His debut album, Gang Signs & Prayer, was released on 24 February 2017, and was the first grime album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart and won British Album of the Year at the 2018 Brit Awards. In 2019, Stormzy achieved his first UK number-one single with "Vossi Bop" and his headline appearance at the 2019 Glastonbury Festival was widely praised; he wore a Union Jack stab vest designed by Banksy, in light of the rise in knife crime in London. His second album, Heavy Is the Head, was released on 13 December 2019. On 22 September 2022, Stormzy released the single "Mel Made Me Do It" accompanied by an 11-minute music video featuring popular artists, actors and sports figures such as Usain Bolt and José Mourinho. He returned to social media on 12 October 2022 to announce his third album This Is What I Mean, which was recorded on Osea Island in England. It was released on 25 November 2022. The first single to be released was titled "Hide & Seek" on 14 October 2022.
Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. was born on 26 July 1993 in Croydon, London. His mother is Ghanaian, his father was a taxi driver and he is a cousin of rapper Nadia Rose. He grew up in South Norwood, London, with his mother, brother, and two sisters. Stormzy did not come from a particularly musical household, although he liked music. He attended Stanley Tech South Norwood. He began rapping at the age of 11 and would clash with older rappers at his local youth club.
Lay Me Bare
Stormzy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This some shit I hate to share
Escape this life or pay the fare
Grab this gun and aim it there
Shoot my pain and slay my fear
Before I die, I say my prayer
Don't worry about the mess just lay me there
This is all I got so lay me bare
This some shit I hate to share
Escape this life or pay the fare
Grab this gun and aim it there
Shoot my pain and slay my fear
Before I die, I say my prayer
Don't worry about the mess just lay me there
This is all I got so lay me bare
Lord help me please I'm breaking down
Tryna call my name and take my crown
Little bit of pain I'll paint the town
When they put me in my grave don't make a sound
'Cause there's still some days I find it hard
Smoke my spliff and write my bars
I know they see me climb the charts
But plaques don't help me find my heart
Yo God, what's good? I need you bad
Devil's in my ear, I need you back
Got scars in my soul, I've been attacked
Even when I'm low I seem relaxed
But the year's been mad I lost my way
They think I went ghost to drop my tape
Not knowing that I fell and lost my faith
Like Satan please no, not today
So fuck this shit this ain't a joke
Just to get away I take a toke
I took this pain and made a boat
Lord knows how the fuck it stayed afloat
Last year I cried too many times
Weren't for Flipz and weren't for rhymes
Weren't for Rachel, weren't for Kelly
Man them people saved my life
Like, man, I get low sometimes, so low sometimes
Airplane mode on my phone sometimes
Sitting in my house with tears on my face
Can't answer the door to my bro sometimes
Roaming around all alone sometimes
Them lonesome times
I was a young dead start
But this shit's like Game of Thrones sometimes
One more time I'll make it clear
This some shit I hate to share
Escape this life or pay the fare
Grab this gun and aim it there
Shoot my pain and slay my fear
Before I die, I say my prayer
Don't worry about the mess just lay me there
This is all I got so lay me bare
Look, one more time I'll make it clear
This some shit I hate to share
Escape this life or pay the fare
Grab this gun and aim it there
Shoot my pain and slay my fear
Before I die, I say my prayer
Don't worry about the mess just lay me there
This is all I got so lay me bare
Like bro I can't believe I saw my dad
Still up in the ends, still driving cabs
He said "Yo son, I need a car"
I kissed my teeth and turned my back
Like "Nigga, you ain't seen my face for years
Nigga, you ain't seen my face for time
And the first thing you're asking me for, is that?
Fuck you! That's where I draw the line"
Should've dashed through a rack like "Keep the change"
And fuck letting go, I'll keep the pain
Twenty-three years I'm still the same
When you hear this I hope you feel ashamed
'Cause we were broke like what the fuck
Mum did well to hold us up
But yet she still forgave your arse
But mumsy's cool, I'm cold as fuck
Fuck that! I'm still not over this
Fuck that! No, I'm still not over this
Flipz told me someone died in Heath
Like "Please say I don't know the kid"
When I heard TS, I kissed my teeth
And then I broke down in disbelief
My bro TH and Yogi too
Man I'll be damned to miss the streets
But I still got old school friends that I shoulda' been cool with
Man that I ride for, man I went school with
Man that I love and man I kicked ball with
My phone's there, just call it
But I guess things just got strange for me
But you all grew fast and gracefully
Left my hood and grabbed the mic
And I got me a girl that prays for me
One more time I'll make it clear
This some shit I hate to share
Escape this life or pay the fare
Grab this gun and aim it there
Shoot my pain and slay my fear
Before I die, I say my prayer
Don't worry about the mess just lay me there
This is all I got so lay me bare
Look, one more time I'll make it clear
This some shit I hate to share
Escape this life or pay the fare
Grab this gun and aim it there
Shoot my pain and slay my fear
Before I die, I say my prayer
Don't worry about the mess just lay me there
This is all I got so lay me bare
Lay me, bare
The lyrics to Stormzy's "Lay Me Bare" express a deep sense of pain and despair that the artist is feeling. The opening lines suggest that Stormzy has something very heavy weighing on him that he feels reluctant to share. He talks about feeling trapped in his current lifestyle and how he might take extreme measures to escape it. However, he also acknowledges the existence of a higher power and a need for prayer before he dies. The chorus of the song repeats these themes, with Stormzy hoping to be laid bare and not worrying about any mess or baggage that he may leave behind.
