Lianne La Havas’ second album, Blood, expands on the cool, nuanced tone of her debut, while adding a shot of intensity.
Photo by Jean Paul Pietrus
Genre-bending soul singer Lianne La Havas removed herself from the #BritsSoWhite controversy on Twitter and lost fans as a result.
This year’s Brit Awards falls in line with other major award shows, where talks of diversity have taken over the headlines instead of the artists. Like the Oscars, the Brit Awards — a music ceremony that honors the best in the British music industry — is dominated by white nominees when there were talented Black and people of color who were snubbed completely.
According to the Guardian, “the success of Black soul singers has been notably brushed over this year – even though they make the very style of music many of the white nominees are lauded for.”
La Havas did not want to be tossed into the conversation. In fact, she called the trending hashtag, #BritsSoWhite, “racist and unfounded.” La Havas was one of those talented people who were snubbed. Her most recent album, Blood was not nominated and neither was she. Here are some of the artists who were nominated:
Brit Awards 2016 winner’s list
British album of the year25 (Adele) – WINNER
A Head Full of Dreams (Coldplay)
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (Florence + the Machine)
In Colour (Jamie XX)
Chaos and the Calm (James Bay)British female solo artist
Adele – WINNER
Amy Winehouse
Florence + the Machine
Jess Glynne
Laura MarlingBritish male solo artist
Aphex Twin
Calvin Harris
James Bay – WINNER
Jamie XX
Mark Ronson
Many of her fans were taken aback at her response and many took to Twitter to express their contrasting perspective on the whole controversy.
Singer Lianne La Havas says #BritsSoWhite is 'racist' & 'unfounded' & wants to be removed from any reference to it. pic.twitter.com/gx9vg0jvyu
— Dionne Grant (@DionneGrant) February 25, 2016
#RIP to Lianne La Havas' mentions #NotWoke pic.twitter.com/ItE2h8FEpS
— Todd Johnson (@rantoddj) February 25, 2016
Lianne La Havas really said the #BritsSoWhite hashtag is racist. I'm reading her tweets like pic.twitter.com/lVbsAHsmAR
— Fads (@OFadz_) February 25, 2016
The most disappointing part of Lianne La Havas' comments on #BritsSoWhite was that it was created to advocate for artists like her.
— The Glossier (@theglossier) February 25, 2016
Lianne La Havas, sis, WYD? pic.twitter.com/64vyy2PMb1
— sydney ✨ (@ClassicxSydney) February 25, 2016
responses to #BritsSoWhite from my favs who turned out to be trash i.e Lianne La Havas, James Bay, and Jess Gylnne pic.twitter.com/LgcyJotKDH
— black history heaux (@localblactivist) February 25, 2016
People angry at Lianne La Havas appear to have just realised that sharing a race with someone won't guarantee they think the same way you do
— 保罗 (@ItWasJustBanter) February 25, 2016
did people think Lianne La Havas was woke because she sounds like dope tumblr music?
— half bald bae (@TheBeatnikBill) February 25, 2016
The soul singer responded to the backlash with this tweet:
Gonna go see my grandma who doesn't give a sh*t about any stupid bollox. She just wants to be warm and comfy and wants me not to swear.
— Lianne La Havas (@liannelahavas) February 25, 2016
