The Voice Newspaper Head to Head: Is urban music chart success just a phase? NO!

We've interviewed our fair share of urban music artists recently, from Wretch 32 to Chipmunk, which, to me, is a sign of the times; it feels like there's more top urban artists in the charts than ever, and since most of it is made by homegrown British talent, long may it continue.

You can read the full article in The Voice newspaper (9th February edition) and join the debate with your comments on their website, but below is my (slightly longer) original version with some links included for your browsing pleasure. You can also read Tom's extended edition on his London360 blog. 

Urban music chart success is just a phase
Rosa Doherty NO!

The ‘bu bu bu but’ of label skeptics and cynical music fans will always be there re Urban music chart success.

The fact is Urban Music has had chart success for as long as I’ve been buying music. From Notorious BIG in 1997, to Drake in 2011, this alone proves it is not ‘just a phase’. A phase is something short lived, like wearing a Velour tracksuit with our hair scraped back. The success of urban music is and can always be seen developing.

The fact that chart topping artists like Ed Sheeran and Adele are debated about in the discussions of urban music shows the synergy between Urban music and mainstream pop (weather or not you think they as artists, count as urban, or not) the chart success of urban music has enabled them to slip between the categories.

It is clear both artists are influenced and have routed inspirations in genres considered urban. Ed’s collaboration EP with a long list of Urban artists is a perfect example of the importance Urban music has played in his chart success. Many others have entered the mainstream by dipping their toes in ventures urban, showing as a genre it is crucial in cementing the developing success of more mainstream acts.

My first memory of Urban UK music, chart success was So Solid crew with 21 seconds and Craig David. The garage scene was a breading ground for talent and the subsequent chart success that has followed. Since then we’ve watched artist like Tinchey Stryder to N Dubz pave the way for new artist from the ‘Urban world’ who now achieve the same chart success along side US and UK talent, more recent examples include Wretch 32 and obvious chart toppers Tinie Tempah and Labrinth.

It is still also urban artists not on major labels that rack up thousands of views on You Tube and who’s tried and tested methods of free downloads and mixtapes have now become the norm for mainstream activity.

You only have to listen to the production of new talent like Labrinth (and others like him) to hear the steady influence urban music has had on the creation of new and unique sounds. Urban Music chart success isn’t a phase it is firmly apart of Popular Culture that can be seen on our televisions, in our films, fashion, books, journalism, art and music, it is something that will constantly develop and evolve.

@Rosa_Doherty