Grime Artist Wiley Forfeits MBE Amidst Controversy Over Antisemitic Remarks

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Grime artist Wiley, known as the Godfather of Grime, has  forfeited his MBE, as announced by the Cabinet Office, citing reasons of "bringing the honours system into disrepute."

This decision comes four years after the artist, whose real name is Richard Cowie, faced widespread criticism for a series of antisemitic remarks. Wiley, honoured for his services to music in the December 2017 New Year Honours list, stirred controversy in July 2020 when he unleashed a string of offensive tweets.

In these tweets, he compared Jewish people to the Ku Klux Klan and propagated racist conspiracy theories. Wiley asserted, "There are 2 sets of people who nobody has really wanted to challenge #Jewish & #KKK but being in business for 20 years, you start to understand why … Red Necks Are the KKK and Jewish people are the Law... Work that out."

The grime artist faced severe backlash for his social media posts, including anti-Jewish remarks on Twitter and an Instagram video where he called on individuals to "crawl out from under your little rocks and defend your Jewish privilege." Following these incidents, Wiley was permanently suspended from Twitter and banned from Facebook and Instagram.

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Despite the controversy, Wiley has maintained that he is not racist, apologising for "generalising" but vehemently denying any racist intent. In the aftermath of his tweets, he said at the time, "I'm not a racist, you know. I'm a businessman. My thing should have stayed between me and my manager, I get that."

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement for Campaign Against Antisemitism, emphasised the commitment to holding individuals like Wiley accountable. He stated, "Antisemites like Wiley must understand that we will work tirelessly to hold them to account. For four years, we have worked to ensure that Wiley faces ruinous consequences for his unhinged antisemitic tirade, for which he has shown no remorse. Today's decision is a vindication of that effort."

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Wiley has yet to make comment.