stormzy in his acceptance speech at the Association of Independent (AIM) Music Awards 2022, advocated to stop using diversity as a ‘buzzword’ or ‘a box to tick’.
The Vossi Bop rapper was among the winners of this year’s ceremony in London on Wednesday evening, with the prize for diversity champion.
In a pre-recorded acknowledgment, Stormzy said, “I encourage everyone in the room today to use diversity not just as a buzzword, but for all of you, whatever position you’re in, whatever role you play, to really be a driving factor for it.” and don’t just think of it as a quota or a box to check.
“Really see the value and value of being diverse. Thanks to the AIM Awards and God be the glory.’
The 29-year-old make-up artist has used his platform to try to level the playing field in the music industry and beyond through his charity #Merky Foundation and #Merky Books, a collaboration with publisher Penguin Random House.
Elsewhere at the awards ceremony, fellow rapper Lethal Bizzle picked up on the outstanding contribution to the music gong and also performed at the ceremony at Roundhouse in London.
Wet Leg – a compromise of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers – took home the UK Independent Breakthrough Award, while Nova Twins – made up of Amy Love and Georgia South – took the Best Independent Song award for Antagonist.
The Libertines received special recognition for their influence on guitar music, and the band’s record label, Rough Trade Records, was also recognized, receiving the award for best independent label.
British singer-songwriter Cleo Sol took home the best independent album for her second studio album Mother, and Nilufer Yanya took home the best second album for her release Painless.
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