Cheryl continually blasted for this R&B podcast | Cultural appropriation or nah?

When Cheryl Tweedy recently announced that she had inked a deal with BBC Sounds to present a show titled 'You, Me & R&B,' it was met with scepticism. This week, Game of Thrones star Nathalie Emmanuel called it "cultural appropriation" and many people have stressed that Cheryl has never released an R&B track ever in her 20-year career. 

It was even noted that such a lucrative opportunity could have went to names that largely represented UK R&B back in the day such as Beverly Knight, Estelle, Keisha White, Shola Ama and Jamelia. Add Kele Le Roc to the mix too. Tweedy doing an R&B podcast doesn't really bother me. Still, I totally understand why folks would be upset. The "music is for everyone" brigade are also upset about the criticism. But where were they when Noel Gallagher called Beyoncé a slag after Jay Z was given the headlining slot at Glastonbury in 2008? His exact words were; "I’m not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It’s wrong" and yet, here we are... 

Like RnB music hasn’t been appropriated enough… Had it’s narrative controlled over and over by those who weren’t the originators. Like we don’t have incredible, iconic Black British RnB talent & creators… but they won’t get a platform like this…. Because… well we know why 🙄

— Nathalie Emmanuel (@missnemmanuel) August 31, 2021

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, I’ve really been transported back re-listening to all these tracks and I’m excited for you to relive those moments with me. Episode 1 is live now 🎧🎶🗣❣️ pic.twitter.com/0KBZJtTZQo

— Cheryl (@CherylOfficial) August 27, 2021