A London judge has banned British grime artist Stormzy from driving for nine months after he was caught using a mobile phone while behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce in West London.
District Judge Andrew Sweet imposed the ban on the 31-year-old rapper, whose real name is Michael Ebenezer Owuo Junior, during a hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. Stormzy had pleaded guilty via letter to the offence, which occurred on March 7 last year in West Kensington.
Along with the driving ban, the judge fined Stormzy £2,010 ($2,498) and added six penalty points to his licence. With an additional six points from a previous speeding offence, his total reached 12 points, leading to an automatic disqualification under UK law.
Judge Sweet condemned Stormzy’s actions as “dangerous and irresponsible” and remarked that the rapper’s driving record was “not good.” Stormzy’s lawyer, Peter Csemiczky, stated that his client took full responsibility for his actions and expressed regret.
Stormzy is a leading figure in the British grime scene, known for merging Jamaican dancehall with hip hop to create a unique, hard-hitting sound. His influence extends beyond music, with his hits featured in television commercials. In 2019, he made history as the first black UK solo artist to headline the Glastonbury Festival.
