Tricky

Bristol-born Tricky comes from Knowle West.

Born Adrian Thaws, Tricky was brought up by his grandmother.

His father left the family before he was born and his mother, Maxine Quaye, committed suicide when he was only four.

He named his first solo album after her - Maxinquaye.

Tricky is one of the 'Bristol sound' trip-hop pioneers, and was part of the group of musicians called The Wild Bunch, which by 1987 evolved into Massive Attack.

He had the nickname 'Tricky Kid' and at 18 he became a member of the Fresh 4, a rap group built from The Wild Bunch. He also rapped on Massive Attack's acclaimed debut album Blue Lines.

Tricky left Massive Attack to release his debut album, Maxinquaye.

The album was a massive success and Tricky was catapulted to international fame.

For the Massive Attack album Protection Tricky gave the band some of the lyrics he had written for Maxinquaye.

Different versions of the same songs appear on both albums - called "Overcome" and "Hell is 'Round the Corner" on Maxinquaye and "Karmacoma" and "Eurochild" on Protection.

Tricky's second album, called Nearly God, was released in 1996 and featured Neneh Cherry and Bjork.

Tricky has also acted in various films.

He appeared in the 1997 Luc Besson crackerjack.co.uk/bristol/film" target=_blank>film The Fifth Element.

He also appears in Face/Off directed by John Woo.

In July 2008 Tricky released the album Knowle West Boy.

Go to Bristol People to find out about other famous names from the city.