Stormzy Interview 2017 (extended): Dealing with depression while making his new album

From playing with Ed Sheeran at the Brit Awards to making a number one album - Stormzy's had quite a year. But in an extended interview with Channel 4 News, he says it hasn't always been so easy. Subscribe for more: bit.ly/LtASif.

[@dezzawfc]

why people slating him for saying what he's been through? everyone has different stories? everyone has had bad times, he's trying to use what he went through and help others through music. isn't that better than the norm of people singing about guns or drugs? He's doing a decent thing, talking about his struggles. sometimes money doesn't always bring happiness. Hence why he's been away for a year!

[@MCSubnecto]

Met him today at a CD signing, down to earth guy period. You have a convo with him and he's real, tries to talk to as many fans as possible

[@mingiteez]

He's such a humble guy

[@Zen_Power]

I like how he encourages personal responsibility and accountability for young people to develop and be successful. He would be great delivering presentations at schools to help inspire children to achieve (not just to be a music artist but become doctors and engineers and follow strong career paths). He has good intentions.

[@georgelarlham]

He is an inarticulate moron who can barely string a sentence together. Real artists? Get a clue!

[@mouthguard17]

You could so tell he struggled to mention the depression side of his mind. He's such a king.

[@cheekymouse4]

A young man that pays homage to his Mum being an "integral part of "me" . A true man . Wise beyond his years x

[@NZZ72]

So much respect for him he came up without the help of labels he did this with his boys you can see a genuine and pure heart from him I'm down for that

[@clairewing4382]

Why the hell are people hating on a man that's making something of his life! haters are gonna hate! this man is great!

[@TheTman9898]

It's nice to see how down to earth he is, considering his success cos usually when people make it , they become all full of themselves. Man stays humble and reminds himself who helped him get to where he is. Can't wait to meet him on sunday!

[@saifhasan4481]

He's a fantastic artist. UK hip hop is getting better and better

[@calumbird6639]

he's such a lovely down to earth guy!! keep it up stormzy!!

[@jasordinaire8261]

Probably the best interview I've heard with Stormzy. He's such a genuine person. Someone you'd really want as a friend. Nevermind that he's super talented. Kudos to the interviewer.

[@jamesslocombe2064]

Despite Stormzy being a grime rapper, the dude is articulate and educated as hell

[@Harvester236]

Grime artists are a lot smarter than the media make out.

[@aakashgrewal2825]

Man was a project engineer before grime

[@deanbrowne9557]

James Slocombe He's self educated as well isn't he? I don't believe he was all that interested in school but I remember him saying he loved to read by himself.

[@gunner0479]

yhh he did, its funny because alot of rappers are very intelligent, its just not ever shown, you will never hear an interviewer ask stormzy about his 6 A stars for example, and even the ones who hated school and dropped out for example eminam and nas, they study the dictionary and are some of the greatest lyricists ever.

[@gloverdragon6854]

james slocombe, comments like that don't help tbh. like you're pushing a narrative like grime mcs are stupid and stormzy is some kind of exception to the rule

[@PSdissenter]

Frickin' A...he's so positive and motivational. There should be a daily podcast with his motivational quips!

[@johnlazenby723]

As an old white guy who loves music, all kinds of music, I feel that I really get Stormzy. He is a breath of fresh air. Respect.

[@akirakai8784]

10:50 "Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah" "No no no no no no"

[@ZeeshanMuhammadX]

This dude is pretty cool. I listened to his "Gang Signs & Prayer" album and "Dreamers Disease" on iTunes, learnt grime isn't my kind of vibe, but the music has clearly had some decent thought put into it. I came onto KZbin to see what this dude is all about, and I have to say, I am impressed! He's down to earth, well-aware of the position he's in and how he got there, and isn't on some weird power-trip. He's coming across as a sound role model for those still "stuck" in our society. Mad respect for Stormzy, I might give his second album a fresh listen, when and if he releases one.

