Slowthai may have been awarded Hero of the Year at the NME Awards on Wednesday night, but he was cast as the Villain of the Internet yesterday.
The Northampton rapper was condemned for his lewd behaviour at the London awards, and particularly for his treatment of host Katherine Ryan. When a member of the audience called him a 'misogynist' and threw a drink at him, he jumped into the audience and attempted to start a fight.
Now, he has apologised 'unreservedly' to Ryan for his 'shameful actions' on Twitter, suggesting that NME should forward his award to the comedian.
"What started as a joke between us escalated to a point of shameful actions on my part," he wrote. "i want to unreservedly apologise, there is no excuse and I am sorry."
(2/2) katherine, you are a master at your craft and next time i’ll take my seat and leave the comedy to you. to any woman or man who saw a reflection of situations they’ve been in in those videos, i am sorry. i promise to do better. let’s talk here.
— TYRON (@slowthai) February 13, 2020
Although Ryan had insisted that she was not offended, people denounced the rapper for his actions.
Ryan accepted his apology, telling the rapper - whose real name is Tyrone Frampton - "I hope you know that a bad day on social media passes so quickly."
I knew you were joking and congratulations on your very award-worthy album! I hope you know that a bad day on social media passes so quickly. Everything will be better tomorrow. Xx
— Katherine Ryan (@Kathbum) February 13, 2020
However, some people are not happy that she apparently let him off the hook so easily.
"Joking"?! ? Hold ? men ? accountable ?
— Leah Jade Connolly (@leahjconnolly) February 13, 2020
Yeah, even if you’re personally okay with the whole groping and sleazeball attitude, he still threw shit at the crowd...
— Billy Lunn (@billysubway) February 13, 2020
Let’s pretend it never happened! Haha great jokes. Can we keep pretending Slowthai is a musician too. That’s an even better one!??♂️
— Billy Liar (@AMozfan) February 13, 2020
Was he also joking when he physically attacked someone?
— Natasha. (@nasthaa3) February 13, 2020
It wasn’t joking though, was it? By all means, it’s your choice to accept his apology but please don’t condone such appalling behaviour.
— Ashli Long (@AshliFlash) February 13, 2020
Ugh. Accepting his apology is one thing - telling him his behaviour was fine is another. It wasn’t. What message does that send out? But credit to him for acknowledging his mistake - even if you’re not doing the same...
— Ms Sunshine (@BigMouthLV) February 14, 2020
