Not being a black person dave performs this so well in a way that I can connect to this song .dave has to be one of the only artists that can do things like this. He could do any other song to big him self up but he chose to raise awareness on a social issue in today’s society which most other artists would be afraid of because of the controversy. Mad respect for him for not being afraid to say it how it is
LeeToTheVI always understood that black people faced hardships and this performance truly wakes people up to the extent that they are , everyone’s the same on the inside , should be treated as such❤️
I’m white and I watched this in the sitting room with my mum and sis and we all just sat not saying a word until we just clapped are hands out at the end. Dave is here to stay 🎶
Definitely powerful how dave, the young black man, wore all white and Fraser T Smith, older white man, wore all black. Definitely a symbol of unity and equality
Fraser TS is a honorable man in the first place. Hes brought through and up black artists for years, now he has been condoning it. Hes done up tunes for bare people and you see a respectful man being respected.
I'm 17 years old black kid who lives in south Wales, in the valleys the reason I look up to rappers like Dave is he gives me confidence or not to be afraid to stand up/ be proud of having 2 African parents who grew up in a proper rural environment, it gives me confidence to take no bullshit of the racists I've had to deal with from time to time, it also gives me hope every day being a black teen in an overwhelmingly predominant white area that I can be myself and not have to change. BTW want to give a shout out to Lee wouldn't be a better person on TH-cam to dissect and analyse how important this is.
I know I'm late to the party with this reply, but... I'm a white Brit, a fair bit older than you (probably your parents age), and reading your comment made me need to respond with this: My friend, *never* show anything but pride for who you are and where you are from. Be proud of your African heritage, be proud to be a Brit, and be proud to be Welsh. I'm so white that I only have to look at the sun and I fry... 😂 But that doesn't make me any more British than you. There isn't a single person on this island of ours who is "100% British", so the only thing a racist achieves when they start running their mouth is that they put their ignorance on display for all to see. I'm proud that kids like you are the future of this country - strong, intelligent, fair-minded and determined. I'm sorry that you face unnecessary hurdles, put in your path by people who should know better. Just remember that *you* embody what is "best of British", not them. Take care and keep your head held high 💖
I'm white, my younger brother is mixed. Growing up and experiencing the subtle and sometimes very obvious ways that people behave differently around us is infuriating. - Even as a white man, this song hits so hard.
So gassed he won album of the year as well, doesn't matter who you are, even if you can't personally feel the pain if you haven't been through struggles like this, purely based on skin colour, which is ridiculous and unfair (as he said - equality is a right), to see Dave express himself like this is amazing and everyone should appreciate this, but they won't because people can't handle the truth
I can’t feel the pain, but this song actually taught me a lot of things I didn’t know I’m a privileged white kid from Australia who has never had to deal with racism & was brought up to respect all cultures/colours A lot of what he says is so foreign to me but I’ve gone on to want to learn more & better myself to be more understanding of the struggles Had real tears when I first heard this song, the man is a genius
white american female and every time I hear this song it makes me cry. the live performance is one of the best I've ever seen. I've watched it about 50 times and it makes me emotional every time - the tribute to Jack and Saskia was an amazing surprise touch for their families and spreading that awareness is just so key. What an artist Dave is, truly a generational talent. Wise beyond his years and a poet in every sense of the word.
I’ve watched this soo many times, on the realest I’ve never had to face any of these problems, and been in denial about how often discrimination occurs worldwide, but this makes me tear up every time. So much pain, so much love, so much pride, such poetic artistry, his loved ones must have felt so proud hearing this. Thank you Santan piano man Dave. Goatest goat, game changer
The refreshing thing for me is that Dave has transcended whatever genre you try and place him in and yet remains true to who is. Mad respect for that. Daves a special talent no doubt.
i have listened to this song 10 times already the most talented rapper i have heard in 20 years bar none. this kid is going to have a phenomenal career. good luck to him and thanks for saying what needed to be said
Im a 50 year old Irish Iranian woman and he has inspired me over and over again. He moved the tears right out of me with this performance. This young man is a special kind of magic.
