Self Esteem to receive honorary degree from University of Sheffield
‘I love Sheffield with all my heart and to be acknowledged like this bolsters my dream of changing so much for people in music like me’
Self Esteem is set to be awarded with an honorary degree from the University of Sheffield today (July 17).
The singer – real name Rebecca Lucy Taylor, who was was born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire – will be made an honorary Doctor of Music at the arts and humanities graduation today.
“We are delighted to announce that Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem, is being awarded an honorary degree today for her success in music and public championing of inclusivity and diversity,” the university shared to its Twitter feed.
Discussing the honour in a press statement, Taylor said: “I am insanely chuffed to be receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Sheffield. I love Sheffield with all my heart and to be acknowledged like this bolsters my dream of changing so much for people in music like me. I am overwhelmed, galvanised and energised!”
The Mercury Prize-nominated singer joins 11 other notable figures with links to the city who will be awarded honorary degrees in this summer’s graduation ceremonies.
Professor Gill Valentine, deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said that Taylor “follows a long line of successful musicians who have continued to put Sheffield on the map”.
Earlier this month, Self Esteem ticked off another career milestone by supporting Blur at Wembley Stadium. You can check out Rolling Stone UK’s pictures of the show in full here.
Performing at the 90,000 capacity venue on a bill that also included slots from Jockstrap and Sleaford Mods, the singer performed a full show production with tracks from second album Prioritise Pleasure.
Last year, Rolling Stone UK described Self Esteem’s Newcastle show as “an absolute masterclass in how to put on a flawless pop performance” in a five-star review.
At one of the singer’s shows earlier this year, Taylor supported Gary Lineker with a ‘Free Gary’ t-shirt amid his impartiality row with the BBC. It came shortly after she kicked off her ‘I Tour This All The Time’ tour, where she treated fans to two new songs, ‘Mother’ and ‘Love Second’.