Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., known professionally as **Stormzy**, is an English rapper, singer, and songwriter born on July 26, 1993, in Thornton Heath, Croydon, London. He first gained attention in 2014 through his *Wicked Skengman* freestyle series, which showcased his grime music skills on the UK underground scene[4][5]. Stormzy’s early breakthrough included winning Best Grime Act at the MOBO Awards in both 2014 and 2015 and being highlighted in the BBC’s *Sound of 2015* list, marking him as a rising star in British music[1][4]. Stormzy’s debut album, *Gang Signs & Prayer* (2017), was a major milestone as the first grime album to top the UK Albums Chart. The album received critical acclaim for blending personal vulnerability, faith, and social commentary, and won British Album of the Year at the 2018 Brit Awards[1][4][6]. His follow-up album, *Heavy Is the Head* (2019), continued to explore personal and political themes. In 2019, Stormzy released the single "Vossi Bop," which became his first UK number-one hit. That year, he made history as the first British rapper to headline the Glastonbury Festival, notably performing while wearing a Banksy-designed stab-proof vest to highlight issues of knife crime[1][4]. Stormzy is also recognized for his activism, openly addressing racial inequality, UK politics, and education reform. In September 2022, he released the single "Mel Made Me Do It," an 11-minute visual featuring prominent figures like Usain Bolt and José Mourinho, followed by his third studio album, *This Is What I Mean*, released in November 2022 on Def Jam[1][4]. Most recently, in March 2025, Stormzy won the BRIT Award for Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act, underscoring his continued relevance and influence in the UK music scene[2].