British grime star Stormzy will receive an honorary Doctorate in Law from Cambridge University in recognition of his philanthropic efforts in education, music, sport, and literature, the university announced on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old rapper, whose real name is Michael Omari Owuo Jr., has been a strong advocate for Black students in higher education. In 2018, he launched the Stormzy Scholarship, which fully covers tuition and living expenses for Black British students at Cambridge. Initially funding two students per year, the programme has since expanded to 12 annual scholarships, with 55 students benefiting so far.
Cambridge credited the “Stormzy Effect” with increasing Black student applications to the university across the UK.
Stormzy’s honorary degree will be awarded after approval from Regent House, Cambridge’s governing body.
Other Honorary Degree Recipients
Alongside Stormzy, Cambridge will also honor Angela Davis, the US academic and activist known for her contributions to the civil rights and anti-racism movements.
Stormzy’s Recent Headlines
While celebrated for his philanthropy, Stormzy recently made news for a different reason. In January 2025, a London judge banned him from driving for nine months after he was caught using his phone while driving his Rolls-Royce.
Despite this, his legacy as a champion for Black students and British music culture continues to grow.
