With cameos from several pioneers of Black British culture and other prominent people, the single has earned widespread acclaim and garnered more than 500,000 YouTube views within hours of its release.
The unexpected release of Stormzy’s new 11-minute music video featuring a multitude of cameos, including Usain Bolt, Jose Mourinho, and Louis Theroux, has elicited a frenzied response online.
Mel Made Me Do It is the rapper’s first solo album in nearly three years, and his songwriting and delivery skills are on full display throughout the album’s crisp, twisted lyrics.
Without a chorus or hook, the surprise release on Thursday night sparked an instant online outpouring of praise and garnered more than 500,000 YouTube views within hours.
Much of the initial excitement on social media centered on Mourinho’s appearance and allusion to the viral meme of the football manager’s “if I talk, I’m in huge trouble” remark.
There was also significant admiration for cameos by several Black British culture pioneers, including Gabrielle, Ian Wright, Jazzie B, Malorie Blackman, Trevor Nelson, Dave, and JME, as well as a memorial to the late Jamal Edwards, the founder of SBTV.
Stormzy begins the song with him speaking in a theatre: “Since I’ve been the goat for so long, I suppose winning is no longer enjoyable.
Therefore, it is not surprising that they dislike me, as I am the monarch.
The opening lyric contains a likely allusion to rival rapper Chip, who has recorded several so-called diss recordings directed at Stormzy.
Stormzy does not mention him by name, merely rhyming: “Tell me why oh why I should respond to him.
“I abandon him like Kyrie on the rim, hm.”
Despite not being referenced by name, Chip appeared to respond by tweeting, “Why am I trending?”
The film then shows 100m Olympic sprinter Bolt watching a discussion program in which Jonathan Ross and Zeze Millz interview Stormzy, along with Theroux and runner Dina Asher-Smith.
As he sits on the couch saying, “We don’t tell falsehoods,” Louis Theroux – himself the subject of a rap-related meme – interjects, and they both add, “I believe the kids call it no cappin’.”
Later, the film shows a scene of Stormzy standing next to Mourinho, with both men covering their mouths, and samples a famous clip of the former Chelsea manager saying, “I’d rather not talk; if I do, I’ll be in serious trouble.”
Lauryn Hill, another member of hip-hop aristocracy, is honored in another line.
Over a sample of the iconic artist saying “heebie-jeebies” from the 1996 Fugees song Ready Or Not, Stormzy proclaims, “Word to Lauryn, I will die on this Hill.”
The feedback on social media was nearly unanimously positive, with many believing that the artist opted to highlight his ability as a rapper after accusations that his pop star status had eclipsed his ability as a rapper.
Musa Okwonga, a writer and poet, responded to the video as follows: “The new song by Stormzy is wonderful. He has never rhymed so well before. This video is an instant classic due to the brilliant application of patterns and flows. Oh my goodness!”
Jon Denton, a popular YouTuber, has said: “Are you Usain Bolt? Jonathan Ross and Zeze Millz? Oh my gosh, Stormzy has become transparent. He is in the clear.”
