Drillminister To Run For Mayor Of London, Saying Politicians Don't Represent Real Voters
He came into public consciousness in 2018, describing himself an advocate for disenfranchised young Londoners and a defender of drill music, which had been accused of glamourising violence.
Fast forward two years and Drillminister, instantly recognisable by his balaclava and circular gold glasses, is to run for London mayor, HuffPost UK can reveal.
The rapper, who grew up in south London, said he wants to advocate for people who feel politically underrepresented.
“I didn’t really make the choice to go into politics,” he said. “The public want someone to represent them.
“The people that talk to me through my social media, when people see me in the street, when I’m on the way to shows, when I’m at shows – they don’t feel represented.
“They felt as though I was the perfect candidate. I just took up the responsibility. I didn’t really choose this – it chose me.”
Asked if he would consider removing his balaclava should he be elected, he said it would stay on – it is a deliberate move to conceal his identity, and he hopes it will force people to focus more on his message than his identity.
It is understood his legal name won’t have to appear on the ballot paper, either, as Drillminister is classed as his commonly used name.
The balaclava is certainly a talking point – it’s seen him mocked and sidelined by parts of the press and some members of the public.
But he says the most important thing is that he reflects the ordinary people who live in the capital.
“We need a mayor that resembles what people recognise as a Londoner, as opposed to somebody dictating to them what a Londoner is,” he said.
“I am a Londoner just like everybody else. I get on the Underground just like everybody else. I don’t see myself as being above anybody else.
“I’m trying to relate to people of all classes, all races, and let them understand you shouldn’t fear what you don’t understand.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover because I’m here to do some...
