The rapper Wiley has been charged with assault and burglary over an alleged attack on a man in east London.
The “Heatwave” performer, real name Richard Kylea Cowie Jr, is due to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 September, on charges of assault by beating, and burglary with intent to cause criminal damage at a property in Forest Gate.
The Sun reported that police were called last month to an altercation at the home of Wiley’s former friend Ali Jacko, a five-time kickboxing champion and recording studio owner. Plates were allegedly smashed in the flat during the incident.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: “At around 10pm on Saturday 28 August, police were called to a flat in Romford Road, Forest Gate.
“Officers attended the location. It was alleged that a man had entered the flat, assaulted the occupant and caused criminal damage to property. The man was arrested and taken into custody.
“The occupant, an adult male, sustained a minor injury. London Ambulance Service were not required.”
One of London’s best-known rappers, Wiley, froim east London, is known as the Godfather of Grime for his pivotal role in establishing the music genre.
He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2018 for services to music, though the honour was placed under review last year over the rapper’s social media posts.
He announced his intended retirement from grime in 2020, telling The Guardian: “I’m 41. I don’t want to try and fit in with kids. I just need to not let my genre die on the way out.”
