Brit Awards 2020: Best album winner Dave calls Boris Johnson ‘a real racist’

Rapper Dave accused Boris Johnson of being a “real racist” during the Brit Awards, where he picked up the biggest prize of the night for his album Psychodrama.

The 21-year-old performed a politically charged version of his song Black, also touching on the Grenfell Tower victims and the Windrush generation.

He also criticised the media’s treatment of the Duchess of Sussex, and paid tribute to London Bridge terror attack victim Jack Merritt as “my brother in arms”.

“It is racist whether or not it feels racist/The truth is our prime minister’s a real racist,” he rapped, later adding: “Now if you don’t want to get it then you are never gonna get it/How the news treats Kate versus how they treated Meghan.”

In his tribute to Mr Merritt, who died after being stabbed by terrorist Usman Khan last year, the British star rapped: “There’s tears in our eyes and love in our hearts.”

“We never had the same background, culture, colour or class but you devoted your life to giving others a chance/And for that I’m so taken aback because you gave us all a voice.”

Dave went on later in the evening to win album of the year – the night’s most coveted prize – for his debut release Psychodrama.

Speaking to Sky News, Home Secretary Priti Patel told Kay Burley @ Breakfast Dave’s comments were “utter nonsense” and “highly inappropriate”.

But the Six Paths artist wasn’t the only person to turn to politics while on the stage for the 40th anniversary of the Brit Awards biggest night in British music.

US rapper Tyler, The Creator poked fun at former prime minister Theresa May as he accepted his gong for international male solo artist.

The rapper, who was barred from entering the UK in 2015 by Mrs May, said: “Thank you Theresa May. I know she’s at home p***** off.”

The ceremony on Tuesday night was opened with a tribute to Caroline Flack, who was found dead at her flat on Saturday night after taking her own life.

Host Jack Whitehall said the 40-year-old was remembered as a “kind and vibrant person with an infectious sense of fun”.

“She will be sorely missed. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that our thoughts are with her friends and family,” he said.

Harry Styles, who dated the ex-Love Island presenter in 2011, did not comment publicly about Flack but pinned a black ribbon – a symbol of mourning – to his lapel as he walked the red carpet.

Since her death, friends of Flack have criticised the press for its treatment of the star.

Ahead of the ceremony, former Love Island contestant Montana Brown told Sky News she hoped Flack’s death would serve as “a wake-up call” to the media.

She said: “I get it that’s their job and they write stories about people but it has got to stop because [celebrities have] got to live through every single mistake publicly and that isn’t fair.

“Everyone makes mistakes, we’re all human and I think that people can’t be made accountable for every single mistake they ever make in their life just because it is printed in a newspaper.”

Other artists to pick up awards on Tuesday evening included Mabel for best female solo artist and Billie Eilish – who performed a world exclusive of her Bond track – for international female solo artist.

Foals picked up the gong for best group.

Stormzy won the best male award for the second time and used his acceptance speech to highlight another issue overshadowing the awards – the lack of female nominees outside of female-only categories.

He said: “To be the best male, I’ve got the most incredible females in my team… The best male is nothing without these incredible females.”

(c) Sky News 2020: Brit Awards 2020: Best album winner Dave calls Boris Johnson ‘a real racist’