Rapper slowthai apologies for waving model of Boris Johnson’s severed head at awards bash
RAPPER Slowthai last night apologised for waving a model of Boris Johnson’s severed-head on TV – saying the stunt was intended as “art”.
The performer, 24, said he had not intended to cause any offence by waving the gruesome effigy of the PM’s head onstage, chanting “f*** Boris Johnson, F*** everything”.
The sick stunt at the Mercury Music Prize awards was backed as “amazing” by The Guardian’s deputy music editor Laura Snapes – despite politicians blasting it as “disgusting”.
The nominated MC, real name Tyron Kaymone Frampton, said he was “a good boy” and attended church regularly as a child.
He said incendiary lyrics – saying he wants “to wife” Kate Middleton and calling the Queen “a c***” – were part of his commentary on modern British life.
Frampton, who had BBC cameras covering the live event taken off him during the stunt, told The Sun: “People are reading between the lines and looking at it in a certain way.
“The reaction’s hilarious – it shows people’s ignorance. They want to call it terrorism or inciting violence and that’s not what it was.
“It was a metaphor about Britain historically and what would happen when people were treasonous.
“It wasn’t inciting violence, it was just making a point about democracy being killed.
He added: “There was no threat ever intended – it was just a fake head.
There wasn’t any malice in it. I didn’t behead him – I just pulled a head out of a bag with 10 Downing Street on it.”
He said: “I decided to do it over the thing with the Queen. I was just making a point.
“There’s no badness. There’s no threatening behaviour towards Boris. I just said ‘fuck him’.
“All the people who are criticising don’t have any argument, they don’t come with any proper talks. They just come with abuse.
“My mum’s alright about it. She just had a good night. She was surprised but that was about it.”
Asked if he was sorry for any unintended offence caused or confusion he said: “Hundred per cent.”
SICK STUNT THREE YEARS AFTER JO COX MURDER
Frampton’s shocking stunt came three years after Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered in her Leeds constituency and two years after the Westminster terror attack.
Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, who heroically gave CPR to a cop killed in the parliament attack, blasted Frampton.
He said: “This stunt didn’t attempt to criticise policy or any one issue, but sickeningly attacked an individual.”
Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh, said: “I have never heard of Mr Slowthai, but clearly he would never win many points in an etiquette contest.
“Personally, I think holding up a purported severed head of the Prime Minister is extremely distasteful, and I think most fair-minded people would think likewise.”
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage attacked Slowthai’s “absolutely disgusting” antics.
Meanwhile Guardian writer endorsed the rapper’s performance sharing a link on Twitter for the public to buy “his brilliantly fleshy “F*ck Boris” t-shirts”.
Frampton’s foul-mouthed lyrics included those on Nothing Great About Britain, where he takes aim at the monarchy, rapping “Only if you respect me a little bit, Elizabeth, you c***”
The rebellious artist also leered in a rap he would “wifey” Kate Middleton and bragged about downing a “bottle of Bucky” in Buckingham Palace and smoking skunk cannabis.
He once claimed he could burn the Union Jack because “it don’t mean nothing.”
The self-styled remainer – or “Brexit Bandit” – had a troubled childhood, with younger brother, Michael, dying of muscular dystrophy (MD), aged one in 2001 when Slowthai was eight.
HUGE PAYDAY FOR TWISTED RAPPER
Frampton’s Irish stepdad thought his son’s death was divine punishment for his misdeeds and became a Seventh-day Adventist, taking Ty with him to church.
Slowthai’s stage name was originally a nickname given to him by childhood pals who said he spoke slowly and mumbled.
Experts yesterday said the cynical move could indirectly earn the rapper a huge pay day.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Digital PR expert Trevor Palmer, owner of agency Tank, said: “If his people are clever, they will no doubt exploit this media coverage into millions of pounds of revenue from music sales and influencer style sponsorships and appearances.”
“As stunts go, whilst it was quite visceral and offensive to some, I think there would have probably been something of a collective sigh amongst industry professionals, as it would almost be more edgy and controversial to do nothing and just accept your award.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.