Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., known professionally as Stormzy (born July 26, 1993), is a renowned British hip-hop artist, vocalist, and lyricist. In 2014, he rose to prominence in the UK’s underground music circuit with his acclaimed Wicked Skengman series, showcasing his impressive freestyle skills over iconic grime instrumentals. Stormzy’s viral sensation “Shut Up” – initially shared on YouTube as an impromptu freestyle – catapulted him to mainstream success, peaking at number eight on the UK Singles Chart after a grassroots campaign propelled him towards a Christmas chart-topper.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Micheal Ebenezer Kwadjo Owuo Jr. |
| Date Of Birth: | July 26, 1993 |
| Place Of Birth: | Croydon, London, U.k |
| Nationality: | British |
| Occupation: | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter |
| Labels: | 0207 Def jam, Warner |
| Net Worth: | $25 Million |
Early Life And Education
Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., known as Stormzy, was born on July 26, 1993, in Croydon, London, to a Ghanaian mother and a father who worked as a taxi driver. He is also a cousin of the talented rapper Nadia Rose. Stormzy spent his childhood in South Norwood, London, with his mother, brother, and two sisters, in a household that didn’t have a strong musical influence, although he developed a passion for music from a young age.
Stormzy’s educational journey began at Stanley Tech in South Norwood, where he discovered his love for rapping at the age of 11. He would often engage in friendly battles with older rappers at his local youth club, honing his skills and developing his confidence.
Despite his energetic and mischievous nature, which sometimes got him into trouble, Stormzy showed a flair for academics, achieving impressive grades in his GCSEs, with six As, three As, and five Bs.
However, he humbly admits to not meeting his expectations in his A Levels, earning a more modest ABCDE. This experience taught him the importance of hard work and dedication.
Before pursuing his music career, Stormzy completed an apprenticeship in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, and worked in quality assurance at an oil refinery in Southampton, Hampshire, for two years.
Career
Stormzy’s rise to fame began with his Wicked Skengman freestyle series, which made waves in the UK underground music scene. He then released his debut EP, Dreamers Disease, in July 2014, showcasing his talent to a wider audience.
His success was recognized at the MOBO Awards, where he won Best Grime Act in October 2014. He made history as the first unsigned rapper to perform on Later… with Jools Holland, impressing audiences with his performance of “Not That Deep”.
Stormzy’s collaboration with Chip and Shalo on “I’m Fine” further solidified his reputation as a rising star. He was named one of the top 5 artists on BBC Introducing in January 2015, and his single “Know Me From” charted at number 49 in the UK Singles Chart.
The final installment of his WickedSkengMan series, “WickedSkengMan 4”, was released in September 2015, featuring the hit single “Shut Up”, which debuted at number 18 on the UK chart.
The song gained even more momentum after Stormzy performed it during Anthony Joshua’s ring-walk in December 2015. The performance sparked a Christmas number 1 campaign, with fans rallying behind the song. It eventually reached number 8 on the UK Singles Chart, a testament to Stormzy’s growing popularity and influence in the music industry.
In April 2016, Stormzy unleashed the standalone single “Scary” before taking a temporary break from the music scene.
Following a year-long absence from social media, Stormzy made a bold comeback in early February 2017 with a series of cryptic billboard ads across London, featuring the enigmatic hashtag #GSAP 24.02. This mysterious campaign heralded the announcement of his forthcoming album, Gang Signs & Prayer.
The highly anticipated album dropped on 24 February 2017, and its immense popularity propelled it to the top of the UK Albums Chart, debuting at number one on 3 March 2017.
Stormzy’s 2019 Glastonbury performance was a landmark moment, making him the first black British rapper to headline the festival. His set featured a powerful speech and a Banksy-designed vest highlighting knife crime.
With four number one singles and a critically acclaimed album, Heavy Is the Head, Stormzy has cemented his status as a music icon and social activist, recognized as one of the most influential black Britons with a net worth of £20 million.
Stormzy returned with “Mel Made Me Do It” on September 23, 2022, his first solo single since 2020, featuring a star-studded music video.
He announced his third album, This Is What I Mean, on October 12, 2022, which was released on November 25, 2022. The lead single “Hide & Seek” dropped on October 14, 2022, followed by “Toxic Trait” featuring Fredo on June 22, 2023, and “The Weekend” with Raye in July.
Personal Life
Stormzy was born on July 26, 1993, in Croydon, London, to a Ghanaian mother and a taxi driver father. He grew up in South Norwood with his brother and two sisters.
Stormzy is a Christian, he has spoken publicly about his faith and struggles with depression and anxiety.
He has been linked to several celebrities, including Maya Jama and Nadia Rose, but keeps his personal life private. Stormzy is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in education.
Stormzy Net Worth
Stormzy’s net worth is approximately $25 million, generated through a diverse range of sources, including:
– Successful music sales and royalties
– Lucrative brand endorsement deals
– Shrewd business investments
– His charitable scholarship fund
– Ownership of AFC Croydon Athletic, a non-league football club
– Partnership with Adidas in the esports industry