Gang Signs & Prayer | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 24 February 2017 | |||
Recorded | 2015–2016 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 58:47 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
| |||
Stormzy chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Gang Signs & Prayer | ||||
|
Gang Signs & Prayer is the debut studio album by British rapper Stormzy. It was released on 24 February 2017 independently through #Merky Records while being distributed by ADA of Warner Music Group. [4] It is Stormzy's first major commercial release, following the Dreamers Disease EP (2014). The album features guest appearances from fellow MCs Wretch 32, Ghetts and J Hus, along with singers Kehlani, Raleigh Ritchie and MNEK. It features production from Fraser T. Smith and Sir Spyro, among others.
After gaining attention on the UK underground music scene via his Wicked Skengman series of freestyles over classic grime beats, Stormzy released his debut EP Dreamers Disease independently in July 2014. [5] In September 2015, he released a final instalment to his "WickedSkengMan" freestyle series, "WickedSkengMan 4", onto iTunes. After a year's hiatus from social media to focus on the recording of the album, Stormzy returned in early February 2017 via a series of advertising hoarding campaigns across London displaying lyrical quotes and the hashtag #GSAP 24.02. Gang Signs & Prayer was supported by the lead single "Big for Your Boots".
Gang Signs & Prayer received critical acclaim upon release, and entered the UK Albums Chart at number one with sales of over 68,000 copies, becoming the first grime album in history to reach number one. It also charted in twelve other countries. Gang Signs & Prayer holds the distinction of having every song from the album appear concurrently in the UK Singles Chart, including seven songs in the top 40. [6] The album is certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Gang Signs & Prayer won British Album of the Year at the 2018 Brit Awards. [7]
After gaining attention on the UK underground music scene via his Wicked Skengman series of freestyles over classic grime beats, Stormzy released his debut EP Dreamers Disease independently in July 2014. [5]
In March 2015, he released the single "Know Me From", which entered the UK Singles Chart at number 49. In September 2015, he released a final instalment to his "WickedSkengMan" freestyle series, "WickedSkengMan 4", onto iTunes, along with a studio version of his "Shut Up" freestyle over XTC's Functions on the Low instrumental. [8] The track debuted at number 18 in the UK Singles Chart, becoming Stormzy's first top 40 hit. [9] The online video for "Shut Up" gained millions of views and attention from the mainstream. As a result, Stormzy launched a Christmas number one campaign to get the song to number one, [10] [11] [12] ultimately peaking at number eight in the UK Singles Chart.
After a year's hiatus from social media to focus on the recording of the album, Stormzy returned in early February 2017 via a series of advertising hoarding campaigns across London displaying lyrical quotes and the hashtag #GSAP 24.02. The album title was announced to be Gang Signs & Prayer, set to be released on 24 February 2017, followed by the track listing the following day. [13] [14] [15]
Prior to the album's official announcement, the non-album track "Shut Up" was released in September 2015 and ultimately included as the penultimate track on Gang Signs & Prayer. The non-album single "Scary" was released in April 2016 prior to Stormzy's hiatus. On 1 February 2017, an advertising hoarding campaign that foreshadowed the release of the album was launched in numerous areas in London.
"Big for Your Boots" was released as the album's lead single on 3 February 2017. The track was produced by Fraser T Smith and Sir Spyro. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number eight, reaching a peak of number six in its fourth week of charting after the release of Gang Signs & Prayer. It thus surpassed "Shut Up" as Stormzy's highest-charting single. "Cold" was released as the album's second single on 12 March, following the album's being certified Gold in the United Kingdom. [1] "Cigarettes & Cush" was released as the album's third single on 29 August 2017. [2] "Blinded by Your Grace, Pt. 2" was released as the album's fourth single on 27 October 2017. [3]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 7.8/10 [16] |
Metacritic | 82/100 [17] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [18] |
The Daily Telegraph | [19] |
Financial Times | [20] |
The Guardian | [21] |
The Independent | [22] |
NME | [23] |
The Observer | [24] |
Pitchfork | 7.6/10 [25] |
Q | [26] |
The Times | [27] |
Upon its release, Gang Signs & Prayer received widespread acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 82, based on 19 reviews. [17] Giving it a perfect score, Jordan Bassett of NME stated that Stormzy "delivers a knockout debut that’s brash and pensive in equal measure." [23]
Alexis Petridis of The Guardian praised the musical diversity of the album: "More startling, however, is the confidence with which other tracks shift into unexpected musical territory. On paper, a rapper like Stormzy recording a lo-fi, electric piano-led, Stevie Wonderesque gospel track called '"Blinded By Your Grace, Pt 1" sounds like a textbook case of an artist overstretching himself; in reality, it’s fantastic, and oddly moving.", concluding that "It’s not a perfect debut – it’s slightly too long for one thing, and there are a couple of points where it sags – but it sounds like an album teeming with original, daring ideas. More importantly, it sounds like the work of an artist with the confidence and the talent to pull those ideas off." [21]
Publication | Accolade | Year | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Drowned in Sound | Favourite Albums of 2017 | 2017 | 79 | |
NME | NME's Albums of the Year 2017 | 2017 | 14 | |
Exclaim! | Exclaim!'s Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums of 2017 | 2017 | 10 |
After receiving close competition with Rag'n'Bone Man's Human , Gang Signs & Prayer entered the UK Albums Chart at number one, with combined sales of 68,594 copies. [31] [32] It set British streaming records for the most first-week streams for a number one album in chart history, with 13.9 million streams, surpassing the opening week stream count of Drake's Views . Gang Signs & Prayer became the first grime album to chart at number one, as well as joining the likes of Skepta and Giggs of charting in the top five independently. The album also charted at number one on the UK Independent Chart, UK R&B Chart and the Irish Albums Chart, number two on the Scottish Albums Chart. Outside the UK, it entered the Official New Zealand Music Chart at number 14 and Sverigetopplistan at number 34.
In the album's first week of release, seven tracks from Gang Signs & Prayer were in the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart – "Big for Your Boots", "Cold", "Bad Boys", "First Things First", "Mr Skeng", "Cigarettes & Cush" and "Shut Up". All sixteen tracks from the album appeared in the top 100 in a single week, making Stormzy the fourth artist to achieve this. [33]
Gang Signs & Prayer was certified Silver by the BPI in its first week of release. [34]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "First Things First" |
| 3:27 | |
2. | "Cold" |
|
| 2:36 |
3. | "Bad Boys" (featuring Ghetts and J Hus) |
|
| 4:06 |
4. | "Blinded by Your Grace, Pt. 1" |
|
| 2:40 |
5. | "Big for Your Boots" |
|
| 3:58 |
6. | "Velvet / Jenny Francis (Interlude)" |
|
| 5:39 |
7. | "Mr Skeng" |
|
| 3:17 |
8. | "Cigarettes & Cush" (featuring Kehlani) |
|
| 5:49 |
9. | "21 Gun Salute (Interlude)" (featuring Wretch 32) |
|
| 2:26 |
10. | "Blinded by Your Grace, Pt. 2" (featuring MNEK) |
|
| 3:50 |
11. | "Return of the Rucksack" |
|
| 3:04 |
12. | "100 Bags" |
|
| 3:37 |
13. | "Don't Cry for Me" (featuring Raleigh Ritchie) |
|
| 3:34 |
14. | "Crazy Titch (Interlude)" | Crazy Titch | 2:40 | |
15. | "Shut Up" |
|
| 2:46 |
16. | "Lay Me Bare" |
|
| 5:04 |
Total length: | 58:47 |
Sample credits
Vocals
Instruments
Production
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [54] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [55] | Platinum | 429,833 [56] |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Worldwide | 24 February 2017 |
Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith, known professionally as Fraser T. Smith, is an English record producer, songwriter and musician. Some of the singles he collaborated on include Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain", James Morrison's "Broken Strings", Tinchy Stryder's "Number 1" and Taio Cruz's "Break Your Heart". In 2016, Smith teamed up with Stormzy to produce his debut album Gang Signs & Prayer, which won Best Album at the 2018 Brit Awards. Earlier that year he produced seven tracks on Kano's Made in the Manor album and co-produced the debut EP from South London rapper Dave. Smith has also worked with Sam Smith.
Justin Jude Clarke-Samuels, better known by his stage name Ghetts, is a British grime MC, rapper, songwriter and actor. His music has been played on national radio stations such as BBC Radio 1, Kiss 100, BBC Asian Network, and BBC Radio 1Xtra. Currently, Ghetts is signed to independent record label Disrupt, and released his debut studio album, Rebel with a Cause, on 9 March 2014. Known for his hard hitting lyrics and intricate rhyme schemes, he is associated and has toured internationally with such acts as Kano and was a member of NASTY Crew.
Jahmaal Noel Fyffe, better known by his stage name Chip, is an English rapper from Tottenham, London. In the past 14 years he has collaborated with the likes of Skepta, T.I., Meek Mill, Young Adz and many others. In 2009, he released his debut album, I Am Chipmunk, featuring four songs which peaked in the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, including the chart-topping "Oopsy Daisy". In 2011, Chipmunk released his follow-up album, the American hip hop-influenced Transition. It included the single "Champion" featuring Chris Brown, which peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart.
Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., known professionally as Stormzy, is a British rapper, singer, and songwriter. In 2014, he gained attention on the UK underground music scene through his Wicked Skengman series of freestyles over classic grime beats. Stormzy's song "Shut Up", which was initially released as a freestyle on YouTube, became popular and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart after he launched a campaign to reach Christmas number one.
"Shut Up" is a song by English rapper Stormzy. The song was released independently for digital download in the United Kingdom on 11 September 2015 as the B-side to the "WickedSkengMan 4" single. It was produced by XTC and written by Stormzy. "Shut Up" was originally released as a freestyle video in May 2015 but gained popularity over the year.
