Skip to main content
GRAMMYs Breaking News
Breaking News
  • MusiCares Launches Help for the Holidays Campaign Apply HERE
  • Recording Academy
  • GRAMMYs
  • Membership
  • Advocacy
  • MusiCares
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Latin GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
  • Advocacy
  • Membership
  • GRAMMYs
  • Governance
  • Jobs
  • Press Room
  • Events
  • Login
  • MusiCares
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Latin GRAMMYs
  • More
    • MusiCares
    • GRAMMY Museum
    • Latin GRAMMYs

The GRAMMYs

  • Awards
  • News
  • Videos
  • Recording Academy
  • More
    • Awards
    • News
    • Videos
    • Recording Academy

Latin GRAMMYs

MusiCares

  • About
  • Get Help
  • Give
  • News
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Person of the Year
  • More
    • About
    • Get Help
    • Give
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
    • Person of the Year

Advocacy

  • About
  • News
  • Issues & Policy
  • Act
  • Recording Academy
  • More
    • About
    • News
    • Issues & Policy
    • Act
    • Recording Academy

Membership

  • Join
  • Events
  • PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
  • GRAMMY U
  • GOVERNANCE
  • More
    • Join
    • Events
    • PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
    • GRAMMY U
    • GOVERNANCE
Log In Join
  • SUBSCRIBE

  • Search
Modal Open
Subscribe Now

Subscribe to Newsletters

Be the first to find out about GRAMMY nominees, winners, important news, and events. Privacy Policy
GRAMMY Museum
Membership

Join us on Social

  • Recording Academy
    • The Recording Academy: Facebook
    • The Recording Academy: Twitter
    • The Recording Academy: Instagram
    • The Recording Academy: YouTube
  • GRAMMYs
    • GRAMMYs: Facebook
    • GRAMMYs: Twitter
    • GRAMMYs: Instagram
    • GRAMMYs: YouTube
  • Latin GRAMMYs
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Facebook
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Twitter
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Instagram
    • Latin GRAMMYs: YouTube
  • GRAMMY Museum
    • GRAMMY Museum: Facebook
    • GRAMMY Museum: Twitter
    • GRAMMY Museum: Instagram
    • GRAMMY Museum: YouTube
  • MusiCares
    • MusiCares: Facebook
    • MusiCares: Twitter
    • MusiCares: Instagram
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy: Facebook
    • Advocacy: Twitter
  • Membership
    • Membership: Facebook
    • Membership: Twitter
    • Membership: Instagram
    • Membership: Youtube
Usher

Usher

Courtesy Photo: Sofia Pok

News
Usher Releases Emotional, BLM-Inspired "I Cry" usher-releases-emotional-new-song-i-cry-inspired-black-lives-matter

Usher Releases Emotional New Song "I Cry," Inspired By Black Lives Matter

Facebook Twitter Email
The soulful, piano-pop ballad sees the eight-time GRAMMY winner showing his own vulnerabilities as he tries to teach his sons "that it is OK for a man to feel emotions deeply and to cry"
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Jun 26, 2020 - 2:29 pm

Pop and R&B icon Usher has released "I Cry," an emotional yet hopeful new song inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and the recent global protests in response to the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other Black U.S. citizens by police.

Released Friday (June 26) on RCA Records, the soulful, piano-fueled pop ballad sees the eight-time GRAMMY winner crooning personal lyrics about his own vulnerabilities.

"I can't keep it together / I usually don't show my emotions," he sings at the beginning of the song. 

"I cry / For the sons without fathers / And the pain that the mothers / Hold deep inside / And I'll fight / For the future we're making / It can change if we face it / 'Cause these tears won't dry." 

In a Twitter post announcing the song, Usher wrote that "I Cry" was inspired "by wanting to teach my sons that it is OK for a man to feel emotions deeply and to cry." He goes on to note that he, "like many men," was reared to be "tough" and to not show his vulnerability, a trait he did not want to pass on to his children. He also said he "became very connected to the wider universal feeling of hopelessness" as he watched the killing of Floyd, the "ongoing slaughter of Black men and women" and the consequential protests and responses, all while quarantining due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Like many, I grew increasingly frustrated by how slow things have been to change," Usher wrote. "I became very depressed thinking about all sons who have lost their fathers to police brutality, social injustice and violence; the daughters and mothers too. So I returned to this song and realized it was intended for this time … "

https://twitter.com/Usher/status/1276368031866712064

Listen at https://t.co/mEga8wKcoJ#icry #BLM #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/apZ7cPRArJ

— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) June 26, 2020

Usher is donating his proceeds from "I Cry" to Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), "one of the nation's largest nonprofits investing in underserved communities and communities of color across the country," according to a press release announcing the song. The organization also provides grants to minority-owned small businesses that have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read: Beyoncé Celebrates Juneteenth With "BLACK PARADE" & Epic Black-Owned Businesses Directory

This Saturday (June 27), Usher will perform the live debut of "I Cry" at Global Goal: Unite for Our Future - The Concert, a globally televised and digitally streamed special highlighting the "disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on marginalized communities—including people of color, those living in extreme poverty, and others facing discrimination," according to a statement. The event will also feature performances from Shakira, J Balvin, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Migos rapper Quavo, Christine and the Queens, Coldplay and more. 

Earlier this year, Usher, alongside Sheila E. and FKA twigs, honored late musical icon Prince at the 2020 GRAMMYs with a medley performance of the Purple One's hits; the performance was later aired as part of the epic "Let's Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Tribute To Prince" concert special.

Black Pride Anthems From Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, 2Pac, James Brown & More See Big Streaming Spikes

Miley Cyrus performs during the Global Goal: Unite For Our Future - Summit & Concert

Miley Cyrus performs during the Global Goal: Unite For Our Future - Summit & Concert

Photo: Vijat Mohindra/Getty Images

News
Global Goal: Watch Miley Cyrus, More Perform global-goal-2020-watch-performances-miley-cyrus-shakira-j-balvin-jennifer-hudson-usher

Global Goal 2020: Watch Performances From Miley Cyrus, Shakira, J Balvin, Jennifer Hudson, Usher And More

Facebook Twitter Email
The globally televised and digitally streamed concert special featured intimate and grandiose performances from some of music's biggest stars including Lin-Manuel Miranda with the "Hamilton" cast, Coldplay, Christine and the Queens, Chloe x Halle and many
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Jun 28, 2020 - 10:39 am

The international music and entertainment communities united together Saturday (June 27) for the star-studded "Global Goal: Unite for Our Future - The Concert," a globally televised and digitally streamed concert special. Presented by international advocacy organization Global Citizen and the European Commission, the event aimed to highlight the "disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on marginalized communities," according to a press release announcing the event, and to advance the development of and access to coronavirus tests, treatments and vaccines.

Global Goal featured both intimate and grandiose performances from some of music's biggest stars, including: Jennifer Hudson, who opened the show with a cover of Gladys Knight & The Pips' 1973 hit "Where Peaceful Waters Flow" while floating atop a boat on the Chicago River; Miley Cyrus, who performed a cover of The Beatles classic "Help!" in an empty Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, Calif.; and Lin-Manuel Miranda who reunited with the original Broadway cast of "Hamilton," alongside late-night host Jimmy Fallon and "The Tonight Show" house band The Roots, for a rare performance of musical number "Helpless."

Hosted by Hollywood superstar Dwayne Johnson, Global Goal also included appearances and video messages from TV and film icons including Hugh Jackman, Kerry Washington, Charlize Theron, Chris Rock, Billy Porter, Ken Jeong, Salma Hayek Pinault and several more. 

The event also included a summit, which featured panel discussions and interviews with global leaders, experts and thought-leaders like Angelique Kidjo, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Melinda Gates, Dr. Vin Gupta, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and others.

Airing in more than 180 countries and streaming globally online, Global Goal raised a total of $6.9 billion in pledges, according to a press release from Global Citizen.

Watch some of the musical highlights from "Global Goal: Unite for Our Future - The Concert" below, and learn more about Global Citizen's COVID-19 campaign.

Recording Academy And MusiCares Establish COVID-19 Relief Fund

Screenshot from Beyoncé's 'Black Is King'

Screenshot from Beyoncé's Black Is King

News
Beyoncé Announces New Visual Album 'Black Is King' beyonce-black-is-king-visual-album-disney%2B

Beyoncé Announces New Visual Album 'Black Is King,' Out July 2020 On Disney+

Facebook Twitter Email
The visual album, which is based on the singer's 2019 soundtrack album for 'The Lion King: The Gift,' "reimagines the lessons of 'The Lion King' for today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns"
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Jun 28, 2020 - 1:52 pm

Beyhive, rejoice! Beyoncé returns to the screens next month with Black Is King, a brand-new visual album written, directed and executive-produced by the 24-time GRAMMY winner. Set to globally premier July 31 on Disney+, the visual album is based on the music from Queen Bey's The Lion King: The Gift, the soundtrack album she curated for the 2019 The Lion King remake; Black Is King will be released nearly two weeks after the film's one-year anniversary. 

