The R&B star also challenged major labels and streaming services to “go big and public” with their donations.
The Weeknd is urging his nearly 23 million followers to follow his lead in donating to nonprofit organizations committed to racial equality.
On Monday (June 1), the star detailed receipts of $500,000 in donations he split between Black Lives Matter Global Network, Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp and National Bail Out. “Keep supporting our brothers and sisters out there risking everything to push for actual change for our black lives,” he captioned the Instagram slideshow. “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.”
In a follow-up post the next day, The Weeknd also called on the major labels and streaming services in the music industry to give publicly — and in a major way — to the Black Lives Matter movement. “To my fellow respected industry partners and execs- no one profits off of black music more than the labels and streaming services,” he wrote alongside a graphic features the logos of Universal Music Group, Sony Music, Warner Music, Spotify and Apple Music. “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.”
The star then took to his Instagram Stories to remind fans that more action is necessary in the fight for racial justice than simply posting a black square for #BlackoutTuesday. “Now is not the time to be silent. Do not turn off the truth. #BlackLivesMatter is not a black square,” read the stark black-and-white graphic he posted.
Check out The Weeknd’s massive charitable contributions and other Black Lives Matter posts below.
