It’s shocking that an artist who parades around at 6’5, has one of the most unique voices in rap, and publicly calls out injustice has flown so low under our radar. Stormzy is a London-native who went from a new sound in the underground grime scene to selling out shows at Glastonbury.
Stormzy’s career exploded in 2015, named in the BBC’s Sounds of 2015 list along with a Best Grime Act win that year, and the year prior. His debut album, Gang Signs & Prayer, was the first grime album to reach number one on UK charts, and later won British Album of the Year in 2018.
The sound that we hear from Stormzy is one that has been finetuned and permutated since his initial album. His latest project, This is What I mean, showcased a divergent, softer side of Stormzy that we’ve rarely seen prior.
Continue down to check out six Stormzy tracks that best represent Stormzy’s discography.
Vossi Bop
Armed with a Union Jack painted ballistic vest in protest of knife crime in the UK, Stormzy took to the stage of Glastonbury in 2019, rocking the crowd with Vossi Bop. The track features an unparalleled beat, paired with dynamically performed vocals and bars that’ll make you reconsider what your S.O. is up to on a quaint, saturday morning. Hopefully, they’re not at coffee Stormz.
Wiley Flow
By far one of his most aggressive, mood lifting tracks, Wiley Flow is a grime classic that forces you to learn its lyrics. The opening adlib can be recited by most listeners after a few trys, and might be one of the most empowering things to yell at your mate.
Mel Made Me Do It
This one’s a doozy. At just over 7 minutes, Mel Made Me Do It is one of those songs that is subject to your mood. It serves as a stupendous track for getting ready for physical activity, while also playing its role in a calm setting. The Mourinho feature on the music video and interview clip are the cherry on top to an already unique banger.
Hide & Seek
Most definitely on the slower side of this list, Hide & Seek takes a look at Stormzy’s openness towards a mysterious, romantic someone. The tracks pace and Stormzy’s vocals makes the song feel more like a pop song than rap. It’s an interesting switchup from the traditionally loud mouthed rapper, but one that all can enjoy
Clash/I Dunno
Clash and I Dunno get combined here due to the fact that Stormzy plays a feature role in both. Clash is a track where his best mate, Dave, calls upon Stormzy for a bit of a tempo switch and to drop some of the hottest bars of 2021. On the other end of the spectrum, I Dunno is a classic drill track with heavy hitters like Tion Wayne and Dutchavelli. Stormzy plays a similar role, adding some lyricism to a one-dimensional set of lyrics.
