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The title sends a clear message. Head bowed, with a heavy crown, eyes fixed on the bulletproof vest designed by Banksy which defined his iconic headline performance at Glastonbury, one thing is for certain: Stormzy has reclaimed a painful throne. His kingdom is that of politically charged grime music, protesting social injustice, often in support of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. With his second album, the artist born Michael Omari, only 24 years old, punctuates an eventful year for the United Kingdom. It’s no surprise that Heavy Is The Head draws on a wide range of guest stars to ensure a mix of R&B, grime and pop, much like its predecessor Gang Signs & Prayers (2017). Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy enrich the catchy radio-friendly Own It, H.E.R. features on One Second as YEBBA does on Don’t Forget to Breathe. This album sees Stormzy explore a more introspective side to himself (a surprising contrast to some of his previous material), like Lessons which broaches the subject of his very public breakup with Maya Jama. The Croydon MC does not however lose sight of his album’s main objective. With a few nods to the masters of the genre (Wiley Flow, Bronze), Stormzy charges his opus with bangers powered by inescapable beats: if Audacity with Headie One is there to usher in a new generation of rappers, the art of using the right formula of rhymes and beats to drive home a liberal political message is the MO on Vossi Bop (see the huge crowd at Glastonbury singing back the lyrics “I could never die, I’m Chuck Norris/Fuck the government and fuck Boris”). With Shut Up and its millions of views on YouTube, Stormzy had already laid the groundwork for making grime mainstream in 2015, but now it’s a fact. © Charlotte Saintoin/Qobuz
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Fraser T Smith, Additional Production, Drum Programmer - Carlos Sosa, Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, Baritone Saxophone - Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - Fernando Castillo, Fluegel Horn, Trumpet - Fred, Producer, Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer, Backing Vocals, Bass, Synthesizer - Raul Vallejo, Trombone - Michael Freeman, Assistant Mix Engineer - Paul Armstrong, Trumpet - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Courtney Brown, Bass Trombone - Manon Grandjean, Engineer - Michael Omari, Composer - Fred Gibson, Composer - Yelfris Valdes, Trumpet - Theon Cross, Tuba - Nathaniel Cross, Trombone - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mix Engineer - Harpaal Sanghera, AssistantEngineer
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Fraser T Smith, Composer, Producer, Drums, Keyboards, Bass Programmer - Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Darren Jones, Engineer, Programmer - Joker, Mixer - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Manon Grandjean, Engineer - Michael Omari, Composer - Headie One, Composer, FeaturedArtist - Harpaal Sanghera, AssistantEngineer
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hastag Merky Music Limited under exclusive License to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited
MJ Cole, Producer, Engineer, Keyboards, Drum Programmer - Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - James Napier, Writer - Lawrence Johnson, Choir Arranger, Choral Backing Vocals Vocals - Wendi Rose, Choral Backing Vocals Vocals - Michael Freeman, Mixer - Wayne Hernandez, Choral Backing Vocals Vocals - Jimmy Napes, Producer - Duncan Fuller, Engineer - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Patricia Scott, Choral Backing Vocals Vocals - LJ Singers, Choir - Matthew James Firth Coleman, Writer - Gus Pirelli, Recording - Michael Omari, Writer - Matt Wolach, Mixer - Margo Muzangaza, Choral Backing Vocals Vocals - Rachael Sanniez, Choral Backing Vocals Vocals - Tarna-Renae Johnson, Choral Backing Vocals Vocals
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Erica Campbell, Composer - Warryn Campbell, Composer - Jonathan Lee, Drums, Keyboards, Programmer, Synthesizer - Tina Campbell, Composer - Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - Darren Jones, Engineer, Programmer - Michael Freeman, Assistant Mix Engineer - Jonny Breakwell, AssistantEngineer - Jay Weathers, Composer, Producer - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Teni Tinks, Backing Vocals - Michael Omari, Composer - Alastair O'Donnell, Composer - AOD, Guitar, Additional Production - Claude Vause, AssistantEngineer - Tiana Major9, FeaturedArtist - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mix Engineer - Kassa 'PRGSHN' Alexander, Vocal Production
