Grime icon Wiley awarded MBE in New Year's Honours

Wiley has been awarded an MBE as part of the Queen's New Year's Honours for his long-standing and highly influential career in music.

The Bow-born artist has been an instrumental, innovational figure on the grime scene for almost two decades, having played a major role in the genre's conception with sounds such as his eskibeat instrumentals. He has also played a key role in its more recent resurgence, releasing material such as his 11^th studio album ‘Godfather’, which landed in January of this year.

Speaking on his royal recognition, Wiley said, "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. I would like to thank my mother and father plus all family members and friends for being there for me when I needed them."

Taking to Instagram the artist celebrated his success, writing “Big up the Queen thank you".

Alongside Wiley, other artists such as Ringo Star, and Bee Gee Barry Gibb have also been awarded MBE’s as part of the 2018 Queen's New Year's Honours List.

Jasmine Kent-Smith is Mixmag's Weekend Editor. Follow her on Twitter