The charges were based on events that occurred on September 7, 2021, after Slowthai finished a gig in Oxford. Following the performance, two women joined the rapper and his friend Alex Blake-Walker, who was also tried, at a house party. This is where the alleged assaults were said to have taken place. It was claimed that both men allegedly engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with the women, made inappropriate comments and behaved inappropriately during the incident. Slowthai and Blake-Walker both denied the accusations, asserting that all interactions were consensual.

Northampton-born Slowthai, known for his politically charged lyrics and raw, gritty music, rose to fame with his 2019 debut album Nothing Great About Britain, which reached number 9 on the Official Album Charts. It also earned a Mercury Prize nomination. He then followed up this success with 2021 album Tyron which solidified his status as one of the most influential voices in British Music. The album blended sharp social commentary with a vulnerability that most fans could relate to.

Slowthai’s track ‘Doorman’, from his album Nothing Great About Britain, is widely regarded as one of his most notable songs. Produced by Mura Masa, the song critiques class divides through the lens of a blue-collar boy with a nicotine addiction infatuated with a girl from a wealthy background, highlighted in lyrics like “parents minted, Mayfair, couple dogs.” Slowthai explores feelings of inadequacy and alienation, capturing the tension between his working-class identity and the lavish, detached world of privilege the love interest lives in expressed in the line, “I pour my heart out, she laps up my blood.” The song’s raw energy and punk-infused grime sound reflect his frustration, making it a standout song that exemplifies his unique storytelling style. Alongside ‘Doorman‘, other standout tracks such as ‘T N Biscuits’, ‘Drug Dealer’, and ‘Peace of Mind ‘ showcase his versatility, blending dark humour, vulnerability, and sharp social commentary.

However, the case made a significant impact on the artist’s career over the past year. Following the charges initially made to the rapper, Slowthai was removed from major festival line-ups, including Glastonbury as well as Reading & Leeds festival.

Throughout the trial, the defence emphasised the complexities of consent, especially in situations involving high-profile individuals. Slowthai maintained that there was no wrongdoing. After over ten hours of deliberation, the jury returned with unanimous not guilty verdicts for both Frampton and Blake-Walker, distinguishing the end of the case.

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The verdict was met with visible emotion from the rapper, who reportedly broke down in tears as the decision was announced. Frampton is still yet to make a comment on the verdict. His supporters, including friends and family, as well as his wife, pop star Anne-Marie, were also seen in court, physically relieved by the outcome. The couple, who secretly wed in 2022, welcomed their first child, February of this year.

Capaldi has been candid about his struggles with Tourette’s, opening up about his condition in 2022. On an Instagram Live, he said it’s “not a big deal” but that some days are “more painful than others.”

During an interview on The Jonathan Ross Show, Capaldi joked that people think that he is “on cocaine quite a lot” as a result of his Tourette’s related behaviours. Despite initially not wanting it to be a “big thing” he has now labelled himself “the poster boy for Tourette’s. Which I’ll take, I’ll gladly accept that.”

Prior to his diagnosis, Capaldi shared “I thought I had a degenerative disease so to be told it was, in fact, that I had Tourette’s was, as you can imagine, quite the relief.”

Tourette’s syndrome is a neurodevelopmental condition that causes involuntary sounds and movements called tics. The tics can vary in strength, with Capaldi sharing that his tics predominantly come in the form of head twitches and his “left shoulder going up.”

The trial centred around the Neupulse device was developed by the University of Nottingham with Neurotherapeutics Ltd., with Capaldi trying out a prototype of the device.

The trial included 121 people in the UK, who, on average, experienced a reduction in tic frequency and severity by 25%. The participants wore the device for 15 minutes per day for one month and gave their feedback each week.

The results revealed that those who received active stimulation from the device for one month saw a reduction in the severity of their tics by more than 35%. In total, 59% of the trial participants experienced a reduction in their tics by a minimum of 25%.

Capaldi’s results were reportedly “remarkable“.

Professor Stephen Jackson who led the research said, “Lewis stated that the stimulation made him feel calmer and the device clearly suppressed the head and shoulder tics which can be quite painful for him.”

Following the trial, Prof. Stephen Jackson shared that Capaldi “very generously invited the whole team to his Friday night concert in Nottingham.”

Since his diagnosis, Capaldi has continued to be open about his experience with the syndrome, sharing on stage that it’s “nothing to be worried about.” He joked that when he twitches “it kinda looks like I’m dancing.”

The University of Nottingham have recently secured an additional £1m in funding to commercialise the device.

Tickets to see Lewis Capaldi live are available to purchase here.

26/08/2023 – Reading Festival – Reading

27/08/2023 – Leeds Festival – Leeds

30/08/2023 – 01/09/2023 – Royal Highland Centre – Edinburgh

03/09/2023 – Vital – Belfast

Preorder Capaldi’s new album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent, set to be released 19th May 2023, here.