Mercury Prize: Dave pays tribute to his imprisoned brother Christopher as he embraces his beloved mother after receiving the top honour
- The South London rapper accepted the prestigious Album Of The Year prize at London’s Eventim Apollo on Thursday
- Dave paid tribute to his older brother Christopher, who is serving a life sentence in prison for his role in the killing of Sofyen Belamouadden in 2010
- The rap star beat out 11 other nominees for the award, including The 1975 and slowthai
- The awards ceremony was not without controversy, as slowthai took to the stage to perform with an effigy of Boris Johnson’s severed head
Dave has been awarded the 2019 Hyundai Mercury Prize for Album of the Year.
The Streatham-born rapper, 21, paid tribute to his brother Christopher as he embraced his beloved mum after taking to stage to accept the honour in London’s Eventim Apollo on Thursday.
Clad in a neon tracksuit, Dave praised his sibling – who is currently in prison serving a life sentence – for being the inspiration behind his acclaimed debut album Psychodrama.
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Grand prize: Dave has been awarded the 2019 Hyundai Mercury Prize for Album of the Year
After being awarded the prize by Annie Mac, Dave invited his mother onto the stage, and said in his acceptance speech: ‘I don’t know what to say. I want to thank everyone that made this happen.
‘I wanna thank all of the exceptional musicians that came and performed tonight. I did not expect this. You guys, I respect you all so highly. Simz, Thai, Nao, I love you guys.
‘I’m so, so, so happy to be in you guys’ company, all the exceptional musicians out here today. I wanna thank God, my mum, my family, my friends. Everyone that’s here.’
Joyful: The South London-born rapper took to the stage in London’s Eventim Apollo on Thursday to accept the honour and joyfully brought his mum on-stage
Touching: During his acceptance speech Dave paid tribute to his older brother Christopher, who is currently serving a life sentence in prison
Casual: Sporting a neon green tracksuit Dave later took to the stage to deliver a stellar performance after receiving the award
Elated: Dave proudly thanked his mum – who raised him and his two siblings as a single parent for most of their childhood
MERCURY PRIZE 2019 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST
Anna Calvi – Hunter
black midi – Schlagenheim
Cate Le Bon – Reward
Dave – Psychodrama
Foals – Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 1
Fontaines D.C. – Dogrel
IDLES – Joy as an Act of Resistance
Little Simz – Grey Area
NAO – Saturn
SEED Ensemble – Driftglass
slowthai – Nothing Great About Britain
The 1975 – A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships
Dave then paid tribute his older brother Christopher, who is serving life in prison for his involvement in the killing of Sofyen Belamouadden in 2010.
The Streatham singer said that his brother was the inspiration for his debut album, which begins with the rapper talking to a therapist and maintains the theme throughout each song.
As a whole the album also touches on topics including Dave’s strained relationships, poor upbringing, his father’s absence, and issues such as domestic abuse and racial inequality.
‘Most importantly, I know I tell this story all the time, but I wanna thank my brother Christopher that inspired this album.
‘This is your story that we told, and even though you can’t be here with us today, I know you’re watching this bro. And I’m so grateful, thank you guys so much.’
Proud: Speaking about his brother Dave said: ‘Most importantly, I know I tell this story all the time, but I wanna thank my brother Christopher that inspired this album’
Sensational: He added: ‘This is your story that we told, and even though you can’t be here with us today, I know you’re watching this bro. And I’m so grateful, thank you guys so much’
You are the winner! Dave’s proud mother couldn’t contain her pride as she proudly held her son’s award after taking to the stage with him
Happy: Following the awards show Dave posted backstage with the top award. This is the 27th year it has been awarded in its history
Iconic: Dave has won critical acclaim for his hard-hitting album Psychodrama, which begins with the rapper talking to a therapist and maintains the theme throughout each song
Dave beat off stiff competition from the 11 other nominees for the top prize, including The 1975 – who were absent from the ceremony due to scheduling conflicts with their tour in Australia.
The band have won huge praise for their album A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, and joined fellow stars IDLES, black midi, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Little Simz, NAO, Anna Calvi, Cate Le Bon, SEED Ensemble, and slowthai on the shortlist.
Dave was awarded the prize by a panel of judges who decided the winner on the night, including grime superstar Stormzy, Gaz Coombes of Supergrass, singers Jamie Cullum and Jorja Smith and broadcasters Annie Mac and Clara Amfo.
