Latest news with #MerkyBooks
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Stormzy set to make film debut with major career move
Stormzy has officially unveiled #Merky Films, the latest addition to his creative empire. The launch is his entry into the world of film and visual storytelling, expanding the #Merky brand (which already includes #Merky Books, #Merky Foundation, and #Merky FC). To kick off the venture, Stormzy is debuting Big Man, a short film produced in association with Apple and shot entirely on iPhone 16 Pro. Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Aneil Karia, the film stars Stormzy in his first-ever lead acting role. Klevis Brahja, 15, will also be making his acting debut in the film after being street-cast for the film. Some fans may recognise Jaydon Eastman, 14, from The Lion King, Matilda, and MJ The Musical on the West End, who is also starring in the new project. Premiering on YouTube at 8:00pm BST on June 18, 2025, the film follows the story of Tenzman, a retired rap star whose life takes an unexpected turn after he meets two spirited boys, Klevis and Tyrell. Their unlikely friendship rekindles Tenzman's passion for music, leading him down new avenues of discovery. The film explores themes of rediscovery, gratitude, and the enduring power of connection. More Trending '#Merky Films is something I've been dreaming about for ages,' said Stormzy. 'It's a space for powerful British stories and fresh, unexpected art. I hope Big Man inspires people to dream bigger and live louder.' The new media venture aims to spotlight new voices and bold narratives within British cinema and TV, and its upcoming slate includes a drama series, a biopic, documentaries, a new animation project, and a mockumentary. In an Instagram post about the project, Stormzy wrote: 'I hope you love Big Man as much as we loved making it. It captures the joy, the spirit and the fearless energy of youth and I hope it inspires you to dream big.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Stupid' Apple Pay prank plagues commuters on London Tube MORE: Warning issued to anyone with an iPhone over urgent security upgrade MORE: WhatsApp will stop working on a range of phones this month – is yours on the list?
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
#Merky Books winner wants to write for 'next gen of black boys'
When Abaka Debrah thinks about the future, he has one big mission in mind."I want to write for the next generation of young black boys," he new novel Where Geezers Call Home is partly inspired by the UK riots last year, while also drawing on his own experiences of moving to the UK from Ghana aged book has just won the New Writers' Prize on Stormzy's #Merky Books label, with the story catching the attention of the judges, including the rapper himself. They described the story as "a thrilling and shocking dystopian exploration of the complexities of race and identity, trust, and rebellion in modern British culture".This year there were over 700 submissions, with the contest - launched by Stormzy six years ago - aiming to increase access to the publishing industry for a wider range of voices. 'Being British can feel like an ongoing battle' Known as Abs to his friends, 25-year-old Abaka's story shows a future where race riots lead to the United Nations (UN) taking over the UK government."It's set in this alternative world where the UN steps in to implement strict laws where everyone has to be equal," he says, describing it as a "wacky little story".But that doesn't take away from some of the serious themes in the book, such as race relations in the UK."I love the UK but you also realise there's a lot we need to do to not be oblivious of cracks and divides," Abs thinks there's a danger too many people sweep these issues under the rug."There's this idea that everything is great in the UK and we all get along," he says. The book draws on Abs' childhood, with main character Xavier being relocated to Essex, where the author also moved as a also incorporates some of his ideas of a more complicated identity, which he's worked into his spoken word poetry."I'm from Ghana and I've lived here most of my life. What it means to be British is this ongoing battle," Abs says."The UK is my home and I love the UK but I thinks sometimes for a lot of people who contribute a lot to this society they wonder if this place is really home."Or if it's just an Airbnb they're passing through." Abs hopes his book will help to inspire the next generation of writers, saying he didn't get the chance to read many authors like him in school."It brings out representation and support for people not seen in traditional publishing."There's so many great writers from marginalised communities not represented," he he does feel there has been progress in the types of stories being told about minority winners of #Merky Books prizes have included stories from Sufiyaan Salam, junior doctor William Rayfet Hunter, Hafsa Zayyan, author of We Are All Birds of Uganda, and Zadie Smith and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie."We're seeing a lot more media now about black love and black joy, instead of just black pain," Abs adds. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.
The Guardian
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Stormzy to receive honorary Cambridge University doctorate
Stormzy has been awarded an honorary law doctorate from the University of Cambridge, to recognise his philanthropic work. The rapper, 31, has initiated various schemes across sport and the arts outside his chart-topping music career, such as founding his Merky Books imprint which champions Black British authors, and buying out the football team AFC Croydon Athletic with the intention of turning it into a 'community asset'. He already has ties with the university, launching the Stormzy Scholarship programme in 2018 which funded two Black British students a year. It expanded in 2021 to 12 students per year, in a partnership with HSBC. Stormzy's Cambridge doctorate is his second honorary degree, after receiving one in 2022 from the University of Exeter 'in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of higher education philanthropy and widening participation'. Also recognised with an honorary Cambridge doctorate this year is another esteemed British musician, though from a rather different sphere: choral composer John Rutter. Other honourees are the American professor Angela Davis, actor Simon Russell Beale, former supreme court justice Mary Arden, Nobel prize-winning economist Oliver Hart, biologist Maria Leptin and Olympic gold medal-winning rower Katherine Grainger, who is chair of UK Sport and chancellor of the University of Glasgow. Following Stormzy's win in the rap act category at the Brit awards earlier this month, the Cambridge doctorate is the latest bright spot of news for him after some bruising weeks in the public eye. After launching a new advertising partnership with McDonald's in February, his social media was flooded with comments which criticised the campaign. Stormzy has been a vocal supporter of Palestine, but McDonald's is the target of a global boycott over its activity in Israel: the country's former franchise owner, Alonyal, gave free food to Israeli soldiers in October 2023. Stormzy addressed the criticism, saying amid a long Instagram post: 'I understand it must feel disappointing and disheartening when it seems like someone you've championed has compromised their beliefs for commercial gain but this isn't the case here'. He is expected to release a fourth studio album later this year.
