Watch Skepta Give A Nod To Black Lives Matter In His Mercury Prize Performance
The MC performed “Shutdown” in front of photographs of protests.
Skepta is nominated for this year's Mercury Prize for his 2016 album Konnichiwa, with the ceremony taking place tonight, September 15, in London. He took to the stage in the first half of the ceremony to perform his massive single "Shutdown," and used the opportunity to make a subtly socially conscious statement. Behind him were projections of banners seen at recent Black Lives Matter protests, including one that was held by fellow MC Novelist, that reads "STOP KILLING THE MANDEM."
The U.K. branch of Black Lives Matter have been using the hashtag #SHUTDOWN to organise recent protests, including one earlier in September at London City Airport.
Skepta also changed the lyric If you don't wanna upset me, you get me? to When I see Beyoncé twerking at Wembley. Watch a clip of the performance below, and watch the whole thing back on BBC iPlayer if you're in the U.K.