Alex Mann, the 15-year old who was noticed by Dave for wearing a PSG jersey with ‘Thiago Silva’ printed on the back became an instant viral sensation. Performing at one of the biggest events in the world didn’t faze the youngster either and when it came time for him to shine, he remained composed and left onlookers stunned with his on-point recitation of both artists’ lyrics instead of the agreed substitution in AJ Tracey’s absence.

Although being released over three years ago, the track has received a surge in numbers after the performance went viral, entering the U.K Singles Chart this week at #57 and accumulating 15million views on the original music video. After receiving a shout-out from the Brazilian footballer himself, Dave tweeted “Thiago Silva has recognised Thiago Silva and now I have decided to retire. My work here is done”. But regardless of its current popularity, ‘Thiago Silva’ would still go down in the books as a grime classic for its hard back-to-back bars and bassy 808 drums.

Alex Mann has tasted his bit of fame too, with the performance accumulating 4million views on YouTube, #AlexFromGlasto hashtag going viral on social media and interviews at Good Morning Britain. He has also recently visited the BoohooMAN offices and with the right team, we expect to see more legendary content released by this viral superstar.

The youngest recipient of the Ivor Novello Award, and responsible for hits such as ‘Funky Friday’ and ‘Streatham’, Dave looked out into the crowd, searching for someone to perform with, asking them, “Who is sober enough to sing these lyrics with me?”

From the crowd was Alex Mann, sporting a PSG shirt that Dave noted when saying, “I see a PSG shirt over there, but do you know the lyrics?.” In response, Alex gestured lines from the track in confidence, and it was all Dave needed to take a chance on the fifteen year old, inviting him on stage, much to the acclaim of the thousands watching and cheering.

“He looks like he knows the lyrics” said Dave. “Yeah, let’s take a chance.”

At first, on Dave’s instruction, Alex was set to cover AJ Tracey’s part of the song, but the end result had Alex go through the majority of the track without hesitation and a startling confidence that left Dave stunned, and the crowd amazed.

For all the ‘it’s a set-up’ bores, Dave regularly asks for someone in the audience to rap the AJ Tracey bits in Thiago Silva.This kid knew that cos he’s clearly a Dave fan, so he put on his TS shirt, got down the front and hoped he’d be picked. Dave saw him and he smashed it, end https://t.co/z7YEyM3aEw

— Miranda Sawyer (@msmirandasawyer) July 1, 2019

Speaking to The Guardian, Alex challenged claims that he’d not been entirely sober during the performance, saying, “If I was drunk I wouldn’t have been able to remember the lyrics like that.”

Following his moment on stage, Alex said, “I walked off stage and the security guards took me back down and it was just amazing” 

The ‘Psychodrama’ rapper provided Alex constructive feedback on his performance, and noted his evident talents as a rapper. Dave’s set was a more laidback event, but was as dynamic and spirited as it was deep and thought provoking toward the rapper’s self confessed mental health struggles and emotional susceptibility.

Dave finished his set with the Burna Boy crossover, ‘Location’ and the Fredo collaboration, ‘Funky Friday’, with Fredo joining Dave on stage.