The BBC has said that it continues to be committed to supporting new black and urban music, amid criticism that 1Xtra's recent power list top 20 was dominated by white artists.
The list, which set out to reflect the most important UK artists relevant to the 1Xtra audience, was topped by Ed Sheeran, and was voted for by 1Xtra DJs – including Twin B, Yasmin Evans, Sarah-Jane Crawford and DJ Target – and industry experts.
Grime MC Wiley was among many who criticised the list. The MC, who was No 16 on the power list, called the music industry "backwards". "I've never been influenced by a white artist to make black music," he wrote on Twitter.
Austin Daboh, BBC Radio 1Xtra's music manager, defended the artists on the list. "Every single day of the week, every single hour of the day, we support black artists and other races that make black music sounds," he told Radio 1's Newsbeat. "I think that anyone who wants to bring race into the discussion is probably a little bit misguided."
As well as quality of music, each artist selected was judged on social network followers, sales and radio plays. "The top 20 changed numerous times during the three and a half hours that we were locked in that room together," said Daboh.
Defending Sheeran's position at No 1 in particular, he said the station – described on its website as a "black music network" – had been integral in the artist's rise to fame. "Ed Sheeran's another example of who 1Xtra found, we helped nurture," he said. "Maybe his journey on to 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."
1Xtra presenter Twin B has also voiced his frustration following the negative response. "NO ONE here called Ed Sheeran the most influential artist in black & urban music," he tweeted. "Calm down and put the banners down please."
The 1Xtra power list
1. Ed Sheeran
2. Disclosure
3. Tinie Tempah
4. Sam Smith
5. Rudimental
6. Emeli Sandé
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
