Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
BANG Premier
BANG Premier
Entertainment

JLS star Oritsé Williams: ‘We’re expected as young Black men to be rappers and have a street persona’

Oritse Williams says young Black singers are under racial pressure

JLS singer Oritsé Williams says young Black male artists often face "racial pressure" to fit the stereotypical "street" rap star persona.

The 38-year-old singer - who released his first solo music as OWS in 2015, before returning to his name in 2024 - says despite his achievements in the chart-topping boy band, he’s still had to fight against an industry that doesn’t show enough support for Black solo acts.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.