Chloe X Halle are pushing back the release of their upcoming album Ungodly Hour for a week in solidarity with the black lives lost recently.
The sister duo originally planned to drop the album on Friday (June 5), but have since announced that it will be released on June 12 instead.
“black lives matter!!!” they captioned their video announcement on Instagram, adding, “we’ll be postponing our album to June 12th in solidarity of all the beautiful black lives lost ✊🏾🖤”
“Over these past few days we’ve just been really angry and hurting and physically shaken up over everything that’s been going on,” they said in the video. “With that being said, my sister and I felt like it was only right to postpone our album.”
In a previously released statement, the R&B duo talked about their upcoming album and the lead single, “Do It.”
“During this time, music brings a lot of healing. We hope this song inspires someone to get up and dance, shake all the stress and anxiety away, and to ‘Do It’ as the song says. We are always very serious about the musicality of our songs and our musicianship, but the beauty of this song is that it shows a more carefree and fun vibe from us. We felt so good writing a song that will make people wanna bop to it and lift their spirits,” Chloe X Halle said in a statement per Just Jared Jr.
The music industry has also called for a “Blackout Tuesday,” happening on Tuesday (June 2) – a campaign sparked by the #TheShowMustBePaused movement, an initiative “in response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black citizens at the hands of police.”
According to their website, “Tuesday, June 2nd is meant to intentionally disrupt the work week. It’s a day to take a beat for an honest, reflective and productive conversation about what actions we need to collectively take to support the Black community.”
Many music stars, record labels and industry personalities have also taken to social media on Monday (June 1) to help spread the word.
Mick Jagger (via Twitter)
“It is heartbreaking to see America tearing itself apart again over issues of race. Tomorrow I stand with my fellow artists and observe Blackout Tuesday to combat racial discrimination and social injustice.”
Quincy Jones (via Twitter)
“It’s hard to know what to say because I’ve been dealing with racism my entire life. That said, it’s rearing its ugly head right now & by God it’s time to deal with it once & for all. My team & I stand for justice. Convos will be had & action will be taken. #THESHOWMUSTBEPAUSED”
Marc Anthony (via Twitter)
“Now more than ever we need to stand for unity, equality, justice and peace! #TheShowMustBePaused”
GRAMMYs (via Twitter)
“In response to George Floyd’s death––the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and “other black citizens at the hands of police,” music companies and artists are calling for the industry to observe “Black Out Tuesday” on June 2. #TheShowMustBePaused”
Zane Lowe (via Twitter)
“I am united with my black and brown friends and colleagues. Black lives matter. Tomorrow, I will not be on radio. I will be taking part in Black Out Tuesday, listening, learning and looking for solutions to fight racial inequality #TheShowMustBePaused”
Pussycat Dolls (via Twitter)
“It is our responsibility to help each other always. To shout louder together when those who have shouted alone for so long have gone unheard. Together we are stronger. We stand with our black community to inspire change and systemic revisions and accountability.”
Austin City Limits (via Twitter)
“Tomorrow will not be business as usual. We will spend our day actively listening, reflecting, and discussing how we can best support meaningful change. #theshowmustbepaused #blackouttuesday”