Dave has cemented himself as full leend in the british music industry, but also world wide hre put the whole government on notuce took no prisoners and spoke the truth that everypne is too scared to admit to or to ignorant to confirm. For this i appreciate dave a thousand times more and this reaction video by LeeToTheVI just explained why dave is one fo the best if not the best british musician of all time
as a white guy with only black friends dave actually have me chills and i’m so glad that other people who aren’t as lucky as me that don’t get to experience other cultures can start to realise the awful things my friends and their families have been through. well done dave
Dave released this song originally in his Psychodrama album but the original song only contained the first two verses, the third verse was totally unexpected and first heard in this performance. The two people he mentions are Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones, were Cambridge University students who dedicated themselves to prison reform and rehabilitation. They were both course co-ordinators of a learning together scheme which brought people in higher education and offenders to 'learn together'. They were both attending a 'Learning Together' event where Usman Khan entered with a fake suicide vest, threatened to detonate it and then knifed several people. Jack Merritt and Dave knew each other because Dave's older brother, Christopher, was undergoing prisoner rehabilitation after being involved in the 2010 murder of Soften Belamouadden. Dave also refers to Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle of the British Royal Family, and how differently Meghan was treated in the media, in comparison to Kate, with Meghan being the first mixed race member of a Royal Family that presided over centuries of colonialism and slavery. The Grenfell Tower was an incident in 2017 where a tower block in West London broke out and killed 72 people. This happened because safety standards were skimped on so companies could save around £13,000 on safety cladding. The tower was located in a conservative (right-wing) council also house some of the most expensive housing. The council were accused of neglecting the minority-ethnic poorer residents. The hundreds of victims who lost their houses were not given long-term accommodation, and this incident has been used to highlight the neglect and inequality that is prevalent in the UK. The Windrush scandal was when many Caribbean people boarded ships that were set for Britain (the Caribbean was part of the Commonwealth) between 1948-1973. When they arrived, they were given British Citizenship and were free to permanently work and live in the UK. However, in 2012, UK government and non-gov sectors were tasked with ramping up the enforcement of Immigration controls. This 'Hostile Environment' legislation that was announced by the Government in 2012, made the UK unlivable for those without proper documentation. Many of the commonwealth citizens that arrived between 1948-1973 came on their parents passports and weren't given proper documentation, despite being given the right to live and work in the UK permanently. This lead to many Commonwealth citizens, who would've grown up in the UK for several decades, to be falsely deemed as 'Illegal Immigrants'' and the government restricted their access to housing, healthcare, bank accounts and driving licenses. This caused widespread condemnation for the Government and the Home Office. Victims of this scandal were promised compensation however, after three years, the Government compensation scheme has only made a handful of payments. However, this 'Hostile Environment' legislation that caused this scandal is still in place in 2020, even during the COVID-19 crisis. Independent reports have found that the Windrush scandal was not an accident, but the inevitable result of policies designed to make life impossible for those without the right papers. At the start of the third verse, Dave also described the PM, Boris Johnson as racist. This due to Boris Johnson writing columns for the Daily Telegraph in the 2000's, where he made many racist, homophobic, Islamophobic and sexist comments. Some comments include, and are not limited to: In a 2018 column for The Daily Telegraph relating to a burqa ban, he wrote that was "absolutely ridiculous" that "people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes" and that "If a constituent came to my MP’s surgery with her face obscured, I should feel fully entitled… to ask her to remove it so that I could talk to her properly. If a female student turned up at school or at a university lecture looking like a bank robber then ditto: those in authority should be allowed to converse openly with those that they are being asked to instruct." When he found out that 68% of Malaysian women are attending University, he stated "[Female students went to university because they] have got to find men to marry. " "It is said that the Queen has come to love the Commonwealth, partly because it supplies her with regular cheering crowds of flag-waving piccaninnies. " The word "Piccaninnies" is an extremely derogatory term. "No doubt the AK47s will fall silent, and the pangas will stop their hacking of human flesh, and the tribal warriors will all break out in watermelon smiles to see the big white chief touch down in his big white British taxpayer-funded bird. " He wrote this when Tony Blair, the then UK PM, visited the Democratic Republic of Congo, describing men of the DRC as having "watermelon smiles", when asked about this in his 2019 election campaign, he dismissed it as "satire", which it obviously isn't. ((Regaring Barack Obama)) "The part-Kenyan president [has an] ancestral dislike of the British empire - of which Churchill had been such a fervent defender. " The only evidence for this statement was the colour of Obama's skin. Using the word Nigerian as an insult, which racism was a by-product of offending young people "All the young people I know - ie those under 30 - are just as avaricious as we flinty Thatcherite yuppies of the 1980s in fact, they have an almost Nigerian interest in money and gadgets of all kinds. " Here, he is wanting to bring back colonisation of the whole of Africa, which was responsible for slavery "The best fate for Africa would be if the old colonial powers, or their citizens, scrambled once again in her direction; on the understanding that this time they will not be asked to feel guilty. " In 2000, Johnson said that a "bunch of black kids" made him “turn a hair”, and added: "If that is racial prejudice, then I am guilty." The outstanding thing though is that he, a blatant racist, was elected as Mayor of London (London being an extremely diverse city of the UK), Foreign Secretary (being responsible for UK foreign affairs, even though he is pro-colonialism) and is now the most powerful person in the UK, despite being a racist, islamophobic, sexist, pro-colonisation leader, which is all fact and quoted.
