Stormzy - Mel Made Me Do It (REACTION!)

The person speaking at the beginning was his mother saying she’s not flying economy 😅…”stormzy’s my son” 🤭

In the video there is Usain Bolt, Louis Theroux, Little Simz, Dave, Ian Wright (former footballer), Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, JME (grime artist), Johnathan Ross (chat show host), Malorie Blackman, Tanisha Edwards, Zeze Mills, Headie One and a number of other successful black UK people. The poem/monologue was written by Wretch 32. There's loads of them all famous in the UK community: Allyes Brandon Brenda Edwards Clint Cortez Daniel Louisy Dave Dina Asher-Smith Flipz Gabrielle Headie One Henriee Ian Wright Jade LB (A.K.A. Keisha The Sket) Jazzie B Jenny Francis Jermaine JME Jonathan Ross Jordan ‘Zebie’ Boza Jordz Comedy Jose Mourinho Josiah Julie Adenuga Konz Leah Little Simz Louis Theroux Malorie Blackman Mark Megaman Melissa’s Wardrobe Merms Nella Rose No Signal FM (Taja Boodie, Huda Ahmed, RBC (Anthony Ewetade), Jojo Sonubi, David Sonubi) Omari Posty (of GRM Daily) Rachael Anson Rashid (of Link Up TV) Rhys Rimes Stylo G Tanisha Edwards Tiana Major9 Trevor Nelson Usain Bolt Walé Adeyemi Worm Yianni Charalambous Zeze Mills

I think if you’re not from the UK or familiar with UK culture you’ll miss so many references in the whole track😂 The whole thing was amazing imo. 10/10

To understand the brilliance that he's just pulled off, you have to understand the black British culture to do this justice. This is a work of art not just a response to some pointless rap battle. Stormzy is back with a legacy,🙏💡❤️

Mel is his stylist....the lady in the lime green video with him. I'm sure a lot of Bars went way over your heads being American and all, but I'm sure you'll rewatch it again and again. We love our Stormzy 🇬🇧🇬🇭 🔥🔥 🔥

According to Wikipedia, Mel refers to his stylist Melissa’s Wardrobe and her direct influence on him. I also love the Mourinho cameo - Stormzy is a massive ManU fan.

Wretch 32 wrote the poem at the end - it, as with the song, is littered with many smart and UK-reference heavy lines ("and although sometimes we may be introvert, we're all alone in this together", "So let us reign in honour of the wind rushing through our veins"). Seeing people like Ian Wright (a footballer who suffered extreme racist abuse during his career, and whose visibility on the pitch is widely credited as giving young black boys in particular someone to aspire to) and Jamal Edwards' (SBTV - look him up!) family at the end was very emotional and impactful if you're aware of their work and the UK Black British culture at large. There are a lot of influential, legendary and respected people in that scene, and I think your enjoyment of this video is going to hinge on moments like that which, to me, were stunning when I first saw them. In terms of the GOAT conversation, Stormzy is a cultural titan in the UK - as LeeToTheVi says in his reaction, your Mum knows him, you Sister knows him. Stormzy headlining Glastonbury (traditionally a festival reluctant to push UK urban acts into high slots) remains a high watermark in terms of the cultural shift in UK music. He is an incredibly important figure in the UK because of how he uses his influence - he has set up and funded scholarships for under-privileged students to attend elite Universities and has consistently championed and promoted other, particularly Black British, artists (not just musicians). It's a shame you didn't enjoy it - personally I think the beat is crazy - but I think this video is championing a culture in the UK which if you're not aware of, you'll be blind to the impact. And, without trying to sound too cocky here, this was one for those who "know". Oh, and it was Stormzy and his Mum at the beginning - she's saying she's not flying economy, because Stormzy is her son. Flex.

