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Antisemitic rapper Wiley stripped of MBE
The grime pioneer has previously attacked ‘Satanic Jews’ in a social media rant
February 23, 2024 17:36
By, Felix Pope
1 min read
The grime pioneer has previously attacked ‘Satanic Jews’ in a social media rant
February 23, 2024 17:36ByFelix Pope, Felix Pope
Grime pioneer Wiley, who has repeatedly attacked Jews on social media, has been stripped of his MBE for “bringing the honours system into disrepute”.
The prominent artist was honoured for his services to music in 2017, after which he declared: “Big up the Queen”.
Since then, however, Wiley has repeatedly made offensive claims about the Jewish community online.
In 2021, the rapper was kicked off Instagram and Twitter for a second time after posting a warning about “Satanic Jews” and harassing an anti-racism campaigner.
Wiley, whose real name is Richard Kylea Cowie Jr., shared a video on Instagram of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan saying he was “here to separate the good Jews from the Satanic Jews.”
He also broadcast live on Instagram, discussing banks owned by “Jewish families”.
In 2020, he said: “Listen to me Jewish community Israel is not your country I’m sorry… The Star of David that’s our ting … Some people have gotten too comfortable on lands that don’t belong to them.”
The controversial artist later posted on X/Twitter: “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 undestand [sic] why … Red Necks Are the KKK and Jewish people are the Law...Work that out.”
In another post, he added: “If you work for a company owned by 2 Jewish men and you challenge the Jewish community in anyway of course you will get fired.”
In 2019, his Jewish manager, John Woolf, said: “To be very clear here. I do not support or condone what Wiley has said today online in any way shape or form.
"I am a proud Jewish man and I am deeply shocked and saddened but what he has chosen to say. I am speaking to key figures in my community in light of today's tweets. This behaviour and hateful speech is not acceptable to me.”
Commenting on the decision to strip Wiley of his MBE, Stephen Silverman, director of investigations and enforcement for the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “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.
“We commend the Honours Forfeiture Committee for using its powers to make clear that anti-Jewish racists cannot be role models in our society and will be stripped of their honours.
"Receiving an honour is not a one-time thing: it carries an ongoing responsibility to set an example to others.”