Ahead of the drop of his debut album Gang Signs & Prayer later tonight, check out Julie’s Beats 1 interview with Stormzy below.
They discussed in detail the making of the album, who Stormzy collaborated with on the album, his favourite tune, the journey into making an album, his thoughts on the Brit Awards and much more.
Your debut album is coming out – i remember you didn’t even want to say the word
yeah that’s cuz it was so – i feel like it was with me i’ve been releasing music i’ve been progressing as i go along i’ve been on this journey i’ve been getting to the point where people are like ‘hang on this guy doesn’t even have an album’ but now we’re finally here
What’s the album called?
Gang Signs & Prayer
Why
Because it’s mad how it came around – I’ve always wanted to do gospel like in some way shape or form i’ve always wanted to have a gospel meaning in some of the music I’m gonna release but i’ve always got this complex of I’m Stormzy and I’ve been through this and that and sometimes I jus wanna spray and we came up with the name and I was like this can’t sum it up anymore as to who I am.
When is it out?
24th of February
Who is on the album
It’s crazy how it’s come about. I worked with Fraser T Smith, he ep’d it – it’s been my brainchild but it’s had some excellent contributions from producers, instrumentalists, artists, on the album I’ve got Gets, J Hus, Wretch32, Kehlani, MNEK, Raleigh Ritchie and I’ve got some interludes from Jenny Francis and Crazy Titch.
I know it’s early to do it – but what’s your favorite tune
“Big For Your Boots” – that was the politically correct answer. But my favorite tracks from the album have changed so much. It changes as the days go by.
What are your plans between now and day it comes out?
I’m gonna be all over the place. I feel like it’s so crazy, I feel like my whole career’s built up to this moment. I was watching a JAY Z interview the other day an he said the first album was his most important because it took all his life to make. I’ve been 23 years on the planet and now I’m making my first album. This took me 23 years and it’s 23 years of my thoughts and what I’ve been through and all my stresses and frustrations and my loves, hopes and dreams. I almost can’t believe I’m at the point where I’ve made the album I wanted to make. I made it. Those days and nights in the studio trying to get it right. Literally going in the booth smashing out a tune, coming out saying ‘ Bruh this s the hardest stuff,’ getting back in the car, driving home playing it and thinking ‘that is so dead.’ Goin’ back to the studio and listening to it and thinking ‘No [this is the one]’. It’s been such a journey, it’s been incredible. I’m just so happy it’s done and I’m so happy and proud of it and it’s everything I want it to be. I didn’t compromise I didn’t settle, before I’ve even released it, I’ve done it.
“I believe the album’s gonna certify my position as an artist – as Stormzy the artist. I feel like everyone’ been on this journey and I’ve had the pleasure of growing in front of my audience. If you’re a Stormzy supporter from the beginning you would’ve seen me MCing on beats with a camera or two, now at this moment where I’ve made an artistic body of work and you watch me grow up and now I’m here.”
Where do you want to do first performance of new album?
I’m not too sure but with all my visuals it’s so mad because now I’m trying to take it to that next level. I’m trying to grow and experiment. When I’m looking for locations for videos I’m thinking ‘This is so funny, I didn’t even know this was a thing.’ I used to jump in the car with my cameraman and literally 10 minutes from my house, pull up like ‘ that alleyway is cool, there’s a lamppost, we’ll start here, and keep it going to the park. Now we’re trying to do it bigger and better than carparks. Maybe a bigger carparks.
Why Fraser T smith?
It’s so mad because I’m very close friends with Twin, and we already know Twin is a mad genius and he was like I think you should meet Fraser. So I did and Fraser’s track record speaks for itself and what he’s achieved and his productions and songs speak for themselves. He’s certified already, so for me it was always a thing of trying to marry my musical ambition with something different. I felt like cool I do grime, I rap, I try and sing from time to time but I don’t wanna go in with the usual suspects I want to try and marry this and make it something crazy- with Fraser T Smith, someone’ who’s so skilled and at that upper echelon of the game, I was looking forward to seeing what happens. Cool we got this grammy award Adele-producing legend and Stormy from South London who can spray, lets have a go. The journey’s been so crazy. I remember the first productions we made together and we were trying to get it right, I’m figuring out Fraser’s a G and he’s like oh ‘Stormy’s willing to sing a bit’ all of these things came together, so he’s the guy.
Your debut album, has you mom heard it
She ain’t heard it. She will listen to it when it comes out. I think she’s going to be so proud of it. There’s always going to be tunes where she’s going ‘ I don’t care who Stormzy is, that is not good. Why you saying that?’ But there’s going to be a lot of stuff on the album that my mom can be proud of, that has a real message, is real meaningful and is from the soul.
