The Weeknd gave half a million dollars to racial justice organisations
The Canadian artist is calling on “everyone with big pockets to give and give big”
The Weeknd has thrown financial weight behind the fight for racial justice, splitting $500k of donations between the Black Lives Matter Global Network, Colin Kaepernick's Know Your Rights Camp and National Bail Out fund.
He posted receipts of the donations on social media, and urged music industry peers, executives, major labels and fans to join him in donating.
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On Instagram alongside the receipts, he wrote: "Keep supporting our brothers and sisters out there risking everything to push for actual change for our black lives. Urging everyone with big pockets to give and give big and if you have less please give what you can even if it's a small amount. #blacklivesmatter".
In a second post which included the logos of Universal Music Group, Sony Music, Warner Music, Spotify and Apple Music, he challenged major label and streaming platforms to do the same, writing: “To my fellow respected industry partners and execs- no one profits off of black music more than the labels and streaming services. I gave yesterday and I urge you to go big and public with yours this week. It would mean the world to me and the community if you can join us on this."
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Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Features Editor, follow him on Twitter
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