Unsigned grime artist Stormzy has come third in the BBC’s Sound Of 2015 list, which aims to showcase emerging artists for the coming 12 months.
Born Michael Omari in Croydon, south London, the MC calls himself “a child of grime” who rejected slick US hip-hop for Britain’s harder, grittier scene.
At the age of 11 he was winning rap battles at his local youth club, and his charismatic freestyles have earned him a huge following on YouTube.
Championed by Radio 1Xtra, he became the first unsigned rapper to appear on Later… With Jools Holland last year, going on to win a Mobo for best grime act.
“It’s been beautiful, but there’s been a lot of hard work and thought put into it as well,” he told the BBC.
How does it feel to come third on the Sound Of 2015 list?
“That’s a bit of an overachievement for me, I can’t lie. Especially being an unsigned act and an MC, it’s overwhelming.”
Grime seemed to disappear over the last few years. Why do you think that is?
“I’m not sure why – but one thing I do know is that it never went anywhere. Even though it wasn’t being promoted at a mainstream level, it was still happening.
“For a long time, the scene has needed unity – a few people to come in and do the right thing. So I think me, as a young artist, an upcomer, I just came at the right time.” SOURCE: BBC News