[@frankbiemans]

Zeeshan, i'mma DOOM guy myself so i felt the urgency to name some grime tunes you might like a bit more. Not because the reminiscent of DOOM in anyway but just because... Skepta - Gingerbreadman Stop That - Dizzee Rascal Wiley - On A Level Kano - Reload It Stormzy - WickedSkengman 4

[@yaboiimtheman7806]

I like this guy honesty he talks the truth about the most of the things.

[@EhabAboud]

This video resonates with me so much. Right now more than ever. Thank you!

[@EppicChick]

yes!!!! wow I'm surprised about this interview first interview I've watched of him and he talks sense.

[@mohamedbah2850]

you said u don't wanna sound like a motivational speaker. However, stormzy u motivate me with this interview #merky #blessed

[@1Akehurst1]

It annoys me how the interviewer says "The album gives a really human face to a grime artist, something we haven't seen before" when that's simply not true. Can't say Made in the Manor doesn't give Kano a human face for example. Not slating Stormzy at all though, sick album imo

[@paafreddy2829]

how can u hate this dude? soo cool man... big ups

[@Wr4thful1]

Why was the interviewer tryna push the RACE CARD on him... i like how he avoided the bait.

[@dieudonneateh8094]

Luke Dunkley was just looking dor this comment.she kept pushing it like "mi must ask him how he feels about race in the uk"crazy.

[@PinoyAbnoy]

racism doesnt exist in england?

[@RepairableUK]

Abbas Ali how do you know this don is white?

[@willvarley6452]

Because she's just there to get a headline , in order to slaughter grime even more

[@II-yy6ur]

Because it's time grime rappers talked about real issues. Stormzy was happy to answer the questions. So not sure what your talking about

[@TheLucyblades]

Stormzy is pure class, he avoids all the bait and pitfalls this interviewer keeps trying to draw out of him (as the camera drama-zooms in on his face, at times!) So much respect for him.

[@Oldheadontheblock]

a good life will give you faith. it's only when things go wrong that we think negative about everything including spirituality.

[@ONEOFAKINDSISTAH]

This guy is so talented and so humble!

[@DOF413]

Yes king,love this 👏🏾

[@seanaxtell4290]

stormzy fully deserve all the fame he's getting coming from where he's from Croydon to become a top grime artist got massive respect stormzy and the album is Maud fully deserve the number 1 album in the charts. he's deffo Reppin the ends . I'm from Croydon to n I went to Stanley tech aka Harris academy I wonder if stormzy remembers Mr shaw or Mr morris 😂😂

[@Paddyllfixit]

More power to Stormzy!

[@serinat2181]

Yesss go on lad 🙌🏽 You actually are motivational ngl

[@MoreThanPeak1]

Not really been a fan of his music, gonna see what the album is saying once the hype dies down buy tbh watching this makes me feel like we all made it, proud of him, motivational too, everyone really has a purpose just gotta find it, for him to do all this with family&real friends must be the best job u could really ask for. Salute to him all the time he deserves this💯👌🏾

[@SadiqakaSTH]

Such an inspiration man, large up Stormz!

[@Samsalla71]

Love this Stormzy...love God first...man u made it! Stay like u r.

[@luceatluxvestra1]

a beautiful soul

[@oliviadaly4730]

He's so articulate it's great, he should do a TED talk!

[@s.a5531]

damn he's so intellectual

[@georgelarlham]

lol!

[@calebadonis5671]

"in what ways should they be aspiring to be more aspirational" lady what.

[@Rhydem1990]

Adidas has helped this guy so hard, not just supplying clothing, but networking contacts - Ratings to those behind the scenes, you know who you are.

[@joedizzleify]

Rhydem1990 I wish I got free adidas 😭

[@unitedqueendombob5951]

Damn. Ignorant comment. That's business. Mutual benefits. If anything sponsors gain more. Long term messages attached to the brand for dropping quick money on a hot artist. They wanted his image & business from his followers not to mention new loyal customers.

[@HisaLight2mypath]

The interviewer is like a ICE WOMAN. she doesn't flinch. emotionless

[@itzkez97]

He is so inspirational 4 me uno

[@zee9000_]

'How do they rise up?' this interviewer was reaching..

