Now that the dust has settled from Blackout Tuesday, it is important to examine the “success” of the campaign in the independent music community. While many other publications such as Pitchfork have held music executives, affiliated companies and recording artists associated with the Big Three’s (Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group) feet to the fire, the same should be done in the indie scene.
But first, for those unaware of the origins of Blackout Tuesday later renamed #TheShowMustBePaused, was a social media awareness effort orchestrated music execs, Jamila Thomas (Senior Director of Marketing at Atlantic) and Brianna Agyemang (a former Atlantic Executive) scheduled for Tuesday, June 2 for the music industry to “pause from business as usual” to use their financial and professional power to support anti-police brutality demonstrations across the country.
As social media has rightfully morphed from casual browsing into a sea of vital resources for bail fund information, curfew updates, on-the-ground videos, and more, we’ve created a database to document statements made by indie labels we’ve either covered, supported, or receive submissions from.
With roots planted directly within the eye of the nationwide protest, Minneapolis-based label, Rhymesayers Entertainment has continued to use their voice to bring awareness to the death of George Floyd. Going as far as forming a coalition with Jagjaguwar, Justin Vernon and the Bon Iver family, and the Secretly Group to donate a total of $30,000 to the George Floyd Memorial Fund, Reclaim The Block, Black Visions Collective, and the Minnesota Freedom Fund.
Other independent labels that have made financial contributions include Arts & Craft, Carpark Records, Dead Oceans, Fat Cat Records, Mom + Pop Records, Neon Gold, Polyvinyl Records, Winspear, XL Recordings, Young Turks. Whereas independent labels such as 4AD, Heavenly Recordings, and Young Art Records have not yet made a public statement as of 2 pm eastern on June 4. To view the full database of indie music labels and their response click HERE.
If you are interested in making a financial contribution, here are a few social justice organizations working toward ending police brutality:
NAACP (donations can be made HERE)
Black Lives Matter (donations can be made HERE)
National Bail Fund Network (donations can be made HERE)
The Movement for Black Lives (donations can be made HERE)
American Civil Liberties Unions (donations can be made HERE)
If we’ve missed any independent labels please be sure to enter that information in the comment section.
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