Aitch took home his first-ever BRIT Award this past weekend, and he’s dedicated it to the city of Manchester in a heartfelt message.
The chart-topping rapper – real name Harrison Armstrong, who proudly hails from Moston in North Manchester – found himself on the national stage on Saturday night as he clinched the win for Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act at the 2023 BRIT Awards.
The 23-year-old was the first act to be presented with an award on the night of ceremony, which took place at The O2 Arena in London, and was up against some tough competition with the likes of fellow superstars Stormzy, Dave, and more in the same category.
But the local lad beat the lot to be one with the trophy in his hands on the night.
Although he hoped he would’ve been able to have “a couple more drinks” before stepping up on stage to accept the award to calm his nerves, the rapper was able to deliver a heartfelt speech and express gratitude for his journey and how far he’s come.
“I’m not gonna lie, I never get a bit scared, but I’m sh****ng myself,” Aitch said as he began his speech, “I thought I’d have time to have a couple more drinks before I came on here, but obviously not.”
He then thanked his record label, everyone on his team, and sent love to friends, family, and fans
After thanking those who helped him get to where he is today, Aitch then took some time in his speech to reflect on where he came from: “Not to get all cliché, but I just want to say, not many people where I’m from – especially my side of Manchester – get the opportunity to stand up here and receive such an amazing gift or award.”
He then discussed his motivations, as the speech turned heartfelt.
“I think that’s the main reason I do it for – to set examples and let people know that it’s possible, no matter where you’re from.
“Just because five million people haven’t done it before, you can [still] do it.”
He closed out his speech by encouraging everyone in the audience to be proud of themselves and their journeys as well: “I think everyone should be proud of themselves in the room just for being here and sometimes we need to kick back and reflect on how well everyone’s doing, because I don’t do that personally enough.
“Big up everyone, respect. 0161 in the building. All love, thank you.”
The rapper then took to his Instagram the day after the ceremony to dedicate his first-ever BRIT Award to the city of Manchester: “This one’s for Manchester. The next one’s all for me.”
Aside from Aitch’s win, Manchester and the North West were also well represented in the form of several other local winners.
Wilmslow originated, now and Manchester-based, indie pop rock band The 1975 took home the award for Best Rock/Alternative Act, and then there was, of course, serial winner Harry Styles – with the Holmes Chapel singing superstar scooping four awards for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop/R&B Act.
Styles also opened the show with a performance of his smash-hit single As It Was.
Other big winners on the night included Isle of Wight indie rock band Wet Leg, who also took home three awards and, like Styles, too won big at this year’s GRAMMYs last weekend.
Beyoncé won two awards in the international categories, while Irish rockers Fontaines D.C. won Best International Group, and Becky Hill won Best Dance Act.
Featured Image – ITV
Trending
Live football to be prescribed by some GPs to help treat patients with depression
Danny Jones
Live football looks set to be prescribed by a section of the NHS in an effort to try and help people suffering from depression.
As part of the experimental new wellbeing and mental healthcare initiative, GPs across the UK could soon be able to suggest watching football in person as part of their wider treatment plans.
While it may sound like a somewhat unorthodox approach, it’s sparked plenty of conversation on social media and is already gathering some steam up and down the country.
The scheme is being pioneered by Labour MP, Dr Simon Opher, the representative for Stroud, as well as Ecotricity owner and green industrialist, Dale Vince.
Today we’ve announced Football On Prescription. Football clubs up and down the country and up and down the leagues can take part in this – and I hope they will. Mental health is a big issue, as are loneliness and isolation. One of the superpowers of football is its inclusivity -… pic.twitter.com/OWNOag6Fcc
‘Prescribed footy’, to coin a somewhat jarring colloquialism, is set to be rolled out to relevant patients across the Gloucestershire region diagnosed with depression and some other mental health conditions.
Those on the receiving end of these prescriptions will be offered free tickets to watch local National League side, Forest Green Rovers (FGR), based in the town of Nailsworth.
Vince, who founded Ecotricity – formerly known as Renewable Energy Company – back in 1995, bought Forest Green back in 2010 and is just passionate about football and mental health as the push for clean energy and environmental causes.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio in an interview on Tuesday, 22 July, the 64-year-old Norfolk-born OBE said: “We just do the things that we see, that we think could be done, should be done, that will help; whether it’s helping our planet, our country – people here [in Gloucestershire]…
“When you attend football matches, particularly regularly, you find yourself a part of something, a part of a group of people with a common purpose. It’s a wonderful social experience that we think would be really good for people suffering from mental health problems.”
Despite some doubters and detractors questioning his motives online and in the media, he insists the sentiment is purely altruistic, and FGR hope to aligning itself with big causes like mental health, even making the first fully vegan-certified football kits ahead of the 2025/26 season.
He also went on to add, “We also won’t take adverts or sponsorship from gambling companies: they do great harm in our society.”
As for Dr Opher, he has continued to champion ‘social prescribing’ across his medical and political career, backing it as a viable alternative to common medication such as antidepressants for some individuals with mild-moderate depression.
The live football on presecption concept has been met with plenty of pushback online, including lots of discourse surrounding priorities and the NHS remaining underfunded, but only time will tell how well these early trials go.
What do you make of the idea of football being put forward as an aid for depression and do you think it should be considered by the NHS at large?
These viral sensations are a plush toy created by Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised designer Kasing Lung, who drew inspiration from his love of fairytales to create a character with bunny-like ears, large eyes and big smiles.
They’re swinging off handbags all over the UK at the minute and people are queueing for hours for the latest Labubu drops.
At Sweet Dreams, they’re making edible chocolate Labubus using a special mould flown in from Japan.
Each one has a pistachio kunafa filling and is painstakingly painted by hand.
And that brings us neatly to the next viral craze at play here – Dubai pistachio chocolate.
An army of pistachio chocolate LabubuInside a chocolate pistachio Labubu
Kunafa is a staple in Middle Eastern bakes and pastries but hit the global mainstream last year when thick chocolate pistachio bars stuffed with it went viral online, spawning countless dupes and inspired specials.
And finally, chocolate covered strawberries – hardly a new invention, but this simple dessert has rocketed in popularity especially in food hotspots like Borough Market in London.
Head into Sweet Dreams and you can build your treat from the base up – choose white or milk melted chocolate for your strawberries, layer on pistachio kunafa, then top with either a milk or white chocolate Labubu.
A slightly daft novelty? Yes. But that doesn’t stop them being delicious.
This is the only place in the UK currently selling Dubai pistachio chocolate Labubus.
Emily Sergeant -
13th February 2023 
