Everything you need to know about 'Mel Made Me Do It' rapper Stormzy
His third album has been certified Silver!
Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., better known by his stage name Stormzy, has taken the world by... Well, storm. A much-hyped debut album, a shelf full of trophies, his very own waxwork, a phone book full of the who’s who in the music industry and a place in the heart of the nation - what more could you ask for?
After an incredible 2022, the 'Mel Made Me Do It' rapper success continued in 2023 with an incredible performance at the BRIT Awards and a collaboration with RAYE - as well as turning the big 3-0 - so there's no better time to find out everything you need to know about Stormzy...
Where is Stormzy from?
Stormzy is from Croydon in London. He began rapping aged 11 and started his YouTube channel StormzyTV where he shared his freestyles including his Wicked Skengman series.
How old is Stormzy?
Born 26th July 1993, Stormzy celebrated his 30th birthday in 2023. Sharing a series of photos and videos to celebrate the big birthday, Stormzy wrote: 'Couldn't sum up how I feel in a caption but I'll give it a go. I'm so grateful to God for 30 years of life, I'm grateful for the love in my life, from my friends and my family and from you guys too, my extended family.
'I'm just mad grateful for everything, every lil intricate detail. Every high, every low and everything in between. I love you Yaweh, my father who keeps me. I don't want any gifts just pray for me. For my birthday all I wanna do is spread the love and blessings that my God has showered down on me onto others.
'So today just bless someone, encourage someone, doesn't need to be material, can be a helping hand or a smile on the street. God continue to use me that's my prayer for today, love you and God bless you all. #30for30 💪🏿❤️.'
What is Stormzy's real name?
His real name is Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr.
WATCH: Stormzy Talks 'Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2', Black Cards + More!
Stormzy's third album 'This Is What I Mean'
Stormzy released his third album 'This Is What I Mean' in November 2022. The album is a follow-up to 'Heavy Is The Head', which was released in 2019. 'This Is What I Mean' reached Number 1 in the UK charts and is certified Silver in the UK.
On the day of release Stormzy shared a heartfelt statement saying how much he loves music. He also thanked anyone who has listened to his album, even if they didn't like it.
The album was preceded by non-album single 'Mel Made Me Do It', which won Stormzy his sixth MOBO Award at the ceremony in February 2024, taking home Video of The Year. This tied him with Central Cee for most awarded rappers in MOBOs history.
WATCH: STORMZY - MEL MADE ME DO IT
What is Stormzy's biggest hit?
Stormzy has had three Number 1 albums in the UK and three Number 1 hits. 'Vossi Bop' was released in 2019 and was the lead single from his second album 'Heavy Is the Head'. The song as been certified 3× Platinum in the UK.
Stormzy's second UK number was 'Own It' with Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy. Not only was this a Number 1 - it was also the first Number 1 of the 2020s, being certified 2× Platinum in the UK and selling over 1.2 million units. Stormzy also featured on Ed Sheeran's track 'Take Me Back to London', which reached Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart.
WATCH: Stormzy talks BRITS, Big For Your Boots, Adele & more!
Are Stormzy and Maya Jama back together?
Yes! Stormzy and Maya were originally in a relationship from 2015 to 2019. However, fans were delighted when the pair were spotted together on holiday in Greece in August 2023, leading people to speculate about whether they had rekindled their romance.
Stormzy and Maya are very much back together, having appeared together looking loved-up at The Fashion Awards in November 2023!
Stormzy: Working with Ed Sheeran
Teaming up with singer-songwriter/all-round music wizard Ed Sheeran, Stormzy brought us huge hits such as 'Take Me Back To London' and 'Own It', making it pretty much safe to label these two an iconic duo!
'Take Me Back to London' saw the pair reach Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart, as fans went crazy for the collaboration between the two. Of course, this led to further excitement when they teamed up once more on 'Own It', which flew to the Number 1 spot in the UK Charts. Ed also featured in the music videos for the hit songs, which have both accumulated millions of views on YouTube.
These two have since formed an enviable friendship, with Stormzy referring to the 'Perfect' singer as his "brother", adding that he has "nothing but good words to say about him". Of course, Ed is also good mates with Taylor Swift, who Stormzy met backstage at the MTV EMAs, so could a collaboration between all three be on the cards? Watch this space...
Stormzy's collaboration with RAYE
In July 2023, Stormzy teamed up with 'Escapism' hitmaker RAYE to release the massive track 'The Weekend'. The song details the trials and tribulations of finding love, combining Stormzy's rap with RAYE's soulful vocals. You can watch the official video for 'The Weekend' below...
