Revved up for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concerts? You should be. The Yasalam F1 After-Race Concerts, at Etihad Park, feature some real heavy-hitters this year. US singer-songwriter Khalid kicks off the concert series on Thursday 9 December. The following night belongs to UK grime king Stormzy with his socially-conscious flows. Scottish mega-star Lewis Capaldi hits Yasalam on Saturday 11 December and, from the US, the mighty Foo Fighters bring the concert series to a close the following night.
Our pick of the bunch is Stormzy and here are six reasons why…
1. Heavy is the Head
The king of grime spread his wings on 2019 album Heavy is the Head. Stormzy stuck his neck out and flirted with smooth R&B, rapid hip-hop beats, gospel and pop. “If I’m going to be a proper ambassador for Black Britishness and Black British music, I can’t just keep it at grime and rap. It’s more multifaceted than that,” he explained.
2. Platinum Status
Released in December 2019, Heavy is the Head racked up one billion streams within 10 months. It became Stormzy’s second platinum-selling album in November 2020. His debut album, Gang Signs & Prayer, unleashed in 2017, also went platinum.
3. The Awards
MOBO Awards… Brit Awards… BBC Music Awards… BET Hip-Hop Awards… Stormzy is no stranger to picking up gongs. He’s been nominated twice for the coveted Mercury Prize – and won once.
4. Stormzy Scholars
The artist believes in giving back – and puts his words into action. He set up the ‘Stormzy Scholarship for Black UK Students’ at the University of Cambridge. In July, HSBC UK pledged £2 million to support 30 new Stormzy Scholars over the next three years. “For 30 more Black students to have the opportunity to study at University of Cambridge – the same year our initial 2018 scholars graduate – feels like an incredible milestone,” he said. “I hope this scholarship continues to serve as a small reminder to young Black students that the opportunity to study at one of the best universities in the world is theirs for the taking.”
5. Merky Books
He partnered with Penguin Random House UK to launch Merky Books. The award-winning imprint focuses on young writers, publishing new fiction, non-fiction and poetry. It is the home of “bold voices from untraditional spaces”. Earlier this year, professional boxer, model and activist Ramla Ali joined the Merky Books family. Her book – Not Without A Fight: Ten Steps to Becoming Your Own Champion – was published in September. In it, she shares ten key ‘fights’ she has endured both inside of the ring and out, which have shaped her life and career. “Every fight will encourage you to reflect on your own life,” said Stormzy, “guiding you towards ultimately becoming your own champion.”
6. Down with the Kids
Stormzy went back to his old primary school to get grilled by Year 3 pupils. One young pupil pulled him up on knowing “so many bad words”. Another asks him what celebrity he’d “like to snog.” Watch Stormzy answer the kids’ questions here.
Tickets for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix include access to the after-race gigs. Find out more ticket info here.
Also read: Nominate Your Industry Hero for Our UAE Music Power List 2021
