Stormzy working on new music two months after No1 album
HIS long-awaited third album This Is What I Mean went straight to the top of the charts.
But despite the record being released just two months ago, insiders have revealed rapper Stormzy is already working on new music.
A source said: “Stormzy isn’t resting on his laurels and has been writing and recording new songs already.
“Artistically he seems to be the strongest and most creative he has ever been.
“Stormzy has been doing some stuff at Qube studios in London.
“He registered a new track on a songwriting database earlier this month.
“The track is called Fire and it’s been pegged as a potential hit.
“Those around Stormzy think the song could spawn another album.
“It is really empowering and moving – and is very much in the vein of This Is What I Mean.
“His label is really excited about what they are hearing and no one should be surprised if Stormzy strikes while the iron is hot and releases new music this year.
“It is a hugely exciting time for him.”
The star is up for three Brit awards next month for This Is What I Mean, including Best British Album and Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap Act.
He will also go head to head with Harry Styles, George Ezra, Fred Again And Central Cee for Artist Of The Year.
A number of songs on Stormzy’s latest release were inspired by Maya Jama, who he split with in 2019 after four years together, with the heartfelt tracks appearing to be a love letter to the telly star.
And after I revealed last year that the pair had started dating again, maybe the new record will be about their reconciliation . . .
Bey's warm-up
REVEALED last month how Beyonce would be making her live comeback in Dubai – and now the day is finally here.
She has jetted out to the UAE for the show at a swanky hotel this evening and has been joined by rapper husband Jay-Z, who posed for this photo with another excited guest, former boxer Amir Khan.
Beyonce hasn’t performed a concert in four years, but with a tour expected to be announced imminently, this will be a nice warm-up.
RENEE’S WELL ON HER WAY
RENEE RAPP has been a huge hit Stateside in teen drama The Sex Lives Of College Girls and on stage in Mean Girls: The Musical.
And the rising US star is also making waves here, as her last-minute show in London had to be upgraded to a venue four times the capacity after selling out in seconds.
Renee finally performed at O2 Kentish Town Forum on Thursday with a set including single Too Well.
She said: “This is the biggest venue I’ve ever played, so it’s f***ing cool. You guys are just elite.”
Her debut EP Everything To Everyone, released in November, featured the emotional track In The Kitchen.
Introducing it on stage, she said: “This is the first song I sent to my mum and then my mum FaceTimed me crying.
“So I thought, ‘Well, if my mum likes it . . .’”
Her mum clearly has good taste.
RED ’ED USHER
USHER is working on new music and, by the looks of it, he is channelling another chart-topper, Ed Sheeran, to make sure he has some fresh hits.
The R&B star showed off his new ginger hair while out and about at Paris Fashion Week, rubbing shoulders with the likes of David and Victoria Beckham.
Usher, estimated to be worth £150million, wore a variety of expensive designer clobber for his day out in the French capital on Thursday and was back at it again yesterday.
I hope he has a big enough suitcase to take it all back to the US.
SHIA’S A SHE
SHIA LABEOUF looks a right miss – in a flouncy dress and high heels, teamed with a sparkly gold corset, headpiece, necklace and handbag.
The troubled US actor, facing trial in April over claims of sexual battery brought by his ex-girlfriend, Brit singer FKA Twigs, wore the Ancient Greek-style get-up while shooting new sci-fi movie Megalopolis, about an architect who wants to rebuild New York following a devastating disaster.
Shia, pictured on set in Atlanta, Georgia, was named as part of Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola’s big-budget film last August, despite the court case against him.
The movie’s star-studded cast also features Adam Driver, Forest Whitaker, Aubrey Plaza And Dustin Hoffman.
But many people have expressed discomfort over Shia landing his role in such a prominent production, given the troubling civil lawsuit facing him.
If the upcoming trial doesn’t go his way, it could be a serious headache for the film’s producers.
LOOKING ROSA FOR RAFFERTY
RAFFERTY LAW has some serious pulling power, having dated singer Rita Ora, reality star Frankie Sims and Brooklyn Beckham’s model ex Hana Cross over the years.
But the actor son of Jude Law has moved away from romancing famous faces and struck up a relationship with an aspiring model and actress.
I’ve learnt he is dating a woman called Rosa Ramirez – and she’s even met his mum Sadie Frost.
A pal said: “Raff doesn’t like his romances to play out in public but he has been dating Rosa for a few months and is now being more open about it.
“He has shared some photographs of her on his Instagram stories.
“Rosa has met Raff’s mum and she gets on with his mates. It seems like he’s found someone serious in her.”
In recent weeks Rafferty, who was the frontman of band Outer Stellar Overdrive, has been dragged into the ongoing “nepo baby” row – referring to children of celebrities whose parents’ famous names and showbiz connections have helped their kids to become successful or celebs themselves.
But in a recent interview he admitted he wanted to try to move away from the ties.
He told Hunger magazine: “In the past I felt like I was slightly defined by my family.
“Now I want to break away from that and focus on myself . . . to show people what I’m capable of and share my opinions.”
GOING MADGE FOR IT
MADONNA sold out the London dates of her Celebration Tour, despite adding extra shows.
The Queen Of Pop announced she would be visiting the UK for a show at the O2 Arena but after seeing huge demand, she confirmed three more concerts there.
But within three hours of general access tickets going on sale yesterday, they were sold out, with sales totalling almost 80,000.
The only packages remaining were for VIP access, costing more than £1,000.
I’m not sure many people can afford that right now but I’m sure it’s going to be a cracker of a show.
AJ’S GOT VIBRANT VIBES
AJ ODUDU brightened up my day in this colourful ensemble.
The TV presenter looked sensational in a printed teal sarong and lilac crop top as she soaked up the sun on holiday in Cartagena, Colombia.
Sharing a collection of snaps on Instagram, she wrote: “Vibrant vibes.
“Colombia is serving colour, and lots of it!”
In a break from her jam-packed telly schedule, AJ has been holidaying in the States and was recently spotted partying with pals at Soho Beach House in Miami.
It comes after The Sun revealed that the Blackburn-born star has agreed to host the Big Brother reboot, set to begin in a matter of months.
AJ may have to channel those “vibrant vibes” while she’s waiting outside the BB house in the nippy spring.