Black Music Action Coalition

Gunna And The Black Music Action Coalition Launch A $500,000 Guaranteed Income Program

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Gunna has partnered with the Black Music Action Coalition to launch the Gunna x BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income Program. The program will give a monthly stipend of $1,000 to over two dozen families in Fulton County, Georgia (the Atlanta suburb Gunna hails from) for one year, totaling $500,000 worth of donations.

It’s just the latest example of Gunna’s commitment to giving back to his hometown; Gunna was even honored with a Gunna Day in Fulton for his philanthropic efforts, which included projects like Gunna’s Drip Closet and Goodr Grocery Store, which donated clothes and groceries to area families. Gunna and YSL labelmate/mentor Young Thug also paid 30 Fulton County inmates’ bonds in 2021 (which turned out to be ironic, when they were both denied bond multiple times as they awaited trial on racketeering charges). Upon his release from jail after pleading guilty to one charge of racketeering (a so-called “Alford Plea,” which meant he would not have to testify against his co-defendants), Gunna gave away $100,000 in grocery gift cards.

Of the Guaranteed Income Program, Gunna said in a statement, “When I launched Gunna’s Great Giveaway, my goal was to uplift my hometown by providing resources that could make a tangible difference in at least one household. Partnering with BMAC to introduce the Guaranteed Income program in South Fulton is a significant step toward enhancing these communities and transforming the economic landscape of the city.”

Black Music Action Coalition Launches GRAMMY Week with Star-Studded Music Maker Dinner

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Black Music Action Coalition Launches GRAMMY Week with Star-Studded Music Maker Dinner

In a glittering kickoff to GRAMMY week, the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) hosted an exclusive Music Maker Dinner in collaboration with producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis at Delilah in Los Angeles. The star-studded evening brought together industry leaders and celebrated artists, including Jermaine Dupri, Babyface, Flavor Flav, and Victoria Monét.

BMAC Co-Founder and CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers set the tone by emphasizing the importance of paying it forward and guiding the next generation. The event also announced the winners of the 2024 BMAC x ASCAP x Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Grant, empowering aspiring Black producers and songwriters with funding and mentorship.

Singer-songwriter Victoria Monét introduced the BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant, offering economic empowerment and mentorship opportunities to an emerging Black artist.

The night featured musical surprises, including a quartet performance by Babyface, Flavor Flav, Tank, and Kenny Burns, a sing-along led by Tank, and a tribute to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. BMAC’s GRAMMY Week events will continue with a Black Media Mixer and conclude with an Economic Justice Summit.

For more information on the Black Music Action Coalition, visit here.

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The post Black Music Action Coalition Launches GRAMMY Week with Star-Studded Music Maker Dinner first appeared on The Source.

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Rolling Loud’s RAP Act Rally Draws Thousands in Support of Young Thug and 500 Unjustly Incarcerated Black Men, Joined by Black Music Action Coalition

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Rolling Loud's RAP Act Rally Draws Thousands in Support of Young Thug and 500 Unjustly Incarcerated Black Men, Joined by Black Music Action Coalition

Rolling Loud Miami kicked off its eighth annual event with a powerful panel discussion and in-festival rally in collaboration with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) as part of Rolling Loud Week. The panel featured Rolling Loud Co-Founder Tariq Cherif, BMAC Co-Founder/Chair Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Congressman Hank Johnson, and Congressman Jamaal Bowman, discussing the RAP Act—a vital step towards protecting artists’ free speech and creative expression in the face of legal challenges.

“This is the most powerful generation we have ever seen, and this is the biggest Hip-Hop festival in the world,” said Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Co-Founder/Chair of BMAC. “To be able to bring messages of social and racial justice straight to the young people that will lead this nation is a very powerful tool. BMAC appreciates Rolling Loud for this partnership and support around The RAP Act. I thank Congressmen Johnson and Bowman for coming to Miami to spread this message of democracy, equity and fairness. As we celebrate 50 years of Hip-Hop, we must make sure to celebrate and support those fighting to protect the culture.” 

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Following the panel, a RAP Act rally took place on the Rolling Loud GoPuff Stage, drawing thousands of fans in support of Young Thug and over 500 black men currently facing unjust incarceration. The event also included the presence of five TSU students who won tickets and all-expenses-paid trips through BMAC’s Music Business Accelerator Program at Tennessee State University.

Cherif, who taught a class on touring and talent buying at TSU, saw the winning students create a hypothetical “Rolling Loud Nashville” festival. Their hard work was recognized with VIP tickets and travel expenses covered by the BMAC Board/ELC. To learn more about the RAP Act or take action, you can visit the BMAC website or send an automated letter to your Congressman at RAPACT.ORG. The Rolling Loud Miami festival continues to use its platform to advocate for important social issues within the music industry.

