Stormzy Awarded Honorary Doctorate at Cambridge, Seven Years After Launching Scholarship

UK rapper Stormzy arrived at the University of Cambridge to receive an honorary degree on Wednesday.  

The London based grime artist, real name Michael Omari Owuo Junior, will be awarded a doctorate in law during a special congregation at Senate House.

Stormzy, with four number one singles on the UK charts, launched his own scholarship programme at the prestigious university in 2018.

The funding originally covered two Black British students each year for their tuition and maintenance costs before expanding to a further ten.

Fifty-five students have been supported by the Stormzy Scholarship and birthed the ‘Stormzy effect’ – an increase in applications to Cambridge from Black students.

Stormzy’s Doctorate in Law is in recognition of his philanthropic work including in education, music, sport and literature.

UK rapper Stormzy arrived at the University of Cambridge to receive an honorary degree on Wednesday

Stormzy, with four number one singles on the UK charts, launched his own scholarship programme at the prestigious university in 2018 

The rapper is among Sir Simon Russell Beale, Professor Angela Davis, Lady Arden of Heswall, Dame Katherine Grainger, Sir Oliver Hart, Professor Maria Leptin and Sir John Rutter receiving awards.

The doctorate comes as Stormzy prepares to front a new National Theatre diversity drive after signing up for a ‘top secret’ project at the iconic London venue.

The Croydon-born grime artist has been scouted by new National Theatre boss Indhu Rubasingham as she looks to modernise and diversify its creative output.

As the South Bank venue’s first female and ethnic minority artistic director, Rubasingham has announced plans to stage rap adaptations of classic Greek tragedy, although Stormzy’s involvement is yet to be clarified.

The subversive move is part of a wider aim to build an international audience through the National Theatre’s online streaming platform, National Theatre At Home. 

The London based grime artist, real name Michael Omari Owuo Junior, will be awarded a doctorate in law during a special congregation at Senate House