The BBC has come in for some criticism today after its black and urban radio station 1Xtra published its very own "power list" - three of the top four acts being white.

The list, which the BBC dubbed as shedding light on "the most important UK artists in the black and urban music scene", highlighted flame-haired troubadour Ed Sheeran as the most influential artist in urban music today despite the fact that Sheeran's music in primarily folk-based, with nods towards hip hop and grime. Oh, and he's white too.

Sheeran pipped Tinie Tempah into second place, while third place went to Disclosure's (white) brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence while Sam Smith, the (white) son of an English banker.

Wiley, a grime artist who placed 16th out of 20, dubbed it "the saddest list in music history". The musician tweeted: "Not taking anything away from Ed. He is sick. But black artists in England, we are getting bumped... We influence a man and all of a sudden it turns he has influenced us."

"England music industry is backwards", he said.

A BBC spokesman, quoted by the Independent, clarified 1Xtra's choices by saying: "Artists were considered on variables such as sales statistics, quality of music and impact across the wider industry - it is not about the colour of someone's skin."

1Xtra music manager Austin Daboh continued: "We are a station that cares deeply about black music. From Stylo G to fekky these are all acts that were played, supported and guided by 1Xtra, often before anyone else cared.

"There is definitely a wider debate to be had around the mainstream support for black music. Legitimate concerns have been raised around the pressure some artists feel to compete commercially."

That controversial list in full...

1. Ed Sheeran
2. Disclosure
3. Tinie Tempah
4. Sam Smith
5. Rudimental
6. Emeli Sande
7. Naughty Boy
8. Katy B
9. Krept & Konan
10. Fuse ODG
11. Boy Better Know
12. Rita Ora
13. Lethal Bizzle
14. DJ Fresh
15. Jessie J
16. Wiley
17. Giggs
18. Laura Mvula
19. Wretch 32
20. Dizzee Rascal