Music
Bar for bar: a track-by-track guide to Stormzy’s Heavy Is The Head
Two years since his debut album shot to the top of the charts, the south London rapper returns with a fresh manifesto. Here’s your guide to the standout bars on each track.
He’s come a long way from rapping in the park.
In the past year alone, Stormzy has: graced the covers of Elle, GQ, and TIME magazine; become the first black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury; scored two number one singles; and somehow still found time to publish two new works through his #Merky Books imprint, and fund more scholarships for black undergraduates accepted to study at Cambridge.
Today’s release of his second album, titled Heavy Is The Head, crowns a blockbuster year for the activist MC. Spanning upfront grime, introspective rap, smooth R&B, and club-ready pop, it’s an impressive effort – and, as expected, there’s plenty to unpack from the songbook too…
One week it's ‘Blinded By Your Grace’ / Next week it's bang you in your face
Song: Big Michael
With a deft nod to a Gang Signs & Prayer highlight, Stormzy sets out his stall for his newest work. In doing so, he points to the versatility of his talent and the nuances of his personality that’ll be reflected over the course of the following 15 tracks.
When Banksy put the vest on me, felt like God was testing me
Song: Audacity (feat. Headie One)
Stormzy narrates the moment reflected in his album artwork: gazing down at the Union Jack-emblazoned stab vest he donned for his headline performance at Glastonbury. Just as on Gang Signs & Prayer, his faith appears as a recurring theme throughout the record.
Bruddas wanna break me down, I can't bear it / But heavy is the head with the crown / I still wear it
Song: Crown
The album takes its title from one of the most pensive – and defiant – moments on the record. Here, and throughout Heavy Is The Head, Stormzy wrestles with the weight of responsibility he’s been granted, and finds himself compelled to continue his mission.
Whenever they say my name, I take a payment / Even when I make it rain, I make a statement
Song: Rainfall (feat. Tiana Major9)
Conjuring memories of his 2018 BRIT Awards performance – in which he called out then-Prime Minister Theresa May and her government from beneath a tranche of pointed rainfall – Stormzy emphasises how he’s used his position of influence as a platform from which to demand change.
Plus I'm multi-talented it's like I'm Donald Glover / Like what the f*** you talking about? I'm Rachael's little brother
Song: Rachael's Little Brother
After listing his accolades or what else he might have been -- “a doctor… a lawyer” -- Stormzy seeks a moment of humility. Despite what the rest of the world sees him as, he’ll always be a little brother to his big sister.
Young, black, fly, and handsome / Bun down the rave like Rachael Anson
Song: Handsome
After an inspirational spoken-word intro from the inimitable J Hus, Stormzy gives another nod to his DJ sister, Rachael Anson, on the boastful, bouncy refrain to Handsome.
Spend time in my sneaks or spend a night in my thoughts / You walk a mile in these, I walk a mile in yours
Song: Do Better
Stormzy has spoken openly about his struggles with mental health, and the pressures his rapid rise have piled onto his shoulders. On Do Better, he works through his drive to do, offer, and be more to more people.
You just chase your dreams / You don't even take the time to sleep / But don't forget to breathe
Song: Don’t Forget To Breathe (feat. YEBBA) (Interlude)
Repeated as a meditative mantra, this refrain feels as much a reminder to Stormzy himself as it is to the listener. Now, breathe.
Mummy always said if there’s a cause then I should fight for it / So yeah I understand, but I don’t think that I’m alright with it
Song: One Second (feat. H.E.R.)
Stormzy is almost as well known for his activism as his music. He’s thrown his cultural weight behind two Labour party election campaigns, justice for the victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and opened up conversations about masculinity and mental health. On One Second he battles self doubt in the face of his struggles.
Ayy, in my city, I'm the top boy / And I didn't even have to be in Top Boy
Song: Pop Boy (feat. Aitch)
Joined by rising Mancunian rapper Aitch for this skippy standout, Stormzy offers a cheeky nod to the star turns of Kano, Dave, Little Simz and others in the acclaimed Channel 4 and Netflix series as he claims his status as the leading MC in the UK.
Lighters in the air when you’re lighting up the rave
Song: Own It (feat. Burna Boy & Ed Sheeran)
Assisted by Burna Boy and Ed Sheeran, Stormzy gives a nostalgic nod to old-school signals of approval in the club on this, the album’s pure pop moment.
If you ain’t got more than five top 10s then I don’t wanna hear no chat about charting
Song: Wiley Flow
Stormzy’s appearances in the upper echelons of the charts – Heavy Is The Head is predicted to match the number one spot achieved by his debut, Gang Signs & Prayer – are notable not just for their frequency but their consistency too. Most UK MCs to hit the same heights have done so sporadically, or by adopting a more commercial sound.
If I say this, they might revolt / But I'm the king of grime by default
Song: Bronze
A fiercely-contested claim in the world of grime – and one that scene elders such as Skepta and Wiley have made in the past – Stormzy argues that his commercial success, and the plaques his records have notched up, give him the kudos required to take the crown.
Try to push us all to the side, we know our rights / Now we get the whole of the pie
Song: Superheroes
Celebrating the “young black kings” and “young black queens,” Stormzy sets out to rewrite historic media narratives of black Brits – calling out their successes and triumphs in the face of adversity.
You cannot imagine how I'm sorry, man, I'm showing you / Now I haven't even got the luxury of knowing you
Song: Lessons
Stormzy addresses his break-up with presenter and model Maya Jama. Appearing to confirm rumours of his infidelity, he asks for forgiveness whilst admitting, were he in her position, he wouldn't feel able to absolve himself either.
Tell them this is London city, we the hottest in the world
Song: Vossi Bop
Stormzy has put his city firmly on the map. And next year’s mammoth world tour will only further cement his status as an international hitmaker.
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