Stormzy's Oxford University Q&A: Grime MC admits he had ‘constructive talk’ with Brits chairman

Speaking out: Grime MC Stormzy has discussed The Brit Awards with chairman Ged Doherty
BBC
Jennifer Ruby8 March 2016
The Weekender

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Stormzy has revealed that he had a ‘constructive talk’ with the chairman of The Brit Awards.

The British grime artist, 22, who criticised this year’s awards for its lack of diversity, had a meeting with Ged Doherty to discuss how different genres of music could be better represented next year.

Speaking at the Oxford University Guild, the musician admitted that his opinions had ‘slightly changed’ since the meeting,

“We had a very, very constructive talk, he showed me the categories of eligibility, I told him how these could be improved,” he told 300 students on Monday evening.

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“I’m not sure how much of a race or minority issue it was, having spoken to Ged, but I think it’s more of a discussion about the voting panel.

“Most of them are middle aged white men. Most middle aged white men probably don’t know about little old Stormzy from London.”

He added: “Bands like Little Mix do represent youth culture because loads of 16 year old girls listen to them.

“But Britain isn’t just Little Mix, One Direction and James Bay. There are thousands of people outside the O2 queuing up to see people like Skepta and JME.”

Back in January, the London-based MC hit out at the lack of Grime artists nominated in this year’s awards.

He told Radio One: “It was such a great year for grime and underground music... I thought maybe this year it might get celebrated."

"You know when you've got that little bit of hope and that little bit of faith, and then they didn't. I thought it was such a shame.”

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