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Alicia Keys, Shaggy, Brandi Carlile & More: Advocates Support #BlackOutTuesday

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For these Recording Academy members, and for the music industry at large, Tuesday's #TheShowMustBePaused was a unifying day of education, conversation and activism
Nate Hertweck
Advocacy
Jun 5, 2020 - 2:28 pm

"The point was never to mute ourselves… This was a day to completely disconnect from work and make a difference in our community because we should not normalize what is happening." -Jamila Thomas, Atlantic Records and co-organizer of #TheShowMustBePaused.

On Tuesday, June 2, what became known as "Black Out Tuesday" mobilized all members of the music community to examine, educate, discuss and take action on the issue of racial injustice and violence against black people in America following the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and so many other black citizens.

Responding to the pain, unrest and urgency of the situation, many artists raised their voices for human rights in support of Black Lives Matter and the protests against racial injustice in this country. Many lending their voices and platforms were experienced activists who have previously partnered with the Recording Academy to advocate for the rights of music creators during GRAMMYs on the Hill and District Advocate Day.

Leading the charge online was GRAMMY winner and host of the 62nd GRAMMY Awards  Alicia Keys, , who shared a moving sentiment of support. Keys put her artistry to work, posting a short poem of power with the caption, "We need more than poems. We need deep systemic change. But when I wrote these words it was a little prayer that I personally needed. Maybe u do too."

GRAMMY winner Yolanda Adams employed memorable quotes from Black luminaries of the past W.E.B. Dubois and Martin Luther King Jr. in her Instagram post.

GRAMMY nominee Aloe Blacc took aim at the Doctrine of Qualified Immunity with his post, calling for abolishment and increased accountability for police, while GRAMMY winner Dionne Warwick  stood strong with the all-black image of solidarity and #BlackOutTuesday hashtag.

GRAMMY winner Jason Mraz, posted in support of his former label, Atlantic Records and their observance of the event in accordance with Warner Music Group. "My contract with @AtlanticRecords may have ended, but they continue to show up for me. That’s how world peace works. We stand up for each other. I stand with WMG in the company wide shut down to amplify," he wrote on Twitter, adding the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag. He also took to IG for a more action-oriented post:

Brandi Carlile reminded her followers of the purpose of the day, which is to disrupt, while solid-black image posts from Cyndi Lauper, X Ambassadors, PJ Morton and Peter Asher, showed support for the fight against racial injustice from other active supporters of creators' rights.

LEARN MORE about the Recording Academy's on-going Advocacy efforts

Reggae royalty and GRAMMY winner Ziggy Marley, who comes from a legacy of social activism,  shared a passionate post that connected the story of Babylon with his father's words from long ago to the current injustices and the unwarranted killing of George Floyd, pleading, "do you understand?"

Similarly, GRAMMY-winning songwriter and producer Rodney Jerkins offered a spiritual angle for the current events in this country, posting a passage from the Bible, Luke 23:44-47, which makes specific reference to the word "blackout."

Music creators from all walks of life walked together on "Black Out Tuesday," agreeing #TheShowMustBePaused and participating in the same spirit of advocacy and activism necessary to inspire and create meaningful and necessary change in our government, our community and our perspectives. Together, we can make a difference.

Want To Support Protesters And Black Lives Matter Groups? Here’s How

Beyoncé

Beyoncé

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Beyoncé To The Class Of 2020: "You Can Lead The Movement That Celebrates Humanity"

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Michelle and Barack Obama, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga and more also spoke during the star-studded graduation livestream
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jun 8, 2020 - 1:57 pm

Yesterday, June 7, Beyoncé, Michelle and Barack Obama, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga and others offered powerful messages of hope and encouragement to graduating students across the country via YouTube's star-studded Dear Class Of 2020 livestream.

