Dave delivers politically charged rap at Brit Awards 2020 and wins coveted album of the year for Psychodrama

Rapper Dave delivered a politically charged rap at the Brit Awards where he also took home the coveted award of album of the year for his debut studio album Psychodrama.

During the performance of his song Black at the O2 Arena in London, the rapper criticised the treatment of the Duchess of Sussex, accused the Prime Minister of being a "real racist" and spoke up for Grenfell fire victims.

He rapped: "It is racist whether or not it feels racist/The truth is our Prime Minister's a real racist."

The 21-year-old told the crowd: "Equality is a right, it doesn't deserve credit".

Commenting on the treatment of the Duchess of Sussex, he rapped: "Now if you don't want to get it then you are never gonna get it/How the news treats Kate versus how they treated Meghan."

Dave also paid tribute to London Bridge terror attack victim Jack Merritt, who he called "my brother in arms".

The Mercury-prize winner also spoke in support of the victims of the Grenfell fire and the Windrush generation.

He rapped: "Grenfell victims still need accommodation and we still need support for the Windrush generation".

Caroline Flack attended the Brit Awards in 2019. Credit: PA

Earlier in the evening, the show was opened by host Jack Whitehall who paid tribute to Caroline Flack following her death at the weekend.

The comedian and actor described the 40-year-old as a "kind and vibrant person with an infectious sense of fun", adding: "She will be sorely missed.

"I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that our thoughts are with her friends and family".

Arriving on the red carpet, former One Direction member Harry Styles - who also performed during the show - wore a black ribbon on his lapel in an apparent tribute to Flack who took her own life.

Styles, who is nominated for best male solo artist and album of the year, was in a relationship with the former Love Island presenter for three months in 2011.

Black ribbons are traditionally worn as a symbol of remembrance or mourning, with some fans believing the pin may be in tribute to Flack.

Harry Styles wore a black ribbon on his lapel. Credit: PA

This year's awards marked the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the ceremony, with singer Lewis Capaldi and rapper Dave the big-winners of the night.

Dave took home album of the year for his debut studio album Psychodrama which was released in 2019 and topped the UK album chart, and also won last year's Mercury Prize.

While Capaldi won song of the year for Someone You Loved and best new artist.

The list of nominees had been criticised for being male-dominated ahead of the event and no women won any of the awards which were not gender-specific after securing just four nominations out of a possible 25 in the categories.

Rapper Dave with his Album of the Year gong. Credit: PA

Foals, who won best group, took aim at the lack of female nominees, saying they hoped the category would see more female entrants next year.

During his opening monologue, Whitehall also took aim at Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Coldplay front man Chris Martin.

Billie Eilish - the youngest artist ever to record a 007 title track - performed her sombre James Bond theme song No Time To Die for the first time.

Listing the night's performers and nominees, Whitehall described American singer Billie Eilish as the "only teenager who makes Greta Thunberg look lazy".

Billie Eilish performing the new James Bond theme tune. Credit: PA

Here's a full list of the nominees and who won what:

Male solo artist:

  • Harry Styles

  • Lewis Capaldi

  • Dave

  • Michael Kiwanuka

  • Stormzy - winner

Female solo artist:

  • Mabel - winner

  • Freya Ridings

  • FKA Twigs

  • Charli XCX

  • Mahalia

Charli XCX performs during the first day of Radio 1's Big Weekend at Stewart Park. Credit: PA

Song of the year:

  • Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don't Care

  • Mabel - Don't Call Me Up

  • Calvin Harris and Rag'n'Bone Man - Giant

  • Dave featuring Burna Boy - Location

  • Mark Ronson featuring Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

  • AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove

  • Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved

  • Tom Walker - Just You And I

  • Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing With A Stranger

  • Stormzy - Vossi Bop

Will Farquarson, Kyle Simmons, Dan Smith and Chris Wood of Bastille arriving at the Brit Awards 2020. Credit: PA

Group:

  • Coldplay

  • Foals - winner

  • Bring Me The Horizon

  • D Block Europe

  • Bastille

18-year-old Billie Eilish will perform No Time To Die - the latest James Bond theme song. Credit: PA

New artist:

  • Aitch

  • Lewis Capaldi - winner

  • Dave

  • Mabel

  • Sam Fender

Album:

  • Stormzy - Heavy Is The Head

  • Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka

  • Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent

  • Dave - Psychodrama

  • Harry Styles - Fine Line

Grammy-award winner Lizzo Lizzo arrives at the Brits 2020 in a dress modelled on a Hershey's chocolate wrapper. Credit: PA

International male solo artist:

  • Bruce Springsteen

  • Burna Boy

  • Tyler, The Creator - winner

  • Dermot Kennedy

  • Post Malone

International female solo artist

  • Ariana Grande

  • Billie Eilish - winner

  • Camila Cabello

  • Lana Del Rey

  • Lizzo