LONDON — LONDON (AP) — British rapper Stormzy He was banned from driving for nine months on Thursday after admitting driving his Rolls-Royce around London while using his phone.
The 31-year-old whose current name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Jr. is known for bringing the grime genre of rap into the mainstream. His debut, “Gang Indicators and Prayer,” won album of the year at the Brit Awards in 2018, where he was named best British male solo artist, an honor he won again in 2020.
His visitor record, however, is not good, a judge at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court said.
District Judge Andrew Candy said Stormzy’s actions were “dangerous and irresponsible”.
Stormzy previously put “vulnerable road users” at risk when driving a Lamborghini Urus with illegally tinted windows, prosecutor Alice Holloway said. The windows only allowed 4% light transmission, a small fraction of the 70% needed for tinting.
Stormzy, who was not in court during the hearing, pleaded guilty in writing to a charge of driving with a cellphone in March. He had previously admitted the 2023 tinting offense and also had a previous record of speeding.
Defense lawyer Peter Csemiczky said Stormzy apologized and accepted responsibility.
The artist was fined £2,010 ($2,500) and penalty points were added to his licence.