"You have arrived, here in the middle of a global crisis, a racial pandemic and world-wide expression of outrage at yet another senseless killing of another unarmed Black human being. And you still made it. We're so proud of you. Thank you for using your collective voice in letting the word know that Black Lives Matter," Beyoncé began during her inspirational 10-minute speech (watch below).

"We've seen that our collective hearts, when put to positive action, could start the wheels of change. Real change has started with you, this new generation of high school and college graduates we celebrate today."

Want To Support Protesters And Black Lives Matter Groups? Here’s How

The GRAMMY-winning "Formation" singer called out the sexism and racism in music industry and shared how she has used her massive platform to not only highlight the beauty of Blackness, but to open doors to more diverse voices and faces. "The entertainment business is still very sexist, it's still very male-dominated. And as a woman, I did not see enough female role models given the opportunity to do what I knew I had to do—to run my label and management company, to direct my films and produce my tours, that meant ownership. Owning my masters, my art. Owning my future and writing my own story. Not enough Black women had a seat at the table, so I had to go and chop down that wood and build my own table."

Listen: Beyoncé & Megan Thee Stallion's "Savage Remix" To Benefit Houston COVID-19 Relief

"One of the main purposes of my art for many years has been dedicated to showing the beauty of Black people to the world. Our history, our profundity and the value of Black lives. I've tried my best to pull down the veil of appeasement to those who may feel uncomfortable with our excellence. To the young women, our future leaders, know that you're about to make the world turn. I see you. You are everything the world needs," Queen Bey continued with a smile. "And to the young kings, lean in to your vulnerability and redefine masculinity. Lead with heart."

She also stood in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and anyone else who has been "othered" by society, reminding listeners that the haters are just projecting their own insecurities.

"To all those who feel different, if you're part of a group that's called other, a group that doesn't get the chance to be center stage. Build your own stage and make them see you. Your queerness is beautiful, your blackness is beautiful, your compassion, your understanding, your fight for people who may be different from you is beautiful. I hope you continue to go into the world and show them that you will never stop being yourself, that it's your time now. Make them see you… Don't let negativity of people projecting their own self-doubts deter you from your focus."

Watch: GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Beyoncé Win Best Contemporary R&B Album For 'Dangerously In Love' At The 46th GRAMMY Awards

Finally, the multi-hyphenate superstar shared her secret to success—hard work and remembering that failures are simply part of the journey. She encouraged the class of 2020 to lead with vulnerability and to know that they are the ones who will help push humanity forward.

"Put in that work. There may be more failures than victories—yes, I've been blessed to have 24 GRAMMYs but I've lost 46 times. That's meant rejection 46 times. Please don't ever feel entitled to win, just keep working harder. Surrender to the cards you are dealt. It's from that surrender that you get your power. Loosing can be the best motivator to get even bigger wins."

"Whenever you feel like you're not in control, or the world is against you, let that vulnerability motivate you into greatness. That's how I found my true self. I remain a work-in-progress and that's the beauty of growth," she revealed. "Whatever the world looks like in 10 years and 20 years, part of that is up to you. I urge you to let this current moment push you to improve yourself in all areas of your life; at work, at home, activism and spirituality. Wherever you can find hope, follow it…You can be that leader we all need. You can lead the movement that celebrates humanity."

The Obamas also offered words of hope and context to what is going on in the world right now, and how they know the younger generations will move us forward. They first spoke together and later offered thoughtful, in-depth solo speeches.

WATCH LIST: Free Online Livestream Concerts From BTS To Korn To Catch During Coronavirus Quarantine

"Over these past couple of months, our foundation has been shaken. Not just by a pandemic that stole too many of our loved ones, upended our daily lives and send tens of millions into unemployment, but also by the rumbling of the age-old fault lines that our country was built on. The lines of race and power that are once again so nakedly exposed for all of us to grapple with."

