Mel Made Me Do It

Last updated

"Mel Made Me Do It"
Stormzy - Mel Made Me Do It.png
Single by Stormzy
Released23 September 2022 (2022-09-23)
Length7:20
Label
  • 0207 Def Jam
  • #Merky
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Knox Brown
Stormzy singles chronology
"Clash"
(2021)
"Mel Made Me Do It"
(2022)
"Hide & Seek"
(2022)
Music video
"Mel Made Me Do It" on YouTube

"Mel Made Me Do It" is a song by English rapper Stormzy, released as a single on 23 September 2022 through 0207 Def Jam and #Merky. [1] It contains guest appearances from Jamaican musician Stylo G and English actress Michaela Coel. The song, Stormzy's longest at the time, was written by him and producer Knox Brown. It was released alongside its 11-minute music video, which includes a variety of cameo appearances from Usain Bolt and Louis Theroux amongst others.

Contents

Content

The song includes a guest appearance by Stylo G and a monologue performed by Michaela Coel that was written by Wretch 32. It is named for Stormzy's personal stylist Melissa's Wardrobe and her "direct influence" on him. [2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]

Will Pritchard of The Guardian felt the track contains "boastful, whip-smart wordplay" and "slot[s] somewhere in the chasm" between Stormzy's modes of "choral, heaving and heartfelt" and "puff-chested flexing", ultimately describing it as a "testament to Stormzy's magnetism". [3] Ellie Robinson of NME wrote that the song "stands out with its minimalistic, progressive instrumental, buzzing along with sharp 808 beats and modulated string-work" accompanying "Stormzy's vicious flow". [1]

Music video

The song's music video, released alongside the song, was directed by KLVDR and includes cameo appearances from Usain Bolt, Jonathan Ross, Louis Theroux, José Mourinho, [4] Dave, Little Simz, Dina Asher-Smith, Headie One, Gabrielle, Ian Wright, Brenda Edwards, Stylo G, Trevor Nelson, Jme, Julie Adenuga, Walé Adeyemi and Stormzy's family, among others. [2] [1] [5]

Charts

Chart performance for "Mel Made Me Do It"
Chart (2022)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [6] 25
Netherlands (Single Tip) [7] 17
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [8] 7
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) [9] 18
UK Singles (OCC) [10] 12
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [11] 5

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellie Goulding</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1986)

Elena Jane Goulding is an English singer and songwriter. Her career began when she met record producers Starsmith and Frankmusik, and she was later spotted by Jamie Lillywhite, who became her manager and A&R. After signing to Polydor Records in July 2009, Goulding released her debut extended play, An Introduction to Ellie Goulding, later that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stylo (song)</span> 2010 single by Gorillaz featuring Bobby Womack and Mos Def

"Stylo" is the first single from British virtual band Gorillaz's third studio album Plastic Beach. The song features guest vocals from Bobby Womack and Mos Def. The single was released on 26 January 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellie Goulding discography</span>

English singer Ellie Goulding has released five studio albums, two remix albums, eight extended plays, 46 singles, 11 promotional singles and 43 music videos. As of March 2020, Goulding had sold 15 million albums and 102 million singles worldwide. Additionally, she had sold over 1.5 million albums and over 4.3 million singles in the United Kingdom alone as of February 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Me like You Do</span> 2015 song by Ellie Goulding

"Love Me like You Do" is a song recorded by English singer Ellie Goulding for the soundtrack to the film Fifty Shades of Grey (2015). The song was written by Savan Kotecha, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Tove Lo, Max Martin and Ali Payami; the latter two also produced it. Goulding was selected to provide vocals to the track. It was released on 7 January 2015 as the second single from the soundtrack. The song was also included on Goulding's third studio album, Delirium (2015).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Long Will I Love You?</span> 1990 single by the Waterboys

"How Long Will I Love You?" is a song by folk rock band the Waterboys from their fifth studio album, Room to Roam (1990). Written by Mike Scott, it was released as the album's lead single. The song was subsequently covered by English singer Ellie Goulding and released as the second single from her album Halcyon Days (2013). Goulding's version is included on the soundtrack to the 2013 film About Time, which also features a different cover by Jon Boden, Sam Sweeney and Ben Coleman.

Raoul Lionel Chen, better known as Diztortion, is a Dutch-born songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with the UK artists Stylo G, Lethal Bizzle, Tinie Tempah and Sigma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stormzy</span> British rapper (born 1993)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Know Me From</span> 2015 single by Stormzy

"Know Me From" is a grime track by Stormzy, released independently on 8 March 2015. The song peaked at number 49 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave (rapper)</span> English rapper (born 1998)

David Orobosa Omoregie, also known as Santan Dave, or just Dave, is an English rapper. He has gained acclaim for his socially conscious lyricism and wordplay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power (Little Mix song)</span> 2017 song by Little Mix

"Power" is a song released by British girl group Little Mix, featuring British rapper Stormzy. It was released as the fourth and final single from Little Mix's fourth studio album Glory Days. The remix version appears on Glory Days: The Platinum Edition, the reissue of Glory Days.

<i>Gang Signs & Prayer</i> 2017 studio album by Stormzy

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. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stormzy discography</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Down</span> 2018 single by Jorja Smith featuring Stormzy

"Let Me Down" is a song recorded by English singer Jorja Smith featuring rapper Stormzy. It was written by Smith, Stormzy and Ed Thomas, with production handled by Thomas and Paul Epworth. The song was released commercially for digital download on 11 January 2018.

"Location" is a song recorded by British rapper Dave featuring Nigerian singer Burna Boy, released as the third single from Dave's debut studio album Psychodrama. The song was written by Dave, Burna Boy and Jonathan Mensah, and produced by Fraser T. Smith, Jae5 and Dave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vossi Bop</span> 2019 single by Stormzy

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take Me Back to London</span> 2019 single by Ed Sheeran featuring Stormzy

"Take Me Back to London" is a song by British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran featuring British rapper Stormzy. It was released through Asylum and Atlantic Records as the final single from the former's compilation album No.6 Collaborations Project (2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hate Me (Ellie Goulding and Juice Wrld song)</span> Single released by Ellie Goulding and Juice Wrld

"Hate Me" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding and American rapper and singer Juice Wrld, released as a single on 26 June 2019 through Polydor Records. It was premiered by Zane Lowe as his Beats 1's "World Record" on Beats 1 on 26 June. It was included on Goulding's fourth studio album, Brightest Blue (2020).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wiley Flow</span> Song by British rapper Stormzy

"Wiley Flow" is a song by English rapper Stormzy, released on 15 September 2019 through #Merky and Atlantic Records as the third single from his second studio album, Heavy Is the Head. The song is a homage to British grime MC Wiley that interpolates flows from his tracks "Bad 'Em Up" and "Nightbus Dubplate". The cover art also mirrors his mixtape, Tunnel Vision Vol 1 (2007).

<i>Caprisongs</i> 2022 mixtape by FKA Twigs

Caprisongs is the first mixtape by English singer-songwriter FKA Twigs. It was released on 14 January 2022 through Young and Atlantic Records. The mixtape features guest appearances from Pa Salieu, the Weeknd, Shygirl, Dystopia, Rema, Daniel Caesar, Jorja Smith, and Unknown T. The production is handled by el Guincho, who co-executive produced the mixtape alongside Twigs, as well as Arca, Cirkut, and Mike Dean, among others. The mixtape was supported by one single, "Tears in the Club", which features the Weeknd, and one promotional single, "Jealousy", which features Rema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Easy Lover (Ellie Goulding song)</span> 2022 single by Ellie Goulding

"Easy Lover" is a song by English singer Ellie Goulding featuring American rapper Big Sean, released on 15 July 2022 through Polydor Records as the lead single from her fifth studio album Higher Than Heaven. It was written by Goulding, Sean, Greg Kurstin and Julia Michaels, and produced by Kurstin.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Robinson, Ellie (23 September 2022). "Stormzy returns with epic new single 'Mel Made Me Do It', cameo-packed video". NME . Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  2. 1 2 Brodsky, Rachel (22 September 2022). "Stormzy – 'Mel Made Me Do It'". Stereogum . Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  3. 1 2 Pritchard, Will (23 September 2022). "Stormzy: Mel Made Me Do It review – boastful, whip-smart wordplay that makes it look easy". The Guardian . Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  4. Arcand, Rob (22 September 2022). "Stormzy Shares Video for New Song "Mel Made Me Do It": Watch". Pitchfork . Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  5. "Inside Stormzy's star-studded 'Mel Made Me Do It' music video & lyrics". Capital . 23 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  6. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  7. "Dutch Single Tip 01/10/2022". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  8. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  9. "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 39". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  10. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  11. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 September 2022.