Here’s What #BlackoutTuesday is All About & How You Can Contribute

The Show Must Be Paused – that’s the organisation behind the idea of Blackout Tuesday, a day when the music industry has decided to completely blackout.

What this means is that the music business, on Tuesday, June 2, is putting things to a complete halt. No new music, no performances, not promotions, nothing.

The movement is in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter protests, after George Floyd was killed by a police officer.

So, today, the music is going off.

But this doesn’t mean it’s a day to relax. Instead, it’s a day to reflect, to amplify the efforts of those trying to make lasting change.

Among those participating in the blackout are industry giants like: Sony Music, Atlantic Records, Capitol Music Group, Warner Records and Def Jam.

Rihanna has said she’s not buying or selling anything today.

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we ain’t buying shit!!! and we ain’t selling shit neither!! gang gang! #BLACKOUTTUESDAY AF!!! @fenty @fentybeauty @savagexfenty ??????

A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Jun 1, 2020 at 10:55pm PDT

Katy Perry is donating to several organisations.

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I try to live my life to answer the question, “How can I be of service?” I have spent the last few days watching, listening and reflecting about how to utilize my privilege and platform. I hope that #BlackoutTuesday gives us all (especially in the music industry) an opportunity to take what we’re learning and put it into action on Wednesday, and every day going forward. There are many ways to support the movement towards justice and equality. I’ve chosen to donate to the organizations tagged in this post. You can do the same at the link in my bio. This soon to be mother is going to work hard to make damn sure this world is a more just place for every child. #BlackLivesMatter

A post shared by KATY PERRY (@katyperry) on Jun 2, 2020 at 12:04am PDT

Spotify says its services will stay up, but certain podcasts, playlists and channels will be down. They’ll also be matching employees’ financial donations to organisations “focused on the fight against racism.”

Bandcamp will be donating 100% of its sales on Juneteenth (June 19th) to the NAACP.

Here’s what you can do:

If you do need the day off, need to unplug from social media, stay away from all the heavy news of the past few weeks, that’s perfectly fine. Unplug. Let down your internet devices. Rest. Relax.

The easiest thing is creating awareness on your social media. But awareness goes past just sharing a black image. You have to teach people why it’s important to, the significance of the act.

You can find and share posts by black organisations trying to help on the ground, trying to create lasting change.

You can check out the organisations on the Katy Perry post and donate.

The Show Must Be Paused, by Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang, shared these excellent resources:

• You can help the family of George Floyd HERE.
• You can help Breonna Taylor HERE.
• You can help the family of Ahmaud Arbery HERE.
• If you want to help protesters, you can donate to one or more community bail funds HERE.
• If you want to learn more, you can find some anti-racism resources here.

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Music industry leaders are protesting the brutal killing of #GeorgeFloyd with #TheShowMustBePaused initiative. It is spearheaded by music executives #JamilaThomas and #BriannaAgyemang and the idea is to shut normal business operations on June 2. In a letter explaining the initiative, Jamila and Brianna said it is "in observance of the long-standing racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard." . Artists and a number of record labels and tv stations all over the world are participating. Today, we at BellaNaija will only be sharing relevant information and conversations about all that’s going on in the world and ways you can help. Head over to theshowmustbepaused.com for ways you can help the #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd movement. In #Nigeria, a number of organisations and doing a lot of work to fight concerning domestic and sexual violence, mental illness, marginalization e.t.c. Check out @standtoendrape @warif_ng @shewriteswoman @mentallyawareng @hdi4nigeria for ways you can help. People are encouraged not to use the BLM and BlackLivesMatter hashtags so as not to hide valuable information. #JusticeForUwa #JusticeForTina #WeAreTired #BlackOutTuesday #BellaNaija BellaNaija.com

A post shared by BellaNaija (@bellanaijaonline) on Jun 2, 2020 at 2:59am PDT