Earlier this week London based rapper Dave released his new track ‘Black’ to the world. It is frank and incredible piece of music that challenges racial stereotypes and inequalities throughout and ha been described as “a profound exploration of black identity, excellence and the diaspora”. Last Night (25/02) Annie Mac made this her Hottest Record In The World on her Radio One show, which lead to a backlash and criticism from some listeners. Today she took took to Twitter to defend the track and challenge the people who criticised the song.
It’s so very frustrating to see so many negative comments from listeners when I, and other @BBCR1 DJs play the @Santandave1 track ‘Black’. Let me get this straight, if you are genuinely offended by a man talking about the colour of his skin and how it has shaped his identity…
— Annie Mac (@AnnieMac) February 26, 2019
Tweet 2 – then that is a problem for you. It’s a real issue that a song so intelligent, so thought provoking so excellently put together can actually offend you. It’s not just okay to talk about race. It is crucial. Listen to the song with open ears. Please. — Annie Mac (@AnnieMac) February 26, 2019
Tweet 3 – Also shout to @gregjames for jsaying his piece about this on the @R1BreakfastShow just now…
— Annie Mac (@AnnieMac) February 26, 2019
This morning the radio 1 DJ put out three tweets saying. “It’s so very frustrating to see so many negative comments from listeners when I, and other @BBCR1 DJs play the @Santandave1 track ‘Black’. Let me get this straight, if you are genuinely offended by a man talking about the colour of his skin and how it has shaped his identity…” “Tweet 2 – then that is a problem for you. It’s a real issue that a song so intelligent, so thought provoking so excellently put together can actually offend you. It’s not just okay to talk about race. It is crucial. Listen to the song with open ears. Please.” “Tweet 3 – Also shout to @gregjames for jsaying his piece about this on the @R1BreakfastShow just now…”
Annie was not the only Radio 1 presenter to defend the song as on the breakfast show this morning Greg James suggested that if people have a problem with the track the “problem is with them” not the song. It’s unusual to see Radio One presenters be so opinionated, but it seems most listeners agree with the sentiments of the DJs.
Usually I just like the radio on as background noise but this morning I listened to it on my way to work and it made me actually listen to the words. Very powerful & thought provoking bad opinions are uneducated & irrelevant ones imo.
— Abbie Shipperley (@abbieshipperley) February 26, 2019
I was genuinely taken aback when @gregjames , after playing Black, had to address the negative comments about it Who are these people! — Laura Thomas (@LauraFrancesT) February 26, 2019
It’s really frustrating to see some responses to Dave’s track. But it shows why tracks like Black are so important. So people are forced to hear things that might be outside of their lives and hopefully open their minds to thoughts and ideas that are new to them. Well I hope so..
— Nichola Ntim (@NicholaNtim) February 26, 2019
The story then developed even further this afternoon as Annie Mac gave an interview with the NME further explaining her tweets. In this interview Annie explained how she believes the criticism is led by fear “People are scared of the word black and the word, they seem reluctant to have conversations around it. People are feeling on the defensive and act like it’s not necessary to talk about it any more. I find that really depressing and an absolute justification for that song. It’s so important that the song exists and it’s only when you see the texts and tweets coming in that you realise how important it is and how much work needs to be done in this country for racial equality.”
Annie Mac added how she feels that”People don’t like talking about it, but it’s very much a problem and I commend Dave for putting that record out. It’s a beautiful record He came on my show to play it and said it was a personal journey for him, to look back and discover where he came from and who he is. He went on a real journey to write this song and I’m happy to get this out of my system.”
Annie also discussed how she wasn’t the only DJ to feel like this saying “I was chatting to Clara Amfo about it and she also found it frustrating while Greg James mentioned it on the radio this morning. It’s important for people who are white to talk about their opinions on race. It shouldn’t be down to black people to have to talk about it. So I had to get it out of my system”.
Whilst the negative feedback to the new Dave single is incredibly uncomfortable and misdirected, it does feel refreshing to hear Radio 1 presenters voice their opinions and call people out on their views, both on-air and via social media. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the new Dave single, make sure you do now.
