Music Industry calls for Blackout Tuesday after George Floyd’s Death
The music industry is to observe a day-long “blackout” on Tuesday, in response to George Floyd’s death last week. All three major record labels have shared a message on social media promising “a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community”.
Employees have been given Tuesday off as “a day of action,” intended to “provoke accountability and change”. Interscope vowed not to release new music this week, while Apple Music’s Ebro Darden cancelled his radio shows. Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, died last week after a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes.
Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin has been sacked and charged with third-degree murder. He is due to appear in court on Monday, amid ongoing protests in the US and UK. Many of music’s biggest stars have spoken out about the father-of-two’s death. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Rihanna spoke of the “devastation, anger [and] sadness” she has experienced over the last week.
“Watching my people get murdered and lynched day after day pushed me to a heavy place in my heart,” she wrote. Beyoncé filmed an Instagram video urging fans to sign a petition seeking “justice for George Floyd”.
“We all witnessed his murder in broad daylight…We’re broken and we’re disgusted. We cannot normalise this pain”. Blackout Tuesday” has received support from major record labels, including Interscope Records, Def Jam Recordings, Warner Records, Sony Music Entertainment, Capitol Records and Columbia Records, among others. The initiative is a response to the widespread protests that have broken out across the country since Floyd died under police custody on May 25 when he was held to the ground by the knee of a police officer.
In other news – Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi shows some Love to the LGBTQ Community
As the world celebrates Pride Month, which is celebrated in June, Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, decided to show some love to the LGBTQ community. Pride Month is a month-long observance of the LGBTQ community, it aims to pay tribute to those who were involved in the Stonewall Riots, to fight for equal rights. Read more
Source: BBC
