Subscribe

* indicates required
Okayplayer News

To continue reading

Create a free account or sign in to unlock more free articles.

By continuing, you agree to the Terms of Service and acknowledge our Privacy Policy

Obi onyeador 9fwrfem2xiy unsplash
Obi onyeador 9fwrfem2xiy unsplash
Photo by Obi Onyeador on Unsplash

Warner Music Group Announces $100 Million Fund to Support Anti-Racist Campaigns

An advisory panel will establish procedures to identify and support musicians and organizations.

On the heels of #BlackoutTuesday, one of the largest record labels has announced its response. On Wednesday, Warner Music Group announced a $100 million fund to support anti-racist campaigns. The money will come from the family foundation of Warner's primary owner, Len Blavatnik.

Warner CEO Steve Cooper announced the fund in a statement.

“This fund will support the extraordinary, dedicated organizations that are on the front lines of the fight against racism and injustice," Cooper said, "and those that help those in need across the music industry. Our advisory panel will draw from a diverse cross-section of people from our team and the wider community."

Warner Music Group is home to artists like A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Cardi B, Lizzo, Curren$y, and Lupe Fiasco. The organization also owns Atlantic Records, one of whose employees, Jamila Thomas, actually co-founded #TheShowMustBePaused and Blackout Tuesday.

On Monday, The Weeknd donated $500,000 between the Black Lives Matter Global Network, Colin Kaepernick's Know Your Rights legal defense initiative, and the National Bail Out fund. He then asked Sony, Universal, and Warner Music Groups to "go big and public" with their own donations.

"No one profits off of black music more than the labels and streaming services," he wrote. "I gave yesterday and I urge you to go big and public with yours this week."

"We're determined to contribute," Cooper said, "on a sustained long-term basis, to the effort to bring about real change."