Mutual pride: Stormzy (right) at the University of Cambridge yesterday with Lord Simon Woolley
South Norwood’s local hero, world-famous rap star and football club-owner Stormzy, received an honorary degree from the University of Cambridge last night.
The award has been made in recognition of his philanthropic work in assisting black youngsters to study at Cambridge University.
Since Stormzy began his scholarship programme in 2018, initially covering tuition fees and maintenance costs for two students per year, 55 people have benefited from what Cambridge calls “The Stormzy Effect”.
This year will see the largest group of Stormzy students graduate to date, and Cambridge said that the musician’s generosity and foresight had contributed to an increase in applications to the university from black students across the country.
The institution said he would receive a doctorate in law in recognition of his philanthropic work and impact on education, music, sport and literature.
Born in Thornton Heath in 1993, Stormzy grew up in South Norwood where he went to school at Stanley Tech, getting 14 GCSEs, including six A*s. He was less successful at A levels, however (“It was A Levels that showed me that in life you need work ethic,” he has said), and went into an apprenticeship after school, rather than university.
In 2023, Stormzy was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Croydon by a blatantly opportunistic Mayor Jason Perry (who had hiked Council Tax by 15% a month earlier). Stormzy didn’t bother to show up for that ceremony.
This time, though, he certainly did.
Stormzy, or more formally Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, received his doctorate alongside other prominent figures in British society, similarly honoured by the University yesterday.
A degree of catering: the menu card for the Cambridge dinner in honour of Stormzy last night
They included Dame Katherine Grainger, the five-time Olympic medal-winner and 2012 London games rowing champion, actor Sir Simon Russell Beale, political activist, philosopher and author Professor Angela Davis, classical musician and composer Sir John Rutter, former justice of the Supreme Court, Lady Arden of Heswall, Professor Maria Leptin, the president of the European Research Council, and the Nobel Prize-winning economist Sir Oliver Hart.
Stormzy’s ceremonies – including a formal Cambridge dinner – were presided over by Lord Simon Woolley, the founder of Operation Black Vote, who is principal of Homerton College.
Lord Woolley last night spoke of his pride in nominating his “super brother” Stormzy for this recognition, and then challenged him to an arm wrestle (the result of which was not recorded).
Lord Woolley said: “There are many things I’ve done that have filled me with pride — but nominating Stormzy for an honorary degree at this world-class university is particularly special.
“It’s no understatement to say that the kid who once wished for a genuine pathway to Oxford or Cambridge has now ensured that others do.
“This impact — widely known as ‘The Stormzy Effect’ — stems from his leadership and remarkable philanthropic work, which has made a profound difference not only in Cambridge and Oxford, but internationally. Most importantly, it has transformed young lives.
“We celebrated this moment with the brilliant Sonita Alleyne, Master of Jesus College, at a special dinner.
“I simply said thank you — and then challenged my super brother to an arm wrestle!”
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