The Grammys Scrap Term “Urban”

Sound & Vision
Hosted by Emily Fox
The Grammy Awards, as well as Republic Records, have announced they will no longer use the term “urban” in their award categories and music departments. Writer Jeremy Helligar discusses this welcome shift in language as a first step.
Tyler, The Creator, who spoke out against the Grammy's use of the term 'Urban' earlier this year // photo by Dave Lichterman

The Grammy Awards, as well as Republic Records, have announced they will no longer use the term “urban” in their award categories and music departments. Writer Jeremy Helligar discusses this welcome shift in language as a first step. He wrote a column in Variety titled, Down with Urban: It’s Time to Stop Categorizing Music by Race.

“How does ‘urban' equal Black?” Helligar says. “I think [the word] has been most harmful because it’s really corporate segregation. It’s putting Blacks in one box and Whites in another.”

 

SUBSCRIBE TO SOUND & VISION:
 APPLE PODCASTS |  GOOGLE PODCASTS |  POCKET CASTS |  RSS (USE YOUR OWN READER)

Introducing

In-Our-Headphones-Graphic-1080x1080.jpg

In Our Headphones

Finding good new music can be a full time job, so let KEXP help! In Our Headphones brings you five song recommendations every Monday, straight from KEXP’s DJs and Music Directors. Join hosts Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili on this never-ending journey of music discovery.

A-Deeper-Listen-Graphic-FINAL-1080x1080.jpg

A Deeper Listen

Host Emily Fox and KEXP’s editorial team talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.

Latest Episodes

On the show this time, it’s Canadian artist Rochelle Jordan, blending 90s pop, vintage UK house and garage, electronic, and progressive hip-hop.

Exploring some of the women-led bands on Kurt's list, Kurt's feminism, and the very notion of grouping bands together based on gender identity

Exploramos el legado femenino en el punk a través de los álbumes 'Dry' de PJ Harvey, 'Cut' de The Slits y el debut homónimo de The Raincoats.

Award-Winning Podcasts

Named one of the "Best New Podcasts of 2022" by Spotify, and a 2023 Webby Award Honoree

2024 Winner "Best Entertainment Podcast" in the Webbys, 2023 Best Work in Music Journalism Award from the Reeperbahn Festival, 2023 Nominee for "Best Music Pod…


More From Sound & Vision

KEXP’s Morgan Chosnyk talks us through this year’s Trans Musicales festival in France and shares five of her favorite live sessions KEXP captured while at the …

The Eurosonic Festival features emerging artists from Europe. DJ Kevin Cole talks about some of his favorite performances. Subscribe Here:   &n…

KEXP’s Meerah Powell has the story on musicians from smaller record labels who are pushing to get back their masters. Subscribe Here:    &…