Youth Music Awards Judges Spotlight: Whitney Wei

The Youth Music Awards in association with Hal Leonard Europe is returning for its fourth year this October, complete with an impressive panel of judges. Prolific tastemakers, artists, and experts from across the music industries have come together to vote on which trailblazing nominees will make the final cut.

In a new series, we are spotlighting some of this year’s Youth Music Awards judges, to hear all about their inspirational careers and judging experience, as well as some words of wisdom for emerging creatives.

To kick off the series, we spoke with journalist and critic, Whitney Wei . The current Editor-in-Chief of electronic music bible, Resident Advisor, Whitney has written for the likes of Vogue US, The Guardian, Highsnobiety and Pitchfork, amongst many others. Needless to say, Whitney is a skilled storyteller whose experience has been invaluable in this year’s Youth Music Awards decision making.

This is your second year judging the Youth Music Awards! What drove you to get involved again, and what excites you most about being a judge?

Yes, it is my second year and I'm so honoured to be back. Last year, I was privileged enough to attend the award ceremony at the Troxy and was touched seeing the diversity of talent on that stage, along with hearing the stories of so many individuals who were catapulted into the music industry through this programme. Of course, I work specifically within electronic music, but what excites me the most is that this judging opportunity allows me to listen to so many promising artists across genres.

With your background as a journalist and critic, what aspects were you most considering when judging the awards?

This is an interesting question because oftentimes, my judging initially comes from an intuitive place. The music that resonates with me or causes me to pause—or better yet, inspires me to move—at first listen are usually the ones that will make their way to the top of my choice list. That's what I love about music the most, listening to everything initially requires less of a rational response and rather depends on the emotion it can elicit. After that, I take on a more critical lens to rank the options: how well does each fit the section criteria? Then I have some ancillary requirements: I prioritise artists who experiment within their individual formats or move the needle on sound in some kind of way. If I haven't seen or listened to anyone quite like them, it excites me to push a maverick innovator forward. Additionally, I love an artist with an incredible creative statement or narrative to accompany their work. As a storyteller myself, it signals to me another layer of complexity in their approach to music.?

As a key tastemaker within the UK music industry, how important do you think it is to platform the next generation of talent and grassroots projects through public recognition events such as the Youth Music Awards?

Having worked within music for almost a decade, I know that many aspects of its mechanisms can seem shrouded in mystery. How can an artist "make it"? Are there other avenues to achieving success aside from social media? What I like about the Youth Music Awards is that it provides a transparent, open infrastructure for young artists to be commemorated, publicly recognized and exposed to key figures within the industry. In many ways, initiatives like the Youth Music Awards not only level the playing field of possibilities for young artists, but it gives them that much needed boost of encouragement. Pursuing any creative field necessitates a certain resilience and steadfast self-belief, and its celebratory moments such as these that help propel an individual forward.?

This year, the Youth Music Awards is calling on the music industries to Take Note of a more diverse, more inclusive, and more creative future of music. From your perspective, what steps should be taken for us to achieve that goal?

Music is such a rich and robust medium to express a diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. As an electronic music editor, I have observed the way various global genres have merged and cross-pollinated over the years to create thrilling, entirely new forms of sound. Inclusivity pushes forward the potential of music, which inspires everyone. From a music journalism perspective, Resident Advisor has consistently adhered to a diversity commitment across our coverage that we made in 2020, and I'd like to see what measures have been taken by other publications to do the same. Other steps I'd propose are having more artists incorporate diversity clauses in their contract—this means that artists or their agents will only accept a show proposal if there are certain stipulations met: a commitment by the venue to be anti-racist and safe spaces for all marginalized identities as well as booking an inclusive line-up of women and BIPOC individuals.?

What have been some of the biggest highlights of your career, and what have you learned along the way?

Looking back on my career, the apotheosis was becoming an editor-in-chief at two publications by the time I was 29 years old. For as long as I've understood the inner workings of a magazine, I've always dreamt of leading one and it still sometimes feels surreal that I've been afforded this level of trust for my vision. In general, the highlights have to be the individual stories themselves—the artists, often from underrepresented backgrounds, that have handed over their personal narratives in an interview to be carefully contextualized within a profile article. Now, as I've stepped away from writing to editing, it's really a privilege to curate the various artists that deserve to be spotlighted. Other highlights include being able to impart some of my knowledge at festivals around the world in the form of keynote speeches and music journalism workshops.?

Along the way, I've learned to never underestimate the power of communication in all its forms—written and verbal. At times, when you exist in a cross-section of precarious industries, music, and journalism, and there has been a purported shift in attention spans because of social media, it's easy to sink into a self-defeating belief that these articles may be going unread. But this world still needs thoughtful deep-dives and nuance. I believe that the right people will always find their way to your message; you do not know who is in your audience and who can be profoundly affected by your words.?

Your career in journalism will be inspirational to many young creatives. What advice would you give to those aspiring to follow a similar path?

For those aspiring to follow a similar path in music journalism, I recommend reading extensively. Read the best literature, gold standard journalism (even beyond music), poetry, recipe books, non-fiction, philosophy…to soak in language in all of its forms, which can only widen the aperture of your approach to writing. Hone your talent. Keep a journal. Then, work on yourself. Be kind, be easy to work with, leave your ego at the door. Also, any limiting beliefs you may have around your own worthiness will ultimately seep into the work itself, so balance diligently improving your craft with a strong self-possession and never waver.

Lastly, what are you most looking forward to on the night of the awards?

I'm looking forward to witnessing potential actualised and cheering on the spectacular talent.?