It still kind of is a black/white thing in the US. I connect it more to the fans though than "the industry". The industry goes where the money is.

Sam smith is a gay brit that sounds like a black woman. That juxtaposition is MUCH more interesting than a Black woman who sounds like a black woman (we've seen that before. It's the norm).

Take an artist like Emeli Sande.. She came after Adele and before Sam. The brits have been breaking songwriters by putting them on dance records. Once that goes they prep the solo album. They have most of the same writers (Naughty Boy) and she SMASHED in UK (2million + sold).

Same system at Capitol w/ Steve barnett. They attempted to break her here before Sam. FIRST thing they do is put Kendrick Lamar on her record and start at... guess where Urban. She was opening for John L, Marsha etc...

She is a pop artist through and through. But because she is a black woman (and doesnt look like Rihanna) they go Urban A/C first.

Didn't work

There are always exceptions to the rule and the BIGGEST stars in the music world are black. There is an issue though.

Double 0
DJ/Producer/Artist
Producer in Kidz In The Hall
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