Rapper Akala smashes the biggest lie about the Grenfell disaster, for the whole country to see [VIDEO]

Many commentators have sought to avoid speculating about the causes of the horrific Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June. Others have argued that the tragedy was ‘not political’. But that’s a myth. And it’s one that rapper Akala absolutely demolished in an interview with Channel 4.

At the time of writing, police have confirmed that at least 17 people died in the fire. And they expect that number to rise.

Speaking to Channel 4‘s Jon Snow, an indignant Akala clearly thought the disaster was inherently political:

The people who died and lost their homes – this happened to them because they are poor…

He continued:

There is nowhere that rich people live in a building without adequate fire safety…

“Pretty panels”

Jon Snow then pointed out:

What’s so curious is that £8m has been spent refurbishing this place.

To which Akala responded:

Yes, but it was an eyesore for the rich people that live opposite. So they put panels – pretty panels – on the outside so the rich people opposite wouldn’t have to look at a horrendous block.

The award-winning musician was referring here to exterior “cladding” that the landlord, Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO), had installed in 2015. A cladding which experts have linked to other fires around the world.

This is political

Akala has been active on Twitter in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster. In particular, he has been directing people to learn more about how residents’ requests and concerns in the past had reportedly fallen “on deaf ears”.

He has also been highlighting the role of Conservative austerity in worsening Britain’s already chronic housing crisis:

If you still don't understand that neo-liberal austerity is literally a matter of life and death you are sleeping. #Grenfell

— Akala (@akalamusic) June 14, 2017

Anyone who knows the area knows council/developers been trying to get rid of this overwhelmingly poor, multicultural community for years…

— Akala (@akalamusic) June 14, 2017

Says everything. https://t.co/ui6crgeinq

— Akala (@akalamusic) June 15, 2017

The key point of this argument, however, came in Akala’s interview with Channel 4. As he said, the people who suffered in the Grenfell Tower tragedy were not only victims of a fire. They were also victims of poverty. This is the truth of the matter, and there’s no way to avoid it.

And that should be a wake-up call for all of us.

Get Involved

– If you are concerned about anyone from Grenfell Tower, call the Casualty Bureau on 0800 0961 233 or 0207 158 0197.

– See more from The Canary on the Grenfell Tower fire here.

– Also read more articles on Britain’s housing crisis. And see more from Akala here.

Featured image via screengrab