As if Stormzy’s current UK and Ireland tour wasn’t enough for fans, he’s gone one further, announcing his third album last night during a show in Cardiff. During the event, a film was played to the crowd showing shots of the rapper in a recording studio. At the end was a message which simply stated “Album 3. Coming 2022.“

Stormzy is coming guys ?!? What are we expecting ? pic.twitter.com/GqgB2kUvPA

— Mimi The Music Blogger (@mdaixo) March 14, 2022

It’s a good start to the tour, with last night being the first performance. Over the rest of March and early April he’ll be making his way through places such as Sheffield, Dublin and three consecutive nights in London’s O2 Arena.

And he knows what he’s doing with this latest announcement. Extra incentive to attend the shows is being given, with the audience having special pre-ordering access to CDs of the new album at official merchandise stands, alongside a QR coded lanyard and a special limited edition t-shirt if they so wish. Their press release describes it as a “personal gesture of gratitude to his loyal and supportive fans who have waited almost two years for the UK shows“.

It’s been a while since Stormzy’s first two wildly successful studio albums. His debut back in 2017, Gang Signs & Prayer, became the first grime album on the UK Albums Chart to reach no. 1.

And his 2019 effort, Heavy is the Head, didn’t do too bad either, again reaching no. 1 and receiving critical acclaim across the board. The Independent said that Stormzy tests himself “emotionally as well as artistically …. [rattling] out ripostes to critics who have pressured him or attempted to ‘wind me up’, all the while he remains uncertain about where to go next. He may have started out that way, but the following 15 tracks herald a man who knows exactly who he is”.

If you’re just as keen to get the new album as to see the man live, any remaining tickets can be found through this link. He’ll be in Newcastle tomorrow and finishing up April 4^th reminding the Glaswegians why grime is such an important presence in British music at the moment, so be careful not to miss it. Full touring details can be seen below.

Stormzy UK Tour Dates

15/03/2022 – Utilita Arena – Newcastle Upon Tyne
16/03 – First Direct Arena – Leeds
18/03 – Utilita Arena – Sheffield
19/03 – AO Arena – Manchester
20/03 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool
21/03 – Motorpoint Arena – Nottingham
23/03 – Utilita Arena – Birmingham
24/03 – BIC – Bournemouth
27/03 – The O2 Arena – London
28/03 –The O2 Arena – London
29/03 –The O2 Arena – London
01/04 – 3Arena – Dublin
02/04 – 3Arena – Dublin
04/04 – OVO Hydro – Glasgow