Black Music Action Coalition

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The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) is a black activist organization. [1] American record label executive, Courtney Stewart was a founding member and serves on the executive committee [2] for the nonprofit formed in 2020 to combat systemic racism in the music industry. [3] American entertainment lawyer and artist rights advocate Dina LaPolt is also an active member on the Executive Leadership Council. [4] Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, is co-founder, president, and CEO. [5]

In April 2021, American country music singer/songwriter Morgan Wallen donated $300,000 to the Black Music Action Coalition in the names of 20 people who had counseled him following some "dumb stuff". Those individuals were given the option to funnel their respective $15,000 donations to a charity of their choice or keep the money within the BMAC. [6]

In 2021, BMAC and hip hop music festival Rolling Loud partnered to promote social justice initiatives. [7] In 2023, Rolling Loud hosted a panel discussion in support of their Restoring Artistic Protections (RAP) Act initiative on the first day of Rolling Loud Miami. The panel included Stiggers for BMAC, Rolling Loud co-founder Tariq Cherif, and congressmen Hank Johnson and Jamaal Bowman. The act was introduced as a way to protect artists' creative expression, which has been used against them as evidence in court. [8] [9] [10]

Regarding Tennessee's ELVIS Act, Stiggers said: "Black Music Action Coalition supports this first-of-its-kind legislation, as the misuse of AI could devastate Black music creators who already face an uphill battle. Our priority is to amplify the larger justice movement in the music industry, and we commend Tennessee for setting the standard in AI protection legislation. We hope to see other states follow in Tennessee’s lead in order to protect the creative community." [5]

Music in Action awards

The Black Music Action Coalition's inaugural Music in Action Awards were presented in 2021 by The Weeknd. [11] That year LaPolt herself was honored for her Black community activism as the recipient of BMAC's Agent of Change Award, alongside civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump. The Weeknd received the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award. [12]

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References

  1. ↑ Ruggieri, Melissa. "Morgan Wallen completes his $500K pledge to Black groups with donation to National Museum of African American Music". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  2. ↑ Sarah Pittman (13 August 2020). "Voices Of Live: Courtney Stewart On Finding His Place In The Music Biz – 'This Is My Calling'". Pollstar. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  3. ↑ Samantha Hissong (22 June 2020). "Meet the Music Industry's New Black Music Action Coalition". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  4. ↑ Hissong, Samantha (2020-06-22). "Meet the Music Industry's New Black Music Action Coalition". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  5. 1 2 Murray Stassen (2024). "Elvis Act Signed Into Law in Tennessee to Protect Artists' Voice and Likeness from the Misuse of AI". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  6. ↑ Ruggieri, Melissa. "The real story of Morgan Wallen's $500K pledge to Black groups, and how the money got distributed". USA Today. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  7. ↑ Angermiller, Michele Amabile (December 2, 2021). "Black Music Action Coalition, Rolling Loud California Team for Social Justice Initiatives". Variety. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Miami's Rolling Loud festival calls to end using rap artists' lyrics as evidence" . Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  9. ↑ "Rolling Loud Hosts RAP Act Rally in Support of Young Thug, Takes Stand Against Lyrics Used as Evidence". www.complex.com. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  10. ↑ Fitzgerald, Trent (2023-07-24). "Rolling Loud and Black Music Action Coalition Create PSA to End Rap Lyrics Being Used as Evidence". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  11. ↑ "The Weeknd to Receive Humanitarian Honor at First Black Music Action Coalition Awards Ceremony". Variety.
  12. ↑ Halperin, Shirley; Tangcay, Jazz (September 24, 2021). "The Weeknd, Motown's Ethiopia Habtemariam Highlight Emotional Night at Black Music Action Coalition Awards". Variety. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
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