*The following article has since been updated reflecting a more up-to-date statement issued by Spotify that they will no longer be supporting the Black Out Tuesday – Updated Statement
On Tuesday, June 2, the music industry will be standing in solidarity with the masses speaking out against racism, systemic injustices, and basic human inequality during a full-day music blackout. Major industry labels like Atlantic Records and Sony and various media publications, including EARMILK, have already pledged to join this stand for the world to focus on the greater issue at hand. Major streaming platforms like Spotify can attribute much of their success and the majority of their revenue to the music, production, influence, and commentary derived from the black community. You cannot spin the records and reap the rewards from music that was forged by voices of oppressed communities, so it's a respected move to see a leader like Spotify leverage their platform in support of something greater during this time. In an earlier statement from Dana Sedgwick, Team Lead of Audience Development at Spotify, the company will be supporting the blackout and its mission to "disconnect from work and reconnect with our community. #theshowmustbepaused"
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Whether the full scope of Spotify's services will be shut down or if the platform will be streaming limited music that is directly related to or in support of the black community during this day has yet to be released. EARMILK has reached out to the company for further details and will update this article as more information is released.
For those interested in ways to take action from home during this time, please visit the following links:
Sign a petition demanding Justice for George Floyd.
Sign a petition for other Minneapolis civil rights groups like Color of Change
Donate to Black Lives Matter.
Donate to The NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Donate to police reform groups like Campaign Zero.
Get involved with your local Black Lives Matter chapter.
