Rapper Ghetts in court over fatal hit-and-run

Ghetts at the  Ivor Novello Awards 2025. Image shows close-up of the rapper with a purple and white banner in the background. He has short-shaven black hair and a full short beardImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Ghetts pictured at the Ivor Novello Awards earlier this year

  • Published

The rapper Ghetts has appeared in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a fatal crash in north-east London.

The award-winning musician, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, allegedly failed to stop after his BMW hit 20-year-old Yubin Tamang on Redbridge Lane, Ilford on 18 October.

Mr Clarke-Samuel, from Woodford, east London, had been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving but the indictment was changed after Mr Tamang died.

Mr Clarke-Samuel is due to appear at the Old Bailey on 24 November.

Mobo Pioneer award

Wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit, Mr Clarke-Samuel spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address before being remanded in custody.

Barkingside Magistrates' Court heard the man who died in the crash was an only child whose parents had sent him to the UK to receive an education.

Ghetts is a Mercury Prize-nominated grime MC, rapper and songwriter who has had high profile musical collaborations with major acts including Stormzy, Ed Sheeran and Skepta.

He won the Best Male Act at the Mobo Awards in 2021 and received the Mobo Pioneer award in 2024 for his "significant contribution to British black culture".

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk, external