British grime icon Stormzy has been sentenced to a nine-month driving ban after being caught using his mobile phone while driving his Rolls-Royce Wraith in west London. The rapper, known as Michael Ebenazer Owuo Junior, pleaded guilty to the offense, which took place on Addison Road, West Kensington, in March of the previous year.
During the court proceedings at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Andrew Sweet condemned Stormzy’s actions as “dangerous and irresponsible,” highlighting his poor driving record. As a result of the incident, Stormzy received six penalty points on his license, leading to an automatic disqualification, and was fined £2,010.
Reports indicate that an off-duty officer approached Stormzy’s tinted passenger window and advised him to “get rid of your tints and get off your phone.” Initially, Stormzy denied the charges but later changed his plea through a letter to the court.
This incident adds to a series of driving offenses involving the acclaimed artist. In October 2023, Stormzy was pulled over while driving a Lamborghini Urus with front windows tinted to only 4 percent light transmission, far below the legal 70 percent requirement. The condition of the vehicle raised concerns about the safety of vulnerable road users.
Despite warnings, Stormzy continued to drive the Lamborghini before eventually removing the illegal window tints. His lawyer confirmed that Stormzy has accepted responsibility for his actions and expressed remorse for his mistakes.
Known for his significant influence in the grime music scene, Stormzy made history as the first black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury in 2019. However, this recent legal issue underscores the implications of repeated traffic violations, emphasizing that no one is above the law.
Stormzy did not attend the court hearing. Grime, which emerged from London’s electronic dance music scene in the early 2000s, evolved from UK garage and was coined by journalists who described its distinct sub-bass heavy sound.
