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Asian Network Reports Special: Don't Label Me

Don't Label Me

07/03/2011

BBC Asian Network - Asian Network Reports Special, Don't Label Me

Nihal asks: is labelling British Asian artists preventing them from mainstream success?

British Asians now have better chance to make it big in the music industry, according to BPI and Island Records. But is pigeon-holing them 'British Asian' a problem?

Nihal looks at why there aren't more British Asian artists in the UK mainstream music industry.
There have always been peaks of Asian musical popularity but why haven't they continued? One reason could be pigeon holing and the use of labels and terms such as "British Asian Artist".
With the success of Jay Sean, Rumer, Naughty Boy and Jai Paul we could be on the cusp of another Asian musical peak. And now Adam Liversage from the BPI, the UK Music Industry has said that with the success that British Urban artists like Tinie Tempah have had in the last year why can't British Asians follow in their footsteps to the mainstream.
But how can mainstream success be sustained this time and not just fade away?
We talk to Prash from the Engine-Earz Experiment, Mumzy Stranger, PBN and Sonna Rele, four aspiring young British Asian artists all hoping to have mainstream success this year. They have just one complaint; "Don't label me British Asian Artist!"
Darcus Beese of Island records and Arun Sandhu of Desihits Universal aren't impressed by the cry, they think this is about real talent and if your music is good you will make it.
Do British Asian artists need to lose or use their Asianess to succeed in the UK mainstream music industry?

Producer: George Casey.

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