Stormzy backs Christmas number one campaign in new interview

Photo: Wenn

Grime superstar, Stormzy, has lashed out at Donald Trump and backed a new campaign to get hit single ‘Shut Up’ to Christmas number one in a recent interview. The Croydon MC capped off an impressive year by performing at last weekend’s huge boxing showdown at the O2 Arena.

The rising 22-year-old first made waves when ‘WickedSkengMan 4’ became the highest ever charting freestyle rap, entering at number 18. He then followed it up with two MOBO Awards, including one for Best Male Act.

But undoubtedly the rapper’s biggest moment in the spotlight came on Saturday night, when he introduced British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua to the ring at London’s O2 Arena. Performing standout single, ‘Shut Up’, it was a fitting introduction to a global stage of millions of boxing fans – and it may have well set the wheels in motion for world domination.

Watch footage of the ring walk below:

Now Stormzy has described the surreal experience in an interview with The Lad Bible. “It was the most electrifying thing I've ever done in my entire life. He [Anthony Joshua] showed my music some love on Twitter and he was my favourite boxer so I was gassed,” he explained. “He hit me up saying he had an idea, but he was so humble about it. He said maybe you could walk me out at the fight. I was like 'bruv, you don't even need to ask me that'. It was sick.”

The performance clearly made a profound impression, immediately becoming the catalyst for a campaign to get the Stormzy track to Christmas number one. The man himself has even backed the chart push, spreading the hashtag #ShutUpForXmasNo1. Explaining his attempts to hijack the Christmas top 40, he said: “I don't know, man. I'm a bit crazy so sometimes I just get these mad ideas that, on paper, aren't even possible. But in my head I just think 'yeah, fuck it, let's do it.'”

Since its upload on 17 May, the hit single has racked up almost 14 million hits – which is unprecedented territory for a grime track. But who would the Londoner, also known as Big Mike, like to Shut Up? “At this moment in time it'd be Donald Trump. He just chats shit. Crazy shit. Like how the fuck does he get away with that? I don't even take him seriously,” he responded.

While Stormzy’s contingent of followers continues to grow, many are now asking questions about the elusive debut album. Unfortunately, the ‘Know Me From’ MC remained pretty tight-lipped, but insisted that it will drop at some point next year. “An album in 2016. That's the biggest thing on my list. I can't put a date on it but it'll 100% be next year,” he confirmed.

Below: Wireless Festival photos of Kendrick Lamar, Stormzy and Childish Gambino