Suave: Earlier in the evening, Dave cut a dapper figure in a red and black printed blazer as he accepted for his award for being on the Albums Of The Year shortlist
Delighted: The rap star was in high spirits as he proudly displayed his award after arriving for the ceremony in London
Glamorous: Lauren Laverne – who presented the ceremony – sparkled in her silver ensemble as she took to the stage
Chic: The Radio DJ – who recently took over as the host of Desert Island Discs – cut a chic figure as she hosted the ceremony
Proud: Grime superstar Stormzy was also in attendance as one of the judges on the panel who decided the top prize
Speaking about Dave’s album, the judging panel said: ‘Psychodrama is the musical equivalent of a literary masterpiece: a conceptual album about Dave’s experience of growing up in South London, structured in the form of a therapy session, which takes a deeply personal story and gives it universal relevance.
‘Psychodrama is a moving, musically sophisticated work that tackles complex themes of identity, class, relationships and politics and demands total attention from the listener.’
Apart from The 1975, all of the nominees for the top prize attended the ceremony and each received their own award for making the shortlist.
Explosive: But despite the night being a celebration of music, the ceremony was not without controversy, as rapper slowthai sparked fury among viewers (above on the red carpet)
Controversial: The English rapper was nominated for his album Nothing Great About Britain, which casts a critical eye over life in the modern UK
Raging: slowthai sparked anger by holding up an effigy of Boris Johnson’s severed head during his performance at the ceremony
But despite the night being a celebration of music, the ceremony was not without controversy, as rapper slowthai sparked fury among viewers.
The British musician took to the stage for his performance in a t-shirt emblazoned with the phrase ‘f**k Boris’ and soon presented an effigy of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s severed head.
Slowthai was nominated for his album Nothing Great About Britain, which casts a critical eye over life in the modern UK.
The BBC live feed cut away from the rapper as he held up the effigy, but the audience responded with rapturous applause as slowthai (who spells his stage name with a lower-case S) left the stage.
But there was anger online with one viewer saying ‘someone’s probably going to end up getting killed because of this move,’ while another branded the stunt ‘dumb, embarrassing and dangerous.’
Stylish: Clara Amfo cut a stylish figure in an orange midi dress as arrived on the red carpet for the ceremony
Smart: Fellow judges Gaz Coombes of the rock band Supergrass and Jamie Cullum also made dapper arrivals for the ceremony
Legs for days: Jorja Smith looked sensational in a black leather mini dress with silver heels as she arrived on the red carpet
Sartorial chic: Annie Mac opted for a 60s-inspired white skirt suit with a gold trim and a leopard print shirt
United: Idles – who were nominated for their album Joe As An Act Of Resistance also proudly displayed their award for making the album shortlist
Bright: NAO – who was nominated for her album Saturn – made a bold statement in a fuchsia pink dress with a contrasting paisley print
Big statement: Foals used their arrival to make a statement on climate change as they arrived at the ceremony
After the performance, slowthai, real name Tyron Frampton, took to Twitter to promote a ‘F*** Boris’ T-shirt along with a lewd picture of the Prime Minister and an outline of the UK.
Speaking last month slowthai said his outspoken attitude was inspired by the togetherness and carefree abandon of 90s Britpop pioneers Oasis.
‘Growing up, people always chose between Blur or Oasis,’ the 24-year old explained during an appearance at the Brilliant Sound Experience.
‘But for me it was both. Growing up and being in pubs and on the estate with all the lads, I found this similar to Liam (Gallagher), the way he was.
‘The way I was raised to be. They inspire me by not giving a f**k about who they are, and I think that was the most important thing growing up.’
Show group: SEED Ensemble also showed off their beautiful gold award for the ceremony
Quirky: Cate Le Bon put on a kooky display in a fuchsia pink bomber jacket as she displayed her award
Looking sharp: Little Simz sported a sharp monochrome look with contrasting coloured shoes and socks as she arrived for the ceremony
Family outing: She was joined by her delighted mum at the ceremony, who also displayed her award
80s chic: Anna Calvi made a bold statement in a dramatic red blouse with shoulder pads as she proudly displayed her award
Fun time! Following the awards show, the after party was in full swing as the stars let their hair down following the celebration
Grinning: Stormzy was rubbing shoulders with some of the stars at the awards show, including slowthai despite his recent stunt
Fun
Following the awards show, the after party was in full swing as the stars let their hair down following the celebration.
Many of the guests were lining up to meet Dave following his victory, while other eagerly rubbed shoulders with judge Stormzy.
Despite his recent stunt, slowthai was in great spirits as he met the grime superstar at the party.
Beaming: Stormzy was certainly the man of the hour as he met prize winner Dave at the after party
Grinning: Jamie looked equally happy and relaxed inside the awards bash
Beaming: NAO proudly posed at her table as she enjoyed a night of festivities at the awards celebration
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