Stormzy - Gang Signs & Prayer

by Jack 27 February 2017

Within 24 hours of its release, every single track on Stormzy’s debut album Gang Signs & Prayer was in the Spotify top 50. Every. Single. Track. What does that tell us on its own? That every track is top quality, there isn’t a hint of filler, it’s a body of work. It also demonstrates not only how huge Grime has become as a genre, but how effectively Stormzy has built himself as an artist, winning fans from across the musical spectrum. On the most hotly anticipated album for the genre to date, Stormzy has 100% delivered.

The album’s backbone is formed by Stormzy’s signature grime style, a menacing collection of dark beats, icy strings, rolling snares and combative lyrics. Watch out for Cold and Big For Your Boots smashing festival tents across the summer. The slower tempo and darkly ominous sounds on Bad Boys are complimented by a razor sharp verse from Ghetts. Return Of The Rucksack is another absolute banger.

But perhaps what’s most impressive about Gang Signs & Prayer is how Stormzy has moved out of his comfort zone and channelled his own various musical influences. As he tells us on Mr Skeng “I do rap, then I do grime / Then I do rap, then I sing and I roll right back”. Gospel sounds infuse the euphoric Blinded By Your Grace Part 1 and 2, on which Stormzy explores faith and a love of God. Pure RnB vibes form slow jam Cigarettes & Cush featuring sleek vocals from Kehlani. Don’t Cry For Me channels J Cole style hip hop, a deeply emotional track reflecting on life before fame.

Gang Signs & Prayer blends classic grime with an array of other genres, with Stormzy’s bars moving between witty exchanges, heart-felt reflections and confident self-assertions. Although only a debut album, Stormzy has created a piece of work to rival any other album from the genre and from urban music in general. The Problem has well and truly returned.

9/10