It is an understatement to say that Hip Hop Isn't Dead, Hip Hop Is Done, and RandoMax Radio wouldn't exist without the many contributions from Black artists and Black culture that have shaped not just our chosen musical genre, but the music industry as a whole. I stand with Black communities with respect and appreciation for their tireless efforts combating systemic racism and social injustice, and if you've ever frequented any of my projects, I hope that you feel the same way.
If you're not sure of where to begin when it comes to showing your support, here are a few links to help get you started:
- Black Lives Matter - the official website of the movement
- https://blmsites.carrd.co/ - a collection of links directing you to various places where you can show support
- #theshowmustbepaused - the initiative created by Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang as a way to draw attention to the racist attitudes inherent within the music industry. Their official site has links to many helpful resources, including ways to donate directly to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery
And what if you can't financially support any organization right now? Click on this link to watch a YouTube video from Zoe Amira and let it play all the way through without skipping ads - 100% of all ad revenue generated by the clip (I say "clip", it's nearly an hour long) goes towards, as she says, "associations that offer protester bail funds, help pay for family funerals, and advocacy listed in the beginning of the video". Leave the video playing in the background while you do other things and let it repeat.
There will likely be some more rap-oriented stuff on the blog next week, but you can't, and shouldn't, ignore what's happening in Minnesota, across the country, and around the world. If any of what I'm saying or what you're seeing makes you feel uncomfortable, then maybe it's time for you to feel very uncomfortable. #blacklivesmatter
-Max