As a middle aged white guy from Scotland this song and the way it is performed has legitimately conveyed to me better than anything else how true racism might *feel*, how far it stretches back... and how deep it cuts. I'll never understand properly but hearing this and seeing reactions like this is as close as I have ever been to having any fucking idea. Love to my brothers and sisters. Black, white and any and every shade of human.
honestly dave is one of the best rappers ever n he’s gonna go so far. he’s a lyrical genius n no one can try argue with that. he only speaks the truth in his music while still producin a sick song. the maddest respect for that man
That's probably the best reaction I've seen, playing the video out instead of stopping it every 2 seconds allowing us to see your in the moment reaction but also talking about it at the end for the people that like to hear your say on the song. Great vid bro 👊
*I’m “White British” female. But I connected to this song more then other songs. To the point I was in TEARS with GOOSEBUMPS when I first heard it. I keep watching people reactions to it to see their reactions to it. Our Prime Minister is a bloody racist. Calling Islamic women “letterboxes” due to their face veils and black people “watermelon mouths”. How vile is that? I’m also glad that he felt ok to pay his respects to Jack Merritt (a white male) in a song called Black. Jack helped Dave’s family to try to get his brother out of prison I believe. So Dave knew him personally. So it allegedly hit him hard when he was killed!! The visuals of this performance on the screen was STUNNING!! His voice is BEAUTIFUL too!*
@ Jade Welch. All of the above for me except I'm male 69years young and this man sent chills down my spine. Nothing but deep admiration for Dave. I lived through an amazing period in history but this is a moment that I will never forget. We the people should stop watching and start acting otherwise nothing will change and history will simply keep on repeating it self
dan johnson I completely agree. We ALL need to do something. Not leave it up to the minorities to fight the battle alone. We should all fight these vile things together!! Stand up to racist people, to homophobic people etc. Just make this country a better place. Then the world!!
Jade Welch I know righty u wanna talk about homophobia and sexism u should go to the Middle East who r Muslim btw and see what they think of gays women and other ppl not the same colour as them see how it goes I’m sure your worried about that right
Of course I am! Sexism, homophobia, racism isn’t right in ANY country. People just want to live their lives and be happy & healthy. That should be allowed! But sadly some people/countries don’t think the same way.
I've watched this performance at least 10 times and keep watching reaction videos because as I was watching it live, you could tell something special was unfolding on stage
The UK music scene is crazy rn. From stormzy's success now Dave. I'm just waiting for J hus to get his recognition at an award show.... Lee can you please dissect J Hus's album would love to know your thoughts
Great reaction. Good to let the music play in full and your facial and body expressions were so powerful - thanks. The review at the end was also really good.
This channel right now is my favourite thing on this website I’m constantly going TALK UP THE THING and COME ON to literally everything you’ve also opened my eyes to some sick music and artists appreciate it man
I’m a white guy from Ireland and by far Dave is my favourite artist at the minute. For a guy of 21 he’s years ahead of many people. Great to see people finally realising how much of a genius Dave is. And this song is just amazing from the first time I heard it. Skin is just colour. We’re all the same. Stop the hate!
I've seen lots of dave-black reactions and you're the only one who managed to call out the other pianists name. You know your stuff so I'm dropping a like and sub for that. Keep up the good work bro x
Dude I don't know anything about what he was talking about at the end U.K. stuff but I respect how he had no fear in calling out issues then dropped the mic and peaced out I respect that he speaks his mind
I remember seeing this and just crying. Such an epic performance and so powerful. I'm a white abd from a privileged background so cannot pretend what it's like. We had a lot of Indian families in our family circle of friends but in my whole school there was literally 1 or 2 of 650 black children. Some areas are really sheltered to it but we need education and to understand and raise awareness. Dave is amazing and this message needs to be shouted LOUD!
Maaannn..Seeing Dave live was one of the best musical experiences that I ever had. These other New Yorkers had no idea how legendary that was smh. This song def slaps differently live.
I am a white middle class women and could never really relate to a lot of black music/artists for obvious reasons, however Dave's performance really made me think about things as he spoke the truth. This guy is going somewhere and I want to listen to more of his music and other black artists like him. I think he could get through to people more than others.
I can neva listen to that song in public, that song always brings a tear, I feel lucky cause I ain’t neva loved it like my parents and before them did. This song goes deep in subconscious memories for real. I remember dem days when people would cross the road cause I’m walking down with my hoodie at midnight, thing is, if shit went down I’d probably be the first to try to help you. Respect.
