These are this week’s Bandcamp essentials (June 5th)
Launched as a way of supporting artists and labels impacted through the coronavirus pandemic, DJ Mag started a weekly roundup of the most vital Bandcamp releases. This week, we put the focus on releases from black artists, labels and collectives, as well as releases from those donating to organisations supporting black communities and initiatives
On Monday, 25th May, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was killed by a white police officer, Derek Chauvin. Footage of the arrest shows Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes, ignoring him as he repeatedly pleads, “I can’t breathe”.
In response to this and countless other cases of police brutality, and as part of the ongoing struggle against systemic racism, hundreds have taken to social media to share donation links to organisations and initiatives in aid of George Floyd’s family, protesters and local initiatives working with the black community. Artists and DJs throughout the dance music community, including Scratcha DVA, Loraine James, Martyn, Four Tet, Fauzia and Dee Diggs, have encouraged others to donate by asking peers to match their own donations across social media.
On June 19th, Bandcamp will donate 100% of its profits to the NAACP Legal Defence Fund. NAACP, a civil rights organisation founded in 1909, describe their mission in the 21st century as ensuring "the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination".
For this week’s Bandcamp essentials, we continue to show our support for the black community, by focusing on releases from black artists, black-owned labels and collectives, as well as showcasing releases from those donating to organisations supporting black communities and initiatives. There is also a google doc here, featuring hundreds of black artists you can support.
Here are the first picks for June, featuring music from Tash LC’s Club Yeke and Batu’s Timedance imprints, UNIIQU3, Jaymie Silk and Mr. Mitch, as well as fundraising compilations and EPs from Ikonika, Lone and Optimo.
Fundraising releases
Below is a handful of labels and their contribution from Bandcamp sales towards fundraising, you can see the full list of over 100 labels here. We've picked out a few of our favourite releases below.
Beats in Space Donating label’s share of sales to Black Art Futures.
Club Chai Donating all label revenue to black-led LGBTQ+ organizations
Dark Entries Donating all proceeds from digital sales to Black-led LGBTQ+ organizations.
Hyperdub Donating the label’s share of sales to Black Lives Matter and related causes.
Lobster Theremin Donating 100% of profits to organizations that benefit people of color, as well as to bail funds.
Ninja Tune Donating label’s share of sales to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
100% Silk Donating 50% of all proceeds to Black Lives Matter.
Optimo Music Donating 100% of proceeds to Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights
Oscilla Sound: Donating 100% of proceeds to Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.
Planet Mu: Donating label share of sales to Chicago Defender Charities.
Sacred Bones Records: Donating 100% of all digital sales split between The Loveland Foundation and a nationwide bail fund that splits donations among community bail funds.
Shall Not Fade: Offering 15% off with code “SNF15”, mystery vinyl bundles, and donating all proceeds to Black Minds Matter.
Soul Clap Records: Donating 100% of label’s share to Black Lives Matter; donating 30% of label share from sales of Life on Planets’ “Only You” to Black Lives Matter in perpetuity.
TV Showw: Donating 100% of money from sales today to Black Lives Matter.
