Stormzy got 100,000 people to shout ‘f*** Boris’ as he headlined Glastonbury last night – with it aired live on the BBC.
The Croydon-born grime artist, 25, became the first black British solo artist to headline the famous festival when he took to the Pyramid Stage.
But during his act he sang ‘Vossi Bop’, which includes the lyrics: ‘I’ll never die, I’m Chuck Norris.’
He then held out his microphone and the crowd chanted the rest of the words: ‘F**k the government and f**k Boris.’
Stormzy got thousands of people to shout ‘f*** Boris’ as he headlined Glastonbury last night – with the comments aired live on the BBC
The Croydon-born grime artist, 25, became the first black British solo artist to headline the famous festival when he took to the Pyramid Stage
The BBC said earlier this week it would play Stormzy’s set uncensored on BBC2 from 9.50pm last night.
The broadcaster told inews yesterday it ‘will be broadcast live on BBC2 post-watershed with the appropriate language warnings, in accordance with the BBC’s editorial guidelines.’
A spokesman for the BBC told MailOnline today: ‘The headline slots at Glastonbury 2019 are broadcast live and the audience expects artists to have scope for individual expression in their performances.’
The rapper kept his stab-proof vest on for his first five songs and also displayed a series of crime statistics in his third song First Things First
Stormzy started his performance at 10.15pm wearing a Union Jack stab-proof vest, appearing to make a bold statement against knife crime in London.
Keeping the vest on for his first five songs, he also displayed a series of crime statistics in his third song First Things First.
The musician wanted fans to consider the series of violent incidents in the capital, where five killings take place in six days earlier this month.
Message: The musician wanted fans to consider the series of violent incidents in the capital, where five killings take place in six days earlier this month
The huge crowd cheered and sang along during Stormzy’s electric performance last night
It is not the first time he has made political statements on the big stage, as he asked Theresa May about ‘money for Grenfell’ during his set at the Brit Awards in February last year.
The grime artist referenced the Grenfell Tower blaze which killed 71 people and directed questions at the Prime Minister during a performance which closed the show.
In a politically-charged rap, Stormzy sang: ‘Yo Theresa May, where’s the money for Grenfell?
‘What, you thought we just forgot about Grenfell? You criminals, and you’ve got the cheek to call us savages, you should do some jail time, you should pay some damages, you should burn your house down and see if you can manage this.’
Stormzy started last night’s show with Know Me From – with flames and fireworks going off around him – and later featured a small clip of Jay Z offering him advice prior to his show.
Stormzy started last night’s show with Know Me From – with flames and fireworks going off around him – and later featured a small clip of Jay Z offering him advice prior to his show
The artists, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, then brought on two ballet dancers for his song Don’t Cry For Me to highlight the racism that was found across all walks of life.
During their performance a screen behind the ballet dancers read: ‘Ballet shoes have not traditionally been made to match black skin tones. Until now.
‘Previously ballet dancers ‘pancaked’ their shoes with makeup. Now there are ballet shoes to match all skin tones. A huge leap forward for inclusion in the ballet world.’
The rapper, who was also joined by a gospel choir and Coldplay’s Chris Martin, is the first black British artist to headline at Glastonbury and the second youngest artist to headline in festival’s 49-year history.
Hours before his performance the rapper wrote on Twitter: ‘I am the first black British artist to headline Glastonbury.
‘At 25 years old I am the second youngest solo act to ever headline Glastonbury, the youngest being a 24 year old David Bowie in 1971. I’m overwhelmed with emotions, this is the most surreal feeling I’ve ever experienced.
‘I feel my entire life has lead to this moment. Can’t explain or fathom what this all is but I am 100% sure this is all God and his favour. Giving him all the glory.
Grime star Stormzy revealed how he felt his ‘entire life has lead to this moment’ as he prepared for his history-making set in tweets sent to fans
‘Thank you to Emily & Mike Eavis for believing in me I can’t wait to see you and hug you both thank you so much.’
