Stormzy Releases Highly Anticipated Album, ‘This Is What I Mean,’ 

Award-winning Stormzy has created an unquestionable masterpiece, skillfully fusing together a wide range of dissimilar musical genres and styles into music that fearlessly bridges the gap between contemporary Black British music, soul, and hip-hop.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

The top 10 hits “Hide & Seek,” an emotional, soulful, and ethereal offering, and his most recent release, “Firebabe,” a gorgeously delicate and profoundly moving sound, are both featured on the album, which is executive produced by British producer PRGRSHN. The album also features vocal cameos from a variety of outstanding musicians, including those mentioned above. These performers include Sampha, Debbie, Jacob Collier, and more.

This isn’t music only for the pop charts but rather an intimate and honest love letter to music. It is a bold and brave step forward from his highly lauded past two #1 albums, “Gang Signs & Prayer” and “Heavy Is The Head.” He talks about forgiving his missing father in the lovely song “Please” and discusses his struggles with paranoia, despair, and self-doubt in the middle song, “I Got My Smile Back,” which also has a guest vocal from the legendary India Arie. It’s an album that has very personal and lyrical topics that expose the flaws, regret, frailties, healing, joy, and success in a way and to a degree that reframes the idea of what rap artists historically may achieve and be.

Stormzy said in a letter that was posted on his social media platforms:

“When Tyler, The Creator released the masterpiece that is ‘IGOR’ he shared a message with it and I wanted to do the same but I was hesitant. Mainly because I would love for my music to do all the talking but I thought I’d share this message anyway.

I do a lot of interviews and I forget that everything I say will be shared far and wide, which is probably naive of me. Things that I say in real life don’t feel the same when I see it in text. I feel like I overshare, which makes me feel naked at times. But I do it so that you guys can understand me a bit better and to give the art that I make some context. I’m never ever purposely trying to defy genres or go against the grain. I’m never tryna do what is unexpected of me or what is expected of me. If I rap for 7 minutes it’s because in my spirit, in that moment, I just really wanted to fucking rap. If I sing my heart out then it’s because my soul just absolutely had to. I love music. I love, love loveeeee music. I will rap for the rest of my life, I will sing for the rest of my life, I will make art for the rest of my life. And at no point will I ever do any of those things for any other reason than I JUST WANTED TO AND IT JUST FELT GOOD. I am not a calculated mastermind with the ability to gauge what kind of music to make and when I’ll make it, I literally just feel and then let it out. People been tryna box me in for years but I hope this chapter at least makes my biggest critic say “hey, he’s shit but he loves music and I guess he’s gonna do whatever he likes” lol

One of the most well-liked musicians in the UK, Stormzy has a sizable following that reaches well beyond the borders of the country. The multi-award-winning artist’s third album is certain to please fans who have been yearning for new songs.

Listen: