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.
Scary
Stormzy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scary
(Sounds of the sir)
I'm going away for a bit, when I'm back
Nobody's saying my name on a track
When I get nervous, man, I start merking
"Skengman 5" when I'm under attack
Come into a nuclear war with a strap
You can tell me to shut up, we'll both say shut up
When I say "shut up", I get a plaque
Difference, might come through all blacked
Tings in the front row screaming out "brap"
#Merky2016
Oh, you thought it was gonna fall back?
They think that I get paid in brand new clothes
Like why would I mug myself?
Plus Apple Music gave me a brand new show
Little nigga, I'll plug myself
Plug my scene, plug my guys
This ting's more than a buzz, don't lie
Wanna be a G? Real thugs don't cry
Looking at Stormz like "the cunt won't die"
Fuckboys soon get hit with the karma
Leave man pissed like he split with his partner
I ain't got a brand new chain or a Roley
Then I said "Mum, buy a business in Ghana," I'll cop that straight
Stop dat, start dat, get dat weight
Man talk greaze but I bet that's fake
Dem boy dere never dropped no heat
Therefore, I will not check man's tape
Kick a man's face like Ong-Bak
Blacked-out Adidas kicks and my combats
Please don't put no Coke in my cognac
Rudeboy, suck your mum, I ain't on that
Yeah, pull it up, rewind it
All the gun talk, I don't even mind it
But don't get gassed 'cause you got the headline
You only got it cause I declined it
Lost my faith, then I went to find it
Never been a fluke, man, I came and timed it
Mandem are shook, better watch the throne now
And if you can't see me, look behind it, pussy
Yeah
Scary
Assassination
Yo (sounds of the)
I'm going away for a bit, when I'm back
Nobody's saying my name in their raps
When I get angry, man, I move anti
Turn Big Mike when I'm under attack
Album's here, can you smell that cooking?
Man wanna chat 'bout the proof's in the pudding
Tell me to shut up, we'll both say shut up
When I say "Shut Up", I get a booking
Difference, box in the face, man hook him
#Merky events, might book him
Man try say it when I see him, it's peak
Man have been out here for days, stop looking
That loud pack's not a ten like mine
Dem boy can't rep your ends like mine
Put a big strap to your hairline, boy
Push that back, get an M like mine
None of these youts got a pen like mine
Did you hear my man's send? I'm dying
Anywhere I go, got my bro with the smoke
Yeah, man, we all need a friend like mine
Dem man know that I spun the remix
Tried put faith in the non-believers
Man keep saying that I'm overrated
I'm like "yeah, cool, but I'm undefeated"
Peng tings in Dubai, I spot them by the pool
Taught to fight but not to fight with tools
Dropped my pride, I lost a fight in school
On the mic or off the mic, I'm cool
See all the pricks and the hate, I love it
Even though I laugh in my snaps, don't chuck it
Everybody's talking light so fuck it
Boy, if I spit on your tune, I'll buss it
Yeah
Scary
(Sounds of the)
#Merky2016
Boy!
Stormzy's song Scary showcases the artist's confidence and assertiveness. The opening lines reveal that Stormzy is taking a break from music and that he expects not to be mentioned in his absence. Stormzy warns any critics who decide to speak out against him during his hiatus, stating that his retaliation will be swift and powerful. He uses the metaphor of being a "skengman" to emphasize that he goes on the offensive when provoked. The track is full of confidence as he boasts about his achievements and declares himself king of the grime scene.
Stormzy implies that he is superior to other artists, as they follow his footsteps, saying he declines opportunities they get. Stormzy boasts about his success all throughout the song, saying that he is worth more than new clothes and jewellery and that his music has given him financial independence. He also expresses his love for his audience and sells out his merchandise, which represents his fan base.
Furthermore, Stormzy takes a moment to reflect on the grime genre as a whole. He criticizes those who pretend to be tough and gang-like without having any real experiences to base it on. He uses his own experiences as an example of what it means to truly be a thug. Overall, "Scary" by Stormzy is an embodiment of the grime genre; it's brash, confident, and doesn't hold back any punches when it comes to displaying the artist's ego.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going away for a bit, when I'm back
I'll be taking a break, but I'll return
Nobody's saying my name on a track
No one is dissing me in their lyrics
When I get nervous, man, I start merking
When threatened, I'll stand my ground and fight back
"Skengman 5" when I'm under attack
I'll use the fifth track from my mixtape as my motivation to fight back
Should've thought twice before you opened your trap
Watch what you say before starting beef with me
Come into a nuclear war with a strap
Engaging in a deadly battle with me is futile
You can tell me to shut up, we'll both say shut up
You can tell me to be quiet, but you'll respond the same way
When I say "shut up", I get a plaque
My fans appreciate me telling people off in my music
Difference, might come through all blacked
I show up wearing all black to intimidate
Tings in the front row screaming out "brap"
Girls are screaming out their support for me at the concert
#Merky2016
This will be a big year for me and my fans (may not be applicable since 2016 is long gone)
Oh, you thought it was gonna fall back?
You underestimated me and thought I wouldn't come back strong
They think that I get paid in brand new clothes
Some people think my success is measured by my wardrobe, but it's not true
Like why would I mug myself?
Why would I spend all my money on clothes when I can benefit financially from my music?
Plus Apple Music gave me a brand new show
I have new opportunities, like having a show on a popular streaming service
Little nigga, I'll plug myself
I don't need anyone else to help promote my music, I can do it on my own
Plug my scene, plug my guys
I'll promote my music and my group of collaborators
This ting's more than a buzz, don't lie
My music has more substance and meaning than people give it credit for
Wanna be a G? Real thugs don't cry
Being tough means not showing vulnerability or emotions
Looking at Stormz like "the cunt won't die"
People are surprised that I'm still relevant and successful after all this time
Fuckboys soon get hit with the karma
People who try to bring me down will experience the consequences of their actions
Leave man pissed like he split with his partner
My success angers those who couldn't break me down, leaving them feeling hurt
I ain't got a brand new chain or a Roley
Despite my success, I don't need to show off to others with material goods
Then I said "Mum, buy a business in Ghana," I'll cop that straight
Instead of spending money on a new chain, I'll use that money to invest in my mom's business
Stop dat, start dat, get dat weight
Keep moving forward and taking on new opportunities
Man talk greaze but I bet that's fake
People talk trash, but they're not actually as tough as they say
Dem boy dere never dropped no heat
Those guys have never released a hit song
Therefore, I will not check man's tape
I won't listen to someone's music if I know they're not good enough
Kick a man's face like Ong-Bak
I'll go all out in a physical fight if it comes down to it
Blacked-out Adidas kicks and my combats
I wear all black, including my shoes and pants
Please don't put no Coke in my cognac
Don't mess with my drink by adding anything to it without my permission
Rudeboy, suck your mum, I ain't on that
I won't stoop to someone else's level by disrespecting them like that
All the gun talk, I don't even mind it
I'm not bothered by other musicians talking about their guns in their lyrics
But don't get gassed 'cause you got the headline
Just because you have a popular song doesn't mean you're better than me
You only got it cause I declined it
I turned down that song before, so someone else took it
Lost my faith, then I went to find it
I had a moment of doubt, but I overcame it and found my confidence again
Never been a fluke, man, I came and timed it
My success wasn't just a coincidence, I worked for it and the timing was right
Mandem are shook, better watch the throne now
My competition is scared of me and I'm a major threat to them
And if you can't see me, look behind it, pussy
If you don't recognize my talent, then you're not looking hard enough
Assassination
I'm coming at my competition with a fierce and deadly force (may not be applicable since it's just an interjection)
Album's here, can you smell that cooking?
