But this is my question - why does it have to be a black person or an actual R&B artist who presents a show about R&B music? That's why the backlash is so confusing to me. It's one person playing music they like.

 

As I said above, there's definitely a bigger conversation to be had about black female representation within UK R&B, and a necessary conversation at that, but I'm not sure this podcast is where the issue lies? idk.

 

You’ve kind of answered the question yourself?

 

As a company who are supposed to be committed to diversifying their output both in front of and behind the scenes, given that the genre itself stemmed from African American culture surely it would have been appropriate for the BBC to give the opportunity to present ‘‘a love letter to the genre’ to an under represented artist within that genre?

 

On the face of it it looks harmless enough but I just don’t understand why someone felt Cheryl was the person to front this.

 

 

I don't see a problem with people talking us through songs they love... Cheryl wanted to do a radio show playing tracks, and just happebed to pick rnb.

It feels like people are wilfully not seeing the issue because it’s Cheryl.

You’ve kind of answered the question yourself?

 

As a company who are supposed to be committed to diversifying their output both in front of and behind the scenes, given that the genre itself stemmed from African American culture surely it would have been appropriate for the BBC to give the opportunity to present ‘‘a love letter to the genre’ to an under represented artist within that genre?

 

On the face of it it looks harmless enough but I just don’t understand why someone felt Cheryl was the person to front this.

I get this entirely, and obviously I'm not part of the community or culture that are being sidelined so perhaps this isn't my argument to be a part of. It's very much a fine line though and one that has to be treaded carefully by everyone, because it infers that you need to have experience or come from a similar background as those whose music you enjoy to be able to talk about or publicly appreciate it. The dragging up of Cheryl's past makes me particularly uncomfortable and the misinformation is even worse (sadly Jameela Jamil's set a terrible example on that front and I usually appreciate her input).

 

Ultimately I think you can wish for a more relevant-to-R&B host, and open up the conversation that needs to be had, without dragging the actual host through the mud.

 

It feels like people are wilfully not seeing the issue because it’s Cheryl.

I don't think anybody is doing this in this particular thread.

It feels like people are wilfully not seeing the issue because it’s Cheryl.

 

For what it’s worth, I absolutely agree. It feels like people are quick to blast it as trolling without looking into the actual issue.

I get this entirely, and obviously I'm not part of the community or culture that are being sidelined so perhaps this isn't my argument to be a part of. It's very much a fine line though and one that has to be treaded carefully by everyone, because it infers that you need to have experience or come from a similar background as those whose music you enjoy to be able to talk about or publicly appreciate it. The dragging up of Cheryl's past makes me particularly uncomfortable and the misinformation is even worse (sadly Jameela Jamil's set a terrible example on that front and I usually appreciate her input).

 

Ultimately I think you can wish for a more relevant-to-R&B host, and open up the conversation that needs to be had, without dragging the actual host through the mud.

I don't think anybody is doing this in this particular thread.

 

I don’t think it’s that fine a line if I’m honest, nor is it an overly important one that we need to be careful of? Of course anyone can appreciate any type of music and talk public on it. The issue is that when it’s an organisation who have a responsibility to promote diversity and represent all types of cultures, then giving the platform to Cheryl is inappropriate - its

 

I don’t agree with Cheryl being trolled, however there is a difference between her receiving hate and people questioning her reasons for accepting this job, I’m not on Twitter so I’m not sure what people are saying but the reactions I’ve seen on articles seem to be focussed on the fact she is presenting this and not on her as a character.

 

 

It feels like people are wilfully not seeing the issue because it’s Cheryl.

 

Definitely not me as I’m not even particularly a fan of her. 🤷‍♂️ But you keep telling yourself that.

 

Also in reply to your earlier no British mary J Bligh etc… big snub to Gabrielle tbh who I think more than made her mark as one of the big female acts of the 90’s 00’s, same for Leona Lewis who for a while was the biggest pop star in the world.

Definitely not me as I’m not even particularly a fan of her. 🤷‍♂️ But you keep telling yourself that.

 

Also in reply to your earlier no British mary J Bligh etc… big snub to Gabrielle tbh who I think more than made her mark as one of the big female acts of the 90’s 00’s, same for Leona Lewis who for a while was the biggest pop star in the world.