"What's happening right now is the direct result of decades of unaddressed prejudice and inequality... The tough part is, nobody has all the answers… If my generation did, trust me, we'd have fixed all of this a long time ago. But that doesn't mean we should feel hopeless, just the opposite, because what we finally do have is focus… And it's not just the communities most affected by these challenges that see it now. It's folks all across the country that for too long have had the luxury and privilege of looking away. We all have no choice but to see what has been staring us in the face for years, for centuries. So the question is, how will we respond?"

"I know that not only that can you do better than those that came before, you will. So, it's your time," the former First Lady concluded. Barack echoed Michelle's message, underscoring the fairer, more just "new normal" the young people can bring forth.

Related: Lizzo, Lady Gaga & Selena Gomez Lend Their Platforms To Amplify Black Voices

"In a lot of ways, the pandemic just brought into focus problems that have been growing for a very long time, whether it's widening economic inequality, the lack of basic healthcare for millions of people, the continuing scourge of bigotry and sexism, or the divisions and dysfunctions that plague our political system," the former President stated.

"You don't have to accept what was considered normal before. You don't have to accept the world as it is. You can make it into the world as it should be."

In addition to the moving words delivered by Beyoncé, the Obamas, Gaga, Keys, Condoleezza Rice and several others, there were performances from Lizzo and her flute, BTS, Maluma, Katy Perry and more. You can watch the full four-and-a-half-hour special here on YouTube.

BTS, Big Hit Entertainment And The BTS Army Donate Over $2 Million To Black Lives Matter

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A demonstrator holds a sign with the image of Breonna Taylor

A demonstrator holds a sign with the image of Breonna Taylor

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#SayHerName: Alicia Keys, Lizzo, Janet Jackson, Janelle Monáe And More Honor Breonna Taylor On Her Birthday, Demand Justice

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The music and entertainment worlds are speaking out on behalf of Taylor, a Black medical worker who was killed by white police officers in March
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Jun 5, 2020 - 3:00 pm

Several artists and entertainers are honoring Breonna Taylor, a Black medical worker who was killed by white police officers in Louisville, Ky., in March, by speaking out on social media and demanding justice for her killing.

On Friday (June 5), which would have been the slain victim's 27th birthday, Alicia Keys, Lizzo, Janet Jackson, Janelle Monáe, Gary Clark, Jr., Yola and several others took to social media to show their support for Taylor, with many sharing resources and links to petitions calling for the arrests of and charges against the police officers involved in her killing; the police officers in question, who have not been arrested or fired or charged with a crime, are currently placed on administrative leave, The New York Times reports.

In a video post shared on Instagram, Alicia Keys sang "Happy Birthday," inserting Taylor's first name into the song. In the caption accompanying the post, the singer indicated she would be making "more calls today in honor" of Taylor and encouraged her fans to do the same. She also shared links to resources in support of Taylor's case as well as groups like Black Lives Matter. 

"She should be alive to celebrate! But instead no charges have been issued and no arrests have been made with the officers involved," Keys wrote in the post's caption.

Read: Alicia Keys Pens Touching Poem To Her Son  

Lizzo shared a custom image on her Instagram page that asked for people to call several Kentucky officials, including Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, and demand for the firing of the police officers involved in Taylor's killing; the post also called for the police officers to be charged with manslaughter and negligence. 

"She should be here," Lizzo said of Taylor in the post's caption. "Instead she was murdered by police in what they're calling a 'clerical error'. They barged into her home without knocking and shot her in her sleep. She worked for us during the covid pandemic, she was an innocent civilian. SAY HER NAME. DEMAND JUSTICE ON HER BIRTHDAY. NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE."

This week, Lizzo, Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez all opened their social media platforms to Black groups in an initiative aimed at amplifying Black voices and pushing conversations about race relations and progress to the fore.

Who Is Breonna Taylor?

Breonna Taylor was killed March 13 when Louisville police executed a no-knock warrant to crash into her apartment by use of a battering ram, according to The New York Times. The police, who were investigating two suspects believed to be "selling drugs out of a house that was far from Ms. Taylor's home," the newspaper writes, fired several shots into Taylor's apartment; she was struck at least eight times. 

