British rapper Stormzy will be awarded an honorary degree from the prestigious University of Cambridge, where he has set up a scholarship programme for Black students.
The 31-year-old artist, whose real name is Michael Omari Owuo Jr, “will receive a Doctorate in Law in recognition of his philanthropic work and impact in a number of fields, including education, music, sport and literature”, the university announced on its website.
In 2018, the rapper launched the Stormzy Scholarship for Black UK Students to cover tuition fees and maintenance costs for two students per year. The project was extended in 2021 through a partnership with HSBC and has supported 55 students overall.
“The ‘Stormzy effect’ has been credited with being a contributor to an increase in applications to Cambridge from Black students across the UK,” Cambridge said.
Stormzy had previously received an honorary doctorate from the University of Exeter in 2022 for its "outstanding achievement in the field of higher education, philanthropy and widening participation."
The 4-time Brit Awards winner has been renowned for his political activism and charity work over the course of his career.
His #MERKY foundation, founded in 2019, has pledged “£10 million over 10 years, to organisations, charities & movements that are committed to fighting for racial equality, justice reform and black empowerment within the UK.”
Cambridge’s recognition comes amid troubled times for Stormzy. In January, he was banned from driving for nine months for using his phone behind the wheel of his Rolls-Royce.
Less than two months later, he faced criticism over his advertising partnership with McDonald’s, due to the company’s ties to Israel. The fast-food chain, which owns franchises in the country, is the target of a global boycott from supporters of Palestine.
In the aftermath of 7 October 2023, Stormzy had expressed support for the Palestinian cause on Instagram. “Free Palestine… if there is ever a clear injustice in the world, no matter how big or small 100 times out of 100 I will be on the side of the oppressed”, he wrote. The statement has since been removed from his account.
Stormzy has denied that he “compromised beliefs for commercial gain.”
“I didn’t archive the post where I came out in support of Palestine for any reason outside of me archiving loads of [Instagram] posts last year,” he said in response to the backlash. “In that post, I spoke about #FreePalestine, oppression and injustice and my stance on this has not changed.”
Cambridge will grant honorary degrees to eight nominees, including composer John Rutter, philosopher and activist Angela Davis, and rowing Olympic champion Katherine Grainger. The ceremony will take place on 25 June 2025.
