Rise Up cover art

Rise Up

The #Merky Story So Far

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Rise Up

By: Stormzy
Narrated by: Akua Agyemfra, Alec Boateng/Twin B, Austin Daboh, Ayesha Lorde Dunn, DJ TiiNY, Fraser T. Smith, Jude Yawson, Kaylum Dennis, Manon Grandjean, Rachel Campbell, Stormzy, Tobe Onwuka, Trevor A. Williams
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE #MERKY STORY SO FAR

Edited and co-written by Jude Yawson
Contributions by Team #Merky

'It's been a long time coming, I swear...'

In four years Stormzy has risen from one of the most promising musicians of his generation to a spokesperson for a generation. Rise Up is the story of how he got there. It's a story about faith and the ideas worth fighting for. It's about knowing where you're from, and where you're going. It's about following your dreams without compromising who you are.

Featuring contributions from those closest to him, Rise Up is the #Merky story, and the record of a journey unlike any other.

'A very important book. The voices we hear from - young, gifted and largely black - are all too rarely heard. These are people who typically have to listen to a daily diet of media negativity about their communities without the opportunities to respond. ... It is truly inspiring to read about the accomplishments of Team Stormzy, realised largely without money or expertise, but with bucketloads of intelligence and hard work.' BBC (WILL GOMPERTZ)

©2018 Stormzy (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Entertainment & Celebrities Music Personal Development Personal Success Celebrity Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

Part inspirational self-help manual, part business guide, part exploration of how its author - aided by the team around him, given equal voice in the oral history format - transformed himself into the scene's biggest star. (Alexis Petridis)
Charts the ascent of the grime MC... through a panoply of voices. Stormzy is adored. (Kitty Empire)
In first-person interviews, the MC's friends and colleagues give their insight on an extraordinary journey so far... In doing so, it shines a light on voices that are often overlooked, in keeping with Stormzy's ethos for his #Merky publishing imprint. (Rhian Daly)
A very important book... It is truly inspiring to read about the accomplishments of Team Stormzy, realised largely without money or expertise, but with bucketloads of intelligence and hard work. (Will Gompertz)
An inspirational must-read... Throughout he demonstrates an ambition beyond telling his life story. The book is part of a wider plan to elevate black British culture to where he believes it should be. It's a manual demonstrating how big plans can become realities... Like Stormzy himself, it's a different kind of success. (David Smyth)
A motivational, inspirational oral history of Stormzy and his success. A rollercoaster ride to success and his team has been with him the whole time... If Rise Up is just the beginning, I cannot wait for the next stage. (Nikesh Shukla)
Provides a real insight into what it takes to become... the country's biggest grime star. It’s not so much a "look what I have achieved" book but more a case of "look what we all came together to achieve". Yet that’s not to say it’s entirely free of personal revelation. This is the first book from #Merky Books, Stormzy’s new publishing imprint dedicated to supporting a new generation of young voices... don't sleep on it - the future's looking #Merky. (Amy Dawson)
An oral history of Stormzy’s stellar career... A book written not to the greater glory of Stormzy, but as a way of inspiring the next generation. (Victoria Segal)
With contributions from his loyal team, as well as Stormzy himself, this offers a fascinating insight into his faith, the journey to making his Number 1 album, and his commendable dream to help the British black community rise up. (Kay Ribeiro)
An absorbing oral history of Stormzy’s stratospheric rise told with the explicit intent of motivating its readers… the book itself is an exercise in creating the platform and infrastructure that allows those who would usually have limited resources to fulfil their ambitions… thrilling… more than an oral history, Rise Up is a model for those seeking to replicate Stormzy and his team’s accomplishments.
All stars
Most relevant
Love Stormzy and GSAP is an absolutely phenomenal album. This book just highlights the greatness of Stormzy and Team #Merky. Great additions and editing from Jude as well.

Finished it in 3 days!

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This book was amazing and was a true representation of Black British culture.It’s inspiring and it many nuggets I will implement moving forward. I loved hearing all the different voices and how everyone works together! Well Done #MerkyTeam

Listened to this in 1 day!!!

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a good read. I've learnt a little more about him and his team. he's going places

a good insight to the life of Stormzy

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It was cool to hear all the voices but perhaps a bit confusing at times.

Inspirational story

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As a young man growing up in the same area as stormzy (South London) this has really inspired and encouraged me. Thank you. hope to meet him again one day or even to become apart of his team. sounds like great people.

Thank You

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