[@michaelqdlap]

Clarifying more like. There might be some people who would interpret 'rise up' badly, so I think she's giving him the opportunity to be clear about what he means by tht

[@dxggfggfs]

Ragnar what's Valhalla like? Dyou get grime there too?!

[@DontDissTheProgram]

lol for real 'rise up the ting and den clart it'

[@LONDONERSTV]

What Stormzy is saying is how a lot of 'people' are feeling

[@georgelarlham]

yeah london is full of fuckwits.

[@user-nr3ey3do5i]

George Larlham and where you from Manchester a place full of chavs

[@kiesieni6084]

Bless him ❤️ he is my role model he is someone I look up too xxx

[@CSLOUE]

i like this interview

[@soulj7sli7]

This young man knows what he wants . He needs to hit LA asap .. yea we been watching ..

[@wingcommander2165]

love how original pirate material is in the background!! another important uk rap album

[@markswan7007]

I love stromzy sooo much xx

[@ash7324]

This interviewer is ace. Look at the questions she asks then watch the interview for the breakfast show. She's letting him flourish in this interview and the middle aged herbs on the breakfast show were talking to him like he's slow or something man.

[@georgelarlham]

he is slow.

[@tomspencer120]

this interviewer was trying to get something dramatic out this guy when he's just trying to spread some wize words, leave him alone fam

[@eezZzee]

Stormzy, shut up. Huge hugs manThank you for you sir.your mum must be amazing too.

[@jdevfilms]

What a g!

[@jamesb6934]

go stormzy.

[@kihuntekimossa4643]

When stormzy said on the Bbc that he was quite smart as a kid, i believe him now I've seen this Interview. kudos Stormzy. and love the fact that he mentions God in appreciation of all things. unlike these zombie artists who are even ashamed of the NAME GOD THE SUPREME.

[@jellepetersen9099]

Kihunte Kimossa he got like 6 a* on his gcse’s haha

[@SadiqakaSTH]

ICON

[@RobertCarvalhoUK]

Stormzy Gwarn KIng!

[@madman9326]

We must protect stormzy

[@bashirrfefer3034]

stormzy is a top bloke!

[@maisymadden6749]

u are amazing

[@HShango]

See these sort of artists deserve respect, not people like kanye, who goes into a concert and talks shit, instead of rapping for the people and himself.

[@yupyupflu4989]

Moses Jonson kanye is cocky ...and full of him self but he s quite a Smart Guy ...He has a ego but Trust me if u Listen at what he said in that concert g He was speakin the true he was puttin everthing out there. the thing That gets in the way with him is his ego but kanye really Most of Time he really wanne Make a change. cause if u really Listen at he his toughs. But only Most of the Time he brings over in a wrong way .kanye never puts anyone Down he really wane see others shine.He Just really strugle alot with him self. But any how i do get your Point. Love ssrly some stormzy great interview verry inspiring.🙌🙌🔥

[@narniaswan3340]

Moses Jonson I agree I've just said the same, Stormzy is just so cool, such a motivated intelligent guy, and unlike Kanye uses his power to help others. Massive fan here!

[@fanged5483]

Moses Jonson 100% AGREE🙌🏽

[@clappedyute2271]

Kanye is also a donny man

[@chrisgriffin7540]

Good for u brother so nice to see well done b

[@veganvocalist4782]

Exactly , depression has nothing to do with weakness . The strongest of us have periods , moments etc of feeling vunerable , strength lays in facing it , not denying it and creating tools to manage it the best way we can , So close loving , healthy relationships is essential . This is why being signed to a big corporate label is dangerous for our artists because they take you away from your family and close network of friends . They operate in the same way an abuser works . First you separate the target from their support system so they become completly reliant on the one with ALL of the control . Set up your QWN labels and produce your self , surround your self with those you trust with your life , then when success comes you share it TOGETHER

[@CryptoHustleLive]

"Give me the crown man I want that Redbull with a cognac"

[@ASMRStorytimeWhispers]

He answered all these politically challenging questions SO well! Seems like such a genuinely nice guy!

