The music industry will hold “Blackout Tuesday” today to stand in solidarity with George Floyd, whose death has sparked international outrage.
Many companies have vowed to suspend business operations. Their employees will be given time off work to partake in community protests.
“We will be using this day to collectively reflect on what we as a company can do to put action towards change,” a statement in Atlantic Records social media read.
Floyd, 46, was an African American man who died from asphyxia and blood flow loss after Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for eight minutes.
In an online statement, music executives Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang urged the music industry to reflect and show their support to the Black community.
“The music industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry. An industry that has profited predominately from Black art. Our mission is to hold the industry at large, including major corporations and their partners who benefit from the efforts, struggles, and successes of Black people accountable,”the statement said.
Major record labels and music streaming services, including Atlantic Records, Spotify, Capitol Music Group, Vevo, and Warner Records, have been sharing the hashtag #TheShowMustBePaused on social media.
“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 a loss,” statements shared on various social media platforms read.
Many celebrities and artists have also expressed their support for Blackout Tuesday and justice for George Floyd on their social media platforms.
Floyd was affiliated with the hip-hop community in Houston, Texas, where he was known as Big Floyd of the Screwed Up Click. Recently, a music track featuring Floyd has been resurfacing on the internet.
