Stormzy Is Using Grime to Save Christmas From Corporate Blandness

In the UK, getting the number one single on Christmas day is traditionally a big phenomenon in pop culture, serving as the subject of widespread expectation and conversation.

Since the Simon Cowell-featuring television show The X Factor began back in 2005, though, its winners—such as Ben Haenow, Alexandra Burke, and Leona Lewis—have typically taken the title, arguably making the annual race slightly less unpredictable and a little more bland. Previous to that, the top song typically went to major label artists and charity songs.

This year, one of grime's biggest rising stars Stormzy is making a very serious bid to upset the corporate ritual with his #ShutUpForXMasNo1 campaign, much like Rage Against The Machine did back in 2009 with "Killing in the Name." The single in question is a freestyle entitled "Shut Up," which uses Ruff Sqwad-affiliate XTC's classic instrumental "Functions on the Low." The song was initially released back in May as part of the "WickedSkengMan 4" single.

The campaign to beat out this year's X Factor winner Louisa Johnson is so far looking good, as "Shut Up" is currently number 5 on the iTunes chart and #ShutUpForXMasNo1 is going viral. Betting and gaming company Ladbrokes currently has Stormzy's odds to win at 6/1, with Johnson's at 4/7 and Justin Bieber's at 11/2.

Now would be a great time to give the song a spin, either through iTunes, Spotify, or Google Play. Keep up with all the action via Storzy's Twitter, and watch the video for the freestyle below.

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