Stormzy and the 0207 Def Jam team gathered in London with a beaming Sir Lucian Grainge beamed in via video to celebrate his signing with 0207 Def Jam. Pictured, from left, are Stormzy’s manager Tobe Onwuka, 0207 Def Jam Co-President Alec Boateng, UMG Chairman & CEO Grainge, 0207 Def Jam Co-President Alex Boateng and Universal Music UK Chairman & CEO David Joseph.

British rap superstar Stormzy has signed to newly launched UMG U.K. label 0207 Def Jam, exiting his deal with Atlantic. He follows the A&R who worked closely with him at Warner, Alec Boateng.

Stormzy is the first artist to join 0207 Def Jam and rumors have been swirling around his arrival at the label for months. Label co-President Boateng was an integral part of Stormzy’s signing to Atlantic, where he was then A&R Director, at the beginning of 2018.

Under that deal, Stormzy hit the top of the U.K. albums chart with his second album, Heavy is the Head, in December last year. He also hit #1 with his debut, Gang Signs & Prayer, which was distributed via ADA, in 2017. In addition, he’s a three-time BRIT Award-winner and headlined Friday night at Glastonbury in 2019.

The signing is a big coup for both UMG and Boateng alongside his fellow co-President and twin, Alex Boateng, who are focused on bringing British music talent to the world.