BPI CHAIRMAN ADDRESSES BRITS DIVERSITY ROW

Just like the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, this year’s BRIT Awards were criticised for a lack of diversity in its performer lineup and nominees. However, 2017’s ceremony looks set to better reflect every part of U.K. society, according to BPI Chairman Ged Doherty, who’s revealed a number of measures being taken to address the issue in an op-ed for The Guardian.

For Doherty, the lack of recognition of emerging music that’s “a huge part of British youth culture” is the biggest imbalance. Awards for specific genres (like grime) could be in the works, as well as a shake-up of the 1,100-strong BRITs Voting Academy, which is, Doherty suspects, made up largely of older white men. Equal male/female representation and at least 15% of BAME participation (in line with national trends), as well as being more diverse in age and region, is within plans.

At present, artists nominated must have achieved Top 40 chart success, but that criteria will be broadened in future. Said Doherty: “There are performers, including grime artists, who may not have achieved chart success but who attract large followings, especially through social media. Excluding these artists, perhaps more than any other, has caused some to see the nominations as unrepresentative.”

With the help of a new advisory committee that includes members of the BAME music community, BRITs organisers are “exploring initiatives that will enable the event to celebrate diverse, breaking and established talent more effectively.” We expect that’s likely to include factors such as social media following, live presence and performance on the newly launched Official Trending Chart and the equivalents on streaming services.

Concluded Doherty: “Music has a better record than most when it comes to the diversity of its talent, and it’s essential this is more fully reflected across its leadership. I’m determined that the BPI, with the support of the music community, will be an innovative leader of change and that next year’s BRITs will be an event of which everyone can be proud.”

Hear, hear.