More than 900 artists, managers, producers and companies from across the UK music industry – including UK Music – have issued an urgent rallying call for unity against division and hatred.
Prompted by too many examples of racism and intolerance – most recently the sustained anti-Jewish outbursts and the horrific incidents that led to the BLM movement – the open letter urges everyone in the industry to speak out and eradicate racism.
The statement comes following a series of events and incidents from anti-black racists and antisemites, as well as from those who advocate islamophobia, xenophobia, homophobia and transphobia.
The letter acknowledges that minorities have suffered and have painful collective memories. It goes on to identify that all forms of racism have the same roots – ignorance, lack of education and scapegoating.
The statement includes the following call to action: “We, the British music industry are proudly uniting to amplify our voices, to take responsibility, to speak out and stand together in solidarity. Silence is not an option.”
The signatories include artists The 1975, Nile Rodgers, Lewis Capaldi, MNEK, Rita Ora, Clean Bandit, Labrinth, Little Mix, Ashnikko, NAO, Biffy Clyro, Mabel, Years & Years, Jess Glynne, Jonas Blue, Niall Horan, James Blunt, Naughty Boy, Grace Carter, Yungblud, and Joy Crookes.
Kanya King CBE (MOBO Award Founder), Grace Ladoja MBE (manager), Grace Carter, Paul Epworth (Producer), Amber Davis (music executive), Wayne Hector (Songwriter), Kamille (Songwriter), Adele Roberts (Broadcaster- BBC Radio 1), Sam Roman (Songwriter), Tim Blacksmith (Executive), Danny D (Executive), Dumi Oburota (Executive- owner Disturbing London), Guy Moot (Co-Chair/ CEO Warner Chappell Publishing), Jackie Davidson (Manager), Jamz Supernova (Broadcaster- BBC Radio 1 Xtra), Markell Casey (Publisher), Louis Bloom (President of Island Records), David Ventura (CO-MD Sony ATV UK), Nick Raphael (President, Capitol Records UK), Phil Christie (President, Warner Records UK), Michael Adex (Manager- Aitch), Rebecca Allen (President of EMI Music), Tiffany Calver (Broadcaster- BBC Radio 1/ 1xtra), Emma Banks (CAA), Joe Gossa (Executive- Black Butter), Matt Bates (Primary Talent), Jamie Oborne (Manager- The 1975), Stuart Camp (Manager- Ed Sheeran), Keith Harris OBE (Manager – Stevie Wonder), Roberto Neri (EVP, Downtown Music Holdings/Chairman of MPA), Tony Harlow (Warner Music UK Chairman & CEO), Merck Mercuriadis (Executive), Isabel Garvey (Abbey Road Studios), Universal Music UK, Warner Music UK, Sony Music UK, BPI, Ivors Academy, MMF (Music Managers Forum) and UK Music
The full text of the letter can be read below:
We, representatives from the music industry, write to demonstrate and express our determination, that love, unity and friendship, not division and hatred, must and will always be our common cause.
In recent months through a series of events and incidents, the anti-black racists and antisemites, plus those who advocate islamophobia, xenophobia, homophobia and transphobia, have repeatedly demonstrated that they clearly want us all to fail. Whether it be systemic racism and racial inequality highlighted by continued police brutality in America or anti-Jewish racism promulgated through online attacks, the result is the same: suspicion, hatred and division. We are at our worst when we attack one another.
Minorities from all backgrounds and faiths have struggled and suffered. From slavery to the Holocaust we have painful collective memories. All forms of racism have the same roots – ignorance, lack of education and scapegoating. We, the British music industry are proudly uniting to amplify our voices, to take responsibility, to speak out and stand together in solidarity. Silence is not an option.
There is a global love for music, irrespective of race, religion, sexuality and gender. Music brings joy and hope and connects us all. Through music, education and empathy we can find unity. We stand together, to educate and wipe out racism now and for our future generations.
A copy of the open letter and all its signatories can be read below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rkEtRy3pUPV12eC1cECC2Huqo8slKtOQtZtGSHQwKq8/edit
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