2022 Shortlisted Nominee
Celebrity of the Year Award
London-based grime and hip-hop artist Stormzy launched his career clashing at youth clubs around his hometown. His debut album, Gang Signs & Prayer, was released on 24 February 2017 and was the first grime album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart. If anyone can claim to be the driving force behind the Brits changing its voting system to reflect a more diverse range of nominees its Stormzy. Since its launch in 2018, the Stormzy Scholarship has provided financial support to a number of UK black students helping to transform their University experience. This began with two students each year, before the scheme was expanded in 2021. This year, Stormzy’s #Merky Foundation in partnership with HSBC UK will provide further scholarships to 30 black students. Recently, Stormzy was given an honorary degree by the University of Exeter in recognition of his “remarkable contribution to society and extraordinary talent”.