Stormzy Unveils Video For 'This Is What I Mean' Title Track
Monday, 28 November 2022
Written by Jon Stickler
Stormzy has dropped a video for the title track of 'This Is What I Mean'.
The clip was shot during the album's launch party in Soho, London last Thursday night (November 24), with the clip arriving the following day.
It sees the superstar alongside Jacob Collier, Amaarae, Black Sherif, Ms. Banks and Storry, who all contributed to the track, which is propelled by a hip hop-leaning, reggaeton groove. In a message posted to social media accompanying the LP's release, Stormzy wrote:
"When Tyler, The Creator released the masterpiece that is 'IGOR' he shared a message with it and I wanted to do the same but I was hesitant. Mainly because I would love for my music to do all the talking but I thought I’d share this message anyway.
I do a lot of interviews and I forget that everything I say will be shared far and wide, which is probably naive of me. Things that I say in real life don’t feel the same when I see it in text. I feel like I overshare, which makes me feel naked at times. But I do it so that you guys can understand me a bit better and to give the art that I make some context. I’m never ever purposely trying to defy genres or go against the grain. I’m never tryna do what is unexpected of me or what is expected of me. If I rap for 7 minutes it’s because in my spirit, in that moment, I just really wanted to fucking rap. If I sing my heart out then it’s because my soul just absolutely had to. I love music. I love, love loveeeee music. I will rap for the rest of my life, I will sing for the rest of my life, I will make art for the rest of my life. And at no point will I ever do any of those things for any other reason than I JUST WANTED TO AND IT JUST FELT GOOD. I am not a calculated mastermind with the ability to gauge what kind of music to make and when I’ll make it, I literally just feel and then let it out. People been tryna box me in for years but I hope this chapter at least makes my biggest critic say “hey, he’s shit but he loves music and I guess he’s gonna do whatever he likes” lol.
I pray you listen to this album in your own time, whenever you can. Listen to it properly with no distractions. I pray you listen to this album with an open heart and if you hate it after I promise to God I’m perfectly fine with that, I’m just grateful that you listened with openness. I pray that it moves you and captures your imagination. And I pray that someone, somewhere, feels it."
As part of the celebrations for the record, Amazon Music will host a livestream event at Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall on November 30. This Is What I Mean - Live From Queen Elizabeth Hall will be streamed via Amazon Music UK's Twitch channel, and will see Stormzy talk about the album and his #Merky foundation with host Julie Adenuga. He'll also perform some songs live. Head here for details.
Additionally, Stormzy was recently confirmed as the first headliner for the 2023 instalment of London's All Points East. He'll curate and top the bill at Victoria Park on August 18, with the day being billed as This Is What We Mean Day.
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