Not only will the capital’s homegrown star return to the stage at All Points East later today, but Stormzy has practically co-created the day with the festival being lovingly nicknamed “This Is What We Mean Day” after his latest album. From curating the festival’s line-up, which includes Kehlani, Sampha, Knucks and Ms Banks, to consulting on the performance mechanics – expect a living embodiment of Stormzy’s Spotify playlists.
Born Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, Stormzy – also known as Stiff Chocolate, Big Bike and The Problem – he first burst onto the scene in 2013 with his Wicked Skengman freestyles. However, it was his 2015 single Shut Up that put him on the national radar. The explosive track rocked the nation, with fans campaigning to the make it a Christmas number one. Although unsuccessful, it catapulted the relatively unknown rapper to No. 8 in the UK singles chart.
He has since released three best-selling albums – Gang Signs and Prayer in 2017, Heavy is the Head in 2019 and most recently This Is What I Mean in 2022 – that have earned him 30 awards including: two BRIT Awards, one Ivor Novello Award and six MOBO Awards.
Over these years, he’s also delivered some of the most biting, music-turned-political-speech live performances that have led to him becoming a national hero for many. From gospel choirs to ballet dancers (and even Jack Grealish cameos) - welcome to Stormzy’s stage.
Brit Awards, 2018
At just 24, Stormzy won two of the biggest awards of the night – Album of the Year and British Male Solo Artist – but that’s not what everyone remembers the 2018 Brit Awards for. Later that evening the young MC took to stage to perform an electrifying freestyle later. Under a rain-soaked spotlight Stormzy delivered a searing takedown of the Prime Minister at the time, Theresa May, for the government’s handling of the Grenfell Tower fire that killed 71 people in June 2017.
"Theresa May, where’s the money for Grenfell? What, you thought we just forgot about Grenfell? You criminals, and you got the cheek to call us savages, you should do some jail time, you should pay some damages, we should burn your house down and see if you can manage this." At the time, it was called “one of the most iconic moments in UK Music” by author and activist Akala, while supermodel Jourdan Dunn tweeted, “Stormzy for Prime Minister”.
Glastonbury headliner, 2019
Stormzy broke records as the first British rapper to headline Glastonbury festival in its 50-year history. The 2019 performance was one for the history books, with the 75-minute set featuring a beautiful interlude by Ballet Black – a company that “celebrates dancers of black and Asian descent” – a gospel choir, a voiceover from Labour MP David Lammy and a duet with Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Of course, who could forget the Union Jacket Banksy bulletproof vest that the star sported throughout his slot.
“First black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury, second youngest to ever headline, and just an inspiration to so many. This is just the start, congrats big Mike, looking forward to see you do more achievements like this,” tweeted Ed Sheeran at the time. It was a sentiment echoed by Adele: “The first Grime artist ever to do so, you respected everyone that opened the door for you whilst opening a huge one yourself.”
Brit Awards, 2020
Hot off a Male Solo Artist win, Stormzy delivered yet another iconic Brit Awards live performance. This time he enlisted the help of Burna Boy, Tiana Major9 and a large posse of gospel singers for a break-neck medley of his best-selling album Heavy is The Head. Throw in some artificial rain and pyrotechnics and you literally couldn’t ask for anything more. As one fan tweeted: “Can’t believe we get to live in the same time as Stormzy".
Reading and Leeds festival, 2021
As a national hero, Stormzy has a fair few friends across the pop culture spectrum. One of whom, footballer Jack Grealish, even made a brief cameo during Stormzy’s Leed headline slot. Obviously, the fans went wild for the unexpected link-up – with the moment immortalised in TikTok’s For You Page. In Reading, the rapper bought out a more predictable (but equally hyped) Dave for a rendition of their chart topping track Clash. Of course, it wouldn’t be Stormzy without a “hold that ‘Fuck Boris’ poster higher!” command shouted out to the front row.
