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Artist News Releases
Stormzy releases Gang Signs & Prayer: The Movie
By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 28 September 2017
Stormzy has released a new short film, ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’, based on his debut album of the same name. Directed by Rollo Jackson, the film was premiered at YouTube Space London yesterday.
“Young youts like myself, that grow up in the hood, we often don’t know that we are actually the masters of our own destiny”, says Stormzy. “There are so many things that steer us in the wrong direction, however, we decide what happens in our own lives, and like my album, I endeavoured for this film to portray just that”.
He adds: “Derived from my album ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’, and written and directed by the legend that is Rollo, I’ll let the visual do the talking”.
Chipping in before the visuals actually have a chance to do any talking, YouTube’s Global Head Of Music Lyor Cohen says: “Grime is one of the most exciting genres in the world and I’m ecstatic that trailblazers like Stormzy are garnering the success and recognition they deserve”.
He continues: “The rise of grime is a perfect example of how YouTube is a place for artists to express themselves creatively and a democratic platform to access a global fanbase. We want to help both artists and the industry make the most of technology, and this project is an ideal symbol of that: a groundbreaking film that blends music, art and story in a new way and it’s accessible to all on YouTube”.
You could read that as Cohen actually saying “stop whining about YouTube not paying you enough, we have the power to make or break artists”. And I’m sure you did.
Anyway, here’s the film:
