'Where's the money for Grenfell?' Stormzy slams Theresa May in ferocious rap at Brit Awards 2018 as Jeremy Corbyn hails ‘powerful’ performance

Tom Powell22 February 2018
The Weekender

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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has praised Stormzy after he slammed Theresa May on stage at the Brit Awards in a ferocious rap verse, asking: “Where’s the money for Grenfell?”

The grime star called out the Prime Minister in the middle of his performance during the glitzy ceremony at London’s O2 arena – in which he picked up two awards.

“Yo Theresa May, where’s the money for Grenfell?" he rapped, as water showered down onto him.

"What, you thought we just forgot about Grenfell? You criminals, and you’ve got the cheek to call us savages, you should do some jail time, you should pay some damages, you should burn your house down and see if you can manage this."

The Grenfell Tower fire claimed 71 lives last June after flames engulfed the 24-storey tower block in Kensington.

Mr Corbyn tweeted his praise for the "powerful performance", writing: "Congratulations @Stormzy1 for winning your first #BRIT award, and what a powerful performance. #Grenfell."

Viewers were also hugely impressed by Stormzy's unexpected rap, with some praising the south London artist for producing "the greatest moment of the awards' history".

"Seriously this is exactly what you want young people looking up to. Someone who comes from where they come from and won’t allow himself be stereotyped ," said one fan on Twitter.

Another added: "Big up to #Stormzy for staying true to his roots. Some normally shy away from controversies on the biggest stage."

Labour MP David Lammy also praised the rapper, writing:: "Respect @Stormzy1 speaking truth to power."

Emma Dent Coad, Labour MP for Kensington, added: "Thank you for speaking truth to power."

The rapper earlier broke down after triumphing in the best album category and fending off competition from Liam Gallagher and Ed Sheeran to win the British male solo artist award.

Accepting his second prize, the rapper told the audience: "Firstly, I always give all the glory to God, God this is all you, this is all you God.

"I know that a lot of people, when I give the glory to God, it seems such a strange thing, but if you know God, you know it's all him."

He thanked his family and his team, and added: "Gang Signs And Prayer, this was the hardest thing, I've never worked on something like this in my life, I've never given my entire being, I didn't have anything left after... we made something I feel that is undeniable, that I can stand by today."

The ceremony featured a tribute to the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing in the form of an appearance by Liam Gallagher who was called upon after Ariana Grande was forced to pull out due to illness.

The American pop star was due to take to the stage to remember the victims of the attack that took place at her concert in May last year, but was not well enough to travel to the UK.

Dua Lipa, who also won the British breakthrough artist accolade, was one of the stars who carried a white rose in support of victims of sexual harassment and assault.

The star paid tribute to women who had been on the Brit Awards stage before her as she collected the prize for British female solo artist.

She thanked "every single female that has been on this stage before me, that has given girls like me - not just girls in the music industry - but girls in society, a place to be inspired by, to look up and have allowed us to dream this big."

Brit Awards 2018: red carpet fashion

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She added: "Here's to more women on these stages, more women winning awards and more women taking over the world."

Stormzy appeared overwhelmed as he accepted his first ever Brit - British male solo artist - fending off competition from Sheeran and Gallagher.

He said: "I don't even know how I have managed to achieve this, this is the grace of God!"

Accepting his prize for British album of the year for Gang Signs And Prayer, the rapper told the audience: "Firstly, I always give all the glory to God, God this is all you, this is all you God."

Despite losing out on two awards to Stormzy, Sheeran won the Global Success award.

Other winners included British single for Rag'n'Bone Man for his track Human, Kendrick Lamar won international male solo artist, and Foo Fighters won best international group.

Lorde was named international female solo artist, and Damon Albarn-fronted group Gorillaz won the British group award.

Harry Styles won the British artist video of the year award for Sign Of The Times, fending off competition from fellow One Direction star Liam Payne and ex-member Zayn.

Stars performing on the night included Justin Timberlake, Rita Ora, Foo Fighters and Sam Smith.

Brit Awards 2018 Show - In pictures

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