Rachel Chinouriri Highlights Racism in Music: Being Black Makes Indie Pop Harder

Explore Rachel Chinouriri’s insights on the challenges of being a Black indie pop star amidst racism in the music industry.

Racism in Music: A Personal Account

In a powerful statement, Rachel Chinouriri, a rising star in the indie pop scene, has shed light on the racial challenges she faces in the music industry. The artist recently declared, “simply being black will make it twice as hard to be an indie pop star.” Her words resonate deeply within a system that often sidelines talent due to race.

Chinouriri, who unveiled her debut album What A Devastating Turn of Events last year, responded to a post on X (formerly Twitter) that expressed concern over her success. The post, written in Portuguese, included a video of Chinouriri performing and questioned if she could achieve the same level of recognition as pop icons like Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo, and Chappell Roan, noting that her race may hinder her journey.

Facing Reality and Inspiring Change

In her reaction, Chinouriri expressed her sadness over the remarks, illustrating the harsh realities of being Black in the entertainment world. She commented, “You can open for the biggest popstar in the world and the internet will still remind you daily that simply being black will make it twice as hard to be an indie pop star.”

This statement underscores the persistent racism that permeates the music industry, a sentiment she has openly discussed since the beginning of her career.

I won’t let being a black woman stop me from trying, and no matter how my career pans out, at least I know I tried my best. — Rachel Chinouriri

Chinouriri continued to emphasize her hopes for future generations, noting: “I hope my fight to change this narrative behind the scenes and publicly contributes to inspire the future generations of young black girls... to just be whoever you want to be and not what the world wants to shape you into.”

A Celebration of Heritage and Inspiration

Earlier this year, Chinouriri was featured as one of January cover stars, where she had an intimate conversation with Alex Rigotti about her journey through music, her Zimbabwean heritage, and the influences she draws from icons such as Alexa Chung, Oasis, and The Libertines.

She shared a memorable moment when actress Sophie Turner featured her song “All I Ever Asked” in her Instagram stories. Chinouriri called it “quite mad” that someone experiencing trauma found solace in a song she created about feeling let down.

New Music and Upcoming Tour

Recently, Chinouriri unveiled her new single, Can We Talk About Isaac? along with announcing her upcoming EP titled Little House, set to release on April 4 under 10K Projects / Parlophone Records / Atlas Artists.

To mark the first anniversary of her debut album, Chinouriri plans to release an exclusive white LP vinyl version on May 2, which is available for pre-order here.

A recent four-star review of her debut album noted that What A Devastating Turn Of Events is “consistently charming, while offering enough range in sound and scope to hint at Chinouriri’s future ambitions.”

Chinouriri also announced an 18-date North American tour starting May 10. Fans can find full tour dates and snag any remaining tickets here.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey of Rachel Chinouriri shines a much-needed spotlight on the prejudices baked into the music industry. Her resolve to inspire future generations of Black artists is commendable.

What do you think about the current state of diversity in the music industry?

• What challenges does Rachel Chinouriri face as a Black indie pop artist?

  Chinouriri highlights that simply being Black can make it significantly more challenging to succeed in the music industry.

• How has Rachel Chinouriri responded to criticisms regarding her race?

  She remains steadfast, asserting that she won't let her identity hinder her aspirations while advocating for future generations.

• What themes does Chinouriri explore in her music?

  Her music often touches on personal struggles, resilience, and the complexities of her experiences as a Black woman in the industry.

• When is Rachel Chinouriri's new EP set to release?

  Her EP, Little House, is scheduled to drop on April 4.

• How can fans support Rachel Chinouriri's music?

  Fans can pre-order her exclusive vinyl and attend her upcoming tour starting May 10.

If you love Rachel Chinouriri’s incredible journey, don’t forget to shop for her favorite album cover poster at our store here.