Photo: WENN
The BBC has hit back at Wiley and defended its decision to name Ed Sheeran as No.1 in 1Xtra's Power List - adding that 'race shouldn't be brought into the discussion'.
The list came under fire from a number of critics, headed up by rapper Wiley - who came in at No.16. Taking to Twitter, Wiley said:
We influence a man and all of a sudden it turns he has influenced us ....Lol
— Wiley (@WileyUpdates) July 12, 2014
England music industry is backwards. God bless those who try tho .
— Wiley (@WileyUpdates) July 12, 2014
We have been bumped basically .Not taking anything away from ed ..he is sick . but black artist in england we are getting bumped.
— Wiley (@WileyUpdates) July 12, 2014
His length then grew and took in a number of factors of race, genre and background, as the top five also included Rudimental, Sam Smith, Tinie Tempah and Disclosure. - but the BBC have since hit back.
Austin Daboh BBC Radio 1Xtra's music manager said: "Every single day of the week, every single hour of the day we support black artists and other races that make black music sounds.
"I think that anyone who wants to bring race into the discussion is probably a little bit misguided."
Daboh continued: "The top 20 changed numerous times during the three and a half hours that we were locked in that room together. At one point there was debate about whether Tinie Tempah should be number one, there was talk about Emile Sande, should Lethal B [Lethal Bizzle] be higher up the list?"
He added: "Ed Sheeran's another example of who 1Xtra found, we helped nurture.
"Maybe his journey onto eventually the Radio 1 playlist and other big playlists around the world might have been a little bit slower if it wasn't for 1Xtra's support."
The full 1Xtra Power List is below.
1. Ed Sheeran
2. Disclosure
3. Tinie Tempah
4. Sam Smith
5. Rudimental
6. Emeli Sande
7. Naughty Boy
8. Katy B
9. Krept & Konan
10. Fuse ODG
11. Boy Better Know
12. Rita Ora
13. Lethal Bizzle
14. DJ Fresh
15. Jessie J
16. Wiley
17. Giggs
18. Laura Mvula
19. Wretch 32
20. Dizzee Rascal
Below: Photos of Ed Sheeran live at iTunes Festival
