"If I fall before I fly, I just pray my dreams can save me."
Stormzy's debut EP, "Dreamers Disease" was released on July 20, 2014 and was, well, the calm before the storm. The project was a major stepping stone as he has since transcended music and become a pop culture phenomenon.
With "Dreamers Disease," the Croydon rapper made a name for himself in a bubbling Grime scene. Vice said that the London rap genre was experiencing a revival of sorts that year. The publication pointed out that Meridian Dan made a splash on the mainstream charts with "German Whip" and Skepta won a coveted MOBO award for his "That's Not Me" video. In his acceptance speech, which he gave while wearing a hoodie, Skepta shouted out Stormzy as one of the upcoming artists to watch out for.
Stormzy won the MOBO award for Best Grime Act that same night, beating out Skepta, Meridian Dan and one of his biggest influences, Grime pioneer Wiley, in a year where "Dreamers Disease" was starting to show the world what he was capable of. He was visibly shocked when he picked up the trophy and struggled to find the words to thank God, his family and the other artists who showed him support and gave him opportunities.
At the time, he knew the pressure was beginning to boil and acknowledged there was more work to be done.
"I take it in my stride. There isn't enough time for me to kick back," he told Huffington Post in a 2014 interview that named him "Grime's New MVP." "Now is the time to work even harder, this is the stage where you can get complacent. Personally I don't think I haven't done enough to take that accolade, I haven't sold out a show yet. Now is time to step up!"
After Stormzy gained a following through his WICKEDSKENGMAN freestyle series, "Dreamers Disease" opened with a piano-laced intro where he reflects on his position at the precipice of greatness. He acknowledged Skepta's support as helping him realize how far he's gotten on his journey. And he made sure to let his fans and loved ones know that he's on the grind for more than just himself.
In the seven tracks on "Dreamers Disease," Stormzy gave a glimpse of the complex artistry that was to come. Here were the seeds that established Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. as a master of duality, which would be fleshed out later on his monster debut album, "Gang Signs & Prayer."
He jumped right into his romantic side on the smooth "Forever" with crooner 1st Born and also expressed his commitment to a love interest on "Storm Trooper" with TE dness. He was thoughtful on the title track where he pondered the power of his dreams and had some fun with Afroswing veterans Showa Shins and Starboy Willz on the conclusion "Jupa."
But Stormzy is far from a softie. "No Way" with Yung Fume, who is also from Croydon, showed Big Mike's bravado. He interpolated Future's "Move That Dope" as a reminder that he's as relevant as the best of them.
"He’s really inspiring and also he’s from the same area as I am," Yung Fume told Spindle in a 2018 interview. "It’s inspiring to see a brother be so successful and it inspires me to try to be as successful as him."
Stormzy was intentional about having organic collaborations on the project rather than locking in features from heavy hitters.
"With this EP I wanted it to be as natural as possible," he said in the Huffington Post piece. "I've got 5 features and they're not your usual suspects, they're people I thought were perfect for that particular song. They might not be as recognised as other artists but I think they (brought) something fresh to the table."
The aggressive "Not That Deep" was the main single off "Dreamers Disease" and boosted Stormzy's profile immensely. The track is produced by The HeavyTrackerz, the same group who crafted the beat for "German Whip,"and it was given a video that showed how Stormzy had community support.
"Dreamers Disease" also served as inspiration for the next generation. Stormzy is a big brother in the industry to one of British rap's current stars, Dave. In 2021, Dave took to X, formerly Twitter, to express his appreciation for the "Dreamers Disease" era. That year, the two teamed up for "Clash," a smash hit boiling with bravado.
"Stormzy you know. My idol. I paid for tickets for this mans ('Dreamers Disease') show as a kid," Dave reflected. "I rapped to him when he was a judge for rising stars. ... The only advice he gives me is stay close to God. Keep him close in this life."
Off the tails of "Dreamers Disease," Stormzy threw his real gut punch in 2017 via"Gang Signs & Prayer," which he released independently. It debuted at No. 1 on the UK albums chart and won the BRIT Award for Album of the Year. As the title suggests, he further showcased the duality of growing up in Croydon hardened by the surrounding drugs, violence and poverty while also being soft-hearted and grounded in faith. "Big For Your Boots" and "Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2" have become equally essential tracks in his catalogue. It's a persona that isn't totally unique to Stormzy, but one that he has masterfully and authentically carried like few others have.
His career now includes three studio albums, platinum plaques, multiple BRIT Awards and a history-making performance as the first Black solo artist to headline the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury where he wore a vest designed by Banksy. Not to mention he has a scholarship fund for Black students, a publishing company to uplift minority writers and a soccer community center in his hometown.
When he released "Dreamers Disease," did Stormzy envision how high he would fly? It's hard to tell. But 10 years ago, the son of a single mother who was an immigrant from Ghana was confident that the fruits of his labor would be positive.
"I have a plan, of course, but my ethic is just working hard, being consistent," he told the Huffington Post. "I will be where I need to be, whether that be on tour, international tour or a second album, hopefully is big things. I know what comes from hard work."
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