It’s an exciting time for Amy Winehouse fans after the UK release of the highly anticipated biopic directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, Back to Black, last month which details Winehouse’s tumultuous relationship with the former music video assistant Blake Fielder-Civil – the inspiration behind her chart topping song of the same name. Winehouse has also received a post-obituary BRIT Billion award earlier this week which her parents have accepted on her behalf.
A BRIT Billion celebrates artists who have gained over one billion digital streams in the United Kingdom over all major streaming platforms and is awarded by the BRIT certified scheme. Launches in 2023, it is the first major award to recognise the culmination of artist’s successes across multiple projects (including tracks they are the sole artist of and have featured on), and streaming sites amongst those such as Spotify, Deezer, Napster and other platforms. It gives a chance for artists to be celebrated for their comprehensive success. In a world where streaming makes up 87.7% of the UK music consumption (according to BPI data in 2023), it is important the music industry revolutionises itself to view streaming on a (somewhat) level playing field with the purchasing of digital or physical tracks and albums.
The award came after streams of the singer’s most-loved songs had skyrocketed over the past few weeks which can be accredited to the biopic hitting cinemas in April. According to Billboard, her parents Mitch and Janis expressed that ‘It’s wonderful that her music is being discovered by new audiences of young people who love it just as much as her contemporaries. We are so proud of Amy. Thank you.’
Despite the spike in streams for the Rehab soul-singer, the film hasn’t been received graciously, scoring a 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting that the film seemed ‘too tame, too tasteful, too frightened of alienating the fans: everything that Winehouse was not.’ Some even went as far as to parallel the impersonation of Winehouse herself to something as seen on Saturday night television or an SNL skit.
The film intended to place Winehouse back at the centre of her own life after her passing from accidental alcohol poisoning in 2007 and give a long overdue, true depiction of the ruthlessness of the press towards the Camden singer. Fans and critics alike believe the film fell short of it’s promise to honour the Winehouse. Whether the film was too conventional to dive deep into the multifaceted, complex personality of Winehouse and really capture the genius of one of the most significant artists of her time is down to personal opinion, but what we can say for Back to Black is that it’s putting the singer back on the map, if that’s to say she ever fell off in the first place. You can watch the trailer for the movie below.
If you still haven’t had a chance to catch the film in cinemas yet then there is still time, as viewings are showing frequently at any major UK cinema including Odeon, Vue and Cineworld.