It felt like every rap sound ever written was trying to say this but Dave smashed it. It should be shown to every kid across Britain in every school. People don’t realise racism is multi faceted. They don’t realise that history plays such a big part. I’ve heard some black Americans say no one bothers with the Ancestry - trace your history stuff- because the records of black families just don’t exist past a certain date. Yet another great reaction. X
from a white guy here dave is the man....he knows what hes sayin and has shit to say. iv witnessed a lot of racist crap in my time...i have uncles/cousins who are black...one day will we all be treated the same...we bleed the same dam blood.
My favorite reaction video to this performance. 1) A Brit who understands the reference to "Kate vs Meghan" and "Prime Minister" 1a) Callout to Fraser T Smith! 2) Lets the song play through which doesn't take away the song's flow and impact but uses knowing looks at the camera after powerful lines (then again, may be related to the fact that this is a live reaction whereas you already heard the original)
Such a powerful performance. As a white person who can't really relate to black issues like one brought up in the song I can't easily picture how hard it must be for some people in this country.
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![Asco - Straight Drop 5 [Music Video] | GRM Daily [Reaction] | LeeToTheVI](/img/tr.png)
Not being a black person dave performs this so well in a way that I can connect to this song .dave has to be one of the only artists that can do things like this. He could do any other song to big him self up but he chose to raise awareness on a social issue in today’s society which most other artists would be afraid of because of the controversy. Mad respect for him for not being afraid to say it how it is
This 👆🏾👆🏾👆🏾🙏🏾 I’m sure he’d love this comment, I definitely do 💯📠📠📠
Orhan Corek yeah im pasty white and it still moved me. He’s immensely talented and gives a hugely important message
Love bro for bringing us content like this ❤️
💯💯💯💯
Bro this song is not just about black people black ain't single fucking colour their is shades to it
This performance gave me shivers
Me too 💯💯💯
Ahlieeeee
ahlie
mums
How come
Bro I’m a white privileged teenage boy , and it’s got me feeling things , Dave is a true artist
Thank you my guy honestly it matters that other people from all walks of life understand 💯🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
LeeToTheVI always understood that black people faced hardships and this performance truly wakes people up to the extent that they are , everyone’s the same on the inside , should be treated as such❤️
@@cameronjohnson7679 Thank you for your understanding and perspective
💯fax Cameron Johnson
Cameron Johnson lol you don’t have to feel guilty bout it 😂
I’m white and I watched this in the sitting room with my mum and sis and we all just sat not saying a word until we just clapped are hands out at the end. Dave is here to stay 🎶
❤️❤️❤️ love you you and the family 💯 I’m glad you saw this for exactly what it is 💯💯🙏🏾
👍🏾Powerful track & the visuals topped it off beautifully. Big up Dave. He's a special kind of talent. He's only 21 btw
i would make a joke but you are a good guy 😭
@@gurs8ii them ones thereee😭😂
Definitely powerful how dave, the young black man, wore all white and Fraser T Smith, older white man, wore all black. Definitely a symbol of unity and equality
I didn’t even notice that haha
Fraser TS is a honorable man in the first place. Hes brought through and up black artists for years, now he has been condoning it. Hes done up tunes for bare people and you see a respectful man being respected.
Guilty till proven innocent is so true, literally look at unknown T, everyone was like "ah hes a murderer" but now look
C’mon 💯💯💯🙏🏾
He deffo did it lol
Ishaq Salique That’s a bit of a sticky one 😂
that’s different tho g 🤷🏻♂️👀sticky one
azza r his boy did it and his boy got md by london fields that's why he buss it
One of the best most powerful performances I’ve ever seen . Dave is a special talent
Couldn’t have said it better 💯💯💯
Dave to be the best artist this coming decade nooo 🧢
One out of the UK for sure 💯💯💯
straight up broo
You looked genuinely rattled at the end of this bro. Understandably shook. Shockwaves.
Totally rattled 😳😅
Who me?
“Equality is a right it doesn’t deserve credit” that performance was different
Dave has intelligence and awareness way beyond his years. Trust me the lads special
I'm 17 years old black kid who lives in south Wales, in the valleys the reason I look up to rappers like Dave is he gives me confidence or not to be afraid to stand up/ be proud of having 2 African parents who grew up in a proper rural environment, it gives me confidence to take no bullshit of the racists I've had to deal with from time to time, it also gives me hope every day being a black teen in an overwhelmingly predominant white area that I can be myself and not have to change. BTW want to give a shout out to Lee wouldn't be a better person on TH-cam to dissect and analyse how important this is.
This Amazing keep your head up young king ! You are great !!
Stay strong young soulja I'm from Cardiff, South Wales as well.
