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Rise Up: The inspiring true story of the meteoric rise of #Merky – and how to achieve your own success
*A 2018 BOOK OF THE YEAR*‘An inspirational must-read.’ Evening Standard‘A very important book.’ Will Gompertz, BBC‘A motivational, inspirational oral history.’ Nikesh Shukla, iNews‘Don’t sleep on it... the future is looking #Merky.’ Metro______________________‘It’s been a long time coming, I swear...’ In four years Stormzy has risen from one of the most promising musicians of his generation to a spokesperson for a generation. Rise Up is the story of how he got there. It’s a story about faith and the ideas worth fighting for. It’s about knowing where you’re from, and where you’re going. It’s about following your dreams without compromising who you are.Featuring never-before-seen photographs, lyrics and contributions from Team #Merky, Rise Up is the #Merky story, and the record of a journey unlike any other.______________________Edited and Co-written by Jude YawsonContributions by Team #MerkyImages by Kaylum Dennis
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2018
59 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 21, 2019
This book is great in the way that I felt I got to understand Stormzy and the #Merky team. I found Stormzy's hardworking attitude and drive for excellence super intense but also very inspiring, and I enjoyed reading about his journey to where he is now.
However, I did feel that the writing style left a little to be desired. It's written in very short extracts from all different team members, and I struggled to remember who each person was and what their role was. It also meant the story was quite bitty, rather than reading as a full account. At the start of the book, the editor and co-writer, Jude Yawson, states that the book is "essentially a sequence of transcriptions" and also says that he has "tried to stick as closely as possible to what was said, rather than rework or embellish anyone's words. Fidelity seemed more important than flow". Fair enough, but I do wonder whether the book might have been a more enjoyable reading experience if it had been a narrative account, rather than separate insights from various people.
All in all, I really enjoyed the content of the book, but I would have maybe preferred a different approach to the book than the collection of transcripts we're essentially offered here.
However, I did feel that the writing style left a little to be desired. It's written in very short extracts from all different team members, and I struggled to remember who each person was and what their role was. It also meant the story was quite bitty, rather than reading as a full account. At the start of the book, the editor and co-writer, Jude Yawson, states that the book is "essentially a sequence of transcriptions" and also says that he has "tried to stick as closely as possible to what was said, rather than rework or embellish anyone's words. Fidelity seemed more important than flow". Fair enough, but I do wonder whether the book might have been a more enjoyable reading experience if it had been a narrative account, rather than separate insights from various people.
All in all, I really enjoyed the content of the book, but I would have maybe preferred a different approach to the book than the collection of transcripts we're essentially offered here.
January 13, 2019
This book was amazing! Stormzy is a figure I've looked up to for years and to hear about his journey was mind blowing.
October 3, 2023
An inspiring story about Stormzy and the #Merky crew. I loveddddd this book so much. Hearing about how Stormzy formed his team, created #Merky and GSAP and the future. Listening to the audiobook was like listening to an audio-documentary. Hearing the thoughts and voices of everyone who played a part in Stormzy's journey was so sick. An inspiring story on the beauty of collaboration, teamwork, hard-work, dedication and self belief. I genuinely think everyone should read this book fr! I can't wait for the next one. Can't lie I need a Stormzy documentary! South London, STAND UP!
May 20, 2025
This was bought for me as a charity shop secret Santa joke gift. Joke is it was pretty interesting but is now back at the charity shop.
March 25, 2020
Inspiring and empowering. Interesting to see things coming together from various perspectives. Could occasionally jump a bit or have me feeling like I wanted some thoughts to be explored a bit more, but still flowed well.
Loved reading through this - a truly enjoyable experience.
Loved reading through this - a truly enjoyable experience.
February 8, 2021
I have a lot of respect for Stormzy as a person so when this arrived in my selection of books my local library provided for me I was pretty excited to read it.
This is a really interesting idea for a book. It’s a series of discussions with various people talking about what Stormzy has done and how they got there. It shows it’s real team work and hard work. It took me a few pages to really get into the writing style but it worked really well.
This is a really interesting idea for a book. It’s a series of discussions with various people talking about what Stormzy has done and how they got there. It shows it’s real team work and hard work. It took me a few pages to really get into the writing style but it worked really well.
January 1, 2021
Very good read, confusing at first with how it switches to different members of the team but once I got a few pages in it was becoming a very good insight into what each member brought to the table!
April 21, 2025
Great example of how it takes a team to make things work, not just one person.
It was interesting how the book was written with the voices of all the team sharing their part of the journey, rather than just one narrator. It felt a bit disjointed at times because of this, but overall I enjoyed it because it was something different.
