Pioneering grime star Ghetts charged following fatal hit-and-run
Following a fatal hit and run incident last weekend, East London rapper and grime MC Justin Clarke-Samuel, better known as Ghetts, has been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Allegedly, the On Purpose, With Purpose rapper failed to stop for police after hitting a pedestrian on Redbridge Lane East, Ilford, on October 18th. He appeared as Stratford Magistrates’ Court earlier this week, where he was formally charged.
Those charges were brought on the same day, October 20th, that the 20-year-old man he was alleged to have hit died in hospital as a result of his injuries, according to the BBC. It is believed, therefore, that the charges brought against him will be changed to the more serious offense of causing death by dangerous driving during his next hearing.
Following the rapper’s appearance at the Magistrates’ Court, Clarke-Samuel has been remanded in custody, and is next expected to appear at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, October 27th.
Currently, the Met Police are still appealing for potential witnesses to come forward with any information about the hit and run in question.
Ghetts has been a leading figure within the East London hip-hop scene since the release of his earliest mixtape, 2000 & Life, back in 2005.
His 2024 record On Purpose, With Purpose, featuring guest appearances from the likes of Kano and Sampha, among many others, received a Mercury Prize nomination last year, but ultimately lost out to Leeds band English Teacher.