Many Fans Are Angry That Stormzy Beat Out Ed Sheeran at the 2018 British Awards. Do They Have a Fair Case?

The 2018 Brit award will be seen as the moment UK black music was taken seriously.

After many years of under appreciation & racial biased, our music & contributions could not be ignored.

Though we still got longs ways to go, this was an excellent start to a better future for our scene, especially in the mainstream.

The main star was South London grime artist and man of the moment Stormzy, winning big by claiming Best British Male & Best Album for his chart topping project Gang Signs & Prayer.

Many thought it was well deserved, while overs thought he wasn't the rightful winner.

There are many fans online who think Ed Sheeran was the clear winner, with his own successful year & the success of his multiple platinum & worldwide number 1 album Divide.

Do these individuals have a case? Well let's see.

Leading up to the Brits, Sheeran's third album, ÷ (titled Divide), was released on the 3rd of March 2017. The album debuted at number one in the UK, the US and other major markets, going 9x platinum in the UK & 2x platinum in the US.

The first two singles from the album, "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill," were released in January 2017 and broke records.

The dominance of its tracks on the UK chart led to calls for change on how the single chart is compiled & the Official Charts Company then introduced new rules.

With his work being so successful, you are now limited to only having three tracks per main artist eligible in the top 100 charts. As well as adjusting the streams-to-sales ratio for older songs.

By March 2017 Sheeran had accumulated ten top ten singles from Divide on the UK Singles Chart.

The album received generally favourable reviews, with a metacritic score of 62/100.

Metacritc is a site that combines reviews scores from other certified critics in the industry. Giving the project an overall rating, winning a Grammy for the Best Pop Vocal Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.

Let's check the year Stormzy had leading up to the Brits.

Gang Signs and Prayer was the debut studio by Stormzy. It was released 24 of February 2017, independently on his on label #Merky Records while being distributed by ADA of Warner Music Group.

Recently the album has been certified platinum.

Charting number one on the official UK album chart, holding the distinction of the first grime album to reach the top spot. Lead single "Big for Your Boots" charted number six, earning platinum status, while "Blinded by Your Grace, Pt. 2" (featuring MNEK) charted number seven, earning gold status (at the time of writing this post).

His debut garnered critical acclaim with a Metacritic score of 82/100.

So on paper it does look like Ed had a better year than Stormzy. But remember this is only half the story.

While his album Divide was more commercial successful, the award was for best album. Judging review scores & cultural impact, Stormzy clearly edges out the singer.

The rapper made cultural history with this project. Achievements that can not be changed by another artist success. Being a spokesperson for a whole scene & showcasing grimes new progression.

It was a movement.

Ed, I feel did that more with his previous effort X (titled Multiply.). It was more impactful on the industry with its surprise succeed quality.

The best male argument I also feel went in Stormzy's favour. Ed may have had one of the most commercial successful in years by a British pop star. Stormzy did it independently & with a genre of music not known to bring must commercial success surpassed expectations.

Remember he gained the first number one grime album. THE FIRST EVER.

His lyrics were quoted on prime-time TV & in parliament. He sold out tours & had collaborations with major bands without a machine (major label) backing him.

Many artists before him were not able to get these achievements, in any genre & in the industry as well, effectively opening the door for a new generation of artists to match or even surpass these accomplishments.

Just selling more & getting more awards doesn't necessarily mean you are the best. It's the impact & history you leave behind.

It's who was the best, not who sold the most.

I can see the frustration from Ed Sheeran fans, I do. But Stormzy just had a bigger impact & influence. Not to say Ed didn't achieve incredible feats.

He has also been a big supporter of UK black music & he is loved by our community.

History is harder to break than records.

Liu Scott

#daRENAGADES

#crudBUTprofessional

@lrsbless