Stormzy has unveiled his latest single, Crown, on which he addresses some of the negative responses to his decision to set up a Cambridge University scholarship scheme.
In August last year, Stormzy announced that he would be funding scholarships for two students a year to attend the acclaimed university, covering their tuition fees and providing a maintenance grant, for up to four years of study.
Despite widespread praise for the scheme, a handful of detractors complained that the scholarships were only available to black students, who are underrepresented at Cambridge.
On his new single, Stormzy addresses these critics, explaining that some said the scholarship is “racist”, rapping that it isn’t “anti-white, it’s pro-black”.
The first two Stormzy Scholarship Scheme students started studying last year, and another two will begin courses this September.
Crown also sees Stormzy mention his triumphant Brits 2018 performance, with the lines: “Rain falling down at the BRITs, I’m still soaked / Tried put a hole in our shit, we’ll build boats.”
Next week, Stormzy will take to the stage for his biggest gig of his career, as he headlines Glastonbury Festival.
The grime star has performed at the festival on a number of occasions – including in 2017, when he used his set to call for the government to be “held accountable” for the Grenfell fire.
This time around, he’ll be closing the Pyramid Stage on Friday night.
Crown is the second single from his forthcoming album, the hotly-anticipated follow-up to 2017’s Gang Signs & Prayer.
The first, Vossi Bop, became the rapper’s first UK number one single when it was released earlier this year.