The acts are posting black boxes on this day (June 2) of disconnecting from work to focus on community.
The music industry is taking a pause today (June 2) to observe what is being called “Black Out Tuesday” (as well as #TheShowMustBePaused), an effort calling for “a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community” as well as an “urgent step of action to provoke accountability and change.”
The effort was created by music industry executives Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang in reaction to the murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and 46-year-old black man George Floyd, who was killed last week at the hands of a white police officer, videotaped putting his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes as the father of two pleaded for his life and said “I can’t breathe.”
The blackout “is meant to intentionally disrupt the work week,” according to initiative’s website. “Monday suggests a long weekend, and we can’t wait until Friday for change. 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,” reads the effort’s statement. “We are tired and can’t change things alone. In the meantime, to our Black friends and family: please take time for you and your mental health. To our allies, the time is now to have difficult conversations with family, friends and colleagues.”
In honor of today’s action, dozens of artists — from Rihanna to Green Day, Ricky Martin, Kelly Rowland, Normani, Christina Aguilera, Alejandro Sanz, Radiohead, Jennifer Hudson, Beastie Boys, Paula Abdul, the Mavericks, Armin Van Buuren and many more — honored the effort by posting black boxes on their social media feeds or statements of support. Rih Rih said it best in her post: “We ain’t buying s–t!!! And we ain’t selling s–t neither!! gang gang! #BLACKOUTTUESDAY.”
Check out some of their posts below.
we ain’t buying shit!!! and we ain’t selling shit neither!! gang gang! #BLACKOUTTUESDAY AF!!! @FentyOfficial @fentybeauty @SavageXFenty pic.twitter.com/XNC44Tegj5
— Rihanna (@rihanna) June 2, 2020
View this post on Instagram#BLACKOUTTUESDAY BLACK LIVES MATTER
A post shared by Chuck D (@mrchuckd_pe) on
View this post on Instagram#blackouttuesday
A post shared by Hot Girl Meg (@theestallion) on
View this post on InstagramBlack Lives Matter ✊❤️. #BlackOutTuesday. Also don’t forget..VOTE VOTE VOTE!! DC INDIANA IOWA MARYLAND MONTANA NEW MEXICO PENNSYLVANIA RHODE ISLAND SOUTH DAKOTA
A post shared by Ciara (@ciara) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by snoopdogg (@snoopdogg) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by flame (@travisscott) on
View this post on Instagram✊✊✊✊
A post shared by OFFSET (@offsetyrn) on
View this post on Instagram#BlackOutTuesday #BlackOutDay
A post shared by MC HAMMER (@mchammer) on
View this post on InstagramBlack Lives Matter #BlackoutTuesday
A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on
pic.twitter.com/g8MurJSwHV
— Coldplay☀️ (@coldplay) June 2, 2020
#BlackOutTuesday pic.twitter.com/kSLioBdkyY
— Laura Pausini (@LauraPausini) June 2, 2020
#blacklivesmatter #blackout https://t.co/edAYtqjnkk
— Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) June 2, 2020
#blackouttuesday pic.twitter.com/bYVIF4ld1E
— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) June 2, 2020
today is #BlackOutTuesday.
no posting on social media like it’s normal. institutional oppression should never be normal.
educate yourself on Black Justice
no buying from big corporations but support Black business & organizations #BlackOutTuesday today. Support your neighbors pic.twitter.com/1p1KiJUGoL— Arrested Development (@ADtheBand) June 2, 2020
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Nine Inch Nails (@nineinchnails) on
#TheShowMustBePaused @pausetheshow pic.twitter.com/skOKEecZap
— Radiohead (@radiohead) June 1, 2020
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… https://t.co/VRfirvDVCU
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) June 2, 2020
#BlackOutTuesday pic.twitter.com/CQ9qHPuY6O
— KELENDRIA ROWLAND (@KELLYROWLAND) June 2, 2020
Tomorrow I will not be posting anything as I stand in solidarity and support with #BlackLivesMatter – as the music industry takes the day to reflect on how we can all work towards a better future. #TheShowMustBePaused pic.twitter.com/LfvA5CGr1w
— Christina Aguilera (@xtina) June 2, 2020
#TheShowMustBePaused#BlackOutTuesday#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/gP4GBwUNHi
— Alejandro Sanz (@AlejandroSanz) June 2, 2020
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Filter (@officialfilter) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by garbage (@garbage) on
#TheShowMustBePaused#BlackOutTuesday#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/5g4ZsXBcG2
— Alejandro Sanz (@AlejandroSanz) June 1, 2020
PS if you’d like to help …. text FLOYD to 55156 and donate to organizations like #BlackLivesMatter if you are able to. God Bless You ALL !!!! #TheShowMustBePaused
— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) June 2, 2020
To start I will be participating in #BlackoutTuesday tomorrow ….. I won’t be posting on social media and I ask you all to do the same. We should use the time away from our devices to focus on what we can do to make the world a better place …. for ALL of us !!!!!
— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) June 2, 2020
Foo Fighters are observing Blackout Tuesday to stand with the black community and our colleagues, artists, crews, fans and leaders fighting against injustice and racism. Text FLOYD to 55156 to sign the Justice for George Floyd petition. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/CREqTlHeOs
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) June 2, 2020
On Tuesday June 2nd, The Mavericks will join our musical colleagues in observing Black Out Tuesday. We call for justice for #GeorgeFloyd, and will continue to use our platform to speak the truth that #BlackLivesMatter… @monomundorecs #TheShowMustBePaused pic.twitter.com/LEdGae2N3f
— The Mavericks (@MavericksMusic) June 2, 2020
Tomorrow I am participating in #BlackOutTuesday alongside my music industry colleagues. We'll step back from social media & discuss, reflect and plan action against racial injustices. We must be held accountable to bring about change! #BlackLivesMatter #TheShowMustBePaused XoP pic.twitter.com/RqnVmue1q4
— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) June 2, 2020
#THESHOWMUSTBEPAUSED https://t.co/oU1EUDTt7g
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) June 1, 2020
#BLACKLIVESMATTER pic.twitter.com/aOL1C2KQ2r
— Normani (@Normani) June 2, 2020
In solidarity and observance of the #amplifymelanatedvoices movement, we will be refraining from posting content on this platform to create space to amplify the voices and experiences of Black people who need to be heard. Listen. Learn. #amplifymelanatedvoices #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/Jiy0yJK50b
— Green Day (@GreenDay) June 2, 2020
#TheShowMustBePaused pic.twitter.com/fvrlqofJYs
— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) June 2, 2020
#blackouttuesday pic.twitter.com/A5NDad5VHE
— Armin van Buuren (@arminvanbuuren) June 2, 2020
I am joining the @pausetheshow initiative tomorrow and will be taking the day to unplug, reflect and focus on the actions we need to take to support the black community. This is not just a 24-hour initiative, this is just the beginning. #theshowmustbepaused #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/uKwLm0dw3i
— Meghan Trainor (@Meghan_Trainor) June 2, 2020
#TheShowMustBePaused so we can all take a moment to show support. Links to support and contribute what you can: https://t.co/4nKYr8Y1Hs. Or text FLOYD to 55156 to sign the Justice for George Floyd petition. pic.twitter.com/EL1JwqHPUK
— Beck (@beck) June 2, 2020
Stay tuned this week for our own call to action. In the meantime, we didn’t want to stay quiet.
We'll forever stand with the black community, our fellow artists, fans and leaders fighting against injustice and racism.@ColorOfChange @NAACP_LDF @blackfutureslab @eji_org pic.twitter.com/016NvsNKe8— Beastie Boys (@beastieboys) June 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/HamiltonMusical/status/1267643531574808576
#GeorgeFloyd #ICantBreathe pic.twitter.com/exQ9lPbL9d
— DJ Jazzy Jeff (@djjazzyjeff215) June 2, 2020
Pause. Listen. Open your heart. Stand in solidarity with people of color. I have. I do. I will. #blacklivesmatter #TheShowMustBePaused pic.twitter.com/4tJu9XMhw9
— LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (@leannrimes) June 2, 2020
#BlackLivesMatter #TheShowMustBePaused pic.twitter.com/TctGotRN5e
— The Beatles (@thebeatles) June 2, 2020
#TheShowMustBePaused pic.twitter.com/xlX5PT04LQ
— hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) June 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/idinamenzel/status/1267694519694262272
Black Lives Matter.
We have been & always will be inspired by black culture. It is our responsbility to recognize the systemic, inherent racism we are perpetuating & stop it now.
To our fellow white followers: we must continue listening, protesting, calling & e-mailing our pic.twitter.com/05FAETccOH— The Neighbourhood (@thenbhd) June 2, 2020
Give what you can, please consider signing the petition, and go to the websites below to educate yourselves and others on what we ALL must do to end racial and economic injustice in America. It’s never too late to do the right thing. #blacklivesmatter (2/3)
— QOTSA (@qotsa) June 2, 2020
MUSIC INDUSTRY BLACK OUT TUESDAY
Due to recent events please join us as we take an urgent step of action to provoke accountability and change.
Join us on Tuesday JUNE 2 as a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community.#THESHOWMUSTBEPAUSED pic.twitter.com/Yqb3D2CRWz
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) June 1, 2020
