Ghanaian British rapper, Michael Omari Owuo known by his showbiz name, Stormzy is on the cover of Time Magazine’s “Next Generation Leaders ” Issue.
Stormzy who was born to Ghanaian parents but has British citizenship has become very pivotal in Black and race issues through his music and advocacy. In his feature with the Time Magzaine, he shed light on these issues and how he’s leading the way to tackle them.
“They’re always a bit shocked that there’s academic brilliance in a young black South London brother with a street background. If you saw a group of lads outside the chicken shop on push-bikes, I’m sure a lot of them are academically brilliant. Little did you know!” he said.
Stormzy who did menial jobs at age 20 before pursuing his musical career in 2014 said he always considered himself a “GodMc”. Sharing his joy on Instagram alongside the digital version of the cover.
He wrote:
One of my absolute proudest moments. I can’t even comprehend this. I am on the cover of TIME. I’ve stared at this cover for a few minutes and it feels like one of those “how the fuckkkkk did man get here?!” moments. God’s favour and the ever lasting love and support you guys show me has elevated me to a place in life where this South London kid is worthy enough to grace the cover of the most prestigious publication in the World. This is a huge honour – one of TIME’s Next Generation Leaders. I wanna thank God for purpose – I say this because anyone who knows me knows how much I shy away from being anything other than “Mike”. On a deeper, honest one the thought of being a “role model” or “leader” or whatever it is feels way way way too heavy and too overwhelming and a lot of the time I think nahhhh fuck all that I ain’t no one’s anything lol I can’t even bare the weight of being myself let alone any of these other titles so everyone get off me I ain’t shit lol I am deeply flawed and still learning how to be a man and still figuring out how to grow into the person I need to be but within all of that confusion and all the juggling of being a human and trying to be a superhuman – I have purpose. And my purpose has lead me here. Big Mike for TIME ya na 😅❤️🙏🏿 Massive thanks to the legend that is @renieddolodge for interviewing me was an honour.
You can read the full times feature Here