BBC to celebrate Stormzy's cultural impact with special series of programming
The BBC has announced a special series of programming in honour of Stormzy’s new material, as well examining the rapper’s wider cultural impact across the UK and beyond.
Following the release of his star-studded 11 minute visual for ‘Mel Made Me Do It’ back in September, the grime MC recently announced his third studio album, ‘This Is What I Mean’.
It’s been known for a little while already that Stormzy is set to feature in a new BBC series led by filmmaker Louis Theroux this year, however, the BBC has now revealed plans for ‘A Stormzy Special’, in which the Croydon-hailing rapper will chat with Radio 2 DJ Trevor Nelson on the upcoming record, as well as performing 3 new tracks live from Abbey Road Studios. The show will be aired at 10:40pm Tuesday November 15 on BBC One, and be available to stream via iPlayer.
“I first interviewed Stormzy in 2014 for his debut Live Lounge at 1Xtra and I haven’t interviewed him since then,” says Nelson. “When I met him he was the hottest new MC in the UK and now he has become a cultural icon. I’m really looking forward to hosting this show and to being able to chat with him once again.”
Taking place on the same day, Radio 1, Radio 2, and 1Xtra will take a look at Stormzy’s cultural impact over the years with a series of features. Greg James will premier a new single from the album, ‘Holy Spirit’, on Radio 1 Breakfast, while The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show and 1Xtra Breakfast with Nadia Jae will air exclusive performance recordings to their respective audiences.
A new interview with the UK rapper will also air for the first time on Clara Amfo’s Future Sounds alongside the Abbey Road recordings. “It was great to have this special conversation with Stormzy for Future Sounds,” the Radio 1 host stated. “His artistic evolution has been a joy to watch but more importantly listen to – consistently honest, funny and charming, I’m excited for our listeners to learn about this new part of his career journey.”
Stormzy’s new album ‘This Is What I Mean’ drops November 25.
Read next: Dave, Central Cee, Little Simz and Stormzy won big at the GRM Rated Awards 2022