WARNING: Contains explicit language.
Stormzy as GQ's Man of the Year
Stormzy was announced as British GQ's Men of the Year cover star on Monday 14th November 2022, a hugely prestigious title for the 25th anniversary of the celebration - making him only the fifth British name to be cover star for the issue.
In the profile, Stormz opened up about his childhood, saying: "I realised, especially growing up in South London in the environment I grew up in, there’s never going to be a time anyone encourages man to go deal with his feelings.
"That’s a very adult thing to think, I’m gonna go deal with my life and my character with who I am and who I want to grow to be. There is power in vulnerability."
Stormzy at the Met Gala 2022
It's safe to say that Stormzy truly worked the red carpet on the steps of the Met Gala 2022. With the dress code being White Tie, the rapper well and truly completed the assignment as he donned an all-white Burberry three-piece wool suit, which featured satin lapels and even had a matching cape, designed by Riccardo Tisci!
As fans of the rapper will know, he has a tendency to quite often wear all black. The 'Vossi Bop' star admitted that the suit differed from his usual style, however that's not to say he didn't like it!
Speaking to Vogue, he said: "Usually I wear all black a lot of the time... So it’s nice to shine today. I am nervous, it’s crazy like, it’s a lot different but it’s amazing, I’m just going to embrace it!"
WATCH: Stormzy on Ed Sheeran, Gang Signs & Prayer & more!
Stormzy's waxwork at Madame Tussauds
On 26th July 2021, aka Stormzy's 28th birthday, it was announced that the rapper would be getting his very own waxwork at Madame Tussauds London. Joining the attraction's star-studded summer line-up, Madame Tussauds' official Instagram announced the news along with an adorable video of Stormzy, along with his nephew, seeing his figure for the first time - giving his mum a quick FaceTime too.
Donating £10 million to black organisations
Following the Black Lives Matter protests after the tragic death of George Floyd, Stormzy pledged to donate a massive £10 million over the next 10 years to black organisations in the UK.
The statement read: "The uncomfortable truth that our country continuously fails to recognise and admit, is that black people in the UK have been at a constant disadvantage in every aspect of life - simply due to the colour of our skin.
"I’m lucky enough to be in the position I’m in and I’ve heard people often dismiss the idea of racism existing in Britain by saying “if the country’s so racist how have you become a success?!” and I reject that with this: I am not the UK’s shining example of what supposedly happens when a black person works hard.
"There are millions of us. We are not far and few. We have to fight against the odds of a racist system stacked against us and designed for us to fail from before we are even born. Black people have been playing on an uneven field for far too long and this pledge is a continuation in the fight to finally try and even it.”
The star's charity Merky Foundation also donated a huge £500,000 to help fund college and university for underprivileged students.
In 2021, Powerlist 2021 Stormzy ranked as the third most influential Black Briton, for his advocacy against racial injustice and philanthropy, pledging £10 million to charities
Check out Stormzy's incredible career timeline:
2013: Career beginnings
Aged 19 in 2013, Stormzy was trying to make his music career happen while working in Southampton at an oil refinery. He released his first full project '168: The Mixtape'. The piece got its name from the fact it was recorded in one week - or 168 hours.
2014: MOBO win
The next year he followed up with 'Dreamers Disease EP' and the seven tracks shot to Number 1 in the iTunes Hip Hop/Rap chart and that year Stormzy scooped up Best Grime Artist at the MOBO Awards.
That's when things really started to take off for Stormzy as more and more people took notice of his talent. Fans were also feeling his love of Nando's, and he'd occasionally take fans there for free or casually gift them Adidas trainers.
2015: 'Know Me From' and 'Shut Up'
Stormzy also won Best Grime Act for the second year running at the 2015 MOBO Awards, and in February 2015 he dropped his first single 'Know Me From' with track 'Shut Up' following shortly after.
2015: Anthony Joshua performance
Stormzy performed 'Shut Up' live at Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte's boxing match at the O2 as Joshua's entrance music. The single was the first ever freestyle to enter the UK Top 40 and peaked at Number 18, which led Stormzy to launch a campaign to get the song to Christmas Number 1.
It had such support that the song did indeed break into the Top 10 for Christmas - although it didn't reach the top spot, it peaked at Number 8 and was his highest-charting single at the time.
