Asake has played his first show in London following the deadly crush at the Brixton Academy in 2022 (Picture: Jason Koerner/Getty Images)
Singer Asake returned to London for his first show since the huge crush at his Brixton Academy concert last year and paid tribute to those who died in the incident.
During the musician’s performance on December 15, two people lost their lives. Rebecca Ikumelo, aged 33, died in hospital on December 17, while Gaby Hutchinson, 23, died on December 19.
An investigation into the tragedy is still ongoing with the Met Police, and the venue has been closed ever since with its licence under review by Lambeth Council.
In his first gig in the capital since the incident, Asake, 27, paid tribute to Ikumelo and Hutchinson with a tribute poem.
While performing at the O2 Arena yesterday night, he told the sold-out crowd: ‘I know some feel loss and some regret.
‘We need to hold this moment. I need to hold this moment. They need to hold this moment.’
Two people died following an incident on December 17, 2022 which saw a crush occur at the Brixton Academy (Picture: Ben Stansall / AFP)
Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, died after attending the concert (Picture: PA)
Gaby Hutchinson, 23, died two days after the crush (Picture: PA)
At the same time, the poem played on backing screens showing footage from news reports at the time of the crush, as well as shots of the venue and the victims.
However, the tribute was criticised by the Twitter (formerly known as X) user Rachael (@rachaeliku_), who was Rebecca Ikumelo’s sister.
‘What a sorry excuse of a ‘tribute’ from @asakemusik,’ she posted on the platform.
‘My sister lost her life at your show and you haven’t spoken to a single member of my family since. But you can hold another concert in London less than nine months later and play her videos as a “tribute”?’
At the time, Asake shared a statement expressing his ‘sincerest condolences’ to her family and wrote that he has been in touch with them.
‘I am devastated by the news that Rebecca Ikumelo who was in a critical condition since Thursday has sadly passed away,’ he said.
‘My sincerest condolences to her loved ones at this time. Let us please keep her family in our prayers. I have spoken to them and will continue to do so.’
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It is the first time the artist has played in the capital following the incident.