The Conversation (0)
Sinead Butler
Sep 01, 2021
There is set to be 12 episodes of Cheryl’s “You, Me & R&B” podcast on BBC Sounds
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
The BBC has been slammed online for selecting singer Cheryl to front a new R&B podcast from BBC Sounds.
The podcast called You, Me & R&B launched on 27th August, and the “Call My Name” singer described it as her “love letter to the greatest music genre there’s ever been.”
She added: “‘I’ve always had an absolute love and passion for R&B and I’m so excited to share my new show with you on BBC Sounds.”
During her first show, Cheryl plays music from Mary J Blige, Blackstreet, TLC, Jorja Smith, Aaliyah, Brandy, DonellJones and Alicia Keys and provided explanations for some of her chosen tracks.
After revealing her “slow jam” of the week - Usher’s ‘Nice and Slow’, Cheryl said: “Every show, I will be dipping into the steamy end of the R&B pool to find the sexiest anthems around. If you’re anything like me, I’m sure you’ll agree there isn’t anything quite like R&B for getting you in the mood of love, of feeling good, of feeling sexy.”
I’ve always had an absolute love and passion for R&B and I’m so excited to share my new show with you on @BBCSounds… https://t.co/ggMdPlo3y8— Cheryl (@Cheryl) 1630059889
However, the choice to hire the former X-Factor judge for the presenting gig has caused outrage online as many R&B fans have questioned why a Black artist was not chosen for the role instead.
@CherylOfficial @BBCSounds Really disappointed in @BBCSounds in an age where we are calling for more people of colo… https://t.co/fsqsot5Es8— Nikkita Beghi (@Nikkita Beghi) 1630414063
@CherylOfficial @BBCSounds @BBCSounds producers ignoring all the black UK artists who could have hosted this show... https://t.co/0bbZkraPsw— Mikhail T (@Mikhail T) 1630404234
“Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a genre of popular music that originated in African-Americ… https://t.co/VXNXC7xUzc— Alexandra Wilson (@Alexandra Wilson) 1630435885
I’m not sure why some of you are shocked that Cheryl Cole is doing an ‘Rnb’ podcast, when the biggest soulful singe… https://t.co/5kXcKRdd1D— London Hughes (@London Hughes) 1630421059
Out of all our 2021 predictions, we never would have predicted Cheryl Cole fronting an R&B podcast https://t.co/Nh7Rauhcu8— The Rhymeshe Podcast (@The Rhymeshe Podcast) 1630411809
Loving Black culture but hating us exhibit A: (https://t.co/ae4BIZP0m5) https://t.co/2B3AoUMj1E— 🇯🇲Jessica Noah Morgan™🇯🇲 מלכּה (@🇯🇲Jessica Noah Morgan™🇯🇲 מלכּה) 1630403794
I don’t even want to sound like a hater right now but Cheryl Cole landing an R&B Show on the BBC is just one of the… https://t.co/b8brQGbTaj— Stylus (@Stylus) 1630427652
While many have also pointed out that Cheryl - who started out in the pop girl group Girls Aloud and then went on have a solo career in pop music - has never released any music of her own within the R&B genre.
@CherylOfficial @BBCSounds So you have never dropped a single R&B album or song yet you get paid to talk about it ?NEXT— umh (@umh) 1630416141
@CherylOfficial @BBCSounds You haven’t made an R&B hit in your life— 👩🏾🔬Research babe (@👩🏾🔬Research babe) 1630414824
You’ve never made and r&b track in your life Cheryl https://t.co/2ursbCYiJV— 𝓩 (@𝓩) 1630419906
@CherylOfficial @BBCSounds I must have missed all the R&B you are associated with Cheryl, because I just thought yo… https://t.co/b7gOdplxRA— Cathy 💙 (@Cathy 💙) 1630440374
But she was in one of the biggest pop bands in the UK and has predominantly made pop music…this is a bit confusing… https://t.co/GveKQnc5rU— DEE 🍸 (@DEE 🍸) 1630414952
Her music wasn't even R&B like leave some things alone tf!? https://t.co/XKfPB2BNnH— chidi abii (@chidi abii) 1630415926
Meanwhile, others gave BBC Sounds some suggestions as to who would be better suited for the role such as Alisha Dixon, Jamelia, Estelle, Craig David, Beverly Knight Clara Amfo, and Nadia Jae.
Like Alisha Dixon, Jamelia, Clara Amfo, Nadia Jae are ALL RIGHT THERE, but the BBC choose Cheryl Cole (who has neve… https://t.co/qNr43bDEUn— Simmysim 🇯🇲 (@Simmysim 🇯🇲) 1630420516
Literally… there’s so many actual R&B women who could’ve done this instead. Alesha, Jamelia, Estelle, Keisha Buchan… https://t.co/EMTzdqgqlT— bella (@bella) 1630458962
jamelia was RIGHT there @BBCSounds but ok https://t.co/WXavLExvvO— ifunanya saw nwh ⚛︎ (@ifunanya saw nwh ⚛︎) 1630414046
Elsewhere, some people have stood up for Cheryl and her new presenting role and showed their support by listening to the podcast.
Everyone crying over Cheryl Cole doing this rnb podcast is hilarious to me 😂😭 like they’d have listened to it anywa… https://t.co/fCAwRqnFUe— Father, Son & Haus Of Gucci⚡️ (@Father, Son & Haus Of Gucci⚡️) 1630477774
I'm not even a fan of Cheryl Cole. But music has always brought people together. It's something we all share with e… https://t.co/8gEBOa4uWL— Gracie (@Gracie) 1630433071
I am no Cheryl Cole fan but you don't have to be black to host a show about r&b music. Being part of 10 singles and… https://t.co/LaQvp6cnQQ— Andy (@Andy) 1630422452
@CherylOfficial On it already kween 👑 https://t.co/AiabrYlOcO— ✨ Grant ✨ (@✨ Grant ✨) 1630060900
@CherylOfficial It's fantastic to hear your lovely Northeast accent talking about R+B love you loads 😘 ❤ 💖— nick evans (@nick evans) 1630061286
@CherylOfficial I haven’t long started listening and I’m loving it already! I can’t wait to hear more episodes. Super proud of you ❤️— ✨ Shanna Towner ✨ (@✨ Shanna Towner ✨) 1630060363
A BBC spokesperson told Indy100: “We feature a wide range of voices spanning different genres across our extensive music output. Many of our shows are fronted by DJs who are experts in their fields, others are hosted by people with a passion for their topic. Cheryl’s ‘You, Me and R&B’ shares personal stories from her youth, soundtracked by her favourite genre.”
During her career spanning almost two decades, Cheryl released five studio albums with Girls Aloud between 2003 and 2008 and four solo albums with 2014’s Only Human being her latest album to date.
Top 100
x