British grime artist Skepta was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving after testing positive for cannabis near his house in the Home Counties, a court has heard.
Joseph Adenuga, 43, known as Skepta, was pulled over by police in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, in May 2024 after police noticed him driving recklessly.
After smelling cannabis in his car, officers tested Adenuga on the roadside, and arrested him when it allegedly returned a positive result for THC, a chemical found in the plant.
The rapper and producer was charged with driving with levels beyond the legal limit of the drug in his system.
Appearing at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Thursday, Adenuga spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address as the trial commenced.
Outlining the details of the case, prosecutor Lucy Curran said Adenuga was stopped by PC Talan O'Neill after the officer observed him driving 'recklessly' along London Road on May 14, 2024.
Giving evidence, the Thames Valley Police officer told the court he saw Adenuga overtaking a vehicle on the outside lane.
He added that 'the pace' at which Adenuga was driving when overtaking was in excess of the 30mph speed limit on the road, the court heard.
PC O'Neill told the court that, after pulling Adenuga over, he noticed there was a 'smell of cannabis in the vehicle', and conducted a roadside drug test at 10.54am.
Ms Curran said: 'He was arrested when that sample came back with a positive result for the THC component in cannabis and then taken back to the police station.'
The court heard Adenuga was compliant throughout this process.
He was driving a Mercedes-Maybach at the time of his arrest, according to the charge.
Adenuga, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, previously pleaded not guilty to the offence. The trial continues.
Since bursting on the scene with his debut album in 2007, the grime star has gone on to win the prestigious Mercury Prize and conquered the worlds of music, fashion, modelling and film.
He recently admitted that despite his global success, millions of fans and award wins, he 'hates being famous'.
In an interview with Dazed, the rapper confessed to disliking the trappings of stardom and dreams 'of going back to my normal life'.
He said: 'I don't care about fame. Really. I care about art. I care about making the best song. I care about people selecting my poetry as theirs. I hate being famous.'
'I just feel like, whatever fame has brought me is what I've always had already, you know what I mean? The eyes, the judgment – I've always had that. In the early days it helped to toughen me up and prepare me for now. But I don't need it any more.'
Skepta is not the only famous face in his family, with his rapper brother JME, real name Jamie Adenuga, also in the Boy Better Know collective, while their sister, Julie Adenuga, is a broadcaster and radio host.
