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Music

This May Be the Only Time You'll See Stormzy and Kehlani Onstage Together

They performed "Cigarettes and Kush" at her London show last night.
Lauren O'Neill
London, GB

You've heard Stormzy's Gang Signs & Prayer, last week's number one album in the United Kingdom, right? And you know that there are a number of moments that one might call transcendental on that album, yeah? "Blinded By Your Grace" Parts One and Two, the bit where he plays his mum's answerphone message? These are beautiful parts of one of the most important British albums of the year (I say that with complete confidence, and it's only March). But for me, though these moments stand out, one track is more tender, more lovely than the rest.

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I'm talking about "Cigarettes and Cush," the Kehlani-featuring couples anthem at the centre of the record, which also features an uncredited Lily Allen singing on the chorus. Kehlani's verse is one of the standout moments on the whole of Gang Signs & Prayer – it's a slow jam throwback on which her vocals drip like smooth honey. The fact that the track has been such a hit with listeners (according to Spotify, it's the second most streamed song on the album) makes it kind of a shame that usually, she and her London-based collaborator are separated by quite a large body of water, because it'd be nice to see the track taken out for a live outing every now and then.

However, last night the two found themselves in the same room at Kehlani's show at London's KOKO, so it was only right that they gave what will inevitably (and unfortunately) be a rare performance:

So far their only other shared bill is at Coachella next month, so American fans can hope for a link-up there – but I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for another UK date soon so I can get in my feelings IRL.

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(Images via PR)