Big Narstie spoke out about UK drill as a “scapegoat” at the Rated Awards last night

At last night’s GRM Daily Rated Awards, Big Narstie took to the yellow carpet to speak out about UK drill’s presentation by politicians, the police, and media.

Speaking to the Press Association, the MC was asked whether it was unfair to place blame on the burgeoning genre for a surge in crime in the UK capital: "100% unfair. It's a scapegoat isn't it? If cowboy films started making everyone start shooting guns, would they ban John Wayne?

"Yeah, there is a lot of crazy things happening in the street,” he continued. “But the Government has to understand it's the music that is the only thing that is giving these kids a chance at changing their lives at the moment.

"Going back about ten years ago, the only thing a black kid could do to get out of the ghetto was being a sports star. Now we can add music to that, which is a good achievement in itself.

"Drill does have a lot about it but it's the truth. It's what's happening out there. You can't ask these kids to talk about living in a stable household if they don't."

The awards ceremony last night honoured grime veteran D Double E with the GRM Legacy award, while Michael Dapaah aka Big Shaq took Personality of the Year, with Not3s scoring a huge win as Artist of the Year. Elsewhere, Fredo, Steel Banglez, Headie One and Kenzo all took home gongs.

Watch the livestream of last night's event here: