Stormzy
UK grime icon Stormzy will be at the Dour Festival on Thursday, July 17!
Stormzy, a multi-award-winning musician from South London, England, has captivated audiences with his three critically acclaimed albums—Gang Signs & Prayer, Heavy Is The Head, and This Is What I Mean—all of which debuted at number one on the UK album chart. His first two albums received nominations for the Mercury Music Prize, establishing him as a leading figure in British music.
Alongside his musical success, Stormzy is celebrated for his genuine, relatable personality and his advocacy for social justice and Black empowerment. He has become one of the UK’s most influential voices, using his platform to promote equality, encourage open dialogue, and inspire others to stand up for their rights. In 2019, he made history as the first Black British solo artist to headline the Glastonbury Festival, a landmark achievement that resonated widely.
In July 2018, Stormzy launched #Merky Books, an imprint within Penguin Random House UK, dedicated to elevating new voices in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. A month later, he announced ‘The Stormzy Scholarship,’ an initiative to support Black British students at the University of Cambridge. Since then, the scholarship has funded the education of six Black students, with HSBC UK committing an additional £2 million in 2021, expanding the scholarship’s reach and providing mentorship and internship opportunities for Black Heritage students.
In June 2020, Stormzy extended his philanthropic efforts by establishing the #Merky Foundation, pledging £10 million over ten years to organizations and movements focused on racial equality, justice reform, and the empowerment of Black communities in the UK.
In November 2022, Stormzy launched #Merky FC, a collaboration with Adidas aimed at promoting diversity within the football industry by creating career pathways beyond playing. This initiative reached a new milestone in October 2023 with the opening of the #Merky FC headquarters in Stormzy’s hometown, Croydon, reinforcing its commitment to increasing diversity in football.
In August 2023, Stormzy curated his own headlining day at London’s All Points East (APE) festival, called “This Is What We Mean Day.” Held in Victoria Park, the event featured a lineup of artists personally selected by Stormzy, including Kehlani, Sampha, Knucks, Lucky Daye, WSTRN, and Ms. Banks, with performances on The No Signal Stage and more.
His commitment and talent make him an essential figure, and Dour festival-goers will have the privilege of discovering him on Thursday, July 17. A not-to-be-missed opportunity to experience the power of grime and the impact of an artist who is redefining the boundaries of music and activism!