2017: Debut album release
Following a year's career break in 2016 and a social media hiatus, Stormzy burst back onto the scene in 2017, releasing his debut album 'Gang Signs & Prayer' in February - going straight to Number 1. Stormzy also took part in the Artists For Grenfell campaign, featuring on the charity single 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' to raise funds for the residents of Grenfell Tower. At the BRIT Awards, he took home the gong for British Male Solo Artist.
2018: BRIT Awards performance
Stormzy's epic performance at the BRIT Awards 2018 saw the rapper use his platform to call out the government for not doing enough to help the residents of Grenfell Tower. His album 'Gang Signs & Prayer' became the first ever rap album to win British Album of the Year.
2019: Glastonbury Festival headline slot and second album
2019 was another big year for Stormzy - his headline set on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2019 was hugely acclaimed, and he once again used his platform to comment on politics. Wearing a Union Jack stab vest designed by artist Banksy, many took this as a comment on knife crime in London. He also used a speech made by Labour MP David Lammy on the British criminal justice system.
Stormzy released his second album, 'Heavy Is the Head', in December 2019, which went to Number 1 in the UK.
2020: BRIT Award win
Stormzy announced his 'Heavy is the Head' tour in December 2019, which was to take place in September 2020 around the UK - starting with two nights at The O2 in London, then calling at Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Cardiff and Bournemouth. Unfortunately, dates of his tour were rescheduled due to the pandemic.
On the more positive side, Stormzy won British Male Solo Artist at the BRITs 2020, as well as three other nominations, and gave an incredible 10-minute performance with Burna Boy of 'Don't Forget to Breathe', 'Wiley Flow', 'Own It' and 'Rainfall'.
The rapper and singer spent time in 2020 being charitable, working with a scheme to give a young fan a bedroom makeover, as well as surprising him in a heartfelt video. Stormzy was also announced to appear on the soundtrack for NBA video game NBA 2K21 with his song 'Bronze' from album 'Heavy is the Head'.
2021: Madame Tussauds waxwork
On 26th July 2021, in celebration of the rapper's 28th birthday, it was announced that he would be getting his very own waxwork at Madame Tussauds London, joining their star-studded summer line-up.
2022: 'Heavy Is The Head' Tour
Stormzy headed on tour around the UK supporting his 2019 album 'Heavy Is The Head'. Following his residency at London's O2 Arena, which covered March 27th, 28th and 29th, the tour - which is the rapper's biggest to date - wrapped up on 3rd April 2022.
The tour was his biggest yet and also saw him perform in Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Liverpool. Stormzy's sister Rachael Anson was the supporting act for the tour and played a DJ setlist to open his shows.
2022: Met Gala debut
Stormzy made his debut at the prestigious Met Gala where the theme was White Tie. Suiting up in the spirit of the dress code, the rapper wore an all-white Burberry three-piece wool suit complete with satin lapels. Also adding to the outfit was an impressive matching white cape designed by Riccardo Tisci.
2022: Honorary degree
Stormzy was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Exeter - he is now a doctor! In his acceptance speech, he told of his experience taking his AS Levels. He said he was "extremely blessed and grateful".
2022: Third album announced
Big Mike announced his highly-anticipated third album 'This Is What I Mean' in October 2022, revealing the track list AND that it would be coming just a month later in November.
2022: British GQ Men of the Year cover star
Stormzy appeared as the cover star of British GQ's Men of the Year edition, a hugely prestigious title. In his profile interview, he spoke about how he views success differently now he's older: "My version of success now requires a man: not just more music and more money. Now it means taking care of my family, having children, having a wife, even understanding marriage and raising kids, and that requires a man."
2023: Stormzy was nominated for three BRIT Awards
In January 2023, Stormzy picked up three BRIT Award nominations including ones for: Mastercard Album of The Year, Artist of The Year and Hip Hop, Grime and Rap act. Although he lost to Harry Styles twice and Aitch, he gave an incredible performance at the event.
2023: 'The Weekend' with RAYE
In July 2023, Stormzy teamed up with RAYE on 'The Weekend'. The track is accompanied by an official music video and combines Stormzy's rap and RAYE's soulful vocals.
2024: Sixth MOBO Award win
Stormzy took home his sixth MOBO Award at the ceremony in February 2024, taking home the Video of the Year gong for 'Mel Made Me Do It' and tying him Central Cee for the most awarded rapper in MOBOs history. Although he couldn't be there in person, he sent a message of thanks in which he said he was "honoured" and that the video was a "piece of art" for all involved in the making of the video.
