Republic Records has deemed "urban music" out of tune.
The major US music label, home to big-selling artists Drake, Rihanna and Ariana Grande, released a statement on Saturday, June 6, that revealed it has ceased using the long-standing genre classification.
The changes are across the board, with the category removed from Republic’s marketing and promotions campaigns, as well as its internal divisions and job descriptions.
The company is now urging fellow labels to follow suit.
The statement adds: “It is important to shape the future of what we want [the industry] to look like, and not adhere to the outdated structures of the past.”
While the move represents the most effective measure taken by the music industry in the wake of the anti-racism protests sweeping the globe, the decision has been a long time coming.
Urban music has not only outgrown its relative effectiveness as a descriptor, but for decades has limited the career growth of talented black artists whose music was part of the mainstream.
It also exposes an ugly industry truth: the term and its past iterations have always served to make black artists more palatable to a white record-buying public.
It began with 'race records'
The term urban music can be traced back to the 1920s, when US racial segregation laws extended to the cultural sphere.
With popular radio the main music medium at the time, black composer and vaudeville performer Perry Bradford wanted to showcase his jazz protegee Mamie Smith to the masses.
With her single Crazy Blues already a live hit with black audiences, Bradford convinced music executive Frederick W Hager to sign her up to his label Okeh Records.
While the label was progressive enough in that it produced music from artists hailing from US immigrant communities – from German and Czech to Polish and Swedish – blues music was considered taboo by white audiences in that it was almost exclusively performed by African Americans.
Bradford managed to convince the label of Smith’s cross-over appeal, with the promise of a lot of cash to be made.
And in a feat of creative marketing at the time, the “race record” was born – a sweeping description encompassing all music created by black artists, ranging from blues and jazz to gospel and vaudeville.
The song, and the new genre it spawned, was a hit.
The white public took to the exciting new sound and made stars out of Duke Ellington, Ma Rainey and Jelly Roll Morton. As for African American communities themselves, who at the time had a fair share of disposable income, so-called 'race records' were a chance to support and celebrate talents of their own.
Not only did 'race records' represent the latest chapter of American popular music, but the income generated from its sales helped plant the seeds for the country’s first professional black music industry.
With interracial relations improving over the decades in the US, the term 'race records' – which was officially used right up until 1949 – began to be viewed as off-colour for the times.
Industry magazine Billboard put the name to pasture that year after it changed its Race Records Chart to Rhythm and Blues.
The racial undertones of 'urban music'
Urban music’s arrival to the fore 25 years later was seemingly by accident.
The term is largely attributed to black New York radio personality DJ Frankie Crocker when creating the radio station WBLS in 1974.
He coined the term to describe the inner-city club sounds that dictated his eclectic playlists: disco, funk, RnB and the early emergence of rap.
It was the success of the format, later emulated across multiple stations across the US, which got record label suits to adopt the term in marketing their new generation of black artists.
Urban music’s perception problem arrived not long after, when the music began getting mixed up with existing preconceptions of black communities.
With many living in the city, the word “urban” essentially became shorthand for “ghetto”, and with that came all of the associated stereotypes.
Helping the entrenchment of these perceptions were record label offices who opened urban music divisions across the globe.
As a result, once again, African American artists were denied their diversity of expression.
The effects continued over the following four decades with African American artists locked in within that urban music category, all while watching their music gain further popularity through its adoption by white “pop music” artists, from George Michael and Phil Collins to Adele and Ed Sheeran.
A new generation is changing the tune
Fortunately, the tide is turning against such antiquated industry terms.
With the emergence of streaming platforms and the “playlist” as the favoured choice of music consumers, the notion of genre is increasingly fading into the background.
Hastening that transition is a new generation of online-savvy artists whose immunity to categorisation is shaking up old and once-hallowed music institutions.
In 2019, rapper Lil Nas caused controversy when his twangy viral single Old Town Road was denied a seemingly destined top spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, after the organisation found the song lacking "enough elements of today's country music".
Critics, including the track’s guest artist, the celebrated country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus, rounded on the decision with accusations that the move smelt of cultural gate-keeping.
That same year, rapper Childish Gambino highlighted the Grammy Awards' growing irrelevance by not showing up to the ceremony to pick up the marquee prize, Song of the Year, for This is America. His move highlighted the Grammys' ongoing torrid relationship with black artists who, for three decades, isolated them within genre-specific categories.
Republic Record’s decision to call quits on 'urban music' is a major step in opening the industry gates that have been closed to talentedblack artists for generations.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Sheffield United 0 Wolves 2 (Jimenez 3', Saiss 6)
Man of the Match Romain Saiss (Wolves)
Match info
UAE v Bolivia, Friday, 6.25pm, Maktoum bin Rashid Stadium, Dubai
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
6.30pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Final Song, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m
Winner Almanaara, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Grand Argentier, Brett Doyle, Doug Watson.
8.15pm Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Major Partnership, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner Universal Order, Richard Mullen, David Simcock.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.
The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.
All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.
No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.
The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio
Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)
Engine 4.7L V8
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
RESULTS
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Hugo Lebouc (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Karaginsky, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Sadeedd, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard.
3pm Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Blue Sovereign, Clement Lecoeuvre, Erwan Charpy.
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Bladesmith, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
The five pillars of Islam
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE