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Ofcom Received More Than 300 Complaints About 2020 BRIT Awards

Ofcom Received More Than 300 Complaints About 2020 BRIT Awards

Over 250 of these complaints specifically related to a performance from rapper Dave, who addressed issues like Grenfell Tower and Windrush

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Ofcom received hundreds of complaints relating to the recent 2020 BRIT Awards, which featured performances from rappers Dave and Stormzy.

In total, Ofcom received more than 300 complaints for the 18 Feb ceremony, with 257 of those specifically regarding a performance by Dave, who hit out at the government as he rapped about topics including the Windrush scandal and Grenfell Tower.

Ofcom told The Sun that the overall sentiment of viewers' complaints claimed Dave's performance was 'racist'.

In his performance, Dave rapped: "It is racist, whether or not it feels racist / The truth is our Prime Minister is a real racist / They say 'you should be grateful, we're the least racist' / I say 'the least racist is still racist'."

He added: "We want rehabilitation, now that would be amazing / Our Grenfell victims still need accommodation / And we still need support for the Windrush Generation / Reparations for the time our people spent on plantations."

The remarks came just two years after Stormzy also famously asked 'where's the money for Grenfell?' at the 2018 BRIT Awards.

While Home Secretary Priti Patel criticised the 21-year-old for his lyrics, saying his comments were 'highly inappropriate', his performance was shared widely on social media, with many praising its bold nature.

Meanwhile, Stormzy - who treated the audience to an epic 10-minute medley of several songs - prompted a total of 39 complaints to Ofcom.

Ofcom also told the newspaper that the rest of the complaints concerned 'a variety of issues'.

PA

It said: "We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate."

Home Secretary Priti Patel later criticised 21-year-old Dave for his words, and said: "I don't know what those comments are based on.

"It's wrong to judge an individual when you don't know that particular individual.

"He is not a racist at all, I think those comments are highly inappropriate."

Both artists went home as winners on the night, with Stormzy awarded the British Male Solo Artist gong and Dave the Album of the Year accolade for Psychodrama, which also won last year's Mercury Prize.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Entertainment, brit awards, BRITs, Music, Stormzy