Brit-nominated rapper Loyle Carner has hit out at BBC Radio 1 over a scheduled appearance in the station’s Live Lounge.
The musician did not appear on Thursday’s show as billed after he claimed his suggestions of tracks to cover were deemed not big enough hits by the station.
The 23-year-old, real name Ben Coyle-Larner, said he had written cover versions of Kendrick Lamar’s Feel, Kanye West’s 30 Hours and The Fugees’ The Score in preparation for the appearance, which comes during a week of performances by nominees for the Brit Award for best British breakthrough artist.
Sadly I won't be in the live lounge today. Even though I wrote 3 covers.
Kendrick Lamar – Feel Kanye West – 30 hours Fugees – The Score.
I was told none of them were "big enough hits". https://t.co/RuUHp0yxpj
— Loyle (@LoyleCarner) February 15, 2018
He wrote on Twitter: “Sadly I won’t be in the live lounge today. Even though I wrote 3 covers.”
“I was told none of them were ‘big enough hits’,” he added.
Live Lounge host Clara Amfo told listeners the musician was unable to make the performance and instead played a live version of his hit track Ain’t Nothing Changed recorded in 2017.
A spokeswoman for Radio 1 said: “This is a special Brits Live Lounge week and we have worked very closely with the Brits breakthrough acts on selecting a cover track by a Brit Award-winning artist which is familiar to a daytime Radio 1 audience.”
A BBC source claimed not all of the tracks Carner mentioned in his tweet were offered as options.
His appearance was due to follow fellow breakthrough artist nominees Dua Lipa, J Hus and Sampha, who have all performed throughout the week, with rapper Dave set to appear on Friday.
Carner is also up for best British male solo at next week’s Brit Awards and collected the best British solo artist prize on Wednesday night at the NME Awards.