It was interesting how the book was written with the voices of all the team sharing their part of the journey, rather than just one narrator. It felt a bit disjointed at times because of this, but overall I enjoyed it because it was something different.
April 24, 2020
Found it a genuinely inspiring story and loved that it’s not just the story of Stormzy but the story of his team too and how #Merky came to be. ❤️
December 7, 2023
Really nostalgic, whether you're into grime or not, if you're a Millennial you will recognise a lot of the references to the start of YouTube and the burgeoning of social media.
However, sometimes the multiple voices means it can get a bit repetitive at time. Aside from that, it was a fascinating insight into the growth of a superstar from humble beginnings and how they set up an amazing team behind them.
However, sometimes the multiple voices means it can get a bit repetitive at time. Aside from that, it was a fascinating insight into the growth of a superstar from humble beginnings and how they set up an amazing team behind them.
August 31, 2022
Although this is short, it is interesting how it includes more than just Stormzy. Other musician memories have had the lead talking about other people but this is created as a team too.
November 16, 2021
A fascinating insight in to Stormzy’s rise to fame - I found it very interesting that it included accounts from all his team too. Just goes to show how many people are involved in a solo artists’ success!
June 19, 2020
I’m a huge fan so this is notable biased. I think this book is more suited for people who are interesting in getting into music (duh Ana) but I still enjoyed hearing about how the team came together and their struggles and their ideas. It is a group of young people with ambition and I’ll always applaud that
January 7, 2019
Recieve this as part of the ticket price for #Merky books Live. I was truly inspired; not only by Stormzy's chutzpah but the tenacity and diversity of the whole team. I loved that the book was not centered around Stormz as a protagonist but dissected the collective salience of the #Merky operation.
I was highly impressed with how Jude Yawson presented this work as an intimate conversation between friends. Being this was his literary debut I look forward to his next endeavour.
Each person within these pages left me with some food for thought. Given the short space of time between merky's inception and present day, this was a testament to the fact that even if you're from the roads of South London with the odds stacked against you; so much can be achieved with raw determination, high hopes, a solid circle of influence, belief in yourself and trust in the Most High.
Big ups to them all for setting the pace for "all the young Black Kings (and Queens) to rise up" in whatever their ambitions are.
I was highly impressed with how Jude Yawson presented this work as an intimate conversation between friends. Being this was his literary debut I look forward to his next endeavour.
Each person within these pages left me with some food for thought. Given the short space of time between merky's inception and present day, this was a testament to the fact that even if you're from the roads of South London with the odds stacked against you; so much can be achieved with raw determination, high hopes, a solid circle of influence, belief in yourself and trust in the Most High.
Big ups to them all for setting the pace for "all the young Black Kings (and Queens) to rise up" in whatever their ambitions are.
June 12, 2020
5 stars.
This is probably my favourite non-fiction book I've ever read. Not that I've read a lot, to be honest, but even when I've got a few more under my belt, I think Rise Up will still stand as an excellent read in my eyes.
For context: I love Stormzy. Admittedly, I don't actually know too many of his songs (although I've increased my knowledge since starting this book), but I have always respected and admired him as an artist, an activist and a role model to the younger generation, particularly to young black people, people from South London, or those from lower income households or areas. I have openly defended him in the past for speaking out for what he believes in and standing up against sociopolitical issues like racism. I'm pleased to say that this book has only elevated his reputation in my eyes, and I am glad to have had the chance to learn more about his journey in the music industry, and the team around him.
First things first (this happens to be the title of the first song on his debut album and it slaps - please have a listen) - this book is unlike any traditional autobiography/biography. Jude Yawson, who co-wrote and edited the book, conducted in-depth interviews with thirteen members of the #Merky team (including Stormzy himself), and then stitched them together to create a cohesive, mostly chronological narrative. And honestly? It was amazing. Yawson does an amazing job of editing and organising everyone's input. I wish that more biographies were approached in this way because I learnt so much more about Stormzy from the voices of his colleagues and peers than I ever could by only reading his voice. We get enough of his own introspection from his segments to give us an insight into his thought process, or emotional state at any point in his career, but the voices of the rest of the team were equally important.
Yes, this book is concerned with the wider #Merky team and how they all came together, but Stormzy remains at the centre of their missions and ambitions. And so, he remains at the centre of this book. Hearing his story from those closest to him, particularly at this stage in his career when so much has happened in a short space of time, adds so much value to the journey.
