PROTECT BLACK ART
[PSA]
#PROTECTBLACKART
#PROTECTBLACKART
The video's premiere at Summer Jam stands as an awe-inspiring testament to the redemptive power of artistic expression in the face of adversity. It afforded Young Stoner Records, Kevin Liles, and the entire YSL team a poignant platform from which to unite in their unwavering quest for justice. More than a mere spectacle, this unprecedented occasion underscored the solidarity thriving within the hip-hop community, revealing an indomitable spirit that champions the freedom of artistic expression.
With the unveiling of "Protect Black Art" at Summer Jam 2022, Young Thug and the YSL team have etched an indelible chapter in their musical odyssey. This profoundly impactful visual opus not only thrust the injustices inflicted upon Young Thug and Gunna into the global spotlight but also engendered a broader dialogue concerning the convergence of artistic expression and the intricacies of the legal system. This watershed moment epