WickedSkengMan 4

Last updated
"WickedSkengMan 4"
WickedSkengMan4Stormzy.jpg
Single by Stormzy
Released11 September 2015
Genre
Length3:14
Label Self-released
Producer(s) Jme
Stormzy singles chronology
"Know Me From"
(2015)
"WickedSkengMan 4"
(2015)
"Dude"
(2015)

"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. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

The track was the first freestyle ever to break the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart. [4] Previously, no grime freestyle had entered the top 40 (Jme's "96 Fuckries", from 2013, was ten copies short of a top 40 placing, instead peaking at number 41). [4] [5] Speaking about its success, Stormzy credited his fans as "the real winners; because with no label, and no radio play, there's no way in hell I could of done this. It sounds very cliche; but from the heart...thank you. They're like family to me. We've got a grime freestyle into the U.K. Top 20, history for us all." [4]

PauL Gibbins of Vice wrote of the track: "This isn't a pop song, this isn’t a cheesy, urban-lite anthem – hell, it doesn't even have a chorus. Let's be clear about this: Stormzy is currently smashing the charts with a freestyle. This is King Stormzy at his most regal, riding the riddim with the kind of confidence required to go from Nick Jonas collabs to dropping bars over 'Functions on the Low' and expecting the same result." [5] The B-side of the single, "Shut Up", is another freestyle. "The widespread response to both tracks," Gibbins added, "has been particularly amazing considering how harsh and uncompromising they are in their approach – this isn’t grime with bells on, or bars wrapped in cotton wool and a cute synth hook. Over the years, we’ve come to expect a shift away from the scene’s culture in terms of content and style, for any artist that seeks some Top 20 love." [5]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "WickedSkengMan 4" was first released onto YouTube on 10 September 2015. [6] [7]

Charts

Chart (2015)Peak
position
UK Singles Downloads (OCC) [8] 8
UK Indie (OCC) [9] 2
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [10] 2
UK Singles (OCC) [11] 18

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
United Kingdom11 September 2015 Digital download Self-released

Related Research Articles

Grime is a genre of electronic dance music (EDM) that emerged in London in the early 2000s. It developed out of the earlier UK dance style UK garage, and draws influences from jungle, dancehall, and hip hop. The style is typified by rapid, syncopated breakbeats, generally around 140 beats per minute, and often features an aggressive or jagged electronic sound. Emceeing is a significant element of the style, and lyrics often revolve around gritty depictions of urban life.

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

Jahmaal Noel Fyffe, better known by his stage name Chip, is a British rapper from Tottenham, North 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jme</span> British grime MC (born 1985)

Jamie Adenuga, known professionally as Jme, is a British grime MC, songwriter, record producer and DJ who was born in Hackney, and raised in Tottenham. He is the co-founder of the crew and label Boy Better Know. He also serves as a sole owner and director of an associated company, Boy Better Know Limited, which he incorporated in 2008. He was previously part of the grime collective Meridian Crew and later Roll Deep alongside his older brother, Skepta.

<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">Bugzy Malone</span> British rapper and actor

Aaron Daniel Davies, known professionally as Bugzy Malone, is a British rapper and actor from Manchester, England. Malone has been described as one of the key artists instigating a "grime revival" moving the UK urban scene away from more commercially-oriented music, and the first artist in the grime genre from Manchester to commercially succeed in the UK.

"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.

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

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.

<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">Gotta Let You Go</span> 1994 single by Dominica

"Gotta Let You Go" is a song by American freestyle and house music singer Dominica. Written by Mohamed Moretta and produced by him with Mickey Garcia, it was released in 1994 by Ouland Music and became a hit in clubs. The song was also a top 40 hit in the Netherlands (34) and a top 90 hit in Germany (81). Several music videos has been produced for "Gotta Let You Go". In 2015, Northern Irish electronic music duo Bicep released a remix of the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadet (rapper)</span> British rapper (1990–2019)

Blaine Cameron Johnson, known professionally as Cadet, was a British rapper. Blaine Johnson began pursuing a career as a rapper in 2011, releasing a number of freestyles through YouTube outlets such as OSM Vision and Link Up TV. His debut project, The Commitment, was released in 2016, followed by The Commitment 2 the following year. He is perhaps best known for his single "Advice" featuring Deno, which peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.

<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">Tion Wayne</span> British rapper (born 1993)

Dennis Junior Odunwo, known professionally as Tion Wayne, is a British rapper and DJ from Edmonton, North London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sounds of the Skeng</span> 2019 single by Stormzy

"Sounds of the Skeng" is a song by English rapper Stormzy, released on 6 September 2019.

<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>Heavy Is the Head</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Stormzy

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Own It</span> 2019 song by Stormzy featuring Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy

"Own It" is a song by English rapper Stormzy featuring English singer Ed Sheeran and Nigerian singer Burna Boy, released on 22 November 2019 through #Merky and Atlantic Records as the fourth single from Stormzy's second studio album, Heavy Is the Head. It is Stormzy and Ed Sheeran's second collaboration of 2019, following Sheeran's "Take Me Back to London". It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in January 2020, becoming Stormzy's third UK number one, and second as a lead artist, as well as Sheeran's ninth. It was also the first number one of the 2020s.

References

  1. "WickedSkengMan 4 - Single by Stormzy on Apple Music". iTunes Store . Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  2. "Listen To Stormzy's "WickedSkengMan 4" Freestyle". The Fader. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  3. "Stormzy Brings The Fire With Wickedskengman Pt. 4 Freestyle". stoneyroads.com. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 Leight, Elias. "Stormzy Makes U.K. Chart History". The Fader. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Gibbins, Paul (17 September 2015). "It's No Cheesy Urban-lite Anthem, Stormzy is Smashing the UK Charts with a Grime Freestyle". Vice. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  6. "STORMZY - WICKEDSKENGMAN [PART 4]" . Retrieved 18 December 2019 via YouTube.
  7. "Watch Stormzy Battle A 9-Year-Old In His 'Wicked Skengman 4' Video". Capital XTRA. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  8. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  9. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  10. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  11. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 December 2019.