THE VOICE - Black stars struggle to hit charts

Beyonce may have the power to sell out concerts in seconds and fans may be obsessed with Rihanna's risque outfit choices, but when it comes to chart success, black stars have missed the mark.

It was reported last week that in 2013, not a single black artiste claimed the No.1 spot on the American Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

According to American music writer Chris Molanphy, in an article for online magazine Slate, this is the first time this has happened in the chart's 55-year history.

The only black artistes who appeared at the top were ones who featured on other artistes' songs, such as Rihanna on Eminem's The Monster and T.I. and Pharrell on Robin Thicke's addictive summer anthem, Blurred Lines.

Talking to The Voice earlier this year, DJ Trevor Nelson said he had noticed a 'distinctive' shift in the US charts.

He said: "You look at the American charts now and there's a distinct lack of black artistes in the top 10 compared to what there was 10 years ago. There used to be so many hip-hop albums in that chart. But you've gotta ask yourself the question: who was buying these albums? And the truth is, it wasn't black kids, it was white kids."

In the UK, it's not quite the same story as both R&B and hip-hop singles had the country shaking a leg during 2013.

Pharrell claimed the last No.1 of 2013 with his feel-good track Happy, and Emeli Sande, Nelly, Dizzee Rascal, Leona Lewis and Tinie Tempah all triumphed in the charts this year.

However, this was not reflected in this year's Brit Awards, which only saw one multicultural group, Rudimental, claiming a prize.

Pop and dance music has been increasing its dominance in recent times, ostracising R&B and hip-hop acts both in the UK and across the pond.

In recent years, R&B artistes like Ne-Yo and Usher have succumbed to music trends and released pop and dance tracks, to the dismay of many of their fans.

Nelson said: "I don't blame the R&B artistes for doing those songs because the R&B market was falling and they've got to eat."

At this year's Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles on January 26, hip-hop fans were disappointed when the white duo act, Ryan Lewis and Macklemore, won three out of four awards in the rap category.

After the ceremony, the Thrift Shop rapper, who also won best new artiste, posted an Instagram photo of a text message he had sent to fellow nominee, Kendrick Lamar.

It said: "You got robbed. I wanted you to win. You should have. It's weird and it sucks that I robbed you."

The 'robbery' was referring to Lamar's critically acclaimed debut, Good Kid, m.A.A.d City, which received seven nominations but won none.

In the same Slate article, Molanphy said: "When the data is compiled about what we're all buying and streaming, the Timberlakes and Matherses and Macklemores keep winding up atop the stack, ahead of the Miguels and J Coles."

However, Akosua Annobil, editor of overgroundonline.com - a digital culture and entertainment platform - said artistes should not be defined by awards.

She told The Voice: "It's all very well getting a Grammy, but an award is not what validates who you are or your talent. Black music is part of black culture and it can never be taken over. Black music by black people will never go away."