The rest of the song delves into Stormzy's personal struggles with mental health, drug use, and strained relationships with his father and friends. He talks about how music and writing have been an escape for him, but also how he has hit low points, such as crying and feeling alone. Stormzy's lyrics paint a picture of someone who is going through a lot of inner turmoil, but who is also trying to find hope and solace in his faith and his art.
Overall, "Lay Me Bare" is a raw and honest exploration of the struggles that come with fame and success, as well as the internal battles that can arise from trauma and mental health issues. Stormzy's lyrics express a sense of vulnerability and honesty that are rare in popular music today, and offer a glimpse into the complex emotional landscape of one of the UK's most talented artists.
Line by Line Meaning
One more time I'll make it clear
I will repeat what I am about to say so that there is no confusion
This some shit I hate to share
I am uncomfortable discussing this topic, but I will share it anyway
Escape this life or pay the fare
Either I find a way out of this difficult situation, or I will have to face the consequences
Grab this gun and aim it there
I am contemplating self-harm, and I have reached a breaking point
Shoot my pain and slay my fear
I want to put an end to my emotional torment and conquer my fears
Before I die, I say my prayer
I want to make sure that I am at peace with my spirituality before I pass away
Don't worry about the mess just lay me there
I am telling others not to fret over the aftermath of my actions, and to just let me be
This is all I got so lay me bare
This is the most transparent I can be, so I am revealing everything that I am feeling
Lord help me please I'm breaking down
I am at my wits' end and asking for divine intervention
Tryna call my name and take my crown
There are people trying to bring me down and strip me of my success
When they put me in my grave don't make a sound
I want my death to be a quiet affair, without any commotion or fuss
'Cause there's still some days I find it hard
I am acknowledging that I am not always able to cope with the struggles of life
Smoke my spliff and write my bars
I use marijuana to relax and stimulate my creativity
I know they see me climb the charts
People are aware of my rise to fame and success
But plaques don't help me find my heart
Despite the accolades, I am still searching for fulfillment and contentment
Yo God, what's good? I need you bad
I am trying to establish a connection with God and asking for help
Devil's in my ear, I need you back
I am being tempted by evil thoughts and distractions
Got scars in my soul, I've been attacked
I have been through traumatic experiences that have left me emotionally scarred
Even when I'm low I seem relaxed
Despite my struggles, I try to maintain a calm exterior
But the year's been mad I lost my way
This year has been incredibly difficult, and I have lost my sense of direction
They think I went ghost to drop my tape
People assume that I disappeared to work on my music project
Not knowing that I fell and lost my faith
In reality, I lost my strength and belief in myself and my vision
Like Satan please no, not today
I am making a plea to avoid negative influences and temptation from the devil
So fuck this shit this ain't a joke
I am outraged and frustrated at the situation I am facing
Just to get away I take a toke
I use marijuana to escape and find relief
I took this pain and made a boat
I have turned my suffering into musical material
Lord knows how the fuck it stayed afloat
Despite the odds, my creative output continues to succeed
Last year I cried too many times
The last year was very emotional and draining for me
Weren't for Flipz and weren't for rhymes
I was able to get through the tough times thanks to my friend and my creative outlet
Weren't for Rachel, weren't for Kelly
I am also grateful for the support of two other people in my life
Man them people saved my life
I owe my survival and coping mechanisms to my inner circle
Man, I get low sometimes, so low sometimes
I admit that I have moments of deep sadness and vulnerability
Airplane mode on my phone sometimes
To avoid distractions and unwanted attention, I sometimes put my phone on airplane mode
Sitting in my house with tears on my face
I sometimes break down and cry in my own home
Can't answer the door to my bro sometimes
I am unable to socialize or be around others, even those close to me
Roaming around all alone sometimes
I spend time alone to process my emotions and thoughts
Them lonesome times
These are the moments when I feel the most isolated and alone
I was a young dead start
I felt like my life was going nowhere from a young age
But this shit's like Game of Thrones sometimes
Life can be just as ruthless and unpredictable as the show Game of Thrones
Like bro I can't believe I saw my dad
I am surprised and upset at the thought of seeing my dad again
Still up in the ends, still driving cabs
Despite the passage of time, my dad has not changed his lifestyle or career
He said "Yo son, I need a car"
My dad immediately asked me for help without addressing the years of absence or any other issues
I kissed my teeth and turned my back
I was upset and disappointed with my dad's behavior, so I walked away
Like "Nigga, you ain't seen my face for years
I confronted my dad about the lack of contact and relationship between us
Nigga, you ain't seen my face for time
It has been a long time since my dad has made an effort to see or contact me
And the first thing you're asking me for, is that?
