Cry No More
by Headie One (featuring Stormzy)

Album: The Last One (2024)
Charted: 33
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Cry No More" is the lead single from Headie One's third full length album, The Last One. It finds Headie dropping some deep, reflective lyrics.

    The North London rapper looks back on his past, spitting tales now that he's older and wiser. He's saying it's time for everyone to choose peace over the street life. No more trapping, no more perjury in court.

    Nobody don't wanna cry no more
    Nobody don't wanna die no more
    I'm sure nobody don't wanna go hide no more
    You don't wanna go court, have to lie no more


    Back in 2020, Headie did a stretch in jail for carrying a blade. During his trial, Headie took the oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and straight up lied.
  • Stormzy comes in with aggressive energy for the second verse, bragging about his success and resilience, but also hinting at the loneliness that comes with it. His verse incorporates a vocal sample of Asake's 2023 track "Lonely At The Top."
  • "Cry No More" marks the third time Headie One and Stormzy linked up. First, they bodied "Ain't It Different" on Headie's debut album Edna (alongside AJ Tracey), then they teamed up again on "Audacity" from Stormzy's 2019 album Heavy Is The Head.
  • Big-name producers from across the pond cooked up the beat: Tay Keith (who's worked with Travis Scott and Drake), Tommy Parker (collaborated with Ariana Grande and 21 Savage), and Pooh Beatz (made tracks for Jack Harlow and DaBaby).

    "This is one of my favorites from the album," said Headie One." I loved the sample and 808s straight away when Tay (Keith) and Pooh (Beatz) played it in the studio. Stormzy went crazy on it, too."
  • The video, directed by RAWTAPE (who's done work for Keshi, Kasabian and NTS), shows both rappers on the streets of their hometowns. We see Headie in his ends, Tottenham, and Stormzy in his local area of Norbury. Both keep it real, showing the London they know.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.