The Brit Awards is now battling negative criticism for not acknowledging black artists.
Like the Oscars, the Brit Awards are now coming under fire on racial grounds. Black artists feel like their work is being dismissed, and underrepresented across numerous categories. Once again, the battleground is starting on social media, with a #Britssowhite hashtag circulating on the internet since nominations were released.
Shortly after the nominations, a petition was put forward to disclose diversity figures.
A number of artists are speaking out on the sheer absence of diversity, including Konan from British grime duo Krept and Konan. “I just feel that the BRITS are not in touch with the culture, yet,” Konan said. “I feel the year we had last year, it’s been crazy, it’s been wild, we’ve gone international. I don’t think they’ve caught up…”
Stormzy also commented in his One Take Freestyle, saying:
“None of my Gs nominated for Brits? Embarrassing. Last year, they told the mandem that to be nominated you’ve gotta go on UK charts.”
Both Krept and Konan, and Stormzy have expressed disappointment and confusion by the Brit Award nominations, particularly given their newfound international success a serious chart placements. At the very least, that raises the issue of whether the Brits aren’t responding to major scenes happening within the UK music industry. Or, maybe the Brits simply don’t understand grime music.
A key component of the criticism is the fact that only two non-black artists have been put forward for an award. However, despite the absence of diversity, these artists don’t believe the Brits to be racist, just simply ‘out of touch’. That’s certainly a softer criticism than what was leveled against the Oscars, an awards institution that is now undergoing some serious alterations.
(Photo by David Jones, Creative Commons, Attribution 2.0 Generic, cc by 2.0)
Very racist they were. For example, there were also no one from Easter Island represented either. It has just got to be a conspiracy.
This is just stupid. People don’t vote based upon skin color. They vote based upon quality of performance. If most people of color are putting out movies like Ride Along 2 or music like “Stimulated” by Tyga, then there should be no expectation of equality.
Where’s the proof of racism?
Black people should go back to apefricka
It wasn’t a great year for black music in Britain. Personally I think Lianne La Havas should at least have been nominated for something, but I can’t think of any other black(ish) artist who deserved it. Laura Mvula is one of our best singers and songwriters, but she didn’t do much last year.
“A key component of the criticism is the fact that only two non-black artists have been put forward for an award.”
Hmmmm
The grime scene in the UK is full of misogynistic, homophobic, gangster wannabees who produce some of the shittest music ever produced. The BRIT awards is about recognising big selling artists – Alexander Armstrong (a quiz show host for the non UK residents) sold more than the entire grime scene put together.
One artist from each race on the planet should always get a nomination. It’s only right.