The horrific death of George Floyd has caused many in the music industry to call for a “Blackout
Tuesday.”
What’s up guys, it’s Sussan Mourad here with Clevver Music, and many companies in
the music industry are encouraging a blackout day this Tuesday, June 2nd, in response to
the death of George Floyd.
The organizers of the movement, Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang, have spread their message
online and on social media.
Their website states quote, “ In response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor,
Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black citizens at the hands of police, #TheShowMustBePaused
is an initiative created by two Black women in music in observance of the long-standing
racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard.
We will not continue to conduct business as usual without regard for Black lives.”
This message began circulating on social media less than a week after George Floyd, an unarmed
black man, was suffocated by a Minneapolis police officer during an arrest on May 25.
The video of Floyd’s death surfaced online and showed police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling
on his neck for nearly nine minutes while his colleagues watched.
Derek was later charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
In response to the tragedy, citizens have organized protests in multiple cities throughout
the United States.
The website for #TheShowMustBePaused further states quote, “Tuesday, June 2nd is meant
to intentionally disrupt the work week.
Monday suggests a long weekend, and we can’t wait until Friday for change.
It is a day to take a beat for an honest, reflective and productive conversation about
what actions we need to collectively taken to support the Black community.”
It continues to state that the multi-billion dollar music industry has profited predominantly
from Black art, and that the industry should protect and empower the Black communities
that have made them so successful.
On Friday, May 29, multiple music labels began to share a message across social media for
quote, “a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community" and “an urgent
step of action to provoke accountability and change.”
The hashtag #TheShowMustBePaused was used to spread the message and promote one blackout
day in the music industry.
The statement read quote, "As gatekeepers of the culture, it's our responsibility to
not only come together to celebrate the wins, but also hold each other up during loss."
Columbia Records was one of the first companies to publicly denounce injustices towards the
Black community.
Chairman Ron Perry took to Instagram Thursday night to post, “We stand together with the
Black community against all forms of racism, bigotry, and violence.
Now, more than ever we must use our voices to speak up and challenge the injustices all
around us.”
Columbia Records, an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, is famously
known as home to some of today’s biggest artists, including Beyonce, Lil Nas X, and
Tyler The Creator.
The Sony Music label is also one of the longest standing American record companies, being
founded in 1889.
The label took to Instagram to share that they will also be participating in the blackout
day on June 2nd.
Since their statement, other companies, including Universal Music Group, Interscope Records,
Motown, and Kobalt, have followed suit and shown their support for the Black Lives Matter
movement.
Universal Music Group took to Instagram to show their support, writing, “In the words
of Dr. King, ‘There comes a time when silence is betrayal.’
When you have a responsibility to raise your voice for change.
That time has come.
There’s no place in this world for hate and violence.
In the face of bigotry and prejudice, we’re proud of the way our artists, songwriters,
and employees have spoken out.
AT UMG, we’re committed to being a force for constructive change.”
And other music labels are supporting the Blackout Tuesday that is scheduled for tomorrow,
June 2nd.
Atlantic Records wrote, “On Tuesday, June 2nd, Atlantic Records in conjunction with
Warner Music Group will observe “Black Out Tuesday.”
We will support our employees, artists and global communities on this day.
The music business at WMG will not go on as usual.”
Their statement went on to say that while the blackout will only last for one day, the
company is committed to continuing the fight for real change.
They further said quote, “We will be using this day to collectively reflect on what we
as a company can do to put action towards change and we will be taking steps in the
coming weeks and months.”
Warner Music Group posted a very similar message to their own Instagram page, sharing their
solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Republic Records took to Instagram to share their support, writing, “Republic Records
proudly supports “Black Out Tuesday” on June 2nd.
We stand with our industry peers to fight against all racial injustices.
This is one step in a long ongoing fight for justice supporting the Black community.
It will not stop here.
We use our voices, use yours.”
L.A. Reid, who served as the chairman and CEO of Epic Records, Island Def Jam Music
Group, and founder of HITCO Entertainment, also shared his support on social media.
He wrote, “It is time we all band together, regardless of race, creed or color.
It is time we use our collective voice to demand real change, true harmony and equality.
We stand in solidarity with the music community on blackout Tuesday.”
Many other companies shared their support of blackout Tuesday, as well as music fans
on social media.
One person took to Twitter, writing, “In solidarity with my Black + Brown colleagues
across the music industry, #TheShowMustBePaused.
Do not show up to work on Tuesday, June 2.
We cannot continue to support a system that loves Black culture while systematically disenfranchising
Black people & silencing Black voices.”
Another person wrote, “I will be taking Tuesday as an opportunity to educate, inform
and push myself to do better.
To understand how I can do more to support the black artists, black executives, black
writers, editors and creatives that I work with on a daily basis.”
Others have questioned the true intent of the Blackout day, with one person writing,
“So what exactly is this Music Industry #tuesdayblackout is there anything specific
happening or just a day out of the offices and then back to “normal”, it’s a nice
gesture but is it more than gesture, what will it accomplish?
#theshowmustbepaused”
And another person wrote, “If you are not looking into scheduling, or have not already
scheduled some Diversity & Inclusion training for your offices, what is this for?
If you are not revisiting complaints of racism to HR that have been brushed under the rug,
what is this for?
#THESHOWMUSTBEPAUSED”
On the message that was shared to the #TheShowMustBePaused website and social media platforms, the organizers
have stated that quote, “This is not just a 24-hour initiative.
We are and will be in this fight for the long haul.
A plan of action will be announced.”
They continue to share resources for what people can do to help spread the movement
on June 2nd.
We’ve linked those resources below, so please take a moment and see how you can get involved.
For those artists and companies who are participating in Blackout Tuesday, we hope they will take
the time to educate themselves and work towards a more inclusive workplace environment that
will elevate the music industry, and the country, as a whole.
But now I want to know what you guys think.
Are you hoping more industries take the time to embrace “Blackout days” to show solidarity
for the movement?
Comment down below to share your thoughts.
And please remember, everyone is coping with this tragedy in different ways, and we should
be having conversations surrounding how we can better this country and STOP the injustice
that our black brothers and sisters have been living with for centuries.
We hope you are staying safe during this time, and if you’d like to see what Beyonce, Lady
Gaga and more artists have said about George Floyd, click right over here.
Thanks for watching, I’m Sussan Mourad here with Clevver Music.
See ya later!