In Celebration of Stormzy
Jude Yawson gives us the 411 on why we're going to be celebrating multi-hyphenate Stormzy for a long time to come.
In Celebration Of Stormzy
Heavy is the Head that wears the crown, one that traded Gang Signs to be shrouded by the peace of Prayer’s sound. A once-blind future, Stormzy’s mission to become something great is now complete.
Stormzy's Official Music Video for "Blinded By Your Grace PT.2" (2017) by StormzyTRENCH
Hailing from Croydon, the beginnings of Michael Omari’s career found its feet in an evangelical church. Won over by its choir, entranced by a particular note from one of its singers, he became obsessed with the power of music.
That power being an essence shed from a soulful voice, a feeling that injects into one's spirit, making them feel so strongly. In his biography, Rise Up, Stormzy hails that note as the moment that gave birth to his career.
While acknowledging those that came before him who laid the foundations for the scene to exist through UK garage, rap, grime, and a web of culture that makes the colony of our community together, he embarked on a career that lives in respect of it all.
Artist Stormzy by Laura BrosnanTRENCH
This trinity of God, culture, and his own hard work has made this all possible.
Stormzy Performs Live At The BRITS (2018) by StormzyTRENCH
Stormzy is an artist in every sense of the word a consistent innovator and trendsetter, someone who yearns to improve and only seeks to do better and his best. Hence, each step that he's created has been masterfully curated.
He mesmerised the scene with his Wicked Skengman freestyles in the mid-2010s, engrossed the nation with the now 2x platinum “Shut Up”, and has racked up many accolades, including BRIT Awards, MOBO Awards, and an Ivor Novello.
Stormzy Talks To BBC News On His Scholarship Scheme (2018) by BBC NewsTRENCH
He invests in his community at many levels, something he’s always been vocal for, and set up a Black-focused publishing house in #Merky Books.
South London Artist Stormzy by Robin BharajTRENCH
Whether positionally, politically or personally, in reaction to current events or off the back of his own strengths, his uplifting of culture—Black British culture—is a quality that speaks volumes of his character.
We've all witnessed Stormzy's rise in stages. One being his debut album, 2017's Gang Signs & Prayer—a seamless compilation of his talents so far, an album that screams 'artist' as opposed to being shoehorned in grime, upholding a poignant, juxtaposition with road life and faith.
Stormzy at O2 Islington Academy Taken by Ashley Verse by Ashley VerseTRENCH
With it came time to recognise his greatness through the intricacy of his work.
Heavy is Stormzy’s head that wears the crown, a mantle placed upon him by becoming a leading face and figure of a community and music scene—both of which needed somebody like him.
This digital work has been produced in collaboration with PRS Foundation and POWER UP. The article first featured in TRENCH x Union Black's Chapter One: Game Changers zine.
Words by Jude Yawson
Photography by Ashley Verse, Robin Bharaj and Laura Brosnan [Frank Archives]
Videos by Stormzy, BBC Music, BBC News and Cross On The Edge.
Commissioned by TRENCH
