Babymetal won the Best Live Band award at the Kerrang! Awards in 2016, but their moment was overshadowed by an unexpected controversy. Skindred’s frontman Benji Webbe interrupted their speech with mocking remarks. This led to backlash that forced him to apologize.
What Happened at the 2016 Kerrang! Awards?
The Kerrang! Awards took place on June 13, 2016, in London to celebrate achievements in rock and metal music. Japanese metal band Babymetal won the Best Live Band award during the event. They beat Black Veil Brides, Nightwish, Twenty One Pilots, and Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes.
The award was presented by Skindred’s Benji Webbe, but he interrupted Babymetal’s acceptance speech multiple times instead of simply handing over the trophy.
Benji Webbe’s Remarks and Fan Reactions
As Babymetal’s lead singer Su-metal began speaking, Webbe made comments in a fake Japanese accent while bowing. Some of his remarks, which were difficult to hear in the video above, included phrases like ‘Heavy metal?’ and ‘Can you kids’ or ‘Candy kids.’ His interruptions made it hard for the band to finish their speech.
Fans in the audience reacted negatively, and some even booed Webbe during his remarks. Many saw his behavior as disrespectful and unprofessional as Babymetal had no way to respond on stage. The incident quickly spread online, and metal fans criticized Webbe for mocking the band’s accents and English skills.
Online Backlash and Accusations of Racism
Webbe faced heavy criticism on social media after the event. Many fans and music websites accused him of being rude and making racist jokes. Some pointed out that other well-known metal bands, like Metallica, Slayer, and Lamb of God had supported Babymetal, but Webbe’s actions made it clear he wasn’t a fan.
Others compared the situation to similar controversies like comedian Chris Rock’s Asian joke at the 2016 Oscars. This incident made some people feel Asian stereotypes were treated as harmless while other forms of racism were taken more seriously.
Webbe’s Apology and Its Reception
Webbe posted an apology on Twitter following the backlash, but it didn’t go over well with many fans. Instead of directly apologizing to Babymetal, he focused on the fact that people were offended. He wrote, “Sorry to anyone who thought I disrespect baby metal at the awards tonight, truly I didn’t mean to f* with them.”
This tweet was followed by a series of tweets. Webbe later tweeted, “People like I said I’m not into being horrible to anyone to all the fans and BABYMETAL from my heat I’m sorry if I offended u all,” and added, “I don’t think they r as upset you fans.”
Some fans felt his response wasn’t a real apology as he didn’t admit to doing anything wrong. Others pointed out that if someone had made a similar joke about Black musicians, Webbe would have likely been upset.
Did This Incident Affect Babymetal?
Babymetal was gaining popularity in the West and doing more interviews in English at the time. However, after the Kerrang! Awards, their media appearances in Western countries became less frequent. Some fans believe the incident may have contributed to this, but it’s unclear if it was the main reason.
Babymetal never publicly commented on what happened. They remained professional on stage and chose not to react to Webbe’s interruptions.
Where Things Stand Today
Almost nine years later, the incident is still brought up in discussions about racism in the metal community. Some Skindred fans said they were disappointed when they learned about Webbe’s actions, but others believe the controversy should be left in the past.
As of 2025, there is no known interaction or resolution between Webbe and Babymetal. Webbe did apologize, but some fans still feel it wasn’t enough. Meanwhile, Babymetal is on the road for new shows. You can catch up with them here.
