Entertainment
Stormzy wants to end ‘token Black artist’ trope and he’s not wrong: ‘That needs to die’-Alicia Adejobi-Entertainment – Metro
The rapper says there’s enough room for more than one successful Black artist at a time.
Stormzy is known for uplifting the Black community through his music and philanthropy (Picture: PA)
Stormzy feels strongly that there is enough room for more than one successful Black artist at a time.
The Vossi Bop rapper is preparing to return to the charts this month with the release of his anticipated fourth album, This Is What I Mean, after taking a couple of years away from the spotlight.
However, he believes his comeback shouldn’t mean there’s no space for other Black artists to enjoy success, with Stormzy keen to dispel the trope that only one Black entertainer can be popular at one time.
‘I’ve always understood I’m the Black act. Maybe the token Black act. I want to kill that where it stands,’ Stormzy stated while speaking to Trevor Nelson in a one-off BBC special.
He continued: ‘There’s always been this stigma of, “let one through”. There’s one Black [man], one Black woman at a time. That needs to die.
‘So that’s why when I get Glasto, when I do Mel Made Me Do It, it’s like, “This is us… We stand on your shoulders”.
Stormzy, here with friend and collaborator Dave, said there’s more than enough room for other Black artists (Picture: PA)
The musician will be releasing his fourth studio album later this month (Picture: FilmMagic)
‘I didn’t just pop out of the blue and break the matrix.’
The Big For Your Boots chart-topper has made it his mission to uplift the Black community both through his music and philanthropy; in 2020, Stormzy pledged to donate £10million to charities and organisations tackling racial inequality, while he has also founded #Merky Books publishing company, spotlighting young Black writers.
Stormzy’s new album will feature the hit lead single, Mel Made Me Do It, which featured over 30 celebrities such as Jonathan Ross, Jose Mourinho, Louis Theroux, Zeze Millz, Malorie Blackman and Brenda Edwards.
The 29-year-old recently explained how the album reflects his growth as a man after going through major life events, from soaring heights of success in his career to a heartbreaking split from girlfriend Maya Jama.
It reflects the man I am and the man I’ve become, where I’m at in my life. It’s a reflection of growth. It’s not an attempt at music so much, it’s more me trying to hold up a mirror to myself,’ he told i-D magazine.
Stormzy has announced he’ll only be performing one UK show next year and is set to take the stage at All Points East festival in London next summer.
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