On November 21, PinkNews published a story stating that the award-winning hip-hop/ grime artist had issued an number of homophobic tweets (“at least 19”) between 2011-2014.

Several of the tweets seemed to centre around an Eastenders storyline in which a married muslim, Syed, engaged in an affair with openly gay Christian (played by John Partridge). In 2011, Stormzy (real name Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo, Jr.) tweeted ‘Loooool, you see syed run into chrisitans arm. Fucking fag [sic]’.

One day after the release of the story, Stormzy took to Twitter to issue a multi-part apology. “I said some foul and offensive things whilst tweeting years ago at a time when I was young and proudly ignorant. Very hurtful and discriminative views that I’ve unlearned as I’ve grown up and become a man,” the 24 year-old wrote.

I said some foul and offensive things whilst tweeting years ago at a time when I was young and proudly ignorant. Very hurtful and discriminative views that I’ve unlearned as I’ve grown up and become a man..

— #GSAP (@Stormzy1) November 22, 2017

The comments I made were unacceptable and disgusting, full stop. Comments that I regret and to everyone I’ve offended, I am sorry, these are attitudes I’ve left in the past. The homophobic language I used was, embarrassingly, a part of my vocabulary when I was younger and…

— #GSAP (@Stormzy1) November 22, 2017

ignorance made me feel comfortable to use them whilst not understanding the hate and the ramifications they carry. That isn’t an excuse, I take responsibility for my mistakes and hope you can understand that my younger self doesn’t reflect who I am today.

— #GSAP (@Stormzy1) November 22, 2017

“The comments I made were unacceptable and disgusting, full stop. Comments that I regret and to everyone I’ve offended, I am sorry, these are attitudes I’ve left in the past. The homophobic language I used was, embarrassingly, a part of my vocabulary when I was younger,” he continued in a second tweet.

“Ignorance made me feel comfortable to use them whilst not understanding the hate and the ramifications they carry. That isn’t an excuse, I take responsibility for my mistakes and hope you can understand that my younger self doesn’t reflect who I am today.

“Again, I’m sorry to everyone I’ve offended. To the LGBQT community and my supporters and friends, my deepest apologies.”

Responses to the apology have been mixed on Twitter, with some deeming it a cynical exercise in damage limitation.

Your only protecting your business interests with this terrible apology . You don’t mean it. Disgraceful views that you have .

— Paul-7 (@PaulMcW7) November 22, 2017

All very well apologising, but would have you done if others weren’t coming under fire for comments? Probably not…

— Steven Brown (@steve1246) November 22, 2017

Others on the social media platform have applauded Stormzy for the apparent sincerity of his statements.

Proud of you for not shying away from accountability xxx

— Congolesa Banned (@judeinlondon2) November 22, 2017

A proper apology. Not an “… if anyone has taken offence” non-apology.
Well done Stormzy.
If only others did the same (politicians take note). https://t.co/yrZwNBkIhE

— ❄I, J Z-C❄ (@i400s) November 22, 2017