Nia Archives calls on MOBO Awards to add electronic/dance category

nme.com:

Nia Archives has written an open letter to the MOBO Awards, calling on the organisation to add an electronic/dance category.READ MORE: Nia Archives – ‘Forbidden Feelingz’ EP: jungle anthems certify producer’s rapid riseThe letter was shared across her social media and starts with Nia Archives writing that “it saddens me that it has been decades since an electronic/dance artist of Black origin was awarded a MOBO,” with Goldie’s 1996 win for ‘Timeless’ the last instance she can see. “That was over 25 years ago – before I was even born.”“Once upon a time, you championed Black dance artists and had categories such as Best Dance Act, Best Jungle Act and Best Garage Act but by the early 2000s, these categories ceased to exist,” she continued. “The MOBOS are such an important institution and it’s frustrating that the categories in their current state are not representative of Black music in all its forms.”“How can we expect young Black people to see themselves in the music if our own organisations and award ceremonies won’t even celebrate the diverse range of talent that boldly exists in the country?

This current attitude further perpetuates the narrative of what Blackness is and it is simply wrong.”“I cannot stand by and watch the music I love continue to be gentrified and whitewashed…electronic/dance music is music of Black origin.

I’m not afraid to acknowledge it, why are you?” she finished.A post shared by nia archives (@archives.nia)Last year, Nova Twins called on the MOBOs to add a Rock/Alternative category at the 2021 awards.In their letter, the London rock duo said that the inclusion of the new category could “widen the representation that ourselves and so many others didn’t have growing up”.Elsewhere in the letter, the.