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Brit Awards 2020: Tyler, the Creator dedicates win to Theresa May five years after UK ban

Rapper wins International Male Solo Artist trophy

Clémence Michallon
Tuesday 18 February 2020 22:28 GMT
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BRIT Awards 2020: Tyler, the Creator dedicates his award to Theresa May

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Tyler, the Creator dedicated his Brit Award win to Theresa May on Tuesday night.

The rapper took home the International Male Solo Artist trophy – and celebrated with an acknowledgment to the former prime minister.

May was home secretary in 2015, when Tyler, the Creator was banned from entering the UK over some of his song lyrics.

“I want to give a special shout-out to someone who I hold dear to my heart, who made it that I couldn’t come to this country five years ago,” the rapper said after accepting his award.

“I know she’s sitting at home pissed off. Thank you Theresa May.”

In 2015, Tyler, the Creator said that he had been barred from entering the UK for three to five years.

The Home Office said in a statement at the time: “Coming to the UK is a privilege, and we expect those who come here to respect our shared values.”

Tyler, the Creator returned to the UK in May 2019 for a surprise show that ended up getting cancelled over safety concerns.

The artist said at the time that the crowds had got “too rowdy”, resulting in the cancellation.

One of the ceremony's highlights included Dave adding lyrics to his song "Black", which saw him call Boris Johnson a "real racist" and criticised the UK media's treatment of Meghan Markle.

Lewis Capaldi won two awards and delivered a bizarre speech about Love Island and his grandmother while accepting the trophy for Song of the Year.

Other performers included Harry Styles, Stormzy and Billie Eilish, who sang new Bond theme No Time to Die in the track's live debut.

Find the biggest talking points here and a full list of the evening's winners here.

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