British rapper Stormzy, 31, has been banned from driving for nine months after pleading guilty to using his phone while driving. The incident occurred in March 2024 when Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Jr., was spotted by an off-duty police officer in West Kensington, London, driving a Rolls-Royce.
The officer reportedly knocked on the vehicle’s tinted window, advising Stormzy to “get rid of your tints and get off your phone.” Initially denying the allegations, the artist later changed his plea to guilty in a written submission to the court.
At the hearing, District Judge Andrew Sweet called Stormzy’s actions “dangerous and irresponsible,” emphasizing the poor state of his driving record, which already included six penalty points. The court handed down a nine-month driving ban and fined the rapper £2,010.
This isn’t Stormzy’s first driving offense. In July 2024, he admitted to driving a Lamborghini Urus with front windows illegally tinted to just 4% light transmission—far below the legal requirement of 70%. Prosecutors described the vehicle’s condition as a risk to vulnerable road users. Stormzy’s solicitor, Peter Csemiczky, stated that the rapper had since removed the tints and apologized for his actions.
Under UK law, drivers can face disqualification if they accumulate 12 or more penalty points within three years, making this latest ban a significant setback for the musician.
