Nile Rodgers: ‘Black artists basically have to drive in one lane and that is something I have always tried to fight’

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Nile Rodgers has spoken about black artists and the music industry in a new interview.

The Chic co-founder and legendary guitartist recently spoke with the Metro, where he recalled a conversation with the late David Bowie about the lack of creative freedom for black artists, and shared that he was envious of Bowie for being able to make music without having to worry about who would listen to it.

“A lot of artists have become wealthier and more famous quicker,” Rodgers said, when asked about how the music industry has evolved for black artists since his formative years. “But still black artists are basically… basically you have to drive in one lane and that is something I have always tried to fight.”

“When I worked with artists like David Bowie, he told me he never thinks about that. He said ‘I just think about what I’m feeling and what I’m seeing. I never worry about which audience is going to like it’, and I remember saying ‘Jesus, it must be amazing to be white’.”

You can read the full interview here.

Nile Rodgers is the man behind Chic and countless disco classics and mega hits. In 2018, DJ Mag met Nile to talk about staying current, the significance of the disco movement, and why he continues to do what he does so well.