Stormzy signs with WME

The deal, made public on 30 June and covering touring and brand partnerships, arrives days after the #Merky founder received an honorary degree from the University of Exeter for his “outstanding achievement in the field of higher education, philanthropy and widening participation.”

Founded in 2009, WME represents professionals in music, film, television and sports. It is home to international stars like John Legend and Idris Elba, among hundreds of other big names.

Stormzy, who joins WME from Primary Talent International, will be represented by Lucy Dickins, Craig D’Souza and Whitney Boateng. He will also continue to be represented by his manager and #Merk co-founder, Tobe Onwuka.

“A true spokesman of black empowerment and social activism, Stormzy is one of the UK’s most inspiring artists who has consistently stood up to address social injustices, encouraging his fans and listeners alike to speak openly about their beliefs and fight for their rights,” WME said.

A multiple award-winning act, Stormzy is behind the Gang Signs & Prayer (2017) and Heavy Is the Head (2019) albums. The artist is reportedly working on his third album.

The rapper is also behind the #Merky Foundation, which is geared toward fighting against racial inequality and for justice reform and black empowerment, as well as #Merky Books, a Penguin Random House UK imprint.

In 2018, Stormzy launched the annual Stormzy Scholarship for British black students to attend the University of Cambridge, an initiative he said he hoped to “continue to serve as a small reminder to young black students that the opportunity to study at one of the best universities in the world is theirs for the taking.”