I also appreciate that Rise Up is committed to crediting everyone who contributes to Stormzy's success and the growing success of the #Merky brand and business. This book was published shortly before Stormzy became the first black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury. He had already changed the game for UK grime and continues to do so. He could have written a book that was 100% about him, but he chose not to. Instead, the people who helped get him to where he is receive full credit and a chance to speak about their experience behind the scenes of his success.
Finally, I'd like to address something Yawson writes in the books introduction: 'I hope, above all else, that the story [Rise Up] tells offers you what it offered to me: inspiration.' I am beyond happy to say that it did. Like, it really did. This book is empowering. I don't want to be a grime artist/rapper. I don't have plans to enter the music industry. I'm not a guy. I'm not black. Yet Stormzy's steep but steady climb to such success motivated and inspired me more than almost anything I've encountered. The overwhelming message and energy of every contributor is that of complete confidence, faith, belief and determination that is infectious, even through the page. I was rooting for them and, as cheesy (and impossible?) as it sounds, I felt like they were rooting for me.
Stormzy lover or not, I think Rise Up is a valuable read. Now that I've raced through it, I feel ready to take on the world.
This is probably my favourite non-fiction book I've ever read. Not that I've read a lot, to be honest, but even when I've got a few more under my belt, I think Rise Up will still stand as an excellent read in my eyes.
For context: I love Stormzy. Admittedly, I don't actually know too many of his songs (although I've increased my knowledge since starting this book), but I have always respected and admired him as an artist, an activist and a role model to the younger generation, particularly to young black people, people from South London, or those from lower income households or areas. I have openly defended him in the past for speaking out for what he believes in and standing up against sociopolitical issues like racism. I'm pleased to say that this book has only elevated his reputation in my eyes, and I am glad to have had the chance to learn more about his journey in the music industry, and the team around him.
First things first (this happens to be the title of the first song on his debut album and it slaps - please have a listen) - this book is unlike any traditional autobiography/biography. Jude Yawson, who co-wrote and edited the book, conducted in-depth interviews with thirteen members of the #Merky team (including Stormzy himself), and then stitched them together to create a cohesive, mostly chronological narrative. And honestly? It was amazing. Yawson does an amazing job of editing and organising everyone's input. I wish that more biographies were approached in this way because I learnt so much more about Stormzy from the voices of his colleagues and peers than I ever could by only reading his voice. We get enough of his own introspection from his segments to give us an insight into his thought process, or emotional state at any point in his career, but the voices of the rest of the team were equally important.
Yes, this book is concerned with the wider #Merky team and how they all came together, but Stormzy remains at the centre of their missions and ambitions. And so, he remains at the centre of this book. Hearing his story from those closest to him, particularly at this stage in his career when so much has happened in a short space of time, adds so much value to the journey.
I also appreciate that Rise Up is committed to crediting everyone who contributes to Stormzy's success and the growing success of the #Merky brand and business. This book was published shortly before Stormzy became the first black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury. He had already changed the game for UK grime and continues to do so. He could have written a book that was 100% about him, but he chose not to. Instead, the people who helped get him to where he is receive full credit and a chance to speak about their experience behind the scenes of his success.
Finally, I'd like to address something Yawson writes in the books introduction: 'I hope, above all else, that the story [Rise Up] tells offers you what it offered to me: inspiration.' I am beyond happy to say that it did. Like, it really did. This book is empowering. I don't want to be a grime artist/rapper. I don't have plans to enter the music industry. I'm not a guy. I'm not black. Yet Stormzy's steep but steady climb to such success motivated and inspired me more than almost anything I've encountered. The overwhelming message and energy of every contributor is that of complete confidence, faith, belief and determination that is infectious, even through the page. I was rooting for them and, as cheesy (and impossible?) as it sounds, I felt like they were rooting for me.
Stormzy lover or not, I think Rise Up is a valuable read. Now that I've raced through it, I feel ready to take on the world.
August 12, 2022
This memoir traces the origins and the developments of #Merky the company that Stormzy created with many other young, hungry and passionate peope who helped him to develop his musical vision. This is both an influential and motivational inspiring story of how Stormzy broke out onto the scene and garnered so much support and success in such a short period of time. It is told by Jude Yawson but includes interviews and sections by all the members of the #Merky team and Stormzy himself so you are getting the story of Stormzy's and the company's break out success from multiple different people and it creates a very thorough explanation.