The post Rolling Loud’s RAP Act Rally Draws Thousands in Support of Young Thug and 500 Unjustly Incarcerated Black Men, Joined by Black Music Action Coalition first appeared on The Source.

The post Rolling Loud’s RAP Act Rally Draws Thousands in Support of Young Thug and 500 Unjustly Incarcerated Black Men, Joined by Black Music Action Coalition appeared first on The Source.

Lil Baby Was Honored With The Humanitarian Award At Black Music Action Coalition’s Music In Action Gala

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Lil Baby Humanitarian Award 2022
Getty Image / Leon Bennett

Last night, Lil Baby received the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award at Black Music Action Coalition’s second annual Music in Action Awards Gala. At the ceremony, which was held at Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Baby was honored for his work in the realm of social justice.

For the past three years, Baby has hosted Back To School Fest, in which he has provided children in Atlanta with backpacks and school supplies ahead of their first days of school. He has also launched a $150,000 “My Turn” scholarship program at Tri Cities High School, his alma mater.

Earlier this year, he collaborated with Atlanta restaurateur Lemont Bradley to help provide 100 local people with jobs.

“I honestly didn’t know what a humanitarian was, but as I looked into it and started reading, I understand that I’m actually humanitarian,” said Baby during his acceptance speech. “I just want to say that I appreciate everybody in here because nothing that we doing or trying to do can be done by one person. It’s gonna take all of us to stick together and stay together.”

In equally exciting news, Lil Baby also dropped “The World Is Yours To Take,” the Tears For Fears-sampling official anthem of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Audiomack & Black Music Action Coalition Launch ‘Black Music Executives Are The Future’ Paid Internship & Mentorship Program

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The Black Music Action Coalition and Audiomack, an artist-first music streaming and discovery platform, today announced the launch of “Black Music Executives Are The Future,” an internship and mentorship program aimed at grooming and developing the next generation of Black executives in the music industry.

As part of the initiative, Audiomack and the Black Music Action Coalition will select five Black undergraduates – or recent graduates – for three-month paid internships at Audiomack in a variety of departments, including marketing, creative design, editorial & content strategy, content operations, and tech development.

Over the duration of the program, the five participants will be allocated at least two notable music industry leaders to act as mentors. The following executives have received awards:

Amina Diop – Senior Vice President of Republic Records & Artist Manager
Andrew McInnes – CEO of TMWRK; manager for Diplo, A-Trak, etc.
Cortez Bryant – CEO of The Blueprint Group; served as artist manager for Lil’ Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Lil Nas X
Damien Smith – Artist Manager at Full Stop Management; manager for Offset and Anderson. Paak
Gordan Dillard – Artist Manager at SALXCO, manager for Doja Cat
Prophet – Co-founder and co-chair of Black Music Action Coalition; Artist manager
Tariq Cherif – Co-founder and CEO of Rolling Loud

“It’s disheartening to see that, of the 70 major and independent music companies, only 4.2% of high-level executives are Black,” Audiomack VP of Marketing & Brand Strategy Jason Johnson said. “As leaders in this industry, we must commit to hiring, developing and elevating Black talent to better reflect the communities that we serve. With this partnership with BMAC, our hope is to establish a strong pipeline of young, Black talent to enter the music industry and equip them with the resources to thrive.”

“If we are serious about closing the wealth gap and building an equitable industry and society, then there must be a true investment made into the next generation of Black executives and artists,” Black Music Action Coalition co-chair and artist manager Willie “Prophet” Stiggers said. “BMAC’s mission is not to only hold our industry accountable for dismantling systems that have historically prevented us from reaping the benefits of a culture we created, but to also to create new systems, new ideas and new leaders.  It starts with leveling the playing field and ensuring that the executives and artists coming up, has the tools, support, resources, and access to excel.  If Black lives matter – prove it.”

Prospective interns must apply HERE, create an Audiomack account, upload their résumé, select their preferred internship department, and follow Audiomack, Black Music Action Coalition, and Culture Fusion Agency on Instagram and Twitter. Applicants must submit a 300-word piece explaining why they wish to be chosen as a “Black Music Executives Are The Future” recipient and how they plan to use the opportunity to advance their careers. The application date for the program is March 4th. Following that, Audiomack and the Black Music Action Coalition will assess entries, announce program winners on March 14th, and assign beneficiaries to begin their internships on March 21st.

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