Entertainment

Stormzy apologises to MNEK over X Factor performance with Labrinth

He performed the track with Labrinth on the show.
He performed the track with Labrinth on the show. He performed the track with Labrinth on the show.

Grime star Stormzy has apologised to his collaborator MNEK for performing their single with another artist on The X Factor on Sunday night.

The musician performed his new single Blinded By Your Grace Pt 2 on the talent show, but with Labrinth instead of his usual featured artist.

It appeared MNEK only learned Labrinth had taken his place after the performance was aired.

MNEK tweeted: “guys what do you do when youve come back from a date to find out that Labrinth was singing your song on X Factor instead of you? cos rn idk.

“I haven’t watched the performance yet btw how did he do?”, and added: “Shit’s foul.”

Stormzy offered his “sincere apologies” to his collaborator, saying it was a communication error.

He wrote on Twitter: “Gonna quickly clear up yesterday’s situation with @MNEK not performing with me on The X Factor.

“First and foremost, MNEK is my bro and someone I HIGHLY respect and what he done on the song is unmatched.

“We created some special moments when we performed BBYG Pt.2 @ Westfields and on the live lounge and with this campaign I’ll be having quite a few TV moments where I’ll be performing the song and saw this as an opportunity to present it in different ways and present it in different formats hence why I invited Lab to join me as a special guest.

“I spoke to my team a while back and told them to make M and his team aware of the plan because I didn’t want any miscommunication.”

He posted a screenshot of a text he sent asking a member of his team to inform MNEK’s representatives he would be performing the track with someone else.

In the message he wrote: “Might look mad if he turns on his telly on Sunday and sees a random. ”

He added: “I’ll be performing on The Jonathon Ross show with him and there was never ever ever any sort of malice or disrespect intended and I can fully fully understand why that looks FOUL. Fully understand.

“I would feel exactly the same so my apologies brother.

“I’ve spoke to M personally and let him know it’s a major communication f**k up on my team’s side and I fully understand how things may look and disrespect and slyness is never my angle so sincere apologies to M and his whole team, never any disrespected intended.”