Rapper Stormzy (real name Michael Omari) gave a rousing performance at the Glastonbury Festival on Friday ( June 30,2019) where he wore a custom stab proof vest designed by Banksy, the elusively cool, statement-making British artist, who was no doubt making a not-so-sly comment on the rash of stabbings taking place in England where homicides by stabbing began spiking in 2017 and took a record number of lives last year.
Commenting on the performance, Stormzy wrote on Instagram, “I headlined Glastonbury in a stab-proof vest custom made by the greatest, most iconic living artist on planet earth, the one and only Banksy. I opened my set with words of encouragement from my hero and ultimate inspiration and the greatest rapper to ever grace planet Earth Jay-Z. I got to sing with the most incredible and legendary man I know – Chris Martin.”
Stormzy was the first black British artist to headline the festival since singer/guitar player Skin of Skunk Anansie did so in 1999. The 25-year gap was long enough that Stormzy’s team initially announced him as the first until Skin provided a friendly reminder.
During his performance, Stormzy shouted out peers that paved the way for him including a gang of female rappers including Little Simz, Ms. Banks, Lady Leshurr, Nadia Rose and Stefflon Don.
Enjoy his speech below courtesy of Stefflon Don.
