Jess Glynne doesn’t think urban music should be "about race".
The ‘Right Here’ singer has defended Ed Sheeran against backlash after he topped BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Power List – which celebrates "the most important U.K. artists on the current black and urban music scene" – and doesn’t think the urban genre should be about the colour of one’s skin.
She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "To be honest with you, it’s a genre of music, it’s not about race. He’s got f***ing good songs and he’s a wicked artist. That’s what he loves and that’s what he does.
"If you’re going to call it ‘black music’, you can’t just make it one race. I think it’s ridiculous.
"At the end of the day, soul and groove – yeah, OK, great, black music. But at the same time, white people, Asian people – anyone can [sing].
"I don’t see the issue, if you love a type of music and you’re good at it, why not be voted at the top of that?"
The 24-year-old singer surprised chicken lovers as she performed on top of Nando’s food truck, the Cock O Van, at Lovebox festival in London’s Victoria Park yesterday (19.07.14).
Jess sang her recently released solo single ‘Right Here’ and thrilled the crowd with her number one hit with Clean Bandit, ‘Rather Be’.
Having topped the UK singles charts on two occasions – including a collaboration with Route 94 titled ‘My Love’ – the flame-haired singer admitted she has now set her "goals high" for her solo career.
Speaking after her performance, she explained: "I don’t think it puts pressure on me, but it sets my goals very high. I don’t ever like to make myself feel pressured but I put pressure on myself to do well – I think you have to."
Jess also revealed that her debut album will follow a more urban musical style and won’t be as dance-centric as her songs with Route 94 and Clean Bandit.
She added: "The album’s sounding really cool. I don’t think people are expecting what they’re going to be getting. I’m a very soul, R&B, hip-hop influenced girl. I love my pop as well, but my album’s going to be inspired by what I love. It’s definitely not going to be a dance or a house album."
Other performances atop the Cock O Van came from Bipolar Sunshine and Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B.
The stars also enjoyed tasty PERi-PERi chicken from the Nando’s food truck, including the chain’s signature flame-grilled chicken wings and burgers.
Jess Glynne: Urban music not ‘about race’
