Following Wiley’s antisemitic rampage, more than 700 musicians and members of the music industry sign letter decrying racism
Following Wiley’s antisemitic rampage, more than 700 musicians and members of the music industry have signed a letter decrying racism.
Among the signatories were Alexandra Burke, Biffy Clyro, Clean Bandit, Dougie Poynter, Labrinth, Lewis Capaldi, Little Mix, James Blunt, Jess Glynne, Naighty Boy, Nao, Niall Horan, Nile Rodgers, Olly Murs, Rita Ora, and The 1975.
The letter was also signed by the heads of EMI, Universal Music UK, Warner Music UK, and Sony Music UK, and numerous songwriters, producers, managers, publishers and lawyers from the music industry.
In the letter, the signatories wrote: “We representatives of the music industry write to express our determination that love, unity and friendship, not division and hatred, must and will always be our common cause.
“In recent months anti-black racists and antisemites, plus those who advocate Islamophobia, xenophobia, homophobia and transphobia, have repeatedly demonstrated that they want us all to fail.
“Whether it be systemic racism and racial inequality highlighted by police brutality in America or anti-Jewish racism promulgated through online attacks, the result is the same: suspicion, hatred and division. We are at our worst when we attack one another.
“Music brings joy and hope and connects us all. We stand together to wipe out racism.”
The letter comes after the grime artist Wiley delivered an unrepentant multi-day antisemitic rant on any social media platform he could find.
Last week, Campaign Against Antisemitism wrote to the Ivors Academy calling to Wiley to be stripped of his 2019 Ivors Inspiration Award. We have also called for Wiley to be prosecuted and to lose his MBE.