"Mel Made Me Do It" is a song by English rapper Stormzy, released as a single on 23 September 2022 through 0207 Def Jam and #Merky.[1] It contains guest appearances from Jamaican musician Stylo G and English actress Michaela Coel. The song, Stormzy's longest at the time, was written by him and producer Knox Brown. It was released alongside its 11-minute music video, which includes a variety of cameo appearances from Usain Bolt and Louis Theroux amongst others.

"Mel Made Me Do It"
Single by Stormzy
Released23 September 2022 (2022-09-23)
Length7:20
Label
  • 0207 Def Jam
  • #Merky
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Knox Brown
Stormzy singles chronology
"Clash"
(2021)
"Mel Made Me Do It"
(2022)
"Hide & Seek"
(2022)
Music video
"Mel Made Me Do It" on YouTube

Content

edit

The song includes a guest appearance by Stylo G and a monologue performed by Michaela Coel that was written by Wretch 32. It is named for Stormzy's personal stylist Melissa's Wardrobe and her "direct influence" on him.[2]

Critical reception

edit
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Guardian     [3]

Will Pritchard of The Guardian felt the track contains "boastful, whip-smart wordplay" and "slot[s] somewhere in the chasm" between Stormzy's modes of "choral, heaving and heartfelt" and "puff-chested flexing", ultimately describing it as a "testament to Stormzy's magnetism".[3] Ellie Robinson of NME wrote that the song "stands out with its minimalistic, progressive instrumental, buzzing along with sharp 808 beats and modulated string-work" accompanying "Stormzy's vicious flow".[1]

Music video

edit

The song's music video, released alongside the song, was directed by KLVDR and includes cameo appearances from Usain Bolt, Jonathan Ross, Louis Theroux, José Mourinho,[4] Dave, Little Simz, Dina Asher-Smith, Headie One, Gabrielle, Ian Wright, Brenda Edwards, Stylo G, Trevor Nelson, Jme, Julie Adenuga, Walé Adeyemi and Stormzy's family, among others.[2][1][5]

Charts

edit
Chart performance for "Mel Made Me Do It"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[6] 25
Netherlands (Single Tip)[7] 17
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[8] 7
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[9] 18
UK Singles (OCC)[10] 12
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[11] 5

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Robinson, Ellie (23 September 2022). "Stormzy returns with epic new single 'Mel Made Me Do It', cameo-packed video". NME. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b Brodsky, Rachel (22 September 2022). "Stormzy – 'Mel Made Me Do It'". Stereogum. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b Pritchard, Will (23 September 2022). "Stormzy: Mel Made Me Do It review – boastful, whip-smart wordplay that makes it look easy". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  4. ^ Arcand, Rob (22 September 2022). "Stormzy Shares Video for New Song "Mel Made Me Do It": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Inside Stormzy's star-studded 'Mel Made Me Do It' music video & lyrics". Capital. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Dutch Single Tip 01/10/2022". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  8. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 39". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  11. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 September 2022.