@@mmenuasmensah-tandoh9159 thanks bro hope I stay blessed
@@hodanh1190 come on g we making it work trust 🙏👊
I know I'm late to the party with this reply, but... I'm a white Brit, a fair bit older than you (probably your parents age), and reading your comment made me need to respond with this:
My friend, *never* show anything but pride for who you are and where you are from. Be proud of your African heritage, be proud to be a Brit, and be proud to be Welsh. I'm so white that I only have to look at the sun and I fry... 😂 But that doesn't make me any more British than you. There isn't a single person on this island of ours who is "100% British", so the only thing a racist achieves when they start running their mouth is that they put their ignorance on display for all to see.
I'm proud that kids like you are the future of this country - strong, intelligent, fair-minded and determined. I'm sorry that you face unnecessary hurdles, put in your path by people who should know better. Just remember that *you* embody what is "best of British", not them.
Take care and keep your head held high 💖
Dave/Stormzy, speaking up for the country as a whole and calling out the prime minister. Facts
allow stormzy lol
Even Harry fucking Styles went along with it
@@yaseenahmed9564 really where was this
ClickFastLickAss search up stormzy and harry styles they performed together
Neil Benjamin davi and storm hole? Did you think that was funny?
I'm white, my younger brother is mixed. Growing up and experiencing the subtle and sometimes very obvious ways that people behave differently around us is infuriating. - Even as a white man, this song hits so hard.
So gassed he won album of the year as well, doesn't matter who you are, even if you can't personally feel the pain if you haven't been through struggles like this, purely based on skin colour, which is ridiculous and unfair (as he said - equality is a right), to see Dave express himself like this is amazing and everyone should appreciate this, but they won't because people can't handle the truth
Truth 💯💯💯💯
“Sex still sells and drugs still sell but the truth doesn’t sell, never has never will” -David Gunn
Such a true quote.
I can’t feel the pain, but this song actually taught me a lot of things I didn’t know
I’m a privileged white kid from Australia who has never had to deal with racism & was brought up to respect all cultures/colours
A lot of what he says is so foreign to me but I’ve gone on to want to learn more & better myself to be more understanding of the struggles
Had real tears when I first heard this song, the man is a genius
RanJack wrapzz oh he won album of the year black people can stop moaning now
Jim Bob seems like ur kinda sad that he won 😢
I feel like a proud parent every time I watch Dave's performance ❤😂
Dave is a legend and he deserves all the good that comes into his life. Im proud to be black 😤
This 👆🏾👆🏾💯👆🏾
I’m not black but this gave me chills
david barriuso same lad
white american female and every time I hear this song it makes me cry. the live performance is one of the best I've ever seen. I've watched it about 50 times and it makes me emotional every time - the tribute to Jack and Saskia was an amazing surprise touch for their families and spreading that awareness is just so key. What an artist Dave is, truly a generational talent. Wise beyond his years and a poet in every sense of the word.
I’ve watched this soo many times, on the realest I’ve never had to face any of these problems, and been in denial about how often discrimination occurs worldwide, but this makes me tear up every time. So much pain, so much love, so much pride, such poetic artistry, his loved ones must have felt so proud hearing this. Thank you Santan piano man Dave. Goatest goat, game changer
The refreshing thing for me is that Dave has transcended whatever genre you try and place him in and yet remains true to who is. Mad respect for that. Daves a special talent no doubt.
Words can not fucking describe how much I love Dave man. I would love to meet him one day and tell him how much I appreciate his music!
The best British artist today. Spits thought provoking bars and always has something real to say💯💯
The most powerful performance I have ever seen by any artist on the brits. Dave speaks the truth.
i have listened to this song 10 times already the most talented rapper i have heard in 20 years bar none. this kid is going to have a phenomenal career. good luck to him and thanks for saying what needed to be said
Best performance of the year by far he is an inspiration to us black people 🔥🔥🔥🥶🥶
💯💯💯💯
Im a 50 year old Irish Iranian woman and he has inspired me over and over again. He moved the tears right out of me with this performance. This young man is a special kind of magic.
He said im done den he turned into modie lmao love the guy
Daily offender, crazy eastender! 🤣
Dave has cemented himself as full leend in the british music industry, but also world wide hre put the whole government on notuce took no prisoners and spoke the truth that everypne is too scared to admit to or to ignorant to confirm. For this i appreciate dave a thousand times more and this reaction video by LeeToTheVI just explained why dave is one fo the best if not the best british musician of all time
Dave and Stormzy are both legends for this 💯
The live hits harder
💯💯💯 especially with that ending 🔥🔥🔥🙌🏾
Serious watershed moment for dave, he’s already huge but this will surely catapult him to new highs. He deserves all of this, crazy talent.
