It’s the ear-worm that saw two modern rap legends make our tiny minds explode with a Simpsons-referencing banger that’s the definition of nudge-nudge-wink-wink. Having been released back in November, Skepta and Stefflon Don’s ‘My Ding-A-Ling’ is a bizarre yet brilliant slice of booming, bombastic hip-hop – and we can’t think of better way to open the VO5 NME Awards at the O2 Brixton Academy in London. The pair took the stage, introduced by host Huw Stephens, and left us in no about about the kind of night we were about to witness: showbiz razzle-dazzle, a little debauchery – and tons of bloody fun.
Huw bigged the pair up: “She’s the hottest thing in UK hip-hop, he’s the biggest thing in grime.” He’s not wrong, you know.
After speeches from NME editor Mike Williams and host Huw Stevens, Stefflon Don and Skepta took to the first performance of the night: their 2017 collaboration ‘Ding-A-Ling’, nominated for Best Collaboration supported by VO5.
The choreography was killer, Steff flanked by her talented dance troupe. Stefflon Don: The Musical in 2019, yeah?
And then the man himself arrived in what looks suspiciously like a green velvet jacket covered in skulls.
Stefflon Don And Skepta, NME Awards 2018, 5, AF
Skeppy didn’t take off his hood or shades the whole time. What an international man of mystery.
Stefflon Don And Skepta, NME Awards 2018, 6, AF
It was a frenetic, intense performance from the newguard of UK hip-hop. Who else could get away with sampling a bit of an old episode of The Simpsons where a kid say, “I want you to play with my Ding-A-ling”?
The track is nominated for Best Collaboration supported by VO5. We already knew why – but this was an excellent reminder.
Stefflon Don And Skepta, NME Awards 2018, 1, AF
Skepta ducked out after his verse, leaving us all wanting more.
Stefflon Don And Skepta, NME Awards 2018, 2, AF
And the latter half of the performance saw Steff’s dance troupe deliver a stunning set of moves, capping an unforgettable performance. Steff later won Best New Artist supported by Vans Europe – and, after this, is was obvious why she deserved it.