Made in the Manor is the fifth studio album by English rapper Kano. The album was released on 4 March 2016 by Parlophone Records and Bigger Picture Music. It is Kano's first album release for six years following Method to the Maadness (2010), featuring guest appearances from Wiley, Giggs, Jme and Damon Albarn. The production was handled by frequent collaborators Mikey J, Fraser T Smith, Blue May and Damon Albarn, alongside Jodi Milliner, Kwes, Mele, Rustie, Sam Beste, Swifta Beater and Zeph Ellis.
Marc Veira, better known by his stage name Flowdan, is an English grime MC and record producer from Bow and Poplar, East London. A founding member of Roll Deep, he was responsible for naming the group and remained a member until its hiatus. In 2015, he founded his record label, SpentShell, which has since signed YGG and GHSTLY XXVII to its roster. In 2023, he featured on two songs which reached the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart, and in 2024 he won his first Grammy Award for the Skrillex and Fred Again collaboration "Rumble", becoming the first grime MC to win a Grammy in any category.
David Orobosa Michael Omoregie, known professionally as Dave or Santan Dave, is a British rapper and actor. He is known for his socially conscious lyricism and wordplay.
"Big for Your Boots" is a song by English rapper Stormzy. It was released as the lead single from his debut studio album, Gang Signs & Prayer, on 3 February 2017, by #Merky Records. The song was written by Stormzy and produced by Sir Spyro and Fraser T. Smith. It peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Stormzy's highest-charting single at the time of its release.
British rapper Stormzy has released three studio albums, one mixtape, two extended plays and twenty-one singles as a lead artist. His debut studio album, Gang Signs & Prayer, was released in February 2017 and peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart. It spawned four top 40 singles, most notably "Big for Your Boots", which peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart. His second studio album, Heavy Is the Head, was released in December 2019 and peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart. It spawned four top 40 singles, most notably "Vossi Bop", which peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart, making it his first number one single in the UK.
"Cold" is a song by English rapper Stormzy. It was released as the second single from his debut studio album Gang Signs & Prayer on 24 February 2017, by #Merky Records. It peaked at number twenty-one on the UK Singles Chart.
"Cigarettes & Cush" is a song by English rapper Stormzy, featuring vocals from American singer and songwriter Kehlani. English singer-songwriter Lily Allen is also heard. It was released as a single on 29 August 2017 as the third single from his debut studio album Gang Signs & Prayer.
"WickedSkengMan 4" is a song by English rapper Stormzy. It was released as a single independently on 11 September 2015. The song peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Blinded by Your Grace, Pt. 2" is a song written and performed by English rapper Stormzy featuring British singer MNEK. It was released on 27 October 2017 as the fourth single from his debut studio album, Gang Signs & Prayer, where its first part is placed in the track listing. It was produced by Fraser T. Smith. Peaking at number seven on the UK Singles Chart, it became his second-highest-charting single, behind "Big for Your Boots", the lead single from the LP released back in February 2017.
Pray for the Wicked is the sixth studio album by American pop rock solo project Panic! at the Disco. The album was released on June 22, 2018 on Fueled by Ramen in the United States. It is the follow-up to the band's fifth studio album, Death of a Bachelor (2016). The album was produced by Jake Sinclair and promoted by the singles "Say Amen ", "High Hopes" and "Hey Look Ma, I Made It", with "(Fuck A) Silver Lining", "Dancing's Not a Crime" and "King of the Clouds" as promotional singles. It received generally positive reviews upon release, with many critics noting Urie's Broadway influences following his performance in Kinky Boots.
Psychodrama is the debut studio album by British rapper Dave, released on 8 March 2019. It follows his first two EPs, Six Paths (2016) and Game Over (2017). The album features guest appearances from J Hus, Burna Boy and Ruelle. Psychodrama was executive produced by both Dave and Fraser T. Smith. The album features Dave's piano playing, while Smith assisted with Baroque influences, including strings, brass, harps, as well as more contemporary music through the use of drums and the synthesizer.
"Vossi Bop" is a song by British rapper Stormzy. It was released as a single on 25 April 2019 through #Merky and Atlantic Records as the lead single from his second studio album, Heavy Is the Head. The music video was also released the same day. It is his first solo music since his Gang Signs & Prayer album in 2017. The song debuted atop the UK Singles Chart, becoming Stormzy's first number-one single.
"Sounds of the Skeng" is a song by English rapper Stormzy, released on 6 September 2019.
Heavy Is the Head is the second studio album by British rapper Stormzy. It was released on 13 December 2019 through #Merky Records and Atlantic Records UK. The album features collaborations with Aitch, Burna Boy, Ed Sheeran, Headie One, H.E.R., and Yebba.
This Is What I Mean is the third studio album by British rapper Stormzy, released on 25 November 2022, by #Merky and 0207 Def Jam. The album serves as Stormzy's first release under 0207 Def Jam. It features guest appearances from Amaarae, Ayra Starr, Black Sherif, Debbie, India Arie, Jacob Collier, Ms Banks, Nao, Sampha, and Tendai, alongside production from Grades, Juls, P2J, Scribz Riley, and several other producers. The album serves as a follow-up to Stormzy's third album, Heavy Is the Head (2019).