My new album is coming soon and it's going to be great
Man wanna chat 'bout the proof's in the pudding
People want to talk about how good I am only after I've already proven myself
When I say "Shut Up", I get a booking
People love it when I tell someone off in my music, which leads to me getting booked for more shows
Difference, box in the face, man hook him
I'll physically fight back and hit someone in the face if they come at me
#Merky events, might book him
People love me and have been coming to all of my shows; it's likely that they'll come again if I get booked for another event
Man try say it when I see him, it's peak
If someone tries to talk trash to my face, they'll receive the harsh consequences
Man have been out here for days, stop looking
I've been in the game for a long time and have already proven myself, so stop underestimating me
That loud pack's not a ten like mine
My weed is better quality than those other guys
Dem boy can't rep your ends like mine
Other guys can't represent their hometown like I do
Put a big strap to your hairline, boy
I'll physically hurt someone and draw blood if they try to mess with me
Push that back, get an M like mine
Move aside and try to be like me and make money
None of these youts got a pen like mine
Other musicians don't have the kind of lyricism skills that I do
Did you hear my man's send? I'm dying
My collaborators are so good that I'm blown away by their talent
Anywhere I go, got my bro with the smoke
I'll always have my friend with me, ready for anything
Yeah, man, we all need a friend like mine
I have great friends who are always there for me
Dem man know that I spun the remix
Other musicians know that I did a better job with the remix than they did
Tried put faith in the non-believers
I tried to win over the people who didn't believe in my talent
Man keep saying that I'm overrated
People think I'm not as good as I really am
I'm like "yeah, cool, but I'm undefeated"
I don't care if people think I'm overrated because I'm still winning and haven't lost a battle
Peng tings in Dubai, I spot them by the pool
I see attractive girls while on vacation in Dubai by the pool
Taught to fight but not to fight with tools
I know how to physically fight, but I won't use weapons because it's not honorable
Dropped my pride, I lost a fight in school
I got into a fight in school and even though I lost, I learned to let go of my pride
On the mic or off the mic, I'm cool
Whether I'm performing music or not, I'm always calm and collected
See all the pricks and the hate, I love it
I enjoy the criticism and negativity because it motivates me to prove people wrong
Even though I laugh in my snaps, don't chuck it
Don't be fooled by my lighthearted social media posts, I'm still a fierce competitor
Everybody's talking light so fuck it
People are underestimating me, but I don't care because I'll prove them wrong
Boy, if I spit on your tune, I'll buss it
If I collaborate on someone else's song, I'll make it so good that it becomes a hit
Assassination
Again, coming at my competition with a fierce and deadly force (may not be applicable since it's just an interjection)
Boy!
An expression of dominance and challenge towards others
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL EBENAZER KWADJO OMARI OWUO JUNIOR, KARL JOSEPH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Xerxes BFG
@Blashyrkh1993
Ah is it? That's fair, i had the same problem not so long ago tbh mate, it's kinda hard to start the journey with anyone beastly, cos they're so underground. Ahahaha, I wouldn't say I have many street credentials either, I just love the music, and having grown up in London I know the scene reasonably well, and don't mind putting down some "road manz" ahaha :P
As for names... whew.. We could be here for a few years!
I'd advise starting off with the ones I mentioned in my earlier comments (if you haven't already) but you'll have to tell me what you're after man! You a Flow stylist? You into your lyricism? Complexity? Truth? Or you want the best of it all?
Global Faction is a good one to try, should lead you to some dope shit. Otherwise i'd say - just to start - Akala, Lowkey, Black the Ripper, Mic Righteous, Logic (UK), Wretch 32 (Fire in the Booth with Avelino was fucking ... wow. Like really... I listened to it repeatedly for like a month. Still know every lyric.) - though most of his stuff is a bit meh in my opinion. Bugsy has some nice flows, I appreciate. Found this kid called NxtGen who is actually pretty sick too. I can't remember most of them tbh, I've been spending too much time listening to instrumentals lately, keeping the lyrics flowing ya know ;) When |I need something new I just try a few things on Global Faction and generally ind something good.
As for others, there's the obvious like Pac, Immortal Tech, R.A Rugged Man, MosDef, etc. but i found a few other sick artists from the states, like DISL (again I think it started with Global Faction!)
So yeah, subscribe to their shit, and follow the advice of the wonderful listeners - they'll put you onto some FIRE!
Sorry I couldn't think of anything new, If I recall anything especially beastly I'll hit you up ;)
Sorry for long message too... :L
Ben Anderson
Over 2 years later and this song still makes me want to go out and dropkick someone down some stairs
Branny Visualz
facts
SykoSkeleton
Ksi bigger and badda than any man here trust me
steven silvestro
I've done that before! 😅😅
Surrester
@anthony tompkins lol
Ashton MCG
Over 2 years later and this comment has been seen while I’m still gassed about this song
Lance Martin
Man's rapping about buying his mom her dream business instead of buying a chain or a roley. This is real music. Mad respect
RY P
Mumzy gets her dreams before you get your own. Standard.
Milky
@Neena theyre talking about the artist being real, and thinking logically, not flexing and dumb shit
Jake
Now it’s all he raps about