This performance still gives me goosebumps till this day, will forever be one of the greatest live performances on earth.
I'm not even black but growing up round alot of black bruddas I feel every bar
Dave spoke the real in that performance. true goat 🐐
So proud to have Dave representing the UK for music. Iconic
This was THE performance of the brits, very emotional. The graphics on the piano really added to it, he really spoke the truth well played Dave!.
Absolutely unbelievable this kid he spoke from his heart truely . Amazin.❤️ from Liverpool
as a white guy with only black friends dave actually have me chills and i’m so glad that other people who aren’t as lucky as me that don’t get to experience other cultures can start to realise the awful things my friends and their families have been through. well done dave
Dave released this song originally in his Psychodrama album but the original song only contained the first two verses, the third verse was totally unexpected and first heard in this performance.
The two people he mentions are Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones, were Cambridge University students who dedicated themselves to prison reform and rehabilitation. They were both course co-ordinators of a learning together scheme which brought people in higher education and offenders to 'learn together'. They were both attending a 'Learning Together' event where Usman Khan entered with a fake suicide vest, threatened to detonate it and then knifed several people. Jack Merritt and Dave knew each other because Dave's older brother, Christopher, was undergoing prisoner rehabilitation after being involved in the 2010 murder of Soften Belamouadden.
Dave also refers to Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle of the British Royal Family, and how differently Meghan was treated in the media, in comparison to Kate, with Meghan being the first mixed race member of a Royal Family that presided over centuries of colonialism and slavery.
The Grenfell Tower was an incident in 2017 where a tower block in West London broke out and killed 72 people. This happened because safety standards were skimped on so companies could save around £13,000 on safety cladding. The tower was located in a conservative (right-wing) council also house some of the most expensive housing. The council were accused of neglecting the minority-ethnic poorer residents. The hundreds of victims who lost their houses were not given long-term accommodation, and this incident has been used to highlight the neglect and inequality that is prevalent in the UK.
The Windrush scandal was when many Caribbean people boarded ships that were set for Britain (the Caribbean was part of the Commonwealth) between 1948-1973. When they arrived, they were given British Citizenship and were free to permanently work and live in the UK. However, in 2012, UK government and non-gov sectors were tasked with ramping up the enforcement of Immigration controls. This 'Hostile Environment' legislation that was announced by the Government in 2012, made the UK unlivable for those without proper documentation. Many of the commonwealth citizens that arrived between 1948-1973 came on their parents passports and weren't given proper documentation, despite being given the right to live and work in the UK permanently. This lead to many Commonwealth citizens, who would've grown up in the UK for several decades, to be falsely deemed as 'Illegal Immigrants'' and the government restricted their access to housing, healthcare, bank accounts and driving licenses. This caused widespread condemnation for the Government and the Home Office. Victims of this scandal were promised compensation however, after three years, the Government compensation scheme has only made a handful of payments. However, this 'Hostile Environment' legislation that caused this scandal is still in place in 2020, even during the COVID-19 crisis. Independent reports have found that the Windrush scandal was not an accident, but the inevitable result of policies designed to make life impossible for those without the right papers.
At the start of the third verse, Dave also described the PM, Boris Johnson as racist. This due to Boris Johnson writing columns for the Daily Telegraph in the 2000's, where he made many racist, homophobic, Islamophobic and sexist comments. Some comments include, and are not limited to:
In a 2018 column for The Daily Telegraph relating to a burqa ban, he wrote that was "absolutely ridiculous" that "people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes" and that "If a constituent came to my MP’s surgery with her face obscured, I should feel fully entitled… to ask her to remove it so that I could talk to her properly. If a female student turned up at school or at a university lecture looking like a bank robber then ditto: those in authority should be allowed to converse openly with those that they are being asked to instruct."
When he found out that 68% of Malaysian women are attending University, he stated "[Female students went to university because they] have got to find men to marry.
"
"It is said that the Queen has come to love the Commonwealth, partly because it supplies her with regular cheering crowds of flag-waving piccaninnies.
" The word "Piccaninnies" is an extremely derogatory term.
"No doubt the AK47s will fall silent, and the pangas will stop their hacking of human flesh, and the tribal warriors will all break out in watermelon smiles to see the big white chief touch down in his big white British taxpayer-funded bird.
" He wrote this when Tony Blair, the then UK PM, visited the Democratic Republic of Congo, describing men of the DRC as having "watermelon smiles", when asked about this in his 2019 election campaign, he dismissed it as "satire", which it obviously isn't.
((Regaring Barack Obama)) "The part-Kenyan president [has an] ancestral dislike of the British empire - of which Churchill had been such a fervent defender.
" The only evidence for this statement was the colour of Obama's skin.
