10 Oct 2022
Stormzy has come out of hibernation and is making music again, dropping 'Mel Made Me Do It' on September 22, 2022. The track is his first in many months and has gotten over 3 million views in 4 days on YouTube. He has footballing legends such as Jose Mourinho, Ian Right, iconic DJ Trevor Nelson feature in the video and narration from the award-winning actress and writer Michaela Cole. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2litzsFCwkA As Christians our first thought may not be to listen to a Stormy track however there are some lyrics that we may be interested in paying attention to. With many artists talking about God in their songs despite the fact they're not traditionally known to be 'Christian artists' or make music strictly about Jesus, Stormzy's continued this trend of talking about our Lord and saviour in his music. Although some of the bars are full of profanity and bad language, which many Christians wouldnt approve of, the rapper has ensured the track has some Godly elements that flow through the beginning right through to the end: Beginning We hear Stormzy's mother saying how shes not going economy as Stormzy is her son, presumably referring to catching a flight, to which Stormzy replies mummy, claim it, amen!. Although small, you hear Stormzy using the biblical principles of claiming whats ours and an amen confirmation at his mothers requests.
Mark 11:22-24
And Jesus answered saying to them, Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be taken up and cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.
Middle
Four and a half minutes in to Mel Made Me Do It Stormzy says: Theres a time you should move and a time to be still // a time to destroy and a time to rebuild whilst holding a lighter in a dark room with walls covered in graffiti saying lyrics from the track like you hate on me but were not the same and genius, I couldve clocked Harvard. The style of bars are not dissimilar to the scripture in Ephesians which talks about how theres a time and season for everything:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under heaven:a time to be born and a time to die,a time to plant and a time to uproot,a time to kill and a timeto heal,a time to tear down and a time to build,a time to weep and a timeto laugh,a time to mourn and a time to dance,a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,a time to embrace and a time to refrain,a time to search and a time to give up,a time to keep and a time to throw away,a time to tear and a time to mend,a time to be silent and a time to speak,a time to love and a time to hate,a time for war and a time for peace.
Could the artist holding a light whilst saying these scripture style bars be referring to Jesus being the 'light go the world'?
End
Towards the end of the track theres many lines that hark back to Stormzys belief in God, for example, theres a lot to divide but my God will provide whilst throwing up prayer hands. The final reference is him talking about prayer and fasting whilst surrounded by some of his friends: Ah, man, my enemies are out of breath//I pray, then I fast, then I counter-press// spent a week in the sticks, but tonight, I'm at my South address// ah, you know how it gets//Holy Spirit, that's just how I'm blessed
The Bible says that God is the beginning and the end(Revelation 22:13) so could it have beena poetic decision by Stormzy to ensure He was mentioned at the beginning, middle and the end? We're not sure but it seems fitting nonetheless. Although some Christians wouldnt want to listen to the track because of the lyrics, and it may not be to everyones liking, its clear Stormzy has a belief in God and thanks Him for his success. Hopefully one day we get to hear more about his beliefs and how God has guided him throughout his hugely successful career.
Written by Premier Gospel // Cassandra Maria