Brit Awards 2020: The lyrics of Dave’s performance of ‘Black’ in full
Artist covered topics such as Boris Johnson, the Grenfell tragedy and Windrush in his freestyle additions to the track
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rapper Dave freestyled a number of additional lyrics when he performed his track “Black” at the BRIT Awards 2020, including one which branded prime minister Boris Johnson a “real racist”.
The performance also contained criticism of the media’s treatment of Meghan Markle, the Windrush deportation scandal, and the failure to adequately re-house the victims of the Grenfell fire.
Other lyrics referred to the two Cambridge University students killed in the London Bridge terror attack: Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23.
“Black” is a song from Dave’s 2019 album Psychodrama, which won the Mastercard Album of the Year award at last night’s ceremony, as well as the Mercury Prize in 2019.
Johnson has been condemned in the past for using racist terms such as “piccaninnies” and “watermelon smiles” in his newspaper columns; this week he was embroiled in a scandal over one of his top advisor’s support of eugenics.
Here are the lyrics in full:
It is racist, whether or not it feels racist
The truth is our Prime Minister’s a real racist
They say: “you should be grateful we’re the least racist”
I say: “the least racist is still racist”
And if somebody hasn’t said it
Equality is a right, it doesn’t deserve credit
Now if you don’t wanna get it then you’re never gonna get it
How the news treats Kate versus how they treated Meghan
Rest in peace Jack Merritt, you’re my brother in arms
There’s tears in our eyes and love in our hearts
We never had the same background, culture, colour or past
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, I have to say it for Jack
As a young black man seeing paper and crack
Given tougher sentences, it’s just papering cracks
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
All we need is unity, funding for communities, equal opportunities,
People under scrutiny, no more immunity, way less hatred
More conservation, less deforestation
We want rehabilitation - now that would be amazing
But Grenfell victims still need accomodation
And we still need support for the Windrush generation
Reparations for the time our people spent on plantations
See the full list of Brit Award winners here.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments