5.4.1

Stormzy

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Stormzy and 'Superheroes'

Stormzy is a British grime and hip-hop artist, known for socially conscious lyrics.

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Background

  • Stormzy is a stage name.
  • Stormzy's full name is Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr.
  • He was born on 26 July 1993 in London, England.
  • He grew up in South London, in a family of Ghanaian descent.
  • Stormzy experienced life in council estates and overcame challenges in education and community environments.
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Career

  • Stormzy broke onto the scene with viral freestyles and online mixtapes in the early 2010s.
    • Debut album: Gang Signs & Prayer (2017) – first grime album to reach number 1 on UK charts
    • Second album: Heavy is the Head (2019) – includes the single 'Superheroes'
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Philantrophy

  • Stormzy is known for activism and philanthropy, particularly in education and racial equality.
    • In 2020, he donated £500,000 to the Black Heart Foundation to provide scholarships for disadvantaged students.
    • He pledged to donate £10 million over the next decade to tackle racial inequality in the UK.
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'Superheroes' music video

  • The song was released on 13 December 2019 (Heavy is the Head).
  • The music video premiered on 9 September 2020 in schools across London, Glasgow, Dublin, and Manchester.
  • It was shown to students as schools reopened after COVID-19 closures.
  • British filmmaker Taz Tron Delix directed the video.
  • It was produced by Argentinian animation studio 2veinte.
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Themes

  • The video was dedicated to Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther actor) following his death in August 2020.
    • It ends with: “RIP Chadwick Boseman 1976–2020, Forever a Superhero in our hearts”
  • Themes of the video include social empowerment, representation, and inspiring young people.
  • It celebrates everyday “superheroes” and encourages self-belief, education, and resilience.

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