The new head of music at BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra has suggested that grime will be the UK’s next big musical export.
Chris Price, who has taken over the job from George Ergatoudis, told the Guardian: “This year could be quite a turning point for grime. Can this become our big cultural export moment, our hip hop? It feels like international eyes are on the genre.
“Look at Drake signing to Boy Better Know last month or signing grime artists to his own label and Kanye West turning up at the Brits mob-handed with the entire grime industry last year.”
Price also spoke out about the lack of diversity at the BRITs, claiming “at Radio 1, we’re really focused on making sure we reflect the diversity of our audience in our music policy. And I’d love to see the success of an artist like Stormzy, who’s got a long history with 1xtra and Radio 1, and a top 10 single with ‘Shut Up’ – the first freestyle ever to do that – to be reflected at the Brits.”
Chris Price, who has taken over the job from George Ergatoudis, told the Guardian: “This year could be quite a turning point for grime. Can this become our big cultural export moment, our hip hop? It feels like international eyes are on the genre.
“Look at Drake signing to Boy Better Know last month or signing grime artists to his own label and Kanye West turning up at the Brits mob-handed with the entire grime industry last year.”
Price also spoke out about the lack of diversity at the BRITs, claiming “at Radio 1, we’re really focused on making sure we reflect the diversity of our audience in our music policy. And I’d love to see the success of an artist like Stormzy, who’s got a long history with 1xtra and Radio 1, and a top 10 single with ‘Shut Up’ – the first freestyle ever to do that – to be reflected at the Brits.”
