Own It (feat. Ed Sheeran & Burna Boy)

"Own It" is a celebratory anthem centered on female empowerment, confidence, and romantic admiration. The core message revolves around a woman who is in complete control of her allure and presence. The phrase "own it" is a colloquialism encouraging her to accept and be proud of her captivating qualities. The song's narrative is a multi-perspective appreciation of this woman. Stormzy and Burna Boy's verses depict the initial, powerful attraction in a social setting, like a party. They are captivated by her physical beauty and self-assured demeanor. Ed Sheeran's verse then transitions to a more intimate and established phase of the relationship, focusing on the quiet, personal moments shared between a couple. Stormzy has stated that he intended for the song to be an uplifting track for women, a contrast to music that can be sexist. He wanted to create a song that women could listen to and feel good about themselves. Therefore, the song is not just about male admiration, but about celebrating a woman's confident ownership of her identity.

The song unfolds as a tribute to a captivating woman who commands attention the moment she enters a room. The narrative begins in a party setting where Stormzy, one of the vocalists, is immediately struck by her presence. He sees her as a figure of confidence and allure, someone who is unapologetically herself. The repeated phrase, "Girl, you just own it," serves as both an observation and an encouragement for her to embrace her power and the effect she has on others. He describes her body as being "on fire," a metaphor for her stunning appearance and magnetic energy. There's an element of admiration for her free spirit, referenced in the line about her hitting her spliff and getting higher, which paints a picture of someone uninhibited and living in the moment. This admiration is mixed with a desire to understand and connect with her on a deeper level, asking her to "show me how to control it."

The perspective then shifts, with Burna Boy joining in to amplify this sentiment. His contribution adds an Afro-fusion flavor, reinforcing the theme of attraction and the celebratory mood. The lyrics he shares build on the imagery of a lively party, with "lighters up" creating a visual of a shared, vibrant experience. His verse complements Stormzy's by adding another layer of appreciation for the woman's confidence and style. The interaction feels like a conversation of seduction and mutual recognition; they see her, and she knows she is being seen, holding the power in that dynamic.

Ed Sheeran's verse introduces a different, more intimate dimension to the narrative. While Stormzy and Burna Boy's lyrics are rooted in the public space of a party, Sheeran's part shifts to a more personal and settled romantic context. He sings of a desire to be alone with this person, away from the crowd, to just "chill together." His lyrics speak to a comfortable, established love, describing intimate moments like watching her get ready and sharing kisses. This contrasts with the initial, more flirtatious energy of the song, suggesting a progression from initial attraction to a deeper, more meaningful connection. His focus is less on her commanding presence in a room and more on the personal, one-on-one bond they share. The song, therefore, covers the full spectrum of a romantic encounter, from the electric moment of first sight at a party to the quiet, cherished moments of being together, all unified by the central theme of a woman who confidently "owns" her identity and her appeal.

"Own It" was released on November 22, 2019, as the fourth single from Stormzy's second studio album, Heavy Is the Head. The song was written by Stormzy (Michael Omari), Ed Sheeran, Burna Boy (Damini Ogulu), and Fred Gibson. The production was handled by Fred Gibson (known as FRED) and Jay Weathers. Fred Gibson, who won the BRIT Award for Producer of the Year in 2020, was a key collaborator on the track and also worked extensively on Ed Sheeran's 'No.6 Collaborations Project'. The song's creation reportedly started with Stormzy and Fred Gibson attempting to replicate a sound from Kanye West's track "Waves". Stormzy then decided to bring in Ed Sheeran for a verse and Burna Boy for his unique "flavor and sauce". This track marked the second collaboration between Stormzy and Ed Sheeran in 2019, following "Take Me Back to London". It was the first time Stormzy, who is of Ghanaian descent, collaborated with Nigerian artist Burna Boy. The album itself, Heavy Is the Head, was executively produced by Stormzy. The music video, directed by Nathan James Tettey, was shot in various London locations and released on the same day as the single.

"Own It" features a fluid and modern rhyme scheme that deviates from rigid, traditional structures, leaning more towards a free verse style common in contemporary hip-hop and grime. The rhymes are often internal or slant, focusing more on flow and rhythmic delivery than perfect end rhymes. Stormzy's verses employ a confident, South London flow that aligns perfectly with the dancehall-inspired beat. The rhythm is characterized by a mid-to-fast tempo, driven by a syncopated, danceable bassline that encourages movement, fitting the song's party and club atmosphere. There's a dynamic interplay between the lyrical rhythms of the three artists. Stormzy's percussive, energetic rap contrasts with Burna Boy's smoother, more melodically fluid lines and Ed Sheeran's pop-inflected, evenly-paced vocal delivery. This rhythmic variation keeps the track engaging and reflects the different emotional tones each artist brings to the narrative of admiration and love.

"Own It" skillfully blends several musical and literary styles. Musically, the song is built on a dancehall-tinged production with pulsating 808 bass and screeching piano synths, creating an upbeat and rhythmic foundation. This Afrobeats and dancehall rhythm section provides a global, celebratory feel. Lyrically, the song employs a multi-perspective narrative. It starts with Stormzy's confident, flirtatious grime-influenced flow, shifts to Burna Boy's smooth, melodic Afro-fusion contribution, and then transitions to Ed Sheeran's pop-R&B vocal delivery, which offers a more tender and intimate perspective. This structural choice allows the song to explore different facets of attraction and love. The use of repetition in the hook ("Girl, you just own it") acts as a powerful, memorable mantra that reinforces the song's central theme of empowerment. The interplay between the artists, with Burna Boy providing ad-libs during Ed Sheeran's verse, creates a sense of camaraderie and a layered sonic texture. Stormzy's vocal performance also showcases his versatility, moving from rap to singing, demonstrating his improved melodic capabilities.

"Own It" achieved significant commercial success and cultural impact. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in January 2020, becoming the first number-one single of the 2020s decade. This was Stormzy's third UK number-one hit, Ed Sheeran's ninth, and Burna Boy's first. The song's success made Stormzy the first British rapper in ten years, since Dizzee Rascal, to score three number-one singles within a 12-month period. "Own It" was certified 3x Platinum in the UK. The track was part of Stormzy's second album, Heavy Is the Head, which also topped the UK Albums Chart and was nominated for British Album of the Year at the BRIT Awards. The collaboration was seen as a powerful fusion of UK grime, pop, and Nigerian Afrobeats, highlighting the global nature of contemporary music. The song and its accompanying video, filmed in London, were praised for their slick production and celebratory spirit. A remix featuring South African artist Sho Madjozi was later released, further extending the song's global reach.

The central metaphor of the song is encapsulated in the title phrase, "Own It". This isn't about literal ownership, but about self-possession, confidence, and being in control of one's own appeal and power. The woman addressed in the song "owns" her beauty, her sexuality, and the attention she commands. The lyric "'Cause your body's on fire" is a common metaphor for intense beauty and attractiveness, suggesting a captivating and almost dangerously alluring presence. The act of lighting up a spliff, mentioned by Stormzy, can be seen as a symbol of her free-spirited and uninhibited nature, a refusal to conform to a demure ideal. The recurring imagery of "lighters up" serves as a motif of celebration and acknowledgement, a public salute to her captivating energy within the party atmosphere.

The most significant recurring phrase is the title itself, "Own it", which functions as the song's central hook and thematic core. Repeated by all three artists, it serves as an empowering directive to the female subject, celebrating her confidence and self-possession. This repetition makes the message clear and highly memorable. Another recurring motif is the imagery of fire and light. The lyric "'Cause your body's on fire" directly equates her with intense heat and light, symbolizing her beauty and allure. This is complemented by the call to put "Lighters up," which visually represents a collective celebration and acknowledgment of her presence, turning the act into a shared moment of admiration. The mention of smoking or lighting up a "J" (spliff) also reappears, symbolizing a carefree, uninhibited attitude and adding to the relaxed, celebratory vibe of the track.