In 2020, a groundswell of protests following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others sparked a national reckoning on racial inequality. Amid these calls for justice, many corporations and institutions, including the music industry, pledged solidarity with the Black community. Yet, beneath the surface of hashtags like #BlackoutTuesday lies an uncomfortable truth: the music industry profits immensely from Black culture while doing little to address the systemic racism that perpetuates Black suffering.
The Exploitation of Black Culture
The music industry has long thrived on the creativity and labor of Black artists. From jazz and blues to R&B and hip-hop, Black talent has shaped and defined American music. Despite their contributions, Black artists have historically faced exploitation. Contracts that strip artists of ownership, pay disparities, and erasure of Black creators in favor of white performers are pervasive. This exploitation reflects a broader societal pattern where Black labor and culture are commodified, but Black lives and communities are disregarded.
In hip-hop, the disparities are especially glaring. Since becoming America’s most popular music genre in 2017, hip-hop has generated billions in revenue. Yet, white-owned corporations control the majority of profits, and Black artists often receive a fraction of the wealth their work produces. This imbalance perpetuates systemic racism by concentrating economic power in predominantly white hands while leaving Black artists vulnerable to financial instability and exploitation.
The Psychological Impact of Devaluation
The commodification of Black culture without corresponding support for Black lives sends a harmful psychological message. It reinforces the idea that Black people are valued only for their output, not their humanity. This devaluation can contribute to feelings of worthlessness, distrust, and internalized racism within Black communities. Additionally, the pressure to conform to stereotypes perpetuated by the media and the music industry exacerbates mental health struggles, including anxiety and depression.
For Black creators, the burden of navigating these systems is immense. Black writers and journalists in the music industry, for example, often bear the disproportionate responsibility of representing their entire community. Operating in predominantly white spaces, they must constantly advocate for equitable representation while managing the emotional toll of systemic exclusion.
Hip-Hop’s Popularity, Corporate Control, and Performative Solidarity
When hip-hop achieved its status as America’s top genre, it marked a significant cultural milestone. Yet, this success has not translated into equity for Black artists. The genre’s profitability is dominated by labels and platforms run by white executives who frequently prioritize profit over ethical responsibility. Performative gestures like #BlackoutTuesday underscore this hypocrisy. While these symbolic acts signal awareness, they fail to address the structural inequalities embedded in the industry, such as the lack of Black leadership and the exploitation of Black artists.
Journalism’s Role in Perpetuating Harm
Music journalism, too, plays a role in this exploitation. By fetishizing street life and glorifying violence, publications perpetuate harmful stereotypes about Black artists and communities. This sensationalism has real-world consequences. For instance, coverage of artists like Chief Keef and Bobby Shmurda often emphasizes their criminal records or “street credibility” rather than their artistry, leading to increased scrutiny from law enforcement and reinforcing negative public perceptions.
This approach not only endangers Black artists but also denies them the opportunity to be seen as fully human. Albums like Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and Beyoncé’s Lemonade—which celebrate Black resilience, history, and identity—are often dismissed as “urban” or niche rather than universally significant. Such categorization marginalizes Black excellence and undermines the cultural value of these works.
The Psychological Toll of Marginalization
The dismissal of Black excellence in mainstream culture can lead to feelings of alienation and frustration among Black creators. When their work is systematically undervalued, it reinforces the message that their stories and contributions are secondary. This marginalization affects not only their careers but also their sense of identity and belonging. For Black writers and journalists, the additional pressure to “speak for their community” in predominantly white workplaces compounds these challenges, creating a cycle of emotional and professional exhaustion.
A Call to Action for Allies
For non-Black individuals and institutions that profit from Black culture, performative allyship is no longer acceptable. Genuine support requires action. Allies must use their privilege to challenge systemic racism within the industry and beyond. This includes advocating for equitable pay and ownership rights for Black artists, increasing Black leadership in executive roles, and holding media outlets accountable for perpetuating harmful narratives.
Educational initiatives to dismantle stereotypes and amplify Black voices are also critical. For example, white journalists can interrogate their biases and work to ensure fair and accurate representation of Black artists. Music labels and platforms can create transparent pathways for Black artists to retain ownership of their work, ensuring they benefit fully from their contributions.
The Takeaways
The music industry’s exploitation of Black culture while ignoring Black lives is a microcosm of systemic racism in America. The psychological toll on Black creators and communities is profound, reinforcing cycles of devaluation and marginalization. If the industry truly values the culture it profits from, it must take meaningful steps to protect and uplift Black lives. Anything less perpetuates the cycle of exploitation and systemic inequality that has persisted for far too long.