The visual album "reimagines the lessons of The Lion King for today's young kings and queens in search of their own crowns" and offers "a celebratory memoir for the world on the Black experience," according to a press release from Disney announcing the project. 

Black Is King, which was "in production for one year with a cast and crew that represent diversity and connectivity," according to the press release, stars featured artists from The Lion King: The Gift and includes special guest appearances. The visual album will include videos for The Gift tracks like "My Power," "Mood 4 Eva" and "Brown Skin Girl." 

"The voyages of Black families, throughout time, are honored in a tale about a young king's transcendent journey through betrayal, love and self-identity," the press release states. "His ancestors help guide him toward his destiny, and with his father's teachings and guidance from his childhood love, he earns the virtues needed to reclaim his home and throne.

These timeless lessons are revealed and reflected through Black voices of today, now sitting in their own power. Black Is King is an affirmation of a grand purpose, with lush visuals that celebrate Black resilience and culture. The film highlights the beauty of tradition and Black excellence."

Released last July, The Lion King: The Gift featured an epic artist roster comprising African and Afrobeats artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, Mr Eazi and many others. At the 2020 GRAMMYs, the album received a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album, while album track "Spirit," performed by Beyoncé, received nominations for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Song Written For Visual Media. (Beyoncé's 2019 concert film, Homecoming, based on her historic performance at Coachella 2018, won the GRAMMY for Best Music Film, her only win that night.) 

Black Is King follows Beyoncé's new track "BLACK PARADE," which she released last week on Juneteenth (June 19); proceeds from the track will benefit her BeyGOOD Black Business Impact Fund, which supports Black-owned small businesses.

Beyoncé: Justice For Breonna Taylor Would Demonstrate The Value Of A Black Woman's Life

Miguel performs at the 2019 Latin GRAMMYs

Miguel performs at the 2019 Latin GRAMMYs

Photo: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for LARAS

News
"Black Power Live": Miguel, Ne-Yo, More Confirmed black-power-live-feature-performances-miguel-dev-hynes-ne-yo-kamasi-washington-denzel

"Black Power Live" To Feature Performances From Miguel, Dev Hynes, Ne-Yo, Kamasi Washington, Denzel Curry And More

Facebook Twitter Email
Hosted by Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors, the one-day event, happening Saturday, June 27, will also feature performances from Jessie Reyez, Vagabon and Twin Shadow as well as interviews and conversations with Emma González & Dream Hampton
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Jun 25, 2020 - 1:14 pm

Black Power Live, a music- and conversation-based online livestream benefit, has announced the lineup for its upcoming event. Miguel, Dev Hynes, Ne-Yo, Doja Cat, Jessie Reyez, Aloe Blacc, Vagabon, Twin Shadow and others are among the musical acts confirmed. The event, produced by FORM and Jammcard, will also include the debut of Terrace Martin's new composition, "Racism on Trial," featuring Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Denzel Curry, Alex Isley and other special guests. 

The event will also feature interviews and discussions with Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors, who's also hosting the event, alongside Democratic candidate for Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón; activist and Parkland survivor Emma González; "Dear White People" creator Justin Simien; filmmaker and activist Dream Hampton; and others. 

Taking place Saturday, June 27, from 5 p.m.—midnight PST and streaming exclusively on Twitch, Black Power Live will raise funds for "organizations across the movement for Black lives," according to a press release announcing the event, including Crenshaw Dairy Mart, Trap Heals, Transgender Law Center, Sankofa and Black Men Build.

View the full music and conversation lineup below. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB3Uzynj13P

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jammcard (@jammcard)

Los Angeles funk band The Brandon Brown Collective will perform Black Power anthems as well as new songs alongside some of the event's confirmed guests, according to the Black Power Live event page. The event will also feature readings from poets Aja Monet and Yrsa Daley-Ward, accompanied by Dev Hynes on solo piano. Rap/hardcore punk duo Ho99o9 will perform two new songs alongside Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. 

