Rapper had asked host Ryan to smell his cologne and referred to her as ‘baby girl’ saying ‘if you want to do something, see me later’
The rapper Slowthai has been criticised for a violent confrontation with an audience member and making sexual comments towards comedian Katherine Ryan at the NME Awards.
The musician was restrained by security after he threw a glass and argued with a member of the audience after receiving the “hero of the year” award.
Earlier in the ceremony Slowthai had asked host Ryan to smell his cologne and referred to her as “baby girl” saying “if you want to do something, see me later.”
Ryan ‘defused situation’
Slowthai, who won acclaim for his searing accounts of life growing up on a Northampton council estate, was accused of “misogyny” by audience members at the O2 Brixton Academy ceremony.
However Ryan said she “defused” the situation.
She tweeted: “He didn’t make me uncomfortable. This is why we need women in positions of power. I knew he had lost from the moment he opened his mouth like any heckler coming up against a COMIC – not a woman – a COMIC.”
“Thank you for the attention. You are younger than my babysitter”, she had told the 25 year-old as he left the stage.
‘Weinstein vibes’
Other musicians criticised Slowthai. The band Reverend & The Makers tweeted that his behaviour towards Ryan was “pure Weinstein vibes” and urged other artists to speak out.
Music Week reported that Slowthai, who was due to be revealed as the Record Store Day 2020’s official UK ambassador, has now had his invitation for the role “withdrawn”.
The Metropolitan Police said it had received no complaints over the Slowthai incident. Taylor Swift was also honoured at the NME Awards, picking up the best solo act in the world award.
