Watch Stormzy perform Ryan Ofei’s ‘Jehova’ at the Montreux Jazz Festival
Watch the Montreux Jazz Festival performance exclusively on Rolling Stone UK
Stormzy made his debut headline performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland last week, where he performed a soulful cover of Ryan Ofei’s ‘Jehova’ for the first time – watch the clip exclusively below.
The British rapper opened the festival on 11 July – which has hosted artists like David Bowie, Prince and Aretha Franklin in the past – with his Heavy Is The Head 2019 single ‘Crown’.
His tailor-made set also included renditions of ‘Superheros’, ‘Cigarettes & Crush’ and ‘Do Better’, and featured songs that he hasn’t played live for several years, including ‘Blinded By Your Grace Pt 1 & 2′, ’21 Gun Salute’, ‘Don’t Cry For Me’ and ‘Velvet’.
A standout moment from the show was a passionate cover of ‘Jehova’ by Ghanaian-Canadian worship singer Ryan Ofe.
You can watch the clip below.
Speaking to the crowd between songs, Stormzy said: “I’ve done some festival runs but this is a very specific show that we have tailored this for you guys. We’ve been really excited for this show from the beginning of the year, every time I’ve been asked what show I’ve been excited for it’s been the Montreux Jazz Festival.”
The rapper also took a moment to reflect on the honour of performing at the prestigious festival. “I know everyone in this room are music lovers, this is what this festival is about. Everyone here appreciates art, appreciates music. We’ve tailor made this set and there are songs I’ve never had the pleasure of performing but I said this is the Montreux Jazz Festival”.
Last month, Stormzy was awarded an honorary degree by University of Exeter in recognition of his “remarkable contribution to society and extraordinary talent”.
The rapper addressed the university’s graduating class where he praised them for having “the guts and the grit and the dedication that it takes to study for years and to finish your degree”.
He continued: “It took a hell of a lot for you to get here today. Your journeys to get to this moment were hard-fought. The road you took was not easy. And this is coming from someone who tried to walk that exact same road and failed.
“So from the bottom of my heart, I say congratulations, well done and you should all be so proud of yourselves, what you have achieved is incredible. Don’t let anybody downplay it and don’t let anybody undermine it. If you are sat in this room today you are worthy and you are brilliant.”