Chuckie: 1Xtra presenter feels R&B has special year ahead

Chuckie will be taking over the show from DJ Ace

The new R&B Show host for 1Xtra predicts the year ahead could be "really special" for the genre.

On Saturday, Chuckie will be taking over from DJ Ace who left the station after 21 years.

The 36-year-old presenter, who started DJing aged 12, says he plans to use the show to platform new artists.

"I'm going to try and push some of the UK artists in a style that is maybe quite different to others," Chuckie tells BBC Newsbeat.

"But it is very important for me to do that. I feel like there's a way to be able to play music that will be really digestible."

At next month's Brit Awards, there will be a new prize for best R&B act, with Cleo Sol, Jorja Smith, Mahalia, Raye and Sault among the nominees.

It followed criticism that R&B artists were forced to compete in a combined best pop/R&B category - often dominated by mainstream stars like Harry Styles and Dua Lipa.

Chuckie is glad there is more attention on the genre, and feels the new category is part of what could be a bigger era for the genre.

"In the next year and a half, we're going to start seeing something extra special with artists.

"There are foundations being laid, but something really special for somebody in the UK R&B wise is going to happen."

Mahalia protested the merged pop and R&B category on the Brits' red carpet in February

Looking ahead, he names PaisleighB and Kaleem Taylor as artists with a bright future.

Chuckie feels PaisleighB "has a really good voice and ability to write songs".

"I think over the next year or so she is going to really get into her bag and find the stride."

Kaleem, he says, has a standout voice.

"That makes you say: 'Who's that? Where does it come from? Who inspired him? This is good.'"

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Chuckie thinks the UK is capable of producing an R&B star as big as his favourite artist - Usher.

"Usher epitomises everything in regards to R&B for me and his catalogue is incredible.

"No one is going to get into superstardom immediately and start doing Usher's stuff, as he's been around for a long time.

"However, we are [definitely] going to get there. That is going to be something that is going to happen for sure," he says.

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