A Music Industry Blackout Is in Effect, But Who Benefits?

Members of the music industry are currently participating in a business day blackout as part of an initiative called The Show Must Be Paused, which according to a website for the campaign, encourages people to essentially stop conducting business. The goal is to “intentionally disrupt the work week… in observance of the long-standing racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard.”

The website states that two black women—Jamila Thomas, a senior director of marketing at Atlantic Records, and Brianna Agyemang, senior artist campaign manager at Platoon—created the initiative “in response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other Black citizens at the hands of police.” The site also provides links to resources for organizations that help bail out protesters and to directly support the families of Floyd, Taylor, and Arbery.

So far, a few prominent music companies have supported the campaign through statements of solidarity and vague promises: Interscope Geffen has vowed to halt new releases for the week and instead “contribute to organizations that help bailout protesters exercising their right to peaceably assemble, aid lawyers for systemic change, and provide assistance to charities focused on creating economic empowerment in the Black community.” Still, it’s unclear just how much they’re donating. Capitol Records also announced it would make a donation to the nonprofit Color of Change, but again, did not state a dollar amount. Def Jam Recordings explained in a statement: “Today, and throughout the week, we are honoring the wishes of our artists who have asked that we pause in the release, marketing and promotion of their music. Others are rushing to make their voices heard, and we intend to amplify them.”