‘Rain On Me’ Songwriter Nija Charles Rejects Urban Stereotype
Songwriter Nija Charles is rightfully standing up for her talent and skill range.
According to Teen Vogue, the 22-year-old artist addressed her experience being “pigeonholed” after being hired to write only R&B and hip-hop. Now, the talented songwriter has secured her fist number 1 song via Billboard Top 100, “Rain on Me,” performed by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. The new number 1 hit is a Pop song.
Wow. My first #1. This record means so much to me because this is a POP record. Me being a black woman, people sometimes try to pigeonhole me thinking I’m just an “urban writer.” So I want to thank you @ladygaga, @arianagrande & for showing people I’m more than what they expect. pic.twitter.com/fCuTmMPpa4
— Nij (@amnija_) June 1, 2020
Charles scrutinizes her experience with the music industry: “I can write a pop song, I can write a Latin song, I can write a country song. It’s hard to break through that. That’s why I was so glad to have the chance to collaborate on ‘Rain on Me,’ because it’s finally showing people that I’m not just an urban writer, which I’ve had to go through that label for my whole career. I think it’s definitely going to snowball into people opening up their eyes and their minds as well as stopping putting labels on writers or artists.”
The word “urban” has recently been jostled around for its racial stereotype. The word’s demise is on the horizon as record labels, radio stations, and the Grammys are recognizing its role in marginalizing Black musicians. “It’s the simple fact that they aren’t making R&B & Hip Hop but the industry puts them in that category because they’re black,” Charles told Teen Vogue.
This is the first number 1 hit song for Charles, despite having worked with stars such as Beyoncé, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Kehlani. Charles imparts that her manager, Christian McCurdy, has taught her how to “play it smart” in the music business: “I’ve definitely needed an ally in order to fight for things I feel like I deserved when it came down to the royalties, and splitting,” Charles expressed. “I think just, not so much as Black people, but Black women, because we are sometimes, we are mostly the writers, we do deserve points. It’s definitely just having to push for what you deserve.” Get it, girl.
To enlighten yourself more on Nija Charles’s defense for her talent and skills in the music industry, you can read her full exclusive interview with Teen Vogue here.
Writer | Tweet me @juliaroulhac
