Key Highlights:
- Tinie Tempah altered the lyrics to his 2016 hit song “Girls Like” during a live concert to cut out an earlier reference to Russell Brand.
- The lyric switch follows Russell Brand being sentenced at Southwark Crown Court to 10 years and six months behind bars for rape and three counts of sexual assault.
- During the performance, Tinie Tempah replaced the mention of Russell Brand with a nod to comedian and television presenter Jo Brand.
Tinie Tempah Modifies ‘Girls Like’ Lyrics to Remove Russell Brand Reference
British rapper Tinie Tempah has amended the lyrics of his charting 2016 single “Girls Like” in the wake of Russell Brand’s criminal conviction and sentencing. The 37-year-old musician, who originally referenced the actor and comedian in the opening verse of the Zara Larsson-assisted track, declined to utter Russell Brand’s full name during a recent gig. Fan-recorded footage published across social media networks revealed how the grime and hip-hop star adapted the bar live on stage to distance himself from the disgraced media figure.
In the original studio recording of “Girls Like,” Tinie Tempah delivered a double entendre, rapping: Tell J.K. that I’m still rollin’ / Yeah, tell Russell I’m a brand.
Rather than uttering the original line, Tinie Tempah substituted the first name during his live set, instead shouting out the 69-year-old stand-up comedian and presenter Jo Brand. Attendees and online fans quickly circulated the footage, with observers commending the decision. One social media commenter remarked, Not really a Jo Brand fan but that’s class,
while another user wrote, Mad respect for this.
Russell Brand Sentenced Following High-Profile Crown Court Trial
The musical change follows the sentencing of Russell Brand, 51, who was handed a prison term of 10 years and six months on Monday, 9 November. A jury consisting of eight men and four women at Southwark Crown Court found the Get Him To The Greek star guilty of rape alongside three separate counts of sexual assault for actions that occurred between 2004 and 2009. During the sentencing proceedings, Mr Justice Bennathan characterized Brand as a sexual predator
who exhibited staggering arrogance
.
Under the court’s sentencing terms, Russell Brand must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence in custody and will be placed on the sex offenders’ register for the remainder of his life. Regarding the realities of his incarceration, an ex-prison governor warned that Brand’s notoriety might paint a target on him
and acknowledged that securing his safety would present a very difficult challenge
for correctional staff.
Celebrity Repercussions and Industry Distance
The verdict in the four-week trial has triggered widespread public responses from individuals across the entertainment industry who previously knew or worked with Russell Brand. Stand-up comedian Katherine Ryan publicly praised the brave witnesses
who delivered evidence throughout the court case. In addition, television personality Bear Grylls severed public ties with his former associate, remarking that justice has now been served
.
Tinie Tempah’s live lyrical edit represents a growing trend among recording artists actively disassociating their back catalogues from disgraced public figures. Notably, Grammy-nominated artist Kesha took comparable steps in 2024, altering the opening lyrics of her breakout single “TiK ToK” to strip out mentions of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs after widespread allegations regarding his behavior surfaced.
Why This Matters
Lyrical alterations during live performances underscore how artists manage legacy catalogs when historical pop culture references become associated with convicted offenders. By redirecting the punchline to Jo Brand, Tinie Tempah eliminated an overt association with an individual convicted of serious sexual offenses without breaking the cadence of the song. As entertainment figures like Katherine Ryan and Bear Grylls issue decisive statements, the live adjustment reinforces an industry-wide pivot away from past professional affiliations with Russell Brand as he enters the prison system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What line did Tinie Tempah change in the track “Girls Like”?
The original line from the 2016 song was: Tell J.K. that I’m still rollin’ / Yeah, tell Russell I’m a brand.
In his recent performance, Tinie Tempah swapped Russell Brand’s name to instead reference comedian Jo Brand.
What was Russell Brand convicted of?
Russell Brand was found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault stemming from offenses committed between 2004 and 2009. He received a custodial sentence of 10 years and six months at Southwark Crown Court.
Have other musicians made similar song alterations?
Yes. In 2024, singer Kesha notably altered the opening lyric of her song “TiK ToK” after public allegations arose concerning music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
