A Welsh rapper has said he won't be performing at this year's National Eisteddfod due to the festival's Welsh-language policy. Sage Todz, from Penygroes in Gwynedd, shot to fame in March of last year after he shared a video of him performing a Welsh-language drill.
Since then the young musician's career has gone from strength to strength with him rapping both in English and in Welsh as well as releasing the World Cup soundtrack, O Hyd, for the men's Wales team in November of last year. On Twitter the rapper announced however that he wouldn't be performing at the National Eisteddfod.
He posted: "For anyone wondering, I won't be performing at Maes B or Eisteddfod this year due to the Welsh language policy they have in place. Essentially there's too much English in my songs."
In response a National Eisteddfod spokesman said they have discussed their language rule "at length", which is an "integral" part of the festival and organisation, with the artist. They also noted that they respected the fact that Sage Todz is a bilingual artist.
This year the Welsh-language cultural festival is set to take place in Boduan in Gwynedd. The National Eisteddfod is a celebration of Welsh culture, language, and identity, whereas Maes B, which is an extension of the main festival, showcases music from Welsh-language performers and bands and often attracts a younger audience.
The decision has prompted a mixed reaction from various people on the social media site. One Twitter user said: "Poor and short-sighted decision from Eisteddfod. Hopefully they'll change their minds". Another one said: "Absolutely ridiculous man, you were my introduction into Welsh language music. Killing off the bridge-builders."
Another Twitter user pointed out that the Welsh rock band Super Furry Animals were also faced with a similar issue. For their performance at the Eisteddfod in 1996 the band decided to hand out leaflets to the audience, which included their English lyrics, rather than sing the words themselves in order to abide with the language policy.
One Twitter user responded with: "Then the remedy lies with you. Abide by the rules, adjust your repertoire". However Sage Todz responded back by saying: "I'm not protesting, simply letting people know why I won't be there. My songs are finished products not subject to change."
Another Twitter user supported the Eisteddfod's language policy and said that it was their "right to enjoy one week of [their] life as a citizen in Wales through the medium of Welsh". They noted that several artists had previously responded to the policy and that there was "always an answer".
A National Eisteddfod spokesman said: "Singing bilingually and in English are integral to Sage Todz's principles just as our language rule is integral to us as a festival and organisation. He was offered several opportunities to perform in Welsh at this year's Eisteddfod including taking a leading role in a major event to close the festival which was a commission to create new songs in Welsh. We discussed our language rule at length with Sage Todz and we respect the fact that he is a bilingual artist and that his decision was to adhere to his principles and continue to create bilingual and English music."
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