FEATURE:
A Powerful Voice
IN THIS PHOTO: Beyoncé/PHOTO CREDIT: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
The Importance of Black Music and Artists
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THIS past week or so…
PHOTO CREDIT: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
has been one of the most upsetting and shocking in living memory. Protests have led to riots in the U.S., and people have been taking to the streets to demand action after the killing of George Floyd by a white officer. Normally, music companies and artists are filling social media with promotion and such but, last Tuesday (2nd June), there was a blackout – a show of solidarity across the industry. This is how NPR reported the news on Tuesday:
“As protests demanding racial justice have multiplied since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody last week, the spirit of reckoning has also spread across America, including within the music industry. One initiative seeks to redress the historical inequities of the music business by declaring Tuesday to be a one-day moratorium on business as usual — alternately known as #TheShowMustBePaused, Blackout Tuesday and Black Out Tuesday — as a means of identifying with protesters and considering how the music business can become more accountable to the black communities from which it profits.
As the initiative gained traction over the weekend, especially on social media, companies and organizations, including major record labels such as Columbia, Interscope and Republic Records, announced their participation. Just as quickly, some wondered what participation would mean, and many questioned whether the effort, embraced so quickly by huge corporations, would end up being an empty gesture rather than a sincere effort to counteract a history of exploitation”.
Not only were people in the music industry refraining from the usual business and promotional cycle; many were sharing links to organisations dedicated to black equality and fighting racism. I donated to a few charities and signed petitions. We were being encouraged, not to be silent but use the day as a proactive chance to become more educated and aware. Also, rather than everything intensifying on Tuesday and dying down through the week, the movement and wave of information has continued to appear on social media. There is hope that this anger and universal togetherness will continue and, as demonstrations and protests continue around the world, politicians will react. With Donald Trump in the U.S. fanning flames of hatred and division, it is a scary future, but the people are reacting and not remaining silent in the quest for justice and change – especially when it comes to police brutality. One of the reasons for publishing this feature was to highlight how important black musicians are, not only to me but so many music lovers. Before I continue on, I want to bring in a news story from Rolling Stone, where The Weeknd talked about how black artists are overlooked and there is a disparity; so many profit from Black music without fully respecting it and realising its true value:
“The Weeknd, aka Abel Tesfaye, is urging “industry partners and execs” to support causes that address racial equality as he has through giving $500,000 to a number of organizations.
On Tuesday, a bevy of companies in the music business participated in a day of silent protest dubbed #BlackoutTuesday and #TheShowMustBePaused, which asked the industry to “not conduct business as usual” and instead spend time reflecting on how to support the black community.
IN THIS PHOTO: The Weeknd/PHOTO CREDIT: Duncan Loudon
“To my fellow respected industry partners and execs — no one profits off of black music more than the labels and streaming services,” the Weeknd wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. “I gave yesterday and I urge you to go big and public with yours this week. It would mean the world to me and the community if you can join us.”
On Monday, the singer donated $200,000 to Black Lives Matter Global Network, $200,000 to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp Legal Defense initiative and $100,000 to National Bail Out, which he shared on Instagram.
“Keep supporting our brothers and sisters out there risking everything to push for actual change for our black lives,” he wrote. “Urging everyone with big pockets to give and give big and if you have less please give what you can even if it’s a small amount”.
I grew up around so many black artists – in terms of the music I loved. From Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder through to Marvin Gaye, De La Soul and Donna Summer, these artists are still hugely important to me. I remember the early days of MTV when black artists were not being played; artists like Michael Jackson took a stand and, slowly, things began to change. I think we all take for granted how important music from black artists is. Whether you are a fan of Bob Marley, Beyoncé, Dizzee Rascal or Curtis Mayfield, every one of us has had their lives changed by these incredible artists. Looking back at childhood and the artists who were featured on music T.V. and played on the radio, it is such a shame and dishonour that there was this racial inequality. It has never been the case that black artists are limited to certain genres. From Rock to Pop, through to Soul and Rap, black artists have helped change and shape the world. Think about the best albums from the last decade (2010s), and masterpieces from Beyoncé (Lemonade), Kendrick Lamar (To Pimp a Butterfly), Frank Ocean (Channel Orange), D’Angelo and the Vanguard (Black Messiah), Solange (A Seat at the Table) and SZA (Ctrl) have resonated louder and harder than any other album.
Personally, I have so much respect and love for black artists and how they have had to fight for decades. The music industry should be a level and equal platform where quality is the measure-stick; a place where black artists do not have to call for equal pay, attention and prominence. I am not going to get into a debate regarding racism in music but, even in 2020, black artists have to lobby for equality. Right now, there are more demonstrations planned in the U.S. and the U.K., and I hope we see some real social and political change this year. That goes for the music industry, too. Not only was Tuesday a chance to show some respect for those black lives taken, but to promote black artists and their voices; to do more than merely remain silent. I have become more aware of black charities and have done some reading; I am looking to do more offline to do something meaningful in my community. When I think of music and how it has enriched me and continues to do so, I give my heart and love to black artists of all genres. Jamila Woods, Solange, Lizzo, Brittany Howard, Little Simz, Dave, Eve, Moses Sumney, J Hus, Donald Glover, Moses Sumney, Thundercat and Kamasi Washington have delivered some of the most profound and moving work over the past couple of years. Not only should we assure that black artists are seen in a different, equal light, but we all need to realise that we take so much from their music, stories and truths, but do we truly go beyond listening on Spotify and think about black lives and what is being sung in the songs? I think we can all do more, but I have been especially affected by recent events and have vowed to do more and to change my listening ways. In this feature, I have mentioned some brilliant modern-day black artists making a change, and I wanted to include a couple of playlists that features some of the truly phenomenal songs black artists have given us through the years. Let’s hope that, from now on, music fans and those in the industry give their support to…
A powerful voice.