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 joins Sir Simon Russell Beale, Professor Angela Davis, Lady Arden of Heswall, Dame Katherine Grainger, Sir Oliver Hart, Professor Maria Leptin and Sir John Rutter in receiving awards.
The rapper originally announced his scholarship scheme during an appearance at his former school, the Harris City Academy in Croydon, south London, in 2018.
He said: ‘We’re a minority, the playing ground isn’t level for us and it’s vital that all potential students are given the same opportunity.’
He added that he hoped it will help black Cambridge University students pay their tuition fees and serve as a reminder to young people from all backgrounds that they have the opportunity to get the best education.
The MOBO award winning rapper previously told BBC Breakfast: ‘If you’re academically brilliant don’t think because you come from a certain community that studying at one of the highest education institutions in the world isn’t possible.’
The scholarship aims to encourage the admission of more black students to top universities, after the Financial Times found that some Cambridge colleges didn’t take in any black students from 2012 to 2016.
The university says that it admitted 58 black students on to undergraduate courses in 2017.
Stormzy revealed he harboured ambitions of studying at either Oxford or Cambridge when he was at school.
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’s Doctorate in Law is in recognition of his philanthropic work including in education, music, sport and literature
Stormzy joins Sir Simon Russell Beale, Professor Angela Davis, Lady Arden of Heswall, Dame Katherine Grainger, Sir Oliver Hart, Professor Maria Leptin and Sir John Rutter in receiving awards
Despite achieving six A*s, three A’s and three B’s at GCSE, Stormzy didn’t attend university due to his developing passion for music.
He said: ‘Luckily for myself when I was going through school, I had the academic ability.
‘I was always reminded by my teachers that I was destined, if I wanted, to go down that road and study at one of the top universities.
‘I diverted and ended up doing music so it didn’t happen for me. I thought I was quite a rare case in that I knew that was possible.
‘That’s not always the case. When students are young, academically brilliant and getting great grades, they should know that’s an option.’
Fifty-five students have been supported by the Stormzy Scholarship and birthed the ‘Stormzy effect’ – an increase in applications to Cambridge from Black students
The rapper was flanked by a security guard as he arrived at Senate House in Cambridge on Wednesday afternoon
Stormzy also admitted he did not get the grades he was hoping for.
He said: ‘As someone who used to class myself as an academic, I know how tough it is. I coasted through GCSEs, came to Harris Crystal Palace Sixth Form and started my A-levels.
‘I remember coming to my results day and looking at my results and they shocked me. I didn’t do too great at A-levels.
‘That shock to the system showed me that education is a tough thing. When kids are dedicated and they’re smashing it and getting great results, that’s difficult.’
Wednesday’s honorary degree 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.
Wednesday’s honorary degree 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