While this is Stormzy's story it is not just his story being told, if you are expecting information about his life growing up in detail, which is more typical of a biography or autobiography, that's not what you will get here, which I found a little disappointing. The story was intersting but I am much more interested in learning about individuals rather than the rise of a company. While it does touch on aspects of his life the story's primary focus is the development of #Merky company. It also looks at Stormzy's achievements and success and how he reacted or dealt with it and how it took the whole #Merky company on a whirlwind adventure faster than they could keep up with it.
What I did take away from this story was Stormzy's genuine chatacter and those of the people he surrounds himself with. He is clearly a good egg, who wants to help his community and the greater black community and those living in poverty. He is clearly a humble and down to earth guy that is grateful for his successes but also acknowledges that he deserves them and that he has earned what he's got. He challenges those that take him out of context and those who have often misrepresented him and he acknowledges that he has taken grime on a different path to some other grime artists. Stormzy is more main stream, but there is nothing wrong with that either, this is his path.
This is well written and well presented, excellent job to Jude Yawson, in fact hearing Jude's background I think his autobiography would make for a very intersting read. If you write it and get it published Jude, I will read it. I guess I was just after that more personal life story and I was expecting more eof Stormzy's voice and words in the book, but he said very little compared to the others involved. I wanted detail and understanding, I thrive on learning of individual stories and lives lived by individuals, but it only really told the rise to fame part of his story and touched very little on everything else. An insightful read even if it wasn't exactly what I was hoping it would be and I think I understand the musical world a bit better than I did before.
While this is Stormzy's story it is not just his story being told, if you are expecting information about his life growing up in detail, which is more typical of a biography or autobiography, that's not what you will get here, which I found a little disappointing. The story was intersting but I am much more interested in learning about individuals rather than the rise of a company. While it does touch on aspects of his life the story's primary focus is the development of #Merky company. It also looks at Stormzy's achievements and success and how he reacted or dealt with it and how it took the whole #Merky company on a whirlwind adventure faster than they could keep up with it.
What I did take away from this story was Stormzy's genuine chatacter and those of the people he surrounds himself with. He is clearly a good egg, who wants to help his community and the greater black community and those living in poverty. He is clearly a humble and down to earth guy that is grateful for his successes but also acknowledges that he deserves them and that he has earned what he's got. He challenges those that take him out of context and those who have often misrepresented him and he acknowledges that he has taken grime on a different path to some other grime artists. Stormzy is more main stream, but there is nothing wrong with that either, this is his path.
This is well written and well presented, excellent job to Jude Yawson, in fact hearing Jude's background I think his autobiography would make for a very intersting read. If you write it and get it published Jude, I will read it. I guess I was just after that more personal life story and I was expecting more eof Stormzy's voice and words in the book, but he said very little compared to the others involved. I wanted detail and understanding, I thrive on learning of individual stories and lives lived by individuals, but it only really told the rise to fame part of his story and touched very little on everything else. An insightful read even if it wasn't exactly what I was hoping it would be and I think I understand the musical world a bit better than I did before.
January 23, 2022
Stormzy's book is made up of a long series of short pieces written by him and important members of his crew. It really gives a flavour of his values, the work it took to achieve his huge success and the different personalities of the team around him who were so critical to him coming up. I'm sure the book was and is really inspirational to any of his young fans who give it a read, emphasising as it does the importance of being true to yourself and putting in the work. There are also some interesting insights into how his stand out performances and releases were put together, so a nice piece of music history for music fans. If I'm honest, parts of the book made me cry too so the writing stands up.
What I love about Stormzy is that he's not afraid to break the mould, stick to his vision and do things that might not appeal to his core audience just because he believes in them. I loved it when he put his mum on the video for Know Me From and that just represents his attitude to his whole enterprise. His scholarship programme for black Oxbridge applicants is a stand out push against the stereotype action and, four years on from the publication of his book, I'm seeing books by young black writers, put out by his, #Merkybooks publishing house in collaboration with Penguin, on the most prominent bookstands in my local bookshops.
What I love about Stormzy is that he's not afraid to break the mould, stick to his vision and do things that might not appeal to his core audience just because he believes in them. I loved it when he put his mum on the video for Know Me From and that just represents his attitude to his whole enterprise. His scholarship programme for black Oxbridge applicants is a stand out push against the stereotype action and, four years on from the publication of his book, I'm seeing books by young black writers, put out by his, #Merkybooks publishing house in collaboration with Penguin, on the most prominent bookstands in my local bookshops.
July 15, 2020
Great story, very inspiring and whilst I was already a fan, it was good to understand the team behind the artist and their ethos and how they all bonded together to deliver fantastic results. The book itself felt a bit bitty, especially in the first half - I felt like it really arrived in the second half. It lacked a bit of depth for me, perhaps because it had too many individual stories in them, which I wanted to know more about - this is just a personal preference for me to want more nuance and backstory.
