GEORGE FLOYD: MUSIC INDUSTRY TO TAKE PART IN "BLACKOUT TUESDAY" IN SOLIDARITY WITH BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS

A father pushes his son in a stroller past Graffiti in memory of George Floyd by Italian street artist TVBoy, in Barcelona, Spain, on May 31. PHOTO: Miquel Benitez/Getty Images

Some of the leading names in the music industry are participating in “Blackout Tuesday” amid calls for change in the wake of George Floyd’s death. 

Protests erupted around the US after a video emerged showing a white Minnesota police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes during an arrest in Minneapolis.

In solidarity with the black community, members of the global music industry have pledged “a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community” under the hashtag #THESHOWMUSTBEPAUSED.

Columbia Records chairman Ron Perry posted last week: “We stand together with the Black community against all forms of racism, bigotry, and violence. Now, more than ever we must use our voices to speak up and challenge the injustices all around us.”

Police detain protesters as they march down the street during a solidarity rally on May 30 in New York City, New York. PHOTO: Wong Maye/ E/AP Photo

Sony Music, Universal, Interscope, Motown, Kobalt and many more have followed suit.

Rihanna is among the artists who have spoken of the “devastation, anger [and] sadness” they have felt since Floyd's death.

“Watching my people get murdered and lynched day after day pushed me to a heavy place in my heart,” Rihanna wrote.

SANTA MONICA, CA - DECEMBER 10: Recording artist Rihanna attends the 2nd Annual Diamond Ball hosted by Rihanna and The Clara Lionel Foundation at The Barker Hanger on December 10, 2015 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) 

Beyoncé filmed an Instagram video urging fans to sign a petition seeking “justice for George Floyd”.

“We all witnessed his murder in broad daylight…We're broken and we're disgusted,” she said. “We cannot normalise this pain”.

Stars including J Cole, Tinashe, Nick Cannon, Ariana Grande and Halsey were among those to join protestors across the US over the weekend.

Music mogul Jay-Z has been speaking directly with Minnesota governor Tim Walz as part of his fight for justice.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 08: Jay-Z and Blue Ivy Carter attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on March 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) 

The rapper and producer issued a statement about the phone call with Walz via his label Roc Nation’s official Twitter account, in which he thanked Walz for bringing attorney general Keith Ellison on to take over the case.

“Earlier today, Governor Walz mentioned having a human conversation with me – a dad and a black man in pain,” he wrote.

“Yes, I am human, a father and a black man in pain and I am not the only one. This is just a first step. I am more determined to fight for justice than any fight my would-be oppressors may have.”

Jay-Z also urged politicians to “do the right thing and prosecute all those responsible for the murder of George Floyd to the fullest extent of the law”.

------INDEPENDENT