Stormzy’s recent collaboration with McDonald’s has left many fans disillusioned, raising serious questions about his commitment to social justice. Once seen as an artist who stood unwaveringly on the side of the oppressed, his decision to partner with a corporation embroiled in controversy has undermined his credibility.
The grime star, known for his vocal support of Black Lives Matter, the Grenfell Tower victims, and Palestinian liberation, now finds himself advertising a McDonald’s meal. The fast-food giant came under fire last year when its Israeli franchise announced donations of thousands of free meals to the Israel Defence Forces as they carried out a brutal campaign in Gaza. The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement subsequently called for a global boycott of McDonald’s, citing its complicity in Israeli war efforts.
Stormzy’s decision to endorse McDonald’s—despite this global campaign—has not gone unnoticed. Fans were quick to highlight the contradiction, especially since he previously posted a heartfelt message in support of Palestine. That post, which read “Free Palestine,” was mysteriously archived last year, conveniently before the McDonald’s deal was announced. Although sources close to the rapper insist the deletion was part of a “mass archiving effort,” many remain unconvinced.
Criticism has been swift and unforgiving. Social media users have lambasted Stormzy for what they see as selling out. One person on X wrote, “You deleted this post to do a McDonald’s commercial—for a bit of money that you don’t even need.” Others have accused him of betraying the values he so passionately defended in the past.
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), a key component of the BDS movement, expressed its disappointment, stating, “Stormzy’s call for Palestinian freedom in the early stages of Israel’s genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, when few artists were speaking out, displayed a clear stance in support of all oppressed people. But partnering with corporations that are implicated in genocide, apartheid, and military occupation can only whitewash those crimes.”
Even the Peace and Justice Project, founded by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, publicly condemned the rapper’s move. In an open letter, the group called the deal “hugely disappointing, especially given the musician’s otherwise proud and solid record in supporting great causes and campaigns for social justice.” They urged him to sever ties with McDonald’s and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people during their time of crisis.
Stormzy has long been a vocal advocate for justice, establishing scholarships for Black students at top universities and dedicating his Brit Award performance in 2018 to the 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Yet his latest move appears to contradict the very values he has championed. His Instagram biography still tags pro-Palestine rapper Lowkey, inviting fans to engage with activism—but what does that mean when he is simultaneously promoting a company that activists are urging the world to boycott?
Stormzy’s influence has the power to inspire and drive change, but this McDonald’s deal sends a troubling message. Can an artist who once vowed to stand with the oppressed truly claim to be on the right side of history while endorsing a corporation tied to alleged war crimes? The backlash is loud and clear—his fans expected better
