US music industry goes on pause
Leading record labels will mark “Black Out Tuesday” this week, suspending business and working with communities to fight racial inequality after protests erupted in the US following the death of a black man, George Floyd, in police custody.
New York — Leading record labels will mark “Black Out Tuesday” this week, suspending business and working with communities to fight racial inequality after protests erupted in the US following the death of a black man, George Floyd, in police custody.
Several top artists have also spoken out in response to the death and subsequent demonstrations, some of which have turned violent.
“We stand with the black community,” Universal Music, part of Vivendi, said on its Twitter account.
“The music business at WMG will not go on as usual,” Warner Records wrote referring to Warner Music Group. It said it would contribute to Black Lives Matter and other groups fighting “racial injustice”. Sony Music made a similar announcement, while Interscope Geffen A&M, part of the Universal stable, said it would release no new music this week.
In a memo to staff, Universal CEO Lucian Grainge said the company is setting up a task force to work on improving its performance on inclusion and social justice.
National Guard troops were deployed in 15 states and Washington, DC, in an attempt to quell a sixth night of violence on Sunday. The protests were sparked by video footage showing a white Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the neck of Floyd, 46, for nearly nine minutes before he died on May 25.
Beyoncé posted a video on Instagram in which she called for justice for Floyd. “We’re broken and we’re disgusted … I am not only speaking to people of colour. If you are white, black, brown or anything in between I am sure you feel hopeless by the racism going on in America.”
Several leading artists joined the protests at the weekend, including Ariana Grande.
Rihanna, a singer-songwriter originally from Barbados, wrote on Instagram: “Watching my people get murdered and lynched day after day has pushed me to a heavy place in my heart!”