Using the word Nigerian as an insult, which racism was a by-product of offending young people "All the young people I know - ie those under 30 - are just as avaricious as we flinty Thatcherite yuppies of the 1980s in fact, they have an almost Nigerian interest in money and gadgets of all kinds.
"
Here, he is wanting to bring back colonisation of the whole of Africa, which was responsible for slavery "The best fate for Africa would be if the old colonial powers, or their citizens, scrambled once again in her direction; on the understanding that this time they will not be asked to feel guilty.
"
In 2000, Johnson said that a "bunch of black kids" made him “turn a hair”, and added:
"If that is racial prejudice, then I am guilty."
The outstanding thing though is that he, a blatant racist, was elected as Mayor of London (London being an extremely diverse city of the UK), Foreign Secretary (being responsible for UK foreign affairs, even though he is pro-colonialism) and is now the most powerful person in the UK, despite being a racist, islamophobic, sexist, pro-colonisation leader, which is all fact and quoted.
This is such an underrated song! Dave absolutely killed it and I’m so glad influencers like yourself are using your platform to promote.
Goosebumps. Everytime. Period!
As a middle aged white guy from Scotland this song and the way it is performed has legitimately conveyed to me better than anything else how true racism might *feel*, how far it stretches back... and how deep it cuts. I'll never understand properly but hearing this and seeing reactions like this is as close as I have ever been to having any fucking idea.
Love to my brothers and sisters. Black, white and any and every shade of human.
Yo this was fire!!! The alternate ending was just truth God bless and protect this young man pleeeease!!! 🙌🏾✊🏾
You know this Teri 💯💯💯🙏🏾❤️
honestly dave is one of the best rappers ever n he’s gonna go so far. he’s a lyrical genius n no one can try argue with that. he only speaks the truth in his music while still producin a sick song. the maddest respect for that man
And he's only 21.
This gave me goosebumps at the end!
Me too 💯💯💯
This will forever be the greatest and most educational song ever Dave is an educators and a really good rapper
That's probably the best reaction I've seen, playing the video out instead of stopping it every 2 seconds allowing us to see your in the moment reaction but also talking about it at the end for the people that like to hear your say on the song. Great vid bro 👊
*I’m “White British” female. But I connected to this song more then other songs. To the point I was in TEARS with GOOSEBUMPS when I first heard it. I keep watching people reactions to it to see their reactions to it. Our Prime Minister is a bloody racist. Calling Islamic women “letterboxes” due to their face veils and black people “watermelon mouths”. How vile is that? I’m also glad that he felt ok to pay his respects to Jack Merritt (a white male) in a song called Black. Jack helped Dave’s family to try to get his brother out of prison I believe. So Dave knew him personally. So it allegedly hit him hard when he was killed!! The visuals of this performance on the screen was STUNNING!! His voice is BEAUTIFUL too!*
@ Jade Welch. All of the above for me except I'm male 69years young and this man sent chills down my spine. Nothing but deep admiration for Dave. I lived through an amazing period in history but this is a moment that I will never forget. We the people should stop watching and start acting otherwise nothing will change and history will simply keep on repeating it
self
dan johnson I completely agree. We ALL need to do something. Not leave it up to the minorities to fight the battle alone. We should all fight these vile things together!! Stand up to racist people, to homophobic people etc. Just make this country a better place. Then the world!!
Jade Welch I know righty u wanna talk about homophobia and sexism u should go to the Middle East who r Muslim btw and see what they think of gays women and other ppl not the same colour as them see how it goes I’m sure your worried about that right
Of course I am! Sexism, homophobia, racism isn’t right in ANY country. People just want to live their lives and be happy & healthy. That should be allowed! But sadly some people/countries don’t think the same way.
This isn’t a reaction....this is a dissertation! I ❤️ it! Thank you from Scotland 🙌🏽🏴
Dave has reached legend status, crazy insight and passion. Deserves all successes.
DAVE WON ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITS I WENT CRAZY. THANKS GREAT REATION
I've watched this performance at least 10 times and keep watching reaction videos because as I was watching it live, you could tell something special was unfolding on stage
Watching this was hella moving, Touching chords all over the shop! Simply superb.
Dave my hero 👑
Great hero IMO 💯🙏🏾
Greatest rapper to walk the earth
The UK music scene is crazy rn. From stormzy's success now Dave. I'm just waiting for J hus to get his recognition at an award show.... Lee can you please dissect J Hus's album would love to know your thoughts
I'm genuinely struggling to think of a performance that could actually top this
I get goosebumbs whenever i listen to this. It moves me
Great reaction. Good to let the music play in full and your facial and body expressions were so powerful - thanks. The review at the end was also really good.
