Friday, July 18, 2014 3:00am ET by  
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Example backs Ed Sheeran's Radio 1Xtra Power List triumph

Example has defended Ed Sheeran after the singer-songwriter came out top in BBC Radio 1Xtra Power List.

The radio station, which calls itself the "new black music network", recently published their Power List, which features twenty musicians who they feel are the most important in the urban scene.

Some eyebrows were raised, however, when Sheeran topped the list, with rapper Wiley taking to Twitter to question the move.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Example said that the 'x' man merits his place on the list because of his big influence in the urban scene.

He said: "I think in terms of the urban world Ed is very influential because every grime artist and rapper has wanted to work with him over the last few years. He is a decent rapper and he's a good singer but he also has a good hustle, you know he hustles like a lot of these people. 

"He puts out mix-tapes, he goes on the road, he does gigs for free, which people don't do in other genres as much as they do in the grime and rap world, so I do think that he's very influential and I do think he's very powerful."

Example, who recently released new album 'Life Live Living', concluded: "People need to use their words carefully when they announce these lists. I think it's offensive to the black music community for whoever chose that word to say 'black and urban music'. 

"Urban music doesn't have a skin colour as far as I'm concerned. When you say 'black music' you're just asking for trouble putting Ed as the face there."

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Watch Ed Sheeran in action below: