Can Stormzy beat Sir Cliff Richard to the number 1 album spot? (Picture: Getty)
In more news we didn’t expect to see in 2022, Stormzy is battling it out with Sir Cliff Richard in an album chart battle for number one.
The beloved Croydon rapper is vying for the top spot with his third studio release, This Is What I Mean, while Sir Cliff returns with his festive collection Christmas With Cliff.
The artists dropped their latest records on Friday (November 25) and although Stormzy currently remains in the lead, it’s all to play for.
Stormzy, real name Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, is no stranger to securing the summit though, having already done so with debut album Gang Signs & Prayers in 2017 and again with Heavy Is The Head in 2019.
In an incredibly candid letter on the eve of the release of his new record, he wrote: ‘I’m never tryna do what is unexpected of me or what is expected of me.
‘If I rap for seven minutes it’s because in my spirit, in that moment, I just really want to f***ing rap.
The rapper released his new album This Is What I Mean on November 25 (Picture: Getty)
Sir Cliff just dropped his first Christmas album in 20 years (Picture: Getty)
‘If I sing my heart out it’s because my soul just absolutely had to. I love music. I love, love, loveeeee music. I will rap for the rest of my life. I will sing for the rest of my life, I will make art for the rest of my life. (sic)’
Sir Cliff’s new album is his first release dedicated to the festive season in 19 years.
Rather impressively, the record is currently on course to become his 47th Top 10 solo album, in a recording career that now spans over 60 years.
Of course, Sir Cliff’s previous yuletide hits, including Mistletoe And Wine, Saviour’s Day, and The Millennium Prayer, have become Christmas staples over the years.
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‘This album is not just mine, it belongs to all of us involved in creating it, and I hope that we add a little something special to your Christmas season,’ he said of the release.
It remains to be seen which artist will bag the top spot… who’s your money on?
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Who will win?
