Stormzy

  Powerlistee
  Media, Publishing, Entertainment, Sport

Multi Brit Award-winning music star Stormzy is set for a fresh creative challenge – amid news that he is collaborating with National Theatre artistic director Indhu Rubasingham on a world premiere stage production. The as-yet-untitled project is slated to be part of the National Theatre’s new season.

It’s another string to the already well-strung bow of the rapper, songwriter, activist, publisher, and philanthropist. This May he also released two new singles, Sorry Rach! and Hold Me Down. His bursting-at-the-seams #Merky empire now includes #MerkyFC HQ (the ‘FC’ standing for ‘football careers’) – an ambitious sport, music, and gaming centre in Croydon, south London. Stormzy said it was a bid to address the disparity in British football, wherein the proportion of managerial and backroom staff is just 4.4 per cent. “I’ve always thought, no, we’re so much more than that. If we had the avenues to become all those other things, I’m sure we’ll be able to do that.”

Other elements of the ‘Merky’ brand include the #Merky Foundation, which funds philanthropic causes, from a £10 million donation to organisations and movements committed to fighting racial inequality, to the ‘Stormzy Scholars’ partnership with HSBC, covering tuition fees and costs for Black UK students at the University of Cambridge. His #Merky Books imprint launched with Stormzy’s first book, Rise Up, in autumn 2018.

In recognition of his contributions across music, education, and philanthropy, Stormzy received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Cambridge in June 2025. He also holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Exeter, awarded in 2022, for his work in widening participation.

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