It’s interesting since as a Black American, I’m a self described Anglophile, but it started in film. So immediately I noticed the disparity between Black and White representation in British Media. In my research, I’ve learned that a lot of them grew up watching American black shows so there wasn’t a-lot of places they could see their stories. I think that’s what makes their hip-hop scene so special especially Grime. It’s so authentically them but never reached the greater masses like it is now. And I think Stormzy realizes that from his position in the industry. His versus or clash with another prominent rapper Chip is the undertone he is speaking from since people love a good rap battle and want him to respond a certain way. But I think he’s focused on championing the door that is open for Black British representation in entertainment. Hence his homage to people like Jamal Edwards and Ian Wright. And leading the line for the next generation with people like Dave and Little Simz. So I think context is important but the opinions are valid since you guys didn’t know too much history. Stormzy’s lyrical goatness can be a valuable debate, let’s see what he does on the album. All in all I’m really happy that Black Brits are finally getting a space to display their culture that still coming together and I think Stormzy gonna play a big role in it. Just getting this requested is a testament of people not being able to ignore its gravity even if they don’t understand everything. The next British Invasion is black, period 🔥

All the uk music icon from the 80’s til now from different genre ,also writers and podcasters to footballers that were pioneers .

As this is based a lot on UK/European culture, there’s a lot of references you guys missed unfortunately which is disappointing. With those references, you would understood the significance of this video and what it ultimately does for the UK music scene. I honestly wish someone was with you to break down those nuances as a different video would’ve been made if you understood what was going on. I dunno if you wanna make a follow up video, but if you do, I’m more than happy to break down those references and give you more of an insight as to what is going on.

Going to request Dave - In The Fire (Brit’s performance) again. The best display of UK Rap talent

American reactors all over this only see LeeToTheVii jump on this quick but his reaction is a must to get most of the references. Stormzy murdered this. This is as close as you gonna get in terms of Chip response with multiple indirects. Chip defo coming for him again. However Stormzy set himself aside from everyone with this. Big up Jose Mourinho the GOAT 🐐 and Gabrielle one of the iconic UK vocal artists and the founding father from South West London Megaman who are all in this video… Mel is his stylist, Jonathan Ross and ZeZe Mills both interviewers with Ross is a national tv veteran and also how can you forget The fastest man in the planet USAIN BOLT casually chilling. Stormz set himself apart.

People in the white at end of video: Megaman- OG in the Garage scene from a group called SoSolid Ian Wright- OG footballer (soccer) The family holding a picture of a young man called Jamal Edwards. OG music entrepreneur.. started a tv channel called SB.TV which helped to spread the popularity of the UK black music scene. Gabriel- Lady with the eye patch . Famous UK singer back in the 90s…. Made a hit song called Dreams. Dave - Uk Rapper… well known JME- The guy wearing the white Durag with straps hanging . OG Grime artist. Skepta’ brother. Was part of a Grime group called Boy Better Know (BBK). Little Simz- Tall lady with the long Dreads. UK Rapper.. established rapper but becoming more prominent. Julie Adenuga- prominent presenter in the UK. Also sibling to Skepta and JME from BBK.

This is a prime example of knowing context increases enjoyment and appreciation. For another example, I enjoyed the reaction since I knew they don't know a lot about Black British culture. I also enjoy seeing them declare they don't like a song because that means the comments are going to be entertaining.

Mel is Melissa’s Wardrobe. UK celeb stylist.

They showed Dave on screen when the lady mentioned his album we all alone in this together. So slick I didn't even notice it at first

Sometimes u just gotta admire the whole work tbh. the video and flows on this is amazing

It’s crazy because I was excited for this reaction, even though I knew this would be George’s opinion and it’s a fair one - Stormzy’s GOAT status is valid only by the numbers he does and the effect he’s had on the UK Rap Scene, he done things a lot of people hadn’t and still haven’t, BUT I don’t think you’d find anyone in the UK who would put him in their top 10 lyricists, but they may have him in their top 5 artists if that makes sense? Appreciate you keeping it real any way, do more UK reactions 🤣🙏🏼

man has actual jose in the video 😭😭

Lyricism was through the roof if you know the references and name drops that were being included. He got the flow and the lyricism but understanding it is the biggest part of it.