The police officers involved in the incident say they fired inside the home after being fired upon first by Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, who was subsequently charged with attempted murder of a police officer, The New York Times reports; Walker's charges were dropped last month.

While Taylor's killing occurred months ago, tensions surrounding her death, sparked by the lack of arrests of the officers involved, have been rising across Louisville and Kentucky over the past few weeks.

Last month (May 28), seven people were shot while attending a Louisville protest calling for police accountability in Taylor's killing, The New York Times reports. Two days later (May 30), the city's mayor, Greg Fischer, implemented a dusk-to-dawn curfew and called in the National Guard for future protests surrounding Taylor's killing, according to The (Louisville) Courier-Journal. This week (June 1) in Louisville, the police and the National Guard killed local restaurant owner David McAtee when they confronted curfew violators, according to The New York Times.

Last month (May 21), the FBI opened an investigation into Taylor's killing, while the slain victim's mother, Tamika Palmer, filed a lawsuit against the three officers involved in the incident, accusing them of wrongfully causing her daughter's death, The New York Times reports. 

Nationwide Protests And Online Dialogues

Taylor's killing is part of a larger wave of recent killings of several Black U.S. citizens, including George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and others, which have collectively sparked nationwide protests over the past two weeks. 

These recent incidents have also resurfaced tensions and conversations surrounding racial inequality in dealing with police: Majorities of Black and white adults say Black people are treated less fairly than white people in dealing with police and by the criminal justice system as a whole, according to a 2019 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center.

The ongoing social unrest also comes in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, which is killing black and Latino Americans at disproportionately high rates, according to Vox.

Read: The Music Industry Calls For "Black Out Tuesday" In Response To The Death Of George Floyd

Many people online, however, have pointed out that Taylor's killing has not gained the same national attention when compared to the likes of Floyd and Arbery, which has lead social media users to employ the #SayHerName hashtag to spread awareness of her story over the last week. 

On Thursday (June 4), in a tweet mentioning Taylor's killing, Sen. Kamala Harris wrote, "The officers who murdered Breonna Taylor nearly three months ago still have not been charged. We can't forget about Black women in our quest for justice."

In a recent post on The New York Times' In Her Words newsletter and column, gender reporter Alisha Haridasani Gupta wrote, "The exclusion of Breonna Taylor's name is the latest iteration of a longstanding issue: Black women's experiences of police brutality and their tireless contributions to mass social justice movements have almost always been left out of the picture, receiving far less media or political attention."

Below, see some of the artists, entertainers and celebrities who are honoring Breonna Taylor on her birthday today.

Houston Rappers Talk George Floyd's Musical & Community Legacy

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The Music Industry Calls For "Black Out Tuesday" In Response To The Death Of George Floyd

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In response to George Floyd's death, as well as the recent deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and "other black citizens at the hands of police," music companies and artists are calling for the industry to observe "Black Out Tuesday" on June 2
Rachel Brodsky
GRAMMYs
Jun 1, 2020 - 9:54 am

This past weekend, hundreds of protests broke out across the United States in response to the death of George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man who died at the hands of four police officers last week.

In response to Floyd's death, as well as the recent deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and "other black citizens at the hands of police," numerous music companies and artists took to social media, calling for the industry to observe "Black Out Tuesday" on Tuesday, June 2.

"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 loss," the statement says with the hashtag #TheShowMustBePaused.

According to Billboard, the #Paused effort is coming from Atlantic senior directors of marketing Brianna Agyemang and Jamila Thomas, who describe this action as a response to "the long-standing racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard."

In their Instagram post, which you can read below, Agyemang and Thomas explain that TheShowMustBePaused is meant to "intentionally disrupt the work week... The music industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. An industry that has profited predominantly from Black art. Our mission is to hold the industry at large, including major corporations + their partners who benefit from the efforts, struggles and successes of Black people accountable."   