I feel disrespected and frustrated that my dad would request something so soon after our reunion
Fuck you! That's where I draw the line"
I set a boundary and refused to enable my dad's behavior
Should've dashed through a rack like "Keep the change"
I should have given my dad money and left the situation quickly
And fuck letting go, I'll keep the pain
I am choosing to hold onto the resentment and pain rather than forgive and move on
Twenty-three years I'm still the same
Despite the years that have passed, I feel like I have not made much progress personally
When you hear this I hope you feel ashamed
By sharing my story, I hope that my dad feels guilty and ashamed about his actions
Cause we were broke like what the fuck
I am expressing disbelief at the difficult financial situation my family was in
Mum did well to hold us up
Despite the challenges, my mom did a good job of providing and supporting us
But yet she still forgave your arse
Despite my dad's shortcomings, my mom chose to forgive him and move on
But mumsy's cool, I'm cold as fuck
Unlike my mom, I am still resentful and bitter towards my dad
Flipz told me someone died in Heath
My friend, Flipz, informed me that someone we knew passed away in Heath
Like "Please say I don't know the kid"
I am in denial and hoping that I did not have a personal connection to the deceased
When I heard TS, I kissed my teeth
Once I found out that the person who died was TS, I was irritated and upset
And then I broke down in disbelief
I realized the gravity of the situation and was overcome with sadness
My bro TH and Yogi too
I name two other people who were close to the deceased and are feeling the same emotions as me
Man I'll be damned to miss the streets
Despite the danger and difficulties of living in the streets, I still have a strong attachment to the lifestyle
But I still got old school friends that I shoulda' been cool with
I regret not maintaining friendships with people from my past
Man that I ride for, man I went school with
I reminisce about the good times with people who were once close to me
Man that I love and man I kicked ball with
I have positive memories and feelings towards these individuals
My phone's there, just call it
Despite the distance or time that has passed, I am willing to reconnect with these people
But I guess things just got strange for me
I acknowledge that my circumstances and lifestyle have led to me losing touch with certain people
But you all grew fast and gracefully
I realize that life moves on, and that people may have moved on from the past more easily than me
Left my hood and grabbed the mic
I pursued a career in music and left my old neighborhood
And I got me a girl that prays for me
I found a supportive romantic partner who has helped me through my struggles
Lay me bare
I am revealing my most personal and raw emotions through my music
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Christopher Taylor, Eyobed Getachew, Fraser T Smith, Kwabena Adjepong, Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Junior
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Stormzy - 0 to 100 (Lyrics)
I wasnt even gonna do one but...
Fuck your bandanas, we dnot see no colours
I want a holiday, I tell 'er pack your luggage
They're like Stormz, why you only doing covers
I'm sitting on some bangers you can go and such your mothers
But for now I might just take a little tune and then I kill it
We're just warming up a second in minute
Got the E.P coming sooner when we're finished
I just dash my boy a drawer 'nd tell him bin it, OH LORD!
I'm the one to get it popping
I just phone my brudda Flips, we'll go and shop it
Another nigga's talking shit, I need a coffin
And we don't care about your taper when its dropping, nigga oh shit
Promoters on the phone, he's got a booky
I got some pagans on the phone, they say they're looking for me
Got your girlfriend on my phone, she's got some pussy for me
I give my little brudda ?? and make him cook it for me
All this talking's gonna get a nigga into beef shit
I'm on my ????? shit
They're talking recky but them niggas haven't seen shit
I've seen them turn some gangstas into pussies, nigga real quick
Real quick, run Stormz, run Stormz
Please Stormz, that nigga's got a gun Stormz
They love Stormz, so if that nigga bun Stormz
They'll come for him, you can put that on my mum boy
Is this the karma
You're talking doe but you can't even bring your son up
They always miss but they just love the fancy run up
Selfies with my bitch, we're taking pictures looking tun up
And yeah, man I gotta put him on, my brudda's waiting for me
I just had a meeting with my man, he told me 'play it for me'
I aint even saying nothing, please just keep on praying for me
Still a couple niggas that still owe a couple favours for me
But we're gonna cash 'em all in when we need it
Heard your songs, they're kinda wack, yeah I don't feel it
They couldn't say it to my face they had to tweet it
Still thinking why they got me on the remix, that's some other shit
You wanted more, I dropped The Second Quarter through
If he needs it, then I've got a year, I'll sort it through
Yeah we're humble, you won't ever know we brought it through
That brudda's thirsty, can we please just get some water through
And 1 litre, 2 litre, 3 litres man he's thirsty
Couple man are old, they're in their thirties
My brudda stabbed me in my back, he done me dirty
And if I'm down my brudda ?? will reimburse me
Real nigga shit, real nigga shit, yeah
Real nigga shit, real nigga shit, yeah
Murky!!