^"Lights - Single by 220 KID". Spotify. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  35. ^"Pleasure to love you - Single by 220 KID". Spotify. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  36. ^"Let Me Stay - Single by 220 KID". Spotify. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  37. ^"British certifications". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  38. ^Corner, Lewis (18 September 2020). "220 Kid is creating a dance floor where everyone can be themselves". Gay Times. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  39. ^"British certifications – 220 Kid & Jc Stewart – Too Many Nights". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  40. ^"Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  41. ^"British certifications – Nathan Evans/220Kid/Billen Ted". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  42. ^"Gold & Platin" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  43. ^Weisband, Sami (4 June 2021). "Dillon Francis shines optimistic light on first original track of 2021, 'Unconditional'". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  44. ^"I'll Take You Down (feat. Chilli Chilton) – Single by 220 KID on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  45. ^"Another Life – Single by Jem Cooke & 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  46. ^"Release – Single by 220 KID & ÁSDÍS on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  47. ^"Lose Control – Single by 220 KID & S1mba". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  48. ^"See in Color – Single by Wax Motif & 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  49. ^"Somebody New (feat. Jordan Shaw) – Single by YouNotUs & 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  50. ^"Look Where We Are – Single by 220 KID, Willim & KINGDANIEL". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  51. ^"Wake 'N' Shake – Single by 220 KID & AR/CO". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  52. ^"Let You Down – Single by 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  53. ^"If This Isn't Love – Single by Jack Wins, 220 KID & Caitlyn Scarlett". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  54. ^"Heart & Soul – Single by 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  55. ^"Good Love – Single by 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  56. ^"Lay Low – Single by Toby Romeo, Izzy Bizu & 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  57. ^"Feel Good – Single by KOLIDESCOPES & 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  58. ^"Reverse Cowgirl – Single by VAVO & 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  59. ^"1984 (220 Kid Remix and More) - Single by Alexander Wood on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  60. ^"Honest (Remixes) [feat. Broods] - Single by San Holo on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  61. ^"Better off without You (Remixes) - Single by Becky Hill & Shift K3Y on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  62. ^"Boyfriend (Remixes) - EP by Mabel on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  63. ^"I Need You To Hate Me (220 KID Remix) - Single by JC Stewart on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  64. ^"To Be Young (feat. Doja Cat) [220 KID Remix] - Single by Anne-Marie on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  65. ^"Holiday (220 KID Remix) - Single by Little Mix on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  66. ^"The Business (220 KID Remix) - Single by Tiësto on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  67. ^"Deal With It (feat. Kelis) [Remixes] - Single by Ashnikko on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  68. ^"Summer 91 (Looking Back) (220 KID Remix) - Single by Noizu on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  69. ^"Lost (220 KID Remix) - Single by Jake Bugg on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  70. ^"Chemical (220 Kid Remix) - Single by MK on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  71. ^"Hopeless Romantic (220 KID Remix) – Single – Album by Sam Fischer". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  72. ^"Entertain Me (Remix) – Single – Album by Ylona Garcia & 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  73. ^"No One Dies From Love (220 KID Remix) – Single – Album by Tove Lo & 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  74. ^"Moving On (220 KID Remix) – Single – Album by A R I Z O N A". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  75. ^"Time After Time (220 KID Remix) – Single – Album by Pascal Letoublon & ILIRA". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  76. ^"live more & love more (220 KID remix) – Single – Album by Cat Burns & 220 KID". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  77. ^"nice to know you (220 KID Remix) [feat. 220 KID] – Single – Album by lovelytheband". Apple Music. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=220_Kid&oldid=1334062403"