07/06/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/07/2021 09:09
News | BMG | Berlin, 07/06/2021
The Black Music Action Coalition's inaugural 'Music Industry Action Report Card' lauds BMG for, among other things, its initiative to review the contractual terms of Black artists in acquired music catalogs and to correct inequities in royalty payments. It says BMG can serve as an example for the entire music industry in this regard.
The Black Music Action Coalition's inaugural 'Music Industry Action Report Card' lauds BMG for, among other things, its initiative to review the contractual terms of Black artists in acquired music catalogs and to correct inequities in royalty payments. It says BMG can serve as an example for the entire music industry in this regard.
The death of the Black American George Floyd as a result of police violence in the U.S. last year sparked countless debates and initiatives worldwide about social discrimination and systemic racism. BMG, too, has stepped up its efforts to combat discrimination against people in society at large, while at the same time also taking measures in-house. Among other things, the music company is investigating whether it has acquired music catalogs whose contractual terms discriminate against Black artists. The aim is to eliminate any such unequal treatment and set an example for the music business in this respect. BMG has now been lauded for this commitment, as the music company announced - in the inaugural 'Music Industry Action Report Card' from the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), an advocacy organization dedicated to combating systemic racism in the music business.
The report was published a year after music and film industry companies declared 'Blackout Tuesday' on June 2, 2020, to send a signal against racism, discrimination, and police violence. Music companies in the U.S. launched the initiative '#TheShowMustBePaused,' with the participation of BMG artists and employees, among others. The TV production company Fremantle also published posts in connection with this. Just recently, BMG presented a stocktaking of the company's various actions to combat racism at a virtual meeting of employees. In its report, the BMAC examined the progress made in advancing racial diversity in the music industry during a year of #TheShowMustBePaused. The organization lauds BMG for reviewing historic acquired recorded music catalogs for possible unequal pay, for example, and for taking the initiative to effect genuine change 'that hopefully set a precedent for others to follow.' The report goes on to say: 'companies will need to join the conversation in a more substantial way soon, as examining deals is an essential part of addressing ownership and equity.'