CULTURE

Record Labels + Artists Are Participating in #TheShowMustBePaused for Black Lives Matter Solidarity

Shutterstock

In solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and the tragic death of George Floyd, record labels and artists are joining forces with The Show Must Be Paused. 

On Tuesday, June 2, Brianna Agyemang and Jamila Thomas, two Atlantic Records executives who are also black, initiated an idea for the music industry to take a firm stand in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many others.

“Monday suggests a long weekend, and we can’t wait until Friday for change,” Agyemang and Thomas stated on Instagram. “It is a day to take a beat for an honest, reflective, and productive conversation about what actions we need to collectively take to support the Black community.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#theshowmustbepaused

A post shared by @ theshowmustbepaused on

A majority of large record labels have already stated their participation in the day of silence. Also known as #BlackOutTuesday, others have announced they will not release new music from their artist rosters. Companies participating include Sony, Def Jam, Columbia, Atlantic, Island Records, Warner Music Group, Capitol Records, and many more.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Def Jam Recordings (@defjam) on

The number of musicians and singers showing their support for the movement continued to grow Monday night.

This movement shows how music is the world’s biggest influencer when it comes to social and racial injustice. We stand with and support these and all record labels’ decision to pause their scheduled releases to help ensure the public is focused on what really matters, right now: The fight for equality.