As he was recognized at the Wednesday AIM Awards, Stormzy urged the music industry to prioritize diversity. The rapper received the title of Diversity Champion in recognition of his work with the Merky Foundation and Merky Books charities to “level the playing field.”
Stormzy remarked in his remarks,
“I implore everyone in the audience today to not only use diversity as a buzzword.
“Let that be a motivating factor, and not just regard it as a quota or a box to check, whatever position you’re in,” the speaker said.
Stormzy emphasized, “the worth and the value” of accepting a diverse spectrum of views in the workplace while speaking to a room full of music business leaders.
The music industry employs 22% of people from black, Asian, and other minority ethnic origins, and women hold 49.6% of industry positions, according to the most recent data from UK Music.
The representation of these categories in the workforce, however, continues to decline as people get older and earn more money.
In the UK, organizations, and charities “dedicated to fighting for racial equality, justice reform, and black empowerment” will receive $10 million over ten years from Stormzy’s Merky Foundation.
Currently, it collaborates with Cambridge University to provide £20,000 scholarships to black students and supports the Black Heart Foundation, an organization that works to increase access to education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The AIM Awards honor success in the independent music industry, and during Wednesday night’s presentation, The Libertines and Lethal Bizzle—both of whom played at the after-party in London’s Roundhouse—were recognized for their remarkable contributions.
For her deep, personal album Mother, which contrasts her thoughts about becoming a new mother with the tumultuous relationship she had with her own family, soul singer Cleo Sol won best independent album.
While fellow Mercury contenders Nova Twins won the best single for the defiantly rowdy Antagonist, indie duo Wet Leg, whose debut album is competing for this year’s Mercury Prize, won the best breakthrough.
The US singer Mitski, who accompanied Harry Styles on his summer UK tour, won the award for outstanding live performer, and pop alchemist Rina Sawayama won the prize for invention.
This year’s “one to watch” was emerging artist Nia Archives, who is leading a resurgence in the jungle scene.
The critically acclaimed album Painless by London singer-songwriter Nilufer Yanya was awarded the BBC 6 Music “difficult second album” Award.
As part of AIM’s dedication to diversity, the winners’ trophies all featured the emblem for Autistic Pride Day.
CEO Paul Pacifico remarked in his introductory remarks that “neurodiversity is an issue dear to AIM’s heart with several neurodiverse members of the team, the larger community, and our families.”
“People who think and experience the world differently can and should be in a safe and enabling atmosphere through music.”
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