In 2017, British rapper Wiley (real name Richard Kylie Cowie Jr.) was awarded an MBE for his outstanding achievements in popular music.
Wiley is considered one of the founding fathers of grime, a specific British brand of hip-hop known for its hard-hitting sound and authentic "street" content.
However, it has recently come to light that last week, the musician was stripped of his honorary title due to public statements that could “cast a shadow on the [prestigious] award.”
These statements include antisemitic remarks made on social media, a trend Wiley has consistently engaged in since 2020.
In 2020, amidst a quarrel with his manager, the rapper took to Twitter stating: “If you work for a company run by two Jews, and in any way oppose the Jewish lobby, then you will definitely be fired <…> There are only two groups of people that everyone is afraid to challenge: the Jews and the KKK [Ku Klux Klan]."
Although Wiley later apologized for comments that "may have appeared antisemitic to some," his stance remained unchanged.
In 2021, he posted a video titled “The Jews Who Control Hip-Hop and Mainstream Black Music,” after which his Twitter account was deleted.
Stephen Silverman, a spokesman for the Campaign to End Antisemitism, welcomed Wiley's removal of his MBE title.
“Antisemites like Wiley need to understand that we will continue to actively hold them accountable,” he stated, as quoted by the New Musical Express.
“For four years, we have worked to ensure that his abhorrent antisemitic tirades, for which he shows no remorse, do not go unchallenged. Today's decision is a testament to our efforts."