What did Stormzy do before he was famous?
Before he was famous, Stormzy was a road rap MC, telling Complex: "When I started, everyone was a grime spitter. There were no rappers on the ends. There was none of that! Everyone was just spitting grime, and then this UK rap scene came about. For a long time, though, I didn't get the whole road rap thing. I thought it was too slow, and sounded too American."
He went on to say: "But I felt like I needed to adapt to it and I needed to jump on it because that's what was happening. I'll be honest about that. There were grime MCs, but there was no one really popping off, and UK rap was heavily popping around those times. So I started rapping. It took me a bit to get into it; I couldn't slow it down as much because I was a proper grime kid."
How many A* grades did Stormzy get?
Stormzy got six A* GCSEs. Pretty impressive!
Who are Stormzy's famous fans?
Stormzy actually has LOADS of famous fans. Adele is known to be a huge fan, and has attended his shows in the past. Stormzy and Adele even met backstage at one of his gigs in 2017!
Of course, we know Little Mix are huge fans of Stormzy after they teamed up on their single 'Power' in 2017, which has now racked up over 411 million views on YouTube! Love Island stars Kem Cetinay and Chris Hughes are also huge Stormzy fans, and their dreams came true when they met him in 2017! Sam Smith revealed they loved Stormzy in an interview with KISS, as did Katy Perry at the BRITs a few years ago.
WATCH: Sam Smith talks Too Good At Goodbyes, Stormzy & more!
Is Stormzy related to Idris Elba?
As far as we know, Stormzy isn't related to Idris Elba - but they are known to be good friends! Idris appeared in Stormzy's music video for 'Vossi Bop' in 2019, starring at the moment Stormzy refers to him in the song with the lyrics:
'Lookin' in the mirror sayin', "Mikey, you're the illest" (yeah)/When I'm James Bond, tryna live my movie like I'm Idris.'
This is in reference to the rumours that Idris is set to star in the James Bond film franchise now that Daniel Craig has stepped down.
Did Stormzy sing at a fan's funeral?
Stormzy proved himself to be one of the nicest guys in music in 2017 after he replied to a fan's tweet about his father's funeral. He performed at the funeral after Nas Bockarie reached out following the death of his dad on the same day as his graduation.
He later tweeted Stormzy in reply to the video of his song 'Blinded By Your Grace', writing: 'Bro my Dad passed away on the day of my graduation last week Friday. Our favourite song of yours was blinded by your grace.'
Stormzy then performed at the funeral to honour Nas' father.
What is Stormzy's net worth?
In November 2021, Stormzy was listed on heat's Rich List, with the rapper worth an estimated £23.5 million. In the 2022 edition, he was estimated to be worth £27.8 million. The publication cited his tour and the F1 Grand Prix performance as big earners, with Amazon and Netflix having both been in talks with the rapper to adapt from his Merky Books venture.
Is Stormzy on Instagram?
He sure is - you can find him at the handle Stormzy. It was a bit uncertain for a while back there, after the rapper reportedly deleted all of his social media accounts back in March 2020.
Despite the rapper being absent from social media during that time, he was spotted on various fans' accounts in June 2021. Following England's win against Germany in the Euros 2020 on 29th June, Stormzy stayed true to his promise and celebrated at a fan's house party.
Is Stormzy going on tour?
In October 2021, Stormzy confirmed that he had rescheduled his tour dates in support of his 2019 album 'Heavy Is The Head'. The grime artist finally confirmed the new dates on 19th October 2021 and confirmed that extra tickets would also be on sale.
The tour was his biggest yet and included three nights at London’s O2 Arena, as well as shows in Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Liverpool. The new dates of the tour meant he began on Sunday 13th March at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, and ended on Monday 4th April at The OVO Hydro in Glasgow.
His three-night residency at London’s O2 Arena covered 27th, 28th and 29th March.
EXCLUSIVE: Stormzy's 'Heavy Is The Head' tour at London's O2 Arena 2022:
Stormzy at The O2 Arena in London
Stormzy at The O2 Arena in London
Stormzy at The O2 Arena in London
Stormzy at The O2 Arena in London
Stormzy at The O2 Arena in London
Stormzy at The O2 Arena in London
NOW WATCH: Stormzy talks Gang Signs & Prayer, Big For Your Boots & collabs | KISS Grime with Rude Kid
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