Adele, Drake, Ed Sheeran and Jeremy Corbyn were among those congratulating Stormzy for his set.
He delivered his powerful and political performance, which has been praised as a huge moment for British rap.
Adele, Drake, Ed Sheeran and Jeremy Corbyn were among those congratulating Stormzy for his set
Labour leader Corbyn said it will ‘go down in our country’s cultural history’.
He said: ‘Tonight @Stormzy made history by being the first black solo British headliner at Glastonbury.
‘The performance was political, iconic and the ballet was beautifully powerful. It won’t just go down in Glastonbury history – it’ll go down in our country’s cultural history. #Glasto2019.’
Labour leader Corbyn (pictured with Stormzy in 2017) said it will ‘go down in our country’s cultural history’
Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy praised Stormzy for sampling a speech he had given about black men and the justice system.
He tweeted: ‘@stormzy using his headline spot at #glastonburyfestival2019 to speak out about the injustice of young black kids being criminalised in a biased and disproportionate justice system. Humbled and inspired that he sampled my speech. Salute #Merky.’
Adele wrote on Instagram: ‘I have love in abundance for this strong, sweet and honest man. I’m so proud of him, Stormzy just monumentally headlined Glastonbury in his own right with one album!!
‘The first Grime artist ever to do so, you respected everyone that opened the door for you whilst opening a huge one yourself.
‘You and your team are all so good, hard working and beautiful and deserve everything that comes your way.
‘Its been a joy to watch you unfold at lightning speed with absolute grace. It’s actually crazy what you’ve done in less than 3 years, well done darling x
Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy praised Stormzy for sampling a speech he had given about black men and the justice system
‘Well done Emily Eavis too, Glasto couldn’t be in a better pair of hands!’
Sheeran, whose song Shape Of You was covered by Stormzy, said he was ‘an inspiration to many’.
Alongside a picture of the rapper on stage, he wrote: ‘First black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury, second youngest to ever headline, and just an inspiration to so many.
Festival chic: Stormzy’s performance comes after his girlfriend Maya Jama was spotted basking in the sunshine at the festival’s Worthy Farm ahead of her beau taking to Pyramid Stage
‘This is just the start, congrats big Mike, looking forward to see you do more achievements like this’
Writing on his Instagram story, Canadian rapper Drake, himself a fan of the British grime scene, said: ‘@Stormzy headlining Glastonbury and that. Madness congrats.’
Stormzy’s girlfriend, the TV presenter Maya Jama, tweeted: ‘ICONICCCCCCCC.’
Next to a picture of Stormzy, Tottenham-born rapper Wretch 32 tweeted: ‘Champions league the league of champions.’
Hip-hop star Konan, another from the London grime scene, said: ‘This crazy man the feeling I have in my chest right now watching this I have to watch this again.’
Grime star Giggs shared a picture of Stormzy’s performance to Instagram.
Glastonbury revellers are woke up to blazing heat, with temperatures expected to reach upwards of 30C today
Revellers donned incredible outfits for the opening day of music at Glastonbury, with this woman rocking a Western-inspired outfit
And those in the crowd seemed equally captivated, with Nik Fisher, 28, from east London, saying: ‘It was insane. It was out of this world. He did so well. The vibe and energy was incredible so we’re really happy about it. We saw him two years ago as well, it was definitely a level up from that. It was unbelievable.’
Jordain Edwards, 23, from south London, said: ‘I’ve seen him about five or six times before. I think the first time I saw him was eight years ago when I was about 16 or 17. So to see him now on the Pyramid Stage was insane.
‘It’s a moment for the whole community, the whole culture, it’s crazy.
‘He kind of went above and beyond what I thought he could, bringing out Dave and Fredo, it’s good because it’s sort of bringing everyone together. It was everything you’d hope it would have been.’
Niamh Kilduff, 26, from Naas in Ireland, said: ‘He was very good. We saw him two years ago on the smaller stage, and now he’s on the big stage. He looked really happy.’