'Big up the Queen' - Godfather of Grime Wiley to receive New Year's MBE

We awoke this morning to the news that Godfather of Grime and friend of the festival, Wiley, is to receive an MBE from the Queen!

This comes after a big year for Eskiboy: receiving a lifetime achievement award from NME, having a MOBO plaque dedicated to him in Tower Hamlets, and releasing one of the biggest albums of 2017 (oh, and headlining at Strawberries & Creem, of course!).

The Queen gives out New Year Honours every year - with Knighthoods, CBEs, OBEs and MBEs all up for grabs. Getting an MBE means that our friend Wiley will be an official “Member of the British Empire”, and is recognised for his “outstanding contribution to the nation”. Pretty impressive stuff from the boy from Bow E3 who’s so E3.

Wiley’s contribution to UK underground music is, for some, unparalleled. Described by The Guardian as “the most influential musician working in Britain today”, his pioneering work in the grime scene laid the foundations for your favourite artists. Would there be a Stormzy or a Skepta without Wiley pushing the scene forward in those early days? Not just our charts, but the UK’s standing on the world stage, wouldn’t look the same without him.

"I'm honoured to be receiving an MBE. It feels like the school grade I wanted and didn't get but now I'm finally there" said the star. "I would like to thank my mother and father plus all family members and friends for being there for me when I needed them".

Wiley will be picking up his services to music gong alongside musical legends such as The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. This is the first time that somebody from the grime scene has been honoured in such a way - and it’s only fitting that the Queen should call on The Godfather to be number one.

Let us know who you think should be the next grime star to be honoured…