 

That wasn’t a veiled comment at you, look harder and you’ll find the correct one.

 

I’m not sure why you’re trying to imply with your comment about Gabrielle? I never said there were never any big black artists from the UK, quite the opposite. But outside of this forum, how many times do you hear about them these days? It’s an issue you’re refusing to see.

She spoke for 5 minutes about a music she appreciates. Obviously there are better artist to talk about the genre, but that's on the podcast, not Cheryl

She spoke for 5 minutes about a music she appreciates. Obviously there are better artist to talk about the genre, but that's on the podcast, not Cheryl

 

And this is what I’m talking about. Ignoring any discussion on the issue to scream ‘LEAVE CHERYL ALONE!’

 

 

Kinda agree with Joseph on this one. Segregating music into black and white is unhelpful especially when a lot of music in the UK that white people listen to is made by black artists anyway, especially in London.

 

I remember Santigold talking about this years ago, with her music being categorised as R&B just because she is a black lady when she argued there was nothing remotely R&B about it.

 

What I would say about this Cheryl thing is the timing is a bit odd though because she doesn't already work in or have any conenction whatsoever with radio, and hasn't even worked in music for a while. I think there wouldnt've been quite the backlash if she had already worked in radio for a bit before this instead of this being her debut entry.

 

Or, I think if this was paired with someone who is a POC talking about their favourite, say, pop ballads or synthpop tunes.

And this is what I’m talking about. Ignoring any discussion on the issue to scream ‘LEAVE CHERYL ALONE!’

I think people are clutching at straws by throwing white privilege into this when it's not that deep

I think people are clutching at straws by throwing white privilege into this when it's not that deep

This.

I think people are clutching at straws by throwing white privilege into this when it's not that deep

 

And I think you’re ignoring the wider issue because Cheryl is a fave. It’s not even about her.

I think people are clutching at straws by throwing white privilege into this when it's not that deep

 

I’m not really sure how else to respond to this type of comment but I think it’s disappointing that statements like the above are thrown around so flippantly.

I’m not really sure how else to respond to this type of comment but I think it’s disappointing that statements like the above are thrown around so flippantly.

Have you listened to the podcast? It really is not that deep. There was literally nothing offensive said, Cheryl never claimed the genre as hers or anything. People are making an issue out of nothing

Have you listened to the podcast? It really is not that deep. There was literally nothing offensive said, Cheryl never claimed the genre as hers or anything. People are making an issue out of nothing

 

Why are you acting like this is one big attack on Cheryl? Billy hasn’t said anything to drag her and it’s not about the content of the podcast. It’s about the fact that it’s a tone deaf decision and the many black artists that were overlooked and still get overlooked in 2021.

Have you listened to the podcast? It really is not that deep. There was literally nothing offensive said, Cheryl never claimed the genre as hers or anything. People are making an issue out of nothing

Have you read my posts regarding the matter because I haven’t insinuated that Cheryl has said anything offensive? I’m talking about the decision to have her front the show in the first place which is also the basis of these people ‘making an issue out of nothing.’

That wasn’t a veiled comment at you, look harder and you’ll find the correct one.

 

I’m not sure why you’re trying to imply with your comment about Gabrielle? I never said there were never any big black artists from the UK, quite the opposite. But outside of this forum, how many times do you hear about them these days? It’s an issue you’re refusing to see.

 

 

I do understand where you are coming from and I stand up for these issues even with my own limited understanding of it. However I also think it's problematic too when we are so quick to lash out at every single tiny thing, this really shouldn't be an issue.

 

Also again I understand what you are saying re black female artists but then how many British female artists full stop have really made a dent outside the UK? Adele is the only real success, Annie Lennox perhaps but her success dwindled just like Leona's did...

Edited September 1, 20213 yr by spiceboy

Why are you acting like this is one big attack on Cheryl? Billy hasn’t said anything to drag her and it’s not about the content of the podcast. It’s about the fact that it’s a tone deaf decision and the many black artists that were overlooked and still get overlooked in 2021.

How do you know Cheryl was chosen over black artists? For all we know black artists could have been approached but cba because it's a podcast nobody really cares about