Ligali has come to expect this type of rhetoric from politicians but not from the usually on point Trevor Philips.
In a quote to The Observer, Trevor Philips has stated:
Ligali feels this to be a pointless initiative. We are even more concerned that the Chair of the Committee for Racial Equality should go on to state 'What you are getting is young black urban musicians and writers who are telling the story of their lives as they see it'.
Whilst the content of the statement may be true, Ligali is concerned by the language. The inclusion of the adjective urban is very worrying. It suggests that the Chair is unaware of discontent within the African-British community with regards to it's rich African & Caribbean culture being assimilated and redefined by this replacement for 'black' terminology.
Current examples of issues causing discontent:
Eminem (now called the worlds best rapper)
Best Urban Rap artist
Justin Timberlake (now called the world's new Michael Jackson)
Best Urban Male R n B artist
Jennifer Lopez (now called the worlds best 'booty' )
Best Urban R n B Female artist
David Beckham (now called the worlds most famous 'Black' man ) Best Urban Icon & Footballer
To make the point clear:
Usage of the words Ghetto or Urban (in a racial context) to describe anyone of African / Caribbean ancestry is offensive.
A realistic and long term solution would be to apply pressure on the government to set music quotas for British music. The success of artists such as Miss Dynamite, proves the industry is ready for the emergence of young positive African-British artists. Sadly without guaranteed airplay they will never see the light of day as the more negative commercial African-American material drowns their attempts.
External Links
Letter to Tony Blair campaign - UK Hip HopCompeting in a world market - BBC Online50:50 - Why a radio quota would help young musicians -Payback time for rich rappers
In a quote to The Observer, Trevor Philips has stated:
'David and I plan to make a personal approach to the bosses of the record companies who are making a lot of money and doing a lot of their business out of black culture and young black people. We will invite them to put some of their money into supporting young black people.'**
Ligali feels this to be a pointless initiative. We are even more concerned that the Chair of the Committee for Racial Equality should go on to state 'What you are getting is young black urban musicians and writers who are telling the story of their lives as they see it'.
Whilst the content of the statement may be true, Ligali is concerned by the language. The inclusion of the adjective urban is very worrying. It suggests that the Chair is unaware of discontent within the African-British community with regards to it's rich African & Caribbean culture being assimilated and redefined by this replacement for 'black' terminology.
Current examples of issues causing discontent:
Eminem (now called the worlds best rapper)
Best Urban Rap artist
Justin Timberlake (now called the world's new Michael Jackson)
Best Urban Male R n B artist
Jennifer Lopez (now called the worlds best 'booty' )
Best Urban R n B Female artist
David Beckham (now called the worlds most famous 'Black' man ) Best Urban Icon & Footballer
To make the point clear:
Usage of the words Ghetto or Urban (in a racial context) to describe anyone of African / Caribbean ancestry is offensive.
Trevor Philips, CRE Chair
Suggestions
A realistic and long term solution would be to apply pressure on the government to set music quotas for British music. The success of artists such as Miss Dynamite, proves the industry is ready for the emergence of young positive African-British artists. Sadly without guaranteed airplay they will never see the light of day as the more negative commercial African-American material drowns their attempts.
David Lammy MP
External Links
Letter to Tony Blair campaign - UK Hip HopCompeting in a world market - BBC Online50:50 - Why a radio quota would help young musicians -Payback time for rich rappers
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