Slowthai pleads not guilty to 2 charges of rape

Slowthai has pleaded not guilty to two charges of raping a woman in 2021. The rapper entered the plea today (June 15th) at a Crown Court in Oxford, the English city where the two crimes – oral and vaginal rape – allegedly took place.

Slowthai, born Tyron Kaymone Frampton, appeared in court alongside another man, Alex Blake Walker, who pleaded not guilty to two charges of rape and one of sexual assault. Both were granted bail on the condition that they keep their solicitors informed of where they are living. The trial is scheduled to begin on July 1st, 2024.

Slowthai appeared in court for the first time on May 16th, the first time the charges were publicised. Major UK festivals, including Glastonbury, had removed his name from posters by the following morning, and many of his remaining shows have since been scrapped or postponed. The musician also recently withdrew from a scheduled performance at Wembley Stadium alongside Britpop band Blur and Self Esteem at the show on July 8th. 

Since the news first broke, Slowthai denied the charges on social media. The artist posted a statement saying that he “categorically” denies the charges, adding that he is “innocent” and “confident” his name will be cleared.

Slowthai was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2019 for his debut album, Nothing Great About Britain, with his second album Tyron, reaching Number One in 2021. The artist’s latest release was UGLY, which came out in March.