by Stormzy (featuring Headie One)
Album: Heavy Is the Head (2019)
Charted: 6
Here, Stormzy considers the "audacity" of younger rappers. Though they are less influential and experienced than the Croydon MC, they are still trying to move in on his territory.
Them likkle fish want to try a ting
Oh man, the audacity
Elsewhere in the song, Stormzy touches on his appeal to women ("they go mad for me") and his game-changing career ("I changed the game drastically").
Throughout Heavy is the Head, Stormzy lays himself bare about the weight of expectation that befalls a man ordained as the voice of young black youth. He ends this song with a reference to his 2018 Glastonbury headline slot when he wore a stab-proof Union Jack vest.
When Banksy put the vest on me
Felt like God was testing me
The body armor, designed by Banksy, was interpreted as a comment on the rise of knife crime in London.
Tottenham rapper Headie One contributes a verse in which he boasts about his toughness and references several footballers.
The beat comes courtesy of Fraser T Smith, who produced most of Stormzy's Gang Signs & Prayer album. He has also worked with Adele ("Set Fire to the Rain") and Dave ("Question Time").
More songs from Stormzy
More songs from Headie One
Lyrics to Audacity
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