Grime star Stormzy has called for answers in response to the Grenfell Tower fire on the third-year anniversary of the tragedy.
The 26-year-old rapper joined the nation in a virtual commemoration service to honour the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire on Sunday.
The service, held by pressure group Grenfell United, marked three years since a small kitchen fire on the fourth floor in the high-rise turned flats in London turned into the most deadly domestic blaze since World War II.
A total of 72 residents lost their lives and a further 74 sent to hospital with non-fatal injuries.
Firefighters battled for nearly 24 hours before the inferno was eventually brought under control at 1.14am on June 15.
Stormzy has called for answers in response to the Grenfell Tower fire on the third-year anniversary of the tragedy.
In a powerful video message, The Heavy IsThe Heart hitmaker branded the reaction to the disaster as “the greatest injustice I’ve ever seen” and urged others to “never ever forget about Grenfell”.
Stormzy, real name Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., vowed to ‘speak from his heart to stand in solidarity’ with the survivors and bereaved from the fire.
Maya Jama’s ex, who recently pledged £10 million to organisations fighting racial inequality in the UK over the next 10 years, said: “Yo what’s going on people, it’s Stormzy here.
“Today marks the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire.
The rapper joined the nation in a virtual commemoration service to honour the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire on Sunday (Image: REUTERS)
“I said I was just going to talk from my heart instead of preparing this.
“To all the people of Grenfell, we’re still mourning with you. Let’s use today to stand in solidarity.’
He went on to praise the community’s ability to “turn a dark tragedy into triumph”.
The musician explained: ‘When the powers that be have turned their back on you, remember we’re here.
The Vossi Bop star has used his platform to criticise the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire (Image: Getty Images for Bauer Media)
“Unless you had someone in the fire that you directly lost, our lives have moved on, but that is still a dark reality for these people.
“I’m so upset that this pandemic is the reason we can’t be together, but what I’ve seen for myself is that I’ve watched the community take a dark tragedy and turn it into triumph.
“Whenever I’m around the Grenfell lot, I’m filled with so much love and joy. This is one of the remarkable and amazing things I’ve ever seen. I love you guys, never forget what happened.’
He added: “You lot inspire me as you’ve remained so resilient in the face of the most darkest tragedy that people should not experience.
The service marked three years since a small kitchen fire on the fourth floor in the high-rise turned flats in London turned into the most deadly domestic blaze since World War II (Image: EMPICS Entertainment)
“I don’t know how we have the mental, emotional threshold for that, you’re legendary. I’m always here, God bless.’
The rap artist reappeared moments later to highlight the authorities’ response to Grenfell, describing the catastrophe as a ‘constant stain on British society’.
Stormzy said: “It’s our duty to never ever forget about Grenfell, and that we constantly remind ourselves, our people and the world about that day.
“I still can’t fathom how that many lives were lost and there is no justice, no one behind bars due to this.
“We had a community who were screaming out, taking all the proper routes, crying to the councils saying that the cladding was unsafe, and they were constantly denied and ignored.
Stormzy has previously called out then Prime Minister Theresa May in a freestyle rap (Image: REUTERS)
“What that left us with is the greatest tragedy we’ve seen, which I’ll also say is the greatest injustice I’ve ever seen.
He concluded: “The council, authorities and Governments ended up destroying lives. Let this be a constant stain on British society. There has not been any justice.”
The Vossi Bop star has used his platform to criticise the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire, performing a freestyle rap at the Brits in 2018 in which he called out then Prime Minister Theresa May.
In tribute to each victim who died in the blaze, bells of London churches will toll 72 times and green lights will glow from tower block windows.
Singing sensation Adele also joined the YouTube event and shared an emotional message.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