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Cherise Roberts, Composer - Nadia Shepherd, Composer - Thelma Howell, Composer - Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - Darren Jones, Engineer - Michael Brown, Composer - Michael Freeman, Assistant Mix Engineer - Michael Mugisha, Composer - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Manon Grandjean, Engineer - EY, Producer, Programmer - Eyobed Getachew, Composer - Temi Aisida, Composer - John Horsley, Composer - Michael Omari, Composer - 169, Additional Production, Drum Programmer - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mix Engineer - Adbul Bello, Composer
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - T-Minus, Producer, Arranger, Drums, Bass - Tyler Williams, Composer - Darren Jones, Engineer, Programmer, Musician - Michael Freeman, Assistant Mix Engineer - Frank Dukes, Composer, Producer - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Kaan, Composer, Piano - Michael Omari, Composer - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mix Engineer - Harpaal Sanghera, AssistantEngineer
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Fraser T Smith, Composer, Producer, Drums, Keyboards, Piano, Bass Programmer - Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - LaDonna Harley-Peters, Backing Vocals - Michael Freeman, Assistant Mix Engineer - Dion Wardle, Keyboards, Electric Piano - Phebe Edwards, Backing Vocals - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Manon Grandjean, Engineer - Michael Omari, Backing Vocals - Olivia Williams, Backing Vocals - Tobie Tripp, Viola, Violin - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mix Engineer - Harpaal Sanghera, AssistantEngineer
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Fraser T Smith, Producer, Engineer - Paul Epworth, Composer - Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - Darren Jones, Engineer, Programmer - Michael Freeman, Assistant Mix Engineer - Dion Wardle, Keyboards, Piano - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Manon Grandjean, Engineer - Michael Omari, Composer - Claude Vause, AssistantEngineer - YEBBA, FeaturedArtist - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mix Engineer - Harpaal Sanghera, AssistantEngineer - Kassa 'PRGSHN' Alexander, Producer, Vocal Production
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Records Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - Darren Jones, Engineer - Michael Freeman, Assistant Mix Engineer - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Manon Grandjean, Engineer - Owen Cutts, Composer, Producer, Drums, Organ - Michael Omari, Composer - Alastair O'Donnell, Composer - AOD, Bass Guitar, Additional Production - Dan Caplen, Composer, Piano, Backing Vocals, Wurlitzer - H.E.R., FeaturedArtist - 169, Drums, Additional Production, Drum Programmer - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mix Engineer - Harpaal Sanghera, AssistantEngineer - Shaun Barret Hypertone, Vocal Production
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Records Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - Fred, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer, Backing Vocals, Bass, Synthesizer - Toddla T, Producer - Michael Freeman, Assistant Mix Engineer - Aitch, FeaturedArtist - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Manon Grandjean, Engineer - Thomas Mackenzie Bell, Composer - Michael Omari, Composer - Fred Gibson, Composer - RØMANS, Additional Production - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mix Engineer - Adrian Mcleod, Additional Bass, Omnichord Synthesizer - Harrison Armstrong, Composer - Luke Farnell, Vocal Recording Engineer - Harpaal Sanghera, AssistantEngineer
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Records Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Jonathan Lee, Drums, Programmer - Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - Darren Jones, Engineer, Programmer - Fred, Producer, Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer, Backing Vocals, Bass, Synthesizer - Ed Sheeran, Composer, FeaturedArtist - Michael Freeman, Assistant Mix Engineer - Jay Weathers, Composer, Additional Production - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Manon Grandjean, Engineer - Burna Boy, FeaturedArtist - Damini Ogulu, Composer - Michael Omari, Composer - Fred Gibson, Composer - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mix Engineer - Harpaal Sanghera, AssistantEngineer