This performance made me cry. Every single word was truth 💔
This channel right now is my favourite thing on this website I’m constantly going TALK UP THE THING and COME ON to literally everything you’ve also opened my eyes to some sick music and artists appreciate it man
I’m a white guy from Ireland and by far Dave is my favourite artist at the minute. For a guy of 21 he’s years ahead of many people. Great to see people finally realising how much of a genius Dave is. And this song is just amazing from the first time I heard it. Skin is just colour. We’re all the same. Stop the hate!
I've seen lots of dave-black reactions and you're the only one who managed to call out the other pianists name. You know your stuff so I'm dropping a like and sub for that. Keep up the good work bro x
MY BLOODAAA❤️💥 Hitters & Drillers Ting!
My G ❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
When he shouted out Jack I cried 😢
Best performance I’ve ever seen nothing comes close imo. Especially in this award show which we know is targeted to
Mad respect to this guy for telling it how it is
Crazy how ppl were really complaining that Harry should of won album of the year🤦🏾♂️
Ngl this was one of the most mad live performances I've ever heard ❌🧢
Thank you for this one!❤️❤️
You’re welcome ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏾
From when I heard daves black box years ago.. just knew man. Guys different
Dude I don't know anything about what he was talking about at the end U.K. stuff but I respect how he had no fear in calling out issues then dropped the mic and peaced out I respect that he speaks his mind
This was hard, tugged at the heart ❤️ strings Dave is on his way to becoming a legend ✊🏽
I remember seeing this and just crying. Such an epic performance and so powerful. I'm a white abd from a privileged background so cannot pretend what it's like. We had a lot of Indian families in our family circle of friends but in my whole school there was literally 1 or 2 of 650 black children. Some areas are really sheltered to it but we need education and to understand and raise awareness. Dave is amazing and this message needs to be shouted LOUD!
Maaannn..Seeing Dave live was one of the best musical experiences that I ever had. These other New Yorkers had no idea how legendary that was smh. This song def slaps differently live.
I am a white middle class women and could never really relate to a lot of black music/artists for obvious reasons, however Dave's performance really made me think about things as he spoke the truth. This guy is going somewhere and I want to listen to more of his music and other black artists like him. I think he could get through to people more than others.
Most definitely 💯💯💯
Pure perfection! Classic status. Role model. 🐐
I can neva listen to that song in public, that song always brings a tear, I feel lucky cause I ain’t neva loved it like my parents and before them did. This song goes deep in subconscious memories for real. I remember dem days when people would cross the road cause I’m walking down with my hoodie at midnight, thing is, if shit went down I’d probably be the first to try to help you. Respect.
It felt like every rap sound ever written was trying to say this but Dave smashed it. It should be shown to every kid across Britain in every school. People don’t realise racism is multi faceted. They don’t realise that history plays such a big part. I’ve heard some black Americans say no one bothers with the Ancestry - trace your history stuff- because the records of black families just don’t exist past a certain date. Yet another great reaction. X
Dave is legendary 🖤🖤🖤
This guy deserves the subscribe for real appreciate how he lets the tune go on and breaks it down at the end should have so many more subscribers...
from a white guy here dave is the man....he knows what hes sayin and has shit to say. iv witnessed a lot of racist crap in my time...i have uncles/cousins who are black...one day will we all be treated the same...we bleed the same dam blood.
He fucking smashed it. Man gave me chills. Dave is too much ❤ Streatham gang
I was just like 😳 Every time I hear this....mind blowing truth man.
Love your reaction !!!
Dave is unreal
📠📠📠
wow heartfealt!!!!!! goosebumps all the way threw
Dave is the type of rapper which USA will never had
Nothing short of magical performance 🙌🏾🙌🏾
Equality is a right it does not deserve credit
Best BRIT awards hands down
My favorite reaction video to this performance.
1) A Brit who understands the reference to "Kate vs Meghan" and "Prime Minister"
1a) Callout to Fraser T Smith!
2) Lets the song play through which doesn't take away the song's flow and impact but uses knowing looks at the camera after powerful lines (then again, may be related to the fact that this is a live reaction whereas you already heard the original)
Dave man... powerful performance
Such a powerful performance. As a white person who can't really relate to black issues like one brought up in the song I can't easily picture how hard it must be for some people in this country.
Not gunna lie this man doesn't add much to the video he just sort of tells us what we already know when watching it.
Im algerian with a black heart ✊🏼✊🏾✊🏿❤️🇩🇿
So real hits the heart UK needs a voice
Dave is a generational talent 💯 and rasicm needs stamping out we all the same race we all bleed the same
Respect to Dave man, spoke real shit from the start to the end👏🏽
Dave you speak wat you think 100% respect