BLK BRIT Takes: This Is What We Mean Day
Image via Khali Photography
Picture this…happy festival goers, smiling faces, electrifying energy, the sounds of laughter and a whole heap of talented artists, all on 86 hectares of land to give you a day you won't forget!
On Friday 18th August 2023, Stormzy not only brought the best vibes with him (and some rain), but his alluring and charming self to grace East London’s Victoria Park, with a performance so powerful that even the torrential rain couldn’t stop him. Stormzy started his set with a low calming spirit, taking fans back to last year when he released his third studio album ― This Is What I Mean. The show begins with Fire + Water and we hear Stormzy flex his vocal cords whilst looking deep into the crowd as he soaks up the moment. He continues to use his singing voice in Firebabe alongside rising UK Soul Singer Debbie Ehirim, whose voice penetrates the park leaving everyone in awe, you just can't help but stop, stare and feel every lyric.
Firebabe has a powerful, soothing effect, as the tone remains peaceful and calm, both Stormzy and Debbie put the crowd at ease and eventually we understand the magic behind this album as Stormzy reveals: “this album reflects a very specific time in my life. The word that comes to mind is ‘stillness’”. Boy, were we still, as we listened and watched both artists compliment each other on a song describing love at first sight. Stormzy shares how he spent a lot of time reflecting whilst making this album and whilst we all sing along, Stormzy is genuinely touched and shocked as everyone knows the words to almost all the songs.
If there is one thing that Stormzy’s going to do, it’s extend thank you’s to his fans whilst showing gratitude: “London, how we feeling tonight? I can’t believe there’s this much people…London, I love you from the bottom of my heart. I know every artist says that but this is my hometown...I will love you till the day I die and I’ll never stop saying ‘thank you’.” You hear how genuine he is in his tone and how appreciative he is by sharing how much his fans have changed not only his life but his family life. He gives off a warm presence that is just undeniable and one where you can't help but just smile. He deserves it all!
Image via Isha Sha
The set progresses as we hear amazing sounds from songs like Hide and Seek, Own It, when Stormzy rapped “Let the rain fall on my enemies” - it literally rained harder. The scenes were cinematic! He continued with Give It To The Water, Please and Sampha’s Plea, where Sampha blessed us with his presence on stage. The song acts as an interlude before the vibe changes and things get heavy…
There is a pause and a strong build up of tension. The energetic, electrifying Stormzy comes to life, whilst the heavy bass from Big For Your Boots, Where Do You Know Me From and Toxic Trait brings all 50,000 festival goers to jump, scream and bounce so vigorously, whilst shouting lyrics from the bottom of their lungs. Shut Up which is an absolute anthem has everyone singing in harmony and takes us back to the Stormzy we first knew and loved. He raps so confidently and his energy is infectious as everyone screws their face and screams: “The man in your vids? Back up dancer!”. He then switches gears and we’re now all bopping to Vossi Bop whilst we see Stormzy bounce and grin as he continues to get the crowd hyped up. His stage presence is unmatched as he truly does know how to control the crowd and engage everyone - his music speaks for itself!
The tempo gets soft again and if you know Stormzy then you know, God is at the focal point of everything that he does. He takes us to church as he gives praise and worship to God adding a gospel flavour to his set. We continue to hear more tracks from This Is What I Mean towards the end of the show, as it ends with My Presidents Are Black with Stormzy rapping and reminding us that God is engineering his greatness. There is a grand finale of fireworks, tons of rain with many happy people and now, what is the memory of a day which will go down in the history books!
This Is What We Mean came and delivered. On the West Stage, Kehlani delivered old-school RnB with a live soul band, underneath a tent towards the east side, WSTRN reminded everyone why they are West London’s greatest Hip Hop collective and played a whole heap of bangers whilst revealing an exclusive. Artists such as Kuncks, Ms Banks, Nippa (and more) also graced us with their presence and blessed us with their vibrant music.
The public was extremely excited to see many different acts and celebrate Black British culture, with interviews on the day which revealed what being a Black Brit means to them and describing UK black culture as: “empowering, being proud of where you’re from, being part of something new and being yourself unequivocally”
‘Why is Stormzy the goat?’ saw answers such as: “he gives back, he’s done a lot…like Merky Books, the scholarships, merky festival, his album and today.” Another festival goer added: “i feel like he’s got people in this country to accept him for what he is - so come on, you gotta respect it” Touching on his relationship with God another person shares: “because he speaks about God a lot. I love that for him and I love that for us”
He deserves all the accolades after his magnificent performance and the body of work from This is What I Mean, he is truly phenomenal.