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Darren Jones, Engineer, Programmer - Joker, Mixer - Henkka Niemistö, Masterer - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - EY, Producer, Programmer - Fateh Mohammed Aminur Rahman, Writer - Eyobed Getachew, Writer - Michael Omari, Writer - Adotskitz, Producer - Richard Kylea Cowie Jr, Writer - Harpaal Sanghera, AssistantEngineer - !llminds, Producer
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Jonathan Lee, Composer, Drums, Keyboards, Programmer, Synthesizer - Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Joker, Mixer - Cardiak, Producer - Jay Weathers, Producer - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Manon Grandjean, Engineer - Michael Omari, Composer - Harpaal Sanghera, AssistantEngineer
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Jonathan Lee, Composer, Drums, Keyboards, Programmer, Synthesizer - Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - Darren Jones, Engineer, Programmer - Michael Freeman, AssistantEngineer - Natalie Jordan, Composer - Jay Weathers, Composer, Producer - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Michael Omari, Composer - Alastair O'Donnell, Composer - AOD, Producer, Guitar - Brian Steven Harris, Composer - Tiana Major9, Backing Vocals - Matt Wolach, AssistantEngineer - Nigel Philip Lowis, Composer - Kassa 'PRGSHN' Alexander, Vocal Production
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - Darren Jones, Engineer, Programmer - Michael Freeman, Assistant Mix Engineer - Ed Thomas, Composer, Producer, Engineer, Keyboards, Drum Programmer, Bass - J Warner, Composer - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Michael Omari, Composer - Alessandro Di Camillo, AssistantEngineer - Matt Wolach, Assistant Mix Engineer - Harpaal Sanghera, AssistantEngineer - Kassa 'PRGRSHN' Alexander, Backing Vocals
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Stuart Hawkes, Masterer - Mark "Spike" Stent, Mixer - Darren Jones, Programmer - Michael Freeman, Mixer - William Anderson, Writer - Liam Nolan, Engineer - Stormzy, Vocals, MainArtist - Michael Omari, Writer - Matt Wolach, Mixer - Chris Andoh, Producer, Drums, Programmer - Dakarai Forbes, Writer - Chris Andoh-Munar, Writer
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive license to Atlantic Records UK, a division of Warner Music UK Limited.
Album review
The title sends a clear message. Head bowed, with a heavy crown, eyes fixed on the bulletproof vest designed by Banksy which defined his iconic headline performance at Glastonbury, one thing is for certain: Stormzy has reclaimed a painful throne. His kingdom is that of politically charged grime music, protesting social injustice, often in support of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. With his second album, the artist born Michael Omari, only 24 years old, punctuates an eventful year for the United Kingdom. It’s no surprise that Heavy Is The Head draws on a wide range of guest stars to ensure a mix of R&B, grime and pop, much like its predecessor Gang Signs & Prayers (2017). Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy enrich the catchy radio-friendly Own It, H.E.R. features on One Second as YEBBA does on Don’t Forget to Breathe. This album sees Stormzy explore a more introspective side to himself (a surprising contrast to some of his previous material), like Lessons which broaches the subject of his very public breakup with Maya Jama. The Croydon MC does not however lose sight of his album’s main objective. With a few nods to the masters of the genre (Wiley Flow, Bronze), Stormzy charges his opus with bangers powered by inescapable beats: if Audacity with Headie One is there to usher in a new generation of rappers, the art of using the right formula of rhymes and beats to drive home a liberal political message is the MO on Vossi Bop (see the huge crowd at Glastonbury singing back the lyrics “I could never die, I’m Chuck Norris/Fuck the government and fuck Boris”). With Shut Up and its millions of views on YouTube, Stormzy had already laid the groundwork for making grime mainstream in 2015, but now it’s a fact. © Charlotte Saintoin/Qobuz
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 16 track(s)
- Total length: 00:53:53
- Main artists: Stormzy
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Atlantic Records UK
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
© 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited. ℗ 2019 An Atlantic Records UK release. (p) © 2019 Hashtag Merky Music Limited under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited.
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