So I decided to run a check on British Black female artists, an inclusion to my Blog as I’m currently concentrating on British Black music and thought, time to get some background history. So I run a search while thinking to myself "oh I remember listening to Siani, Mica Paris, Jaki Graham, Sade, Juliet Roberts, Gabrielle, Dina Carroll, Des'ree, Shara Nelson, Brand New Heavies, Loose Ends, Caron Wheeler, and as I ran search after search the response was disappointing!!
Over time we have been graced with the likes of Beverley Knight, Skunk Anansie, Mica Paris, Heather Small, Joan Armatrading, Kele Le Roc, Terry Walker, Floetry but current bands like The Noisettes and Morcheeba only get the chance to shine for a small amount of time and the black british female is showcased less then that.
Simon Frith, chair of the Mercury Prize, claims that the British public ignores new female urban acts
“Black female music has always had a particularly tough time,” the BBC quoted Frith as saying.
“I think we’ve known over the years that British tastes have sort of blind-spots.
“It may be radio play or playlists, promoters or whatever it is. Some sort of music instantly has appeal, which gets lots and lots of attention.
“There are other sorts of music which will struggle whether they win the Mercury or don’t win the Mercury,” he stated.
At the moment, there are no black British female singers in the UK singles and albums charts, unless they have featured on a TV talent show.
“Unless you are in the mode of a certain type of entertainer it’s very hard space to occupy,”
[http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/black-british-female-artists-ignored-by-uks-public_100426472.html]
My Question to you is what do you think the Black British female artist has to do to obtain the attention of the British public and not move to the States to become successful and get a fanbase or is it just about holding on to identity in Britain?
