When the 31-year-old British rapper Stormzy was found using a cell phone while operating his Rolls-Royce in London, he was given a nine-month driving suspension. In March of last year, he was spotted by an undercover police officer on Addison Road in West Kensington.
In a letter to Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, Stormzy—real name Michael Ebenezer Owuo Junior—pleaded guilty to the crime.
His actions were deemed “dangerous and irresponsible” by District Judge Andrew Sweet, who pointed out that Stormzy already had six points on his license for prior speeding infractions.
According to what the court heard, the officer tapped on the car’s tinted window and said, “Get off your phone and get rid of your tints.” Stormzy took full responsibility for his behavior, according to his lawyer.
The artist has experienced driving-related problems previously. He was pulled over in October 2023 while operating a Lamborghini Urus with front windows that were unlawfully tinted to let in only 4% of light—far less than the required 70%. The state of the car posed a risk to “vulnerable road users,” according to prosecutor Alice Holloway.
Stormzy was fined £2,010 by the judge, who did not appear in court. Judge Sweet described the rapper’s driving record as “not good,” and the events underscore ongoing worries about it.