July 28, 2020
Despite not being familiar with Grime and just vaguely knowing who Stormzy is, I've genuinely enjoyed this story and found their passion, motivation and teamwork inspirational. I really like how the book was not just about the "star" but about the whole team making it happen. The audiobook might get a bit confusing at times with so many narrators, but it is great to hear the perspectives from each of them in their real voices! Thanks #RBC bookclub for yet another interesting read out of my comfort zone!
September 11, 2020
This book gave me a real insight into Stormzy and who he is as a person. Before reading this I wasn’t much of a fan, although I did enjoy some of his music. However this book has given me a new found respect for him. Seeing his personality shine through his personal interviews and what others had to say was testament to his character.
I would love to give this more stars but felt like it would’ve been better if it was more based on Stormzy’s personal words or if he wrote most of it himself. That being said i still think it was good.
3*
I would love to give this more stars but felt like it would’ve been better if it was more based on Stormzy’s personal words or if he wrote most of it himself. That being said i still think it was good.
3*
November 17, 2018
Every now and again I'll read a book by a someone who's success I admire. I want to see if there's anything I can use. They rarely deliver more than one or two lines that are useful.
Rise Up bucks this trend.
Rather than focus on a linear narrative, this is a guide on how to amplify and feed success by having the right work ethic and building the right team. Proof that success multiplies exponentially in a like-minded group of people.
Rise Up bucks this trend.
Rather than focus on a linear narrative, this is a guide on how to amplify and feed success by having the right work ethic and building the right team. Proof that success multiplies exponentially in a like-minded group of people.
June 14, 2021
This is not the type o book I pick up regularly. It was really interesting and I like the way it was laid out - so many similar books like this end up being confusing and repetitive but this was not too bad. It may have been better to have not been divided into so many little parts to make it more of a cohesive read. But it was so interesting to hear about what happens in the background, the cogs behind the music I listen to.
August 3, 2019
Really good read, Yawson has done a good job of telling a tiny part of the Stormzy story. I like the way everyone gets to narrate different bits, it’s clever and it adds to the authenticity of the story. They say#Merky is a family and they all have a voice and even the way the book is put together demonstrates that. I have new levels of respect for Stormzy’s team, didn’t know that was possible!!
October 4, 2020
Incredible story of building success on one's own terms and not following the status quo. The format of the book as interviews with the Stormzy team let me appreciate that the success of Stormzy is about striving for excellence from every angle and surrounding himself with people who were also on the same mission.
December 11, 2021
My confession is that I bought this book immediately after seeing Stomzy on the cover and assuming it was a memoir. Instead, this is a collection of experiences from Stormzy and key members of his #Merky team documenting their journey until 2018/2019. But I'm not mad about it - it was a well-rounded enjoyable read and it flowed nicely. Nevertheless, I'm ready for the memoir!
June 9, 2024
It was interesting to read about how much time, effort and dedication went into the making of his album and I love how everyone works as a team or a family. Excellence is their goal and it was inspiring, however, I couldn’t wait to finish this book. As a person, I’m not sure if I like Stormzy.
I don’t think I’m the right demographic for it.
I don’t think I’m the right demographic for it.
July 16, 2024
I’ve seen a few interviews with Stormzy and found him pretty impressive. When I saw this book, I grabbed it unsure if I’d like it or what to expect.
I think my favourite part is that it’s as much about his whole crew as it is about him. Everyone gets their due and gets to share their piece. Overall impressed.
I think my favourite part is that it’s as much about his whole crew as it is about him. Everyone gets their due and gets to share their piece. Overall impressed.
December 3, 2018
“You can only be great if you have great people around you.”
This isn’t the Stormzy story, but the story of the team behind the man.
You don’t need to be a music lover to appreciate “Rise Up The #Merky Story So Far”, all you need is a dream. The book is full of gems.
This isn’t the Stormzy story, but the story of the team behind the man.
You don’t need to be a music lover to appreciate “Rise Up The #Merky Story So Far”, all you need is a dream. The book is full of gems.
May 3, 2019
An amazing inspirational book about team work, having a vision, passion and foresight. No matter what field you're in, if you feel lost, need a nudge and just want a bit of encouragement, this is definitely the book for you. Stormzy and the Merky team are a force!
February 8, 2020
Impressive, honest account of a young, driven, extremely talented rapper embarking on a successful and legendary career in the music industry. I look forward the next chapter of his journey. Recommend to everyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews