5. Pop: The Politics of Desire
Clara Amfo and Craig David reflect on race, colourism and who gets to become a Pop star. From the first Black person to reach No.1 to an up and coming artist, Hannah-Morgan.
Who gets to be a Pop star has often been dictated by image and marketability. While Black artists have shaped the sound of pop for decades, many have faced barriers to visibility, recognition, and success. Mia Thornton uncovers how Pop has both embraced and excluded Black artists, and what it takes to truly belong in the UK鈥檚 biggest music scene.
Broadcaster Clara Amfo discusses stereotypes, colourism and what is considered 鈥榙esirable鈥� within Pop's power structures, and rising star Hannah-Morgan speaks on her hopes of breaking the mould. From Winifred Atwell, the Trinidadian pianist who in 1954, became the first Black person to have a UK No.1, to Craig David becoming the face of UK garage-infused Pop in the 2000s, Mia discovers how the industry has both celebrated and ignored Black talent.
Tracklist:
Sugababes - Push The Button
Doja Cat - Say So
Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER聽
Beyonc茅 - BREAK MY SOUL
Rihanna - Pon de Replay
Sophie Ellis Bextor - Murder On The Dancefloor
Lil Nas X - MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) (But Lil Nas X Is Silent The Entire Time)
The Beatles - Love Me Do聽
ABBA - Dancing Queen聽
The Human League - Don鈥檛 You Want Me
Spice Girls - Wannabe
Rihanna - Umbrella
Pink Panthers - Pain聽
Kate Bush - Running up that hill
Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso
KAYTRANADA - Oh No (Instrumental)
Dolf van der Linden and His Metropole Orchestra - Angel Cake
Vera Lynn - We鈥檒l Meet Again聽
Winifred Atwell - Britannia Rag
Winifred Atwell - Let鈥檚 Have a Party
Shanks & Bigfoot - Sweet Like Chocolate
Craig David - Rewind聽
Artful Dodger feat. Romina Johnson - Movin鈥� Too Fast聽
Craig David - Walking Away
Charli xcx - Apple
Hannah-Morgan - Seen
SZA - Snooze (Instrumental)
Hannah-Morgan - Warm
Ezra Collective feat. Olivia Dean - No One's Watching Me聽
Nao feat. 6LACK - If You Ever
Instrumental is a Reform Radio production for 成人快手 Sounds Audio Lab鈥�
Written, Produced and Presented by Mia Thornton鈥�
Supervising Producers - Aisha Williams and Olivia Swift鈥�
Executive Producer - Rebecca Gaskell鈥�
Technical Production - Sami El-Enany鈥�
Original music - Axel Kacouti茅鈥�
Artwork - Nakisha Kiely鈥�
Commissioning Editor - Khaliq Meer
