This is a review of Stormzy’s Gang Sign’s and Prayer
Mate, First things first.
That’s the only way I can think of to start this post.
The album is A LOT of things. A lot of Good things. A lot of GREAT things.It’s been exactly a week since Stormzy debuted his highly anticipated album “Gang Signs and Prayer” and it’s taken me a whole week to complete and write this review the way I wanted to. It’s taken me a week because honestly, I wanted to give this album the justice is deserves. Because as I said this album is alot. It’s amazing. It’s transcends genre, race, and age. Stormzy has done what only a few have been able to do and made an album that can’t be solely described as one genre. I’ve read some reviews (which have messed up my flow when writing this review) and people are saying this album is gospel-grime grime-gospel or I’ve even seen “grimspel” (really?!) and seriously I don’t agree or believe that this album deserves that.
Stormzy proves to us with #GSAP that as he said in his interview with Maya Jama on Rinse FM that not only is he a talented grime MC he is a credible artist in his own right.
First things First, Stormzy gives us a little breakdown and addresses some recent current events such as DSTRKT and the allegations of the nightclub showing prejudice towards black people and other minorities. He also addresses LBC radio host Shelagh Fogarty and the 44 year old man who accused Stormzy, Wiley, and Skepta for knife and gun crime back in 2016. Apparently, according to this 44year old man, grime is responsible for crime after listening to their albums.
Interesting, since Stormzy hadn’t released an album until last week. Anyway I digress, my point is First things First addresses some of the controversial topics affecting London today. A major topic Big Mike, addresses is mental health and dealing with depression.
“Dark times niggas dying in recession
You was fighting with your girl when I was fighting my depression”
I love that he didn’t shy away from discussing this because so many people deal with depression at some stage in their lives and he spoke on something a lot of people wouldn’t be brave enough to touch on.
This album could arguably be one of the best debut albums from a UK artist in nearly 10 years.
It’s raw and honest and vulnerable and its fearless. It’s the type of album that people didn’t expect from Stormzy and for me, I’m glad everyone was so surprised.
Stormzy pays homage to the Masters in the Grime game. My generation have grown up listening to grime artists such as Ghetts, Wiley, Crazy Titch, Dizzee Rascal and Wretch32 and we respect what they do. We respect their craft, talent and revere them as masters in their game. Big Mike pays true homage to grime with some strategic and impressive artistry. He displays such respect for the industry and the history with the features he has on his album.
Stormzy has earned and claimed a seat at the table with this album in proving that he is not just a grime artist, but an artist fully in all of its glory and right. Stormzy introduced us to Michael Omari and definitely turned some heads and raised some eyebrows in proving that he and the UK music scene can’t be boxed in and #GSAP most definitely proves just that.
With Stormzy’s hiatus from social media and his sudden return to the spotlight with the release of the lead single from GSAP, “Big for Your Boots”; Stormzy and his team had me and the rest of the industry, fully anticipating the release of the album.
This album reminds you (if you had any doubts) that Stormzy is well and truly an artist. An artist who isn’t afraid to go there, and explore his craft and bare his soul, with tracks like 21 Guns Salute, Lay Me Bare and Blinded by Your Grace part 2.
Tracks like First Things First, Cold, Bad Boys, Big For your Boots, Mr Skeng and Return of the Rucksack remind you not to dare question Stormzy’s grime roots and artistry and represents the Gang Signs side of this album. Cold and Big for your Boots give you catchy hooks and beats that you can’t help but bop your head to. Hits on this album are most certainly Blinded by your Grace part 1 and 2 (arguably one of the best tracks on the album), Velvet which features an interlude from the Legendary Choice FM DJ Jenny Francis, 21 Guns Salute, and 100 Bags where Stormzy pays homage and respect to his mum.
Recommended Reading: Gang Signs and Prayer – Track by Track Review
This album is #Problem. Okay, lemme not.
But seriously, this album can definitely go down as an Iconic album laid with so much thought and talent. I still haven’t stopped playing this album. (Currently playing it right now)
This is definitely one for the history books.
