-
What Is Blackout Tuesday? Industries, Brands and More Go Black in Solidarity of Black Lives Matter
If you’re scrolling down Instagram today, odds are you’re seeing nothing but black screens. What is this for? Blackout Tuesday, a collective action event started by black female music industry workers Jamila Thomas (Senior Director of Marketing at Atlantic Records) and Brianna Agyemang (Senior Artist Campaign Manager at Platoon), was initially intended to halt the…
-
Jay-Z Spoke With Minnesota Governor Tim Walz About the George Floyd Case
Jay-Z reportedly called the governor of Minnesota in order to demand that all four officers who were involved in the death of George Floyd be brought to justice. He explained the conversation in a statement sent out by Roc Nation. In the statement, the music mogul thanked Governor Tim Walz for being open to having…
-
Music Labels and Industry Giants to Participate in Blackout Tuesday to Stand in Solidarity With Black Community
Music industry giants such as Warner Music, Sony, and Interscope Records, as well as artists and celebrities within the space, are joining together in solidarity with the black community in response to the death of George Floyd last week. “Blackout Tuesday” will take place on June 2 and throughout social media, many companies, record label…
-
Replay, Revisit, Reject: This Was a Rough Weekend, but Did New Music Help?
We get it: With everything going on in the world, it can be difficult to carve out time to discover new music. Industry-pushed tunes that you may not even bang with like that could also get in the way of you finding something that tingles your consumer taste buds. While new tunes are usually released…
-
Cash Money Is an Army: Record Label Pays June Rent for Hundreds of New Orleans Residents
Cash Money Records is paying the June rent of hundreds of subsidized tenants and families who live in the New Orleans area formerly known as Magnolia, Calliope, and Melpomene housing projects, now named as Scattered Sites Harmony Oaks, Marrero Commons and Guste. According to a press release, Cash Money Records (founded by New Orleans natives and…
-
John Boyega Hates Racists, and You Can Stay Mad About It
Let’s get one thing straight: John Boyega is not here for racists. If that wasn’t clear enough, the Star Wars actor—who has become increasingly more vocal about political and social issues since the trilogy ended—doubled down about his specific disdain for “WHITE on BLACK racism…the kind that has ruined the world” on Twitter and Instagram…
-
This Weekend, Treat Yourself to Music, Dance, and Mental Clarity With These Events
This weekend is just like the last and the ones before it, unfortunately, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Social media is chock full of entertainment at your fingertips, and The Root is here with options. Not only do these events cover the entertainment aspect we need, but many of them are philanthropic,…
-
Red Table Talk Dives Deep Into a Necessary Discussion About Colorism
The ladies of Red Table Talk, Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris and Willow Smith, had an important conversation on their popular Facebook Watch show about colorism in the black community on May 27. The trio was joined by Jada’s lifelong friend Mia Pitts and her daughter Madison Miles to discuss their experiences with colorism throughout…
-
Gabrielle Union Speaks Out About America's Got Talent's Workplace Environment: "I'm Not the Only One Being Poisoned at Work"
For the first time, Gabrielle Union is speaking out about her departure from the reality competition show America’s Got Talent, unchecked systemic racism in the workplace and the importance of a healthy workplace environment. In September 2019, the actress and author, along with fellow judge Julianne Hough, were dismissed from their duties on the show…
-
Jimmy Fallon Apologizes for Impersonating Chris Rock With Blackface SNL Skit
A rediscovered Saturday Night Live sketch from 2000 featuring Jimmy Fallon impersonating Chris Rock by wearing blackface made the rounds over the weekend, and many Internet folk were calling out The Tonight Show’s host for the bit. After receiving backlash for the skit, Fallon tweeted out his apology for what he calls an “unquestionably offensive…