Songfacts®:

• This was originally dropped as a freestyle video in May 2015 but gained popularity over the following months. A studio version was recorded and released alongside the "WickedSkengMan 4" single, and it entered the UK Singles Chart at #59 in September 2015.
• The song returned to the singles chart following Stormzy's appearance at boxer Anthony Joshua's British heavyweight title fight against Dillian Whyte on December 12, 2015 where he performed "Shut Up" live with adapted lyrics as Joshua entered the ring.
  
  Stormzy recalled to Lad Bible: "It was the most electrifying thing I've ever done in my entire life. He [Anthony Joshua] showed my music some love on Twitter and he was my favorite boxer so I was gassed. But we first met in person at the FIFA 16 launch and he's a proper, proper cool brother so we exchanged numbers. He hit me up saying he had an idea, but he was so humble about it. He said maybe you could walk me out at the fight. I was like 'bruv, you don't even need to ask me that'. It was sick."
• The instrumental that Stormzy is spitting fire over is "Functions on the Low" by grime producer XTC. It was originally popularized by grime collective Ruff Sqwad's song "Havana." XTC took just half an hour to create the beat. He recalled to Redbull.co.uk: "One morning before I was meant to go college, I woke up and I just had this little melody in my head. I got on the computer and laid it down. Before anyone else in the house had woken up I'd finished the track."