British rapper Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Jr., was handed a nine-month driving ban on Thursday after admitting to using his phone while driving his Rolls-Royce through London.
The 31-year-old artist, widely credited for popularizing grime music in the mainstream, has earned numerous accolades, including Album of the Year for Gang Signs and Prayer at the 2018 Brit Awards, where he also won Best Male British Solo Artist—a title he reclaimed in 2020. Despite his musical achievements, his driving record has drawn criticism from the judiciary.
At Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Andrew Sweet condemned Stormzy’s actions as “dangerous and irresponsible.” Prosecutor Alice Holloway highlighted the rapper’s prior offenses, including an incident involving his Lamborghini Urus, which had illegally tinted windows.
The windows allowed only 4% light transmission, far below the legally required 70%, thereby putting other road users, especially vulnerable ones, at significant risk.
Stormzy was not present in court for the recent hearing but pleaded guilty in writing to the cellphone driving charge from March. This wasn’t his first brush with traffic violations; in 2023, he admitted to the window tinting offense and has a record of speeding.
The cumulative effect of these infractions contributed to the court’s decision to impose a driving ban, reflecting the seriousness of his disregard for road safety regulations.
In addition to the ban, Stormzy was fined £2,010 (approximately $2,500), and penalty points were added to his driving license. The court’s ruling underscores the consequences of endangering public safety on the road, even for high-profile figures. District Judge Sweet emphasized that such behaviors warrant strict penalties to deter similar offenses in the future.
Stormzy’s defense lawyer, Peter Csemiczky, stated that the rapper has taken full responsibility for his actions, issuing an apology for his misconduct. The artist expressed remorse for the incident, acknowledging the importance of adhering to traffic laws to ensure the safety of all road users.
Driving bans for traffic violations, such as using a mobile phone while driving, are commonplace in England. Depending on the severity of the offense, these bans may be either mandatory or discretionary.
