Stormzy’s critics have put up posters around London that condemn the rapper’s deal with McDonald’s amid claims of hypocrisy.
The Vossi Bop singer, 30, unveiled his limited-edition McDonald’s meal, “The Stormzy Meal”, last week and came under fire for working with a company who has appeared to support Israel – when he had previously shared a pro-Palestinian message.
The fast-food chain has been boycotted by pro-Palestine campaigners after McDonald’s in Israel gave out thousands of free meals to Israeli forces and citizens following Hamas’ attack on Israel in 2023.
Anger among campaigners deepened after it emerged Stormzy’s collaboration with the chain came after he appeared to delete a “free Palestine” post he’d shared on Instagram last year.
Critics have accused him of “selling out” and now stickers have appeared around McDonald’s drive-thrus in the capital that read: “We regret to inform you that Stormzy has sold out. Apologies for any disappointment.”
The poster, designed by London-based artist Darren Cullen, features red, white, and black lettering and the yellow McDonald’s logo.
Cullen shared snaps of them pasted to the exterior of various McDonald’s branches on Instagram and wrote: “These ‘Stormzy has sold out’ signs are now on every McDonald’s drive-thru in south London after he sold out to McDonald’s in the middle of the boycott for Gaza and deleted pro-Palestine posts as part of the deal.”
He added: “It’s still possible for Stormzy to do the right thing. Cancel the deal and stand with Palestine.
“Leaving that much money on the table isn’t easy, but he’s already a multi-millionaire and an artist’s credibility is worth far more than whatever McDonald’s is willing to pay for it.”
Cullen’s post has received almost 20,000 likes while his video showing the posters at different chains has racked up 100,000 views.
Pro-Palestine supporters praised the stunt, writing, “Genius,” and “Love it when the community gets creative!”
Another revealed they’d seen similar artwork denouncing Stormzy at a bus shelter.
“Very proudly saw that someone has defaced a bus shelter near me with similar graffiti,” one commented.
“So sad he couldn’t stand by his principles,” a third posted and another user raged: “Sell out. Hope his concert bookings are cancelled and the public shun him.”
The Standard has contacted Stormzy’s representative for comment.
Sources close to the Vossi Bop rapper told Sky News that it “is simply not true” that the “archiving” of his Instagram post and the release of the McDonald’s campaign are linked.
Last year, the singer put up a post that read: “I hope everyone is good, some fleeting thoughts.
“1. Free Palestine. 2. In the future, if there is ever a clear injustice in the world no matter how big or small, 100 times out of 100 I will always be on the side of the oppressed. Unequivocally. As I always have been.”
Fans later noticed the post has been removed.
His new “Stormzy Meal” is made up of his favourite order at the chain – nine chicken nuggets, fries, BBQ sauce, Sprite, and an Oreo McFlurry.
Some customers have been boycotting McDonald’s in the Middle East over its perceived support of Israel.
In 2023, it was reported that McDonald’s branches in Israel gave out free meals to Israeli soldiers.
Franchise owners in countries such as Kuwait, Malaysia and Pakistan have since shared statements distancing themselves from the move.
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski has previously denied that the company has taken sides in the conflict, calling the boycotts “disheartening and ill-founded” and blaming it on “misinformation”.
It comes as the Israeli government and Hamas continue to release hostages as part of an ongoing ceasefire agreement.
The war started when Hamas killed around 1,200 people and took hundreds of hostages in a terror attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023.
Israel then launched a bombing and ground campaign in Gaza, killing more than 46,000 Palestinians, Gaza’s health ministry reported.