Numerous musicians joined in the protests over the weekend, including J. Cole marching in North Carolina, Tinashe and Ariana Grande in Los Angeles and Halsey in Santa Monica. 

"I dont know how to articulate the horrors of today," Halsey wrote on Twitter. "NG + officers firing rounds into kneeling crowds. We dont have enough medics on the ground on our side. I was treating injuries I am not qualified to. So much blood spilled. If you have med training pls go + standby outskirts."

"And if you’re a white ally who is gonna stand and shout and antagonize the officers and NG and then hide behind black bodies when the shots start firing, f--- you. You couldnt understand a shred of the bravery of the black folks at the front line. Thank you to everyone who stayed."

GRAMMYs

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No Radio, No Problem: How BTS Scored A No. 1 Hit Without Radio's Help

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Streaming continues to gain ground in the market share. But if radio wants to stay relevant in breaking new artists, they'll need the help of the AM-FM Act
Nate Hertweck
Advocacy
Mar 4, 2020 - 3:51 pm

Unless you live under a rock, you've probably heard that Korean pop superstars BTS are back with fresh music. Their new album Map Of The Soul: 7 is taking the music world by storm and has yielded a No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Digital Sales chart with their single, "ON."

What you might not realize, is the group has landed this hit with little to no radio play in the U.S—no small feat considering the value of AM/FM radio airplay in the calculations of the weekly charts. And it is further proof of a musical landscape that continues to shift toward streaming. Last year, streaming grew its market share by almost 25 percent in the States, passing one trillion on-demand streams in 2019, according to a BuzzAngle report.

Read More: Big Radio's Big Problems

While radio certainly hasn't disappeared, BTS' journey to the top of the U.S. charts is strong evidence that streaming has completely replaced radio in terms of breaking new artists into the mainstream. And while BTS has been an international phenomenon for several years, their latest breakthrough in America shows how indie and international artists are circumventing the Big Radio gatekeepers to find their fan base in new and impactful ways via streaming.

“This huge milestone signifies how dramatically the music industry landscape has shifted away from radio play and toward nontraditional methods of promotion and distribution," read a recent article by Vox. "And it is indie and international artists who end up most benefiting from that change.”

And benefit BTS has. "ON" also landed at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest chart position ever by a Korean group. Map Of The Soul: 7 sold over three million copies worldwide in only three days and topped the Billboard 200, earning their remarkable fourth consecutive No. 1 album.

Streaming's prevalence creates an avenue to success in the music industry, and artists are no longer required to rely on Big Radio to reach mainstream.

“An international band, singing mainly in a language other than English or Spanish, landing this high on the chart without the influence of mainstream radio suggests a powerful cultural change. More people are finding their way to the band independently, and traditional industry promotional methods are becoming less effective than ever,” Vox continued.

Radio's foothold on breaking new artists has slipped for several reasons, but it starts with the power structure that puts Big Radio’s interests ahead of artists. A new bill in Congress would change that. The AM-FM Act would improve these relations by giving artists, for the first time, the ability to grant consent to stations seeking to use their music—empowering artists and encouraging Big Radio to work with, not against, artists and their best interests. The bipartisan and bicameral bill would also  protect small and non-profit local stations who stand to benefit from more indie and diverse performers. These are the same artist who are thriving on streaming services, proof there is demand for their music. And if indie and international artists aren't supported by radio, how can broadcasters expect to keep up with the dynamic dynamo streaming has become?

Learn more about the AM-FM Act and other policy affecting music creators on the Recording Academy's simple and informative issues and policy page and contact your Members of Congress today and urge them support local radio stations and fix the system by which artists of all genres, size and nationality are able to control the use of their work

Let Your Representatives Know You Stand In Support Of Music Creators' Rights