On ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’, Stormzy Stands Out In A Crowded Grime Scene
The British MC combines numerous inspirations for a solid debut album.
Grime, a sub-genre of hip hop heralded by English rappers, sits muddled among other popular sub-genres. It hasn’t died like cloud rap or drill, but it certainly didn’t explode like Atlanta’s trap or the ratchet sound from the Bay Area. That’s not to say it’s bad, but it certainly isn’t something you’re going to hear on American radio stations very often. I feel like the blame on that could be grime’s lack of diversity. The sound never evolved beyond its orchestral roots and its rappers rarely do anything to stand out themselves lyrically, especially most non-black rappers in the genre that adopt this nasally, repetitive tone similar to Eminem’s Slim Shady persona. Because of this there have only been a handful of standout artists like Dizzee Rascal, Kano, Wiley, and the reigning king of grime Skepta.
Skepta’s Mercury Prize-winning album Konnichiwa from last year brought back an identity to grime, one of contempt and interrogation towards the numerous things like the police and the government. Stormzy picks up that baton of revitalization while bringing along his own style and inspirations. The execution of blending methodology, old and original, is done very well.
A handful of tracks are straight, classic grime tracks that don’t really help the genre’s cause. They’re fine enough, but I don’t see Stormzy dethroning Skepta anytime soon with them. On the other hand, there are a few songs that couldn’t be further from grime or hip hop as a whole. They are straight ballads, wonderful segments that align more with R&B. These are songs like Blinded By Your Grace (Parts 1 & 2) and 21 Gun Salute. They’re slow and soulful, and though no one is going to confuse him with James Blake in terms of vocal chops, Stormzy proves himself to be a more than content crooner.
Where the album really takes off though is when he mashes up these styles, combining sultry production with stellar rapping or, vice versa, more typical grime production with breathier vocals. In this sense the album reminds me a lot of something Drake would put out, especially around the time of his Take Care album. The Canadian rapper has been somewhat of an ambassador for grime, helping it expand to North American audiences, along with Skepta and his collaborations with many American rap acts. Stormzy, along with Fraser T Smith who produced the bulk of the album, delivers on these tracks consistently. There’s the Lily Allen and Kehlani featuring Cigarettes & Cush, a straight slow jam and an ode to good times with a good girl. Velvet, with the heavily influenced Drake-style production down to the chipmunk sample, is another super romantic sounding song. Then there’s 100 Bags, a catchy yet sweet tribute to Stormzy’s mom (cutely referred to as Mumzy).
What separates it from Drake comparisons is the rest of the material put into the album, which divides itself between ideas of religion and ideas of street credibility. The themes of Stormzy’s faith weren’t ones I expected to explore going into the album, but they’re a welcome surprise and a subject matter that aren’t heavily explored by popular artists that aren’t named Chance The Rapper. It’s most prominent in the album closer Lay Me Bare, an extremely emotional song, pleading to God to come back into his life and bring happiness back into his life. And of course all the other straightforward grime songs on the album focus on that street cred that Drake is often speculated to lack.
Overall, Gang Signs & Prayer stays true to it’s name while delivering songs that are consistently great while also never feeling repetitive through it’s smart tracklist placing. Stormzy isn’t taking over the grime scene with this album, but he’s quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His passion and creativity should be recognized and not ignored because of the genre his music occupies. And hopefully other rising grime MCs take notes and find ways to stand out on their own.
