Today, British rapper Stormzy announced #Merky Films, the latest extension to a growing creative empire he has amassed under his #Merky imprint. The award-winning artist is also set to star in its very first release, Big Man, a short-film that will see the grime superstar take on his first lead acting role.
#Merky Films joins a roster that includes #Merky Books, #Merky Foundation and #Merky FC – ventures that have kept Stormzy, aka Big Mike, busy outside of music. With a mission to “champion new voices” and “celebrate culture and inspire meaningful change” in British cinema, #Merky Films debut project was brought to life with the help of Apple, a coveted partner for the 31-year-old south Londoner.
Directed by Oscar winner Aneil Karia, Big Man was shot entirely on iPhone 16 Pro and sees Stormzy star as Tenzman, its lead character who’s described as being a former rap star “navigating a restless and uncertain chapter of his life.”
“Music is my first love, but film is my second,” says Stormzy, adding that “#Merky Films is something I’ve been dreaming about for ages.” He describes his latest venture as “a space for powerful British stories and a solid home for fresh, unexpected art” and says it’s “a natural next step for everything we do at #Merky – sharing our stories, spotlighting important voices and making room for those who deserve to be seen and heard.”
Big Man is set to release June 18 on YouTube.
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