Approach + Intervention

We do not aim to solve the ills of 400 years of criminal mistreatment alone. Our vehicle of change is the music industry. Social justice is incremental work, and as we engage with major corporations and partners our approach is twofold. 

1. Create equality of access and enact a redistribution of power

2. Repurpose existing resources to provide a platform that amplifies social justice initiatives

The first phase of The Show Must Be Paused (TSMBP) was an intervention. A day for Black leaders of major music organizations, the next generation of executives and their partners to state their opinions, share stories of healing/revelation and discuss the role the music business must play in consideration of Black lives. Over 1500 people joined one of three powerful, honest and vulnerable dialogues. Participants included artists, managers, producers, singer/songwriters, label representatives, lawyers, digital streaming platforms, touring agents, booking agents, radio programmers/personalities, event planners and marketing organizations. Each respective group was given time to voice their theory of change based on the music-based activism they most closely align with. Although the first request was to pause, we cannot stop there.

As we move into phase two of our method, and though we know we have a long way to go, action has already been taken in response to our initial efforts. In the days following last Tuesday’s pause, major music labels, streaming services and a significant number of other music companies have committed time, resources and money to support causes fighting social ills. It’s been just a week, and we are aware that one day of conversation is only enough to scratch the surface of possibility, but the sentiment has been clearly felt. Upon reviewing and reflecting, the collective discussions on June 2nd revealed that several of the group’s takeaways were similar. Further to that discovery, we understand that there will be a different approach and subsequent path to progress for all subsets of the music community.