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‘Five minutes of fame’: UK rapper blasted for brandishing fake SEVERED HEAD of BoJo | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A British rapper’s ‘tasteless’ publicity stunt has been lambasted on social media, after he waved a fake severed head of Prime Minister Boris Johnson during an award show. | A British rapper’s ‘tasteless’ publicity stunt has been lambasted on social media, after he waved a fake severed head of Prime Minister Boris Johnson during an award show. |
The 24-year-old rapper slowthai, whose real name is Tyron Frampton, ended his performance at the Mercury Prize ceremony in London on Thursday night by pulling out a mock-up decapitated head of PM Johnson. | The 24-year-old rapper slowthai, whose real name is Tyron Frampton, ended his performance at the Mercury Prize ceremony in London on Thursday night by pulling out a mock-up decapitated head of PM Johnson. |
“F**k Boris Johnson! F**k everything!” he shouted on stage while waving the head. The rapper also screamed: “And there ain’t nothing great about Britain,” referring to the name of his debut album, ‘Nothing Great About Britain.’ He did all this while wearing a “F**k Boris” T-shirt – an item he sells through his online store. | “F**k Boris Johnson! F**k everything!” he shouted on stage while waving the head. The rapper also screamed: “And there ain’t nothing great about Britain,” referring to the name of his debut album, ‘Nothing Great About Britain.’ He did all this while wearing a “F**k Boris” T-shirt – an item he sells through his online store. |
The stunt later prompted bewildered show host Lauren Laverne to provide a disclaimer, saying the rapper had presented “his own views.” | The stunt later prompted bewildered show host Lauren Laverne to provide a disclaimer, saying the rapper had presented “his own views.” |
The audience met slowthai’s performance with applause. However, the artist was criticized on social media, as many his antics“tasteless” and “attention-seeking.” | The audience met slowthai’s performance with applause. However, the artist was criticized on social media, as many his antics“tasteless” and “attention-seeking.” |
Commenters accused him of resorting to cheap shock value in order to promote his album. Some even suggested that sporting the fake head of a politician is tantamount to inciting violence. | Commenters accused him of resorting to cheap shock value in order to promote his album. Some even suggested that sporting the fake head of a politician is tantamount to inciting violence. |
“5 min of fame then back to obscurity for you,” one person wrote on Twitter. “What people will do for publicity,” another said. | “5 min of fame then back to obscurity for you,” one person wrote on Twitter. “What people will do for publicity,” another said. |
Media and child-protection campaigner Sara Payne tweeted: “We don’t have to like these politicians, but this is NOT entertainment, it’s creepy and disturbing.” | Media and child-protection campaigner Sara Payne tweeted: “We don’t have to like these politicians, but this is NOT entertainment, it’s creepy and disturbing.” |
Some commenters also compared slowthai to comedian Kathy Griffin, who once brandished a fake severed head of US President Donald Trump during a promo for her show. Griffin apologized for the stunt after getting hit with severe backlash, but later took her apology back. | Some commenters also compared slowthai to comedian Kathy Griffin, who once brandished a fake severed head of US President Donald Trump during a promo for her show. Griffin apologized for the stunt after getting hit with severe backlash, but later took her apology back. |
Slowthai is not the first UK hip-hop artist to publicly lash out at the British political elite. Last year, rapper Stormzy delivered a scathing verse blasting then-prime minister Theresa May during his performance at the Brit Awards. | Slowthai is not the first UK hip-hop artist to publicly lash out at the British political elite. Last year, rapper Stormzy delivered a scathing verse blasting then-prime minister Theresa May during his performance at the Brit Awards. |
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! | Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! |
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