Stormzy has been on a steady ascend to Brit music royalty and, having reached the arguable apex, he’s been rewarded accordingly by being named one of TIME Magazine‘s Next Generation Leaders.

Armed with the momentum of two #1 singles this year, an internationally praised headlining set at Glastonbury, and buzz for his sophomore album, the Londoner seized his profile feature to spotlight what he feels to be his broader purpose.

His words below…

On Launching His Own Publishing Company, Merky Books:

“There’s a whole side of blackness and black Britishness that doesn’t often fall under the kind of umbrella term that everyone uses of ‘black culture. It’s like black culture almost becomes music, acting, sports and just kind of celebrity and whatever. I was like, Yo, there’s theater, there’s literature, books, there’s ballet.”

On  “Dark, Defining Times” Inspiring Him To Have Political Voice:

“The more I become self-aware, it’s like we can’t shy away from [politics]. Especially being an artist who has a platform.”

On His Commitment To Championing Black Excellence:

“Being so championed by my community, I feel like everyone’s put me on this pedestal and, like, everyone’s put me on top of the world … I know it’s my purpose to just shine a light where I can, do something where I can, just whatever I can, in whatever way, shape or form.”

More power to him!

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: TIME]