Multiple record labels and other music industry figures have planned a social media blackout tomorrow (2nd June) in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of police last week.
Floyd, 46, was an African American man who died in Minneapolis after Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, kneeled on Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes as he lay on the ground. The incident has since led to widespread protests, and Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
Warner Records, Universal, Sony, Interscope Geffen and Caroline are among the labels that have pledged to “disconnect from work and reconnect with our community” on Tuesday.
“Due to recent events please join us as we take an urgent step of action to provoke accountability and change,” reads a popular message being used to raise awareness of the blackout.
“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,” it adds, concluding with the hashtag #THESHOWMUSTBEPAUSED.
Across the industry, many artists have also used their platform to call for justice in the wake of Floyd’s death, including Chance the Rapper, Janelle Monáe, Sia, Ice Cube and Beyoncé.
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Image: Kerem Yucel/AFP/Getty
