Director Rapman Awarded an MBE and Football Legend Rio Ferdinand Awarded an OBE

Filmmaker and director Rapman has been awarded an MBE and football legend Rio Ferdinand has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.Andrew Onwubolu, also known as Rapman, was awarded an MBE for services to music and drama. Ferdinand was awarded an OBE for services to football and charity. On the honour of being awarded an MBE, Rapman said: "It really makes me feel like everything I've done has hit a target and it's rising and rising, and to me it's only the beginning – it's only the start. But it does give you that push and what it's done personally is, on top of that, is that when I told my parents, they were really excited, it made them happy as well, so that was nice. Rapman also reacted to the news on his Twitter account: "Where I come from the only time you see your name next to the Queens is if your attending HMP. God had different plans for me 🙂🙏🏾Rapman MBE 😎".

Ferdinand also spoke about being awarded an OBE. He said on Twitter: "It's an absolute honour to be recognised on the Queens Birthday Honours List 🎖Growing up in Peckham, I never dreamt this would ever be a possibility so to be recognised with this honour is surreal. It's a proud day for me & my family! Thank You ❤️".

Rapman has had a prolific career as a filmmaker and rapper. He is most well known for the majorly successful film, 'Blue Story', and the three-part YouTube musical drama series, 'Shiro's Story'. In November 2018, Rapman signed a deal with the Roc Nation entertainment agency for management, film and TV, with the opportunity to start his own record label. He was recently commissioned by Netflix to direct a London superhero series, called 'Supacell'. Ex-Manchester United footballer, Ferdinand, has won 81 England caps and six Premier League titles over his career. Since then, he has focused on activism and charity work. He set up a foundation to help tackle inequality, racism and the stigma surrounding mental health.