Stormzy
Media Studies: Eduqas GCSE, topic 5.4.1
Stormzy and 'Superheroes'
Stormzy is a British grime and hip-hop artist, known for socially conscious lyrics.
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.
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'
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.
'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.
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.
Test yourself on Stormzy
What is Stormzy’s real name?
Which album includes the song ‘Superheroes’?