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Stormzy has received an honorary doctorate in law from the University of Cambridge, honoring his extensive philanthropic efforts.
The 31-year-old rapper has established several initiatives beyond his successful music career, including the creation of Merky Books, a publishing label dedicated to promoting Black British authors. Additionally, he made headlines by acquiring AFC Croydon Athletic with the aim of transforming it into a community-focused organization.
His connection to Cambridge is not new; in 2018, he launched the Stormzy Scholarship program, which initially supported two Black British students annually. This initiative expanded in 2021 to accommodate 12 students each year in partnership with HSBC.
This honorary doctorate marks Stormzy’s second such accolade, following an honor received from the University of Exeter in 2022 that recognized his significant contributions to higher education philanthropy and efforts to enhance participation in education.
Also receiving honorary degrees at Cambridge this year is renowned British musician John Rutter, a distinguished choral composer.
Other notable recipients include American professor Angela Davis, acclaimed actor Simon Russell Beale, former Supreme Court Justice Mary Arden, Nobel Prize-winning economist Oliver Hart, biologist Maria Leptin, and Olympic gold medal-winning rower Katherine Grainger, who serves as the chair of UK Sport and the chancellor of the University of Glasgow.
Stormzy’s recognition comes at a time when he has recently celebrated a win in the rap category at the Brit Awards, providing a positive counterpoint to some challenging moments he faced in the media spotlight.
Following the announcement of a new advertising deal with McDonald’s in February, Stormzy faced backlash on social media for the partnership. The rapper, known for his vocal support of Palestine, encountered criticism due to McDonald’s involvement in Israel amid the global boycott triggered by the actions of a former franchise owner who had provided support to Israeli soldiers.
In response to the backlash, Stormzy addressed the criticisms directly in a lengthy Instagram post, emphasizing his commitment to his beliefs and denying any compromise for commercial gain.
Fans can look forward to Stormzy’s anticipated fourth studio album, which is expected to be released later this year.
Source
www.theguardian.com