Black Power Live will be a "celebration of the incredible work done by organizers and activists around the world and will be a chance to reflect, regroup, and talk about next steps," according to a press release. 

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

Common performs at the "Let's Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute To Prince" in 2020

Common performs at the "Let's Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute To Prince" in 2020

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

News
YouTube's $100M Fund To Support Black Creators youtube-announces-100-million-fund-supporting-black-creators-confirms-online-fundraiser

YouTube Announces $100 Million Fund Supporting Black Creators, Confirms Online Fundraiser Hosted By Common And Keke Palmer

Facebook Twitter Email
On June 13, the video-sharing platform will premiere a livestream fundraising event, which will include performances from John Legend and Trey Songz as well as discussions with creators, artists, public figures and activists
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Jun 12, 2020 - 3:31 pm

YouTube has announced a $100 million multiyear fund aimed at supporting Black creators and artists on the platform.

In a post shared on the company's official blog, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki outlined the video-sharing platform's larger initiative to support creators and users from the Black community. The announcement is part of the company's midyear update, which also discusses YouTube's COVID-19 and educational initiatives, among other things. 

This Saturday (June 13), starting at 6 p.m. EST, YouTube will premiere the "Bear Witness, Take Action" livestream fundraising event, which Wojcicki describes as "one example of the type of content we'd like to elevate on the platform" via the newly announced initiative.

Produced by YouTube Originals, the online event will "bring together creators, artists, influential public figures and prominent activist voices for roundtable discussions and musical performances," according to the blog post. 

Hosted by three-time GRAMMY winner Common and actress/singer-songwriter Keke Palmer, the digital fundraiser will also include performances from John Legend and Trey Songz, according to Variety. The event will benefit Equal Justice Initiative, which works toward "ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society," according to the organization's website. 

https://twitter.com/YouTube/status/1271206783831293952

The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many others have forced us to bear witness to systemic racism in America. As we take action against injustice, we also need to stop and listen. #BearWitnessTakeAction June 13th → https://t.co/8Y7CtQhGdF pic.twitter.com/ZMqRMASEm0

— YouTube (@YouTube) June 11, 2020

Panelists and guests for "Bear Witness, Take Action" include Ambers Closet, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Patrisse Cullors, Tremayne Anchrum, Carmelo Anthony, AyChristeneGames, Danielle Bainbridge, Essang Bassey, Shalom Blac, Asante Blackk, Sterling K. Brown, Wilmer Valderrama and several others. 

"At YouTube, we believe Black lives matter and we all need to do more to dismantle systemic racism," Wojcicki wrote in the blog post. "We join in protest against the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others before them."

"Our platform has been a place where people come together since YouTube first launched 15 years ago," she continued. "And in the midst of uncertainty, creators continue to share stories that might not otherwise be heard while also building online communities."

Read: Halsey Launches Fund To Help Amplify And Provide Platform For Black Creators

For the month of June, the company will also highlight racial justice issues, "including the latest perspectives from the Black community on YouTube alongside historical content, educational videos, and protest coverage," per the blog post, across its Spotlight channel.

"Building on our work over the past several years, we're taking this moment to examine how our policies and products are working for everyone — but specifically for the Black community — and close any gaps," Wojcicki writes. "And more broadly, we will work to ensure Black users, artists, and creators can share their stories and be protected from hateful, white supremacist, and bullying content … There is much work to do to advance racial equity in the long-term, and these efforts will continue in the months and years ahead."

YouTube's initiatives come as several nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice, specifically against Black people and people of color, have continued for more than two weeks in response to the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other black U.S. citizens by police.

Head to the YouTube blog to read the company's midyear update in full.

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

Top
Logo
  • Recording Academy
    • About
    • Governance
    • Press Room
    • Jobs
    • Events
  • GRAMMYs
    • Awards
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
    • Store
    • FAQ
  • Latin GRAMMYs
    • Awards
    • News
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Cultural Foundation
    • Members
    • Press
  • GRAMMY Museum
    • COLLECTION:live
    • Explore
    • Exhibits
    • Education
    • Support
    • Programs
    • Donate
  • MusiCares
    • About
    • Get Help
    • Give
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
  • Advocacy
    • About
    • News
    • Learn
    • Act
  • Membership
    • Chapters
    • Producers & Engineers Wing
    • GRAMMY U
    • Join
Logo

© 2021 - Recording Academy. All rights reserved.

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Notice
  • Contact Us

Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.