British Artist Kelli-Leigh Spotlights Racial Inequality In Dance Music

Kelis isn’t the only musician condemning the music industry’s exploitation/rejection of black talent.

Find out what the chart-blazing Dance vocalist Kelli-Leigh has to say about her experiences in the business below…

The Dance music scene has often seen the black artists it employs to sell its tracks (and keep its labels afloat) erased from visuals and marketing materials by the time its music is ready to impact its lucrative market.

As a result, these artists (usually black women) are unable to capitalise on the success they helped to generate for DJs and producers who are propelled to stardom…at their expense.

See below…

Today, the artist Kelli-Leigh has weighed in on the matter as the conversation surrounding the exploitation of black musicians intensifies.

I’ve sung 3 UK top 10 singles, 2 Number 1s, 1 Grammy nominated, Billboard dance chart 1 & 2 and I’m unsigned, currently self managing & running my own independent label so I can put my music out and be heard. I have requests for my vocals and writing on records EVERY DAY https://t.co/XDoaRhhPAE

— Kelli-Leigh (@kellileighuk) June 3, 2020

This has made me feel so up and down over the years. Why haven’t I had the label support? proper management support? If my voice can make ‘hits’ can’t I possibly make my own ‘hits’ if I had the industry support and backing? Instead I’ve had to back myself

— Kelli-Leigh (@kellileighuk) June 3, 2020

& my story isn’t singular. I have spoken to many vocalists on Dance whom have felt like this but especially the black soul vocal artists whom I’ve met have all said the same, they’ve adapted & got on with it but why should they keep singing the big records and making a fraction?

— Kelli-Leigh (@kellileighuk) June 3, 2020

And real talk, why do you think so many black singers who’d like to be artists stay as backing vocalists? Because so many feel they will never have a fair or real opportunity at making it themselves due to the lack of support in our industry. That’s a real sadness & a real issue.

— Kelli-Leigh (@kellileighuk) June 3, 2020

Leigh, and others like her, questioned the industry’s refusal to invest in the very artists it uses to fortify its system.