Aussie hip-hop act Hilltop Hoods provided one of the early shocks of this year’s ARIA Awards ceremony with an eyebrow-raising outburst during their acceptance speech.

The group took home the first award of the night, for Best Live Act, taking to the stage to give thanks when founding member Suffa (aka Matthew Lambert) announced this controversial phrase: “Jeffrey Epstein didn’t kill himself.”

The gasp-inducing sentence was a reference to the suicide of disgraced billionaire businessman Jeffrey Epstein while he was behind bars in August, and the resulting conspiracy theories about his death. In the months since he died, the phrase “Jeffrey Epstein didn’t kill himself” has itself turned into a meme, popping up everywhere from tweets from US congressmen to live TV interviews.

Those in the room wondered whether the controversial bon mot would make it to air on Nine once the delayed telecast starts at 7:30pm tonight:

Will Channel 9 cut out @hilltophoods saying “Jeffrey Epstein did not kill himself” in their #ARIAs acceptance speech for best live act — cameron adams (@cameron_adams) November 27, 2019

“And Jeffrey Epstein did not kill himself,” @hilltophoods Suffa at end of his thank yous #ARIAs — Kathy McCabe (@McCabeRadar) November 27, 2019

Hilltop Hoods just dropped our first ‘Jeffrey Epstein did not kill himself’ of the night in their Best Live Act acceptance speech. #ARIAs — Jeremy Dylan (@mrjeremydylan) November 27, 2019

And indeed it did. “I’m going to get out a few thank you’s because I think this is the last time you’re going to see us,” said Suffa, as shown in the Nine telecast.

“To our road crew, Mugga, Pauly, Snebs, everyone, you’re all legends and we love you. Thanks to ourwise. Our children. And Jeffrey Epstein did not kill himself! Thank you.”

Viewers couldn’t quite believe what they were hearing:

“And Jefferey Epstein didn’t kill himself” NAH IM DEDD 😂😂😂 #ARIAs — nads. ☄️ (@aus_beliebs) November 27, 2019

HILLTOP HOODS: “jeffrey epstein did not kill himself” THEY RLY SAID THAT #ARIAs — scarlett (@latenitedevil) November 27, 2019

I can't believe the said epstein haha hahaha than you hilltop hoods #ARIAs — AussieWrestlingCyantist (@The_Cyantist) November 27, 2019

Suffa from the Hilltop Hoods with the Jeffrey Epstein didn’t kill himself moment 😂 #arias — Alice 😎 (@alicevictoria19) November 27, 2019

We’re bringing you all the ARIA winners as they’re announced in the room — and check out our earlier highlights from what was a very wild ARIAs red carpet.

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