- Rapper made the long lists for three awards at this years prestigious awards
- Faces trial before July 1 having been accused of raping a woman twice in 2021
- He has ‘categorically denied’ the claims despite being removed from festivals
A row has broken out after British rapper Slowthai was put forward for three BRIT Awards whilst facing two charges of rape.
The 28-year-old has made the long lists for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act respectively ahead of the ceremony in March.
Tyron Kaymone Frampton, also known as Slowthai faces trial before July 1 having been accused of raping a woman twice in September 2021 following a concert that took place in Oxford during a UK tour.
The Northampton-born rapper appeared before the city’s magistrates in May.
He has ‘categorically denied’ the claims, however, he was removed from the Glastonbury, and Reading and Leeds Festival line-ups after his court appearance.
Tyron Kaymone Frampton, also known as Slowthai faces trial before July 1 having been accused of raping a woman twice in September 2021
British rapper Slowthai was put forward for three BRIT Awards whilst facing two charges of rape
His stage name originates from his childhood nickname – Frampton had a speech impediment which caused him to speak slowly and with a drawl.
The rapper, whose first album Nothing Great About Britain was nominated for a Mercury prize in 2019 and reached the Top 10, was charged with oral and vaginal penetration of a woman without her consent in Oxford in September 2021.
However, he is due to attend the prestigious award ceremony which is hosted at the O2 Arena in South East London.
The BRIT Awards Committee has the power to deem any artist ineligible if it judges that they have brought the awards ‘into disrepute’.
The 28-year-old Brit has ‘categorically denied’ the claims, however, he was removed from the Glastonbury, and Reading and Leeds Festival line-ups after his court appearance
Women’s Aid said organisers should ‘think carefully’ about how nominating Slowthai and to keep in mind the feelings of rape and sex assault survivors.
A spokeswoman said: ‘For many survivors of abuse, his inclusion on the list will already be a sign that rape is not taken seriously.
‘With the awards before the court date, organisers should consider that if this man wins a category, how women who have survived rape will feel watching an alleged rapist being celebrated in such a public way.’
Showthai, who is charged alongside Alex Walker, 25, from London, who denies rape and sexual assault, wrote on Instagram: ‘I am innocent and I am confident my name will be cleared.’
A BRIT Awards spokeswoman and another for sponsor Mastercard did not comment when approached.
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