[@MohammadNABhuiyan]

He seems speaks honest

[@HisaLight2mypath]

I support stormzy 100%

[@commonsenseisonleavetillfu9884]

GRACE of GOD always

[@terrybowie7267]

top boy! speaks truth

[@blogz589]

@23:24 "Moment of clarity as jigga would say" 😂 I'm sure i wasn't the only one who caught that

[@narniaswan3340]

Wow I love Stormzy, very intelligent realistic guy, I respect him as a person and an artist. I wish him the best of luck in his career and look forward to watching him rise to global superstardom. He is better than Kanye and more likeable and he will do well.

[@lukaellis1255]

He seems like a better person than Skepta

[@youngprettybasedlordthefir2328]

Kentucky Fried Chicken "seems like a better person"? And how do you quantify how good one individual is? Whats the point in trying to judge the characters of people you don't know.

[@yvvanayeboahduku8544]

im inlove

[@harryw.struwe5395]

"Just doin it" 3:45, lawl, Stormzy went Nike up in dis baa

[@adammooney3236]

stormzy for prime minster yeahh boyy

[@veganvocalist4782]

" Power is in the people " too right ;D

[@PhoenixHomeEd]

Good level headed brother. 21 guns salute to him

[@joeyym]

MAD RESPEKKKK👊👊👊✌

[@ZKorvin]

Original Pirate Material

[@amazedbysuchgrace5369]

It would be nice to hear him speak about his faith, not in a song, but straight talk.

[@lennonglover2126]

My guy

[@Jolenesmart1980]

im actually rating that hes a well clever guy tbf intellegent and a badman , gang man

[@nadjiguemarful]

i dont even know this guy but i have real love for him loool

[@AllThingsSevenKings]

dealing with depression from hearing his own interviews

[@sgrb11]

God did it. Riiight...

[@sophiehoyal8510]

The real deal

[@BernardTheMandeville]

weird to hear stormzy say that you should be responsible for your own life and that the government or politicians can't help you, but also hear him supporting Corbyn

[@daedala70]

I don’t think he said that the politicians can’t help you. He is saying that you shouldn’t rely on the government to decide whether you strive for and obtain success. The government is for providing our basic needs, the rest is up to ourselves.

[@donovanriva4267]

Why is she trying to make him seem like a bad person and a racist, good job stormzy is too clever for that

[@habibramzan1526]

stomzy Zindabad MashAllah

[@jellydee123]

Interviewer is way too repetitive, he got his whole point across in the first 1min

[@studioaaa]

how many times this woman gonna sat "etcetera"

[@willvarley6452]

It feels like the reporter is trying to catch him out in all of his answers to her questions. She seems completely incapable to read into the answers he has given and pick out the messages he is trying to portray.

[@MrBucci20]

She has spent the whole time saying Black and White, what's her real agenda???

[@MrBucci20]

Armz you are 100% right there, he clocked it every time she put a loaded question to him

[@Dumpercoin]

Why didn't his manager take him for speech/ interview practices. Listen to everything with an open mind and it sounds like he goes in circles and playing around one point

[@WhixxLFS]

Maybe cuz she's askin him the same question in different ways n he's intelligent enough to pick up

[@Menziah]

Cadell must've really upset him.

[@Xbox4life457]

He reminds me so much of 2pac, I love it

[@chrisbryson5720]

Who's are all the number one trophies in the background?

[@GBAPCLAN]

chris Bryson arsenal's

[@chrisbryson5720]

Football? haha. You get them for getting a number 1 in the pop charts.... I know coz i've held one :p

[@SaoLorenco]

etcetera

[@_LilacRoses]

This interviewer is bloody annoying why does she keep harping on about race? She just keeps pushing and pushing.

[@slavislavov7804]

most pink tongue

[@fudgygamerz]

you ever been trolled? Read more

[@leeohmoon231]

rag a bone man is better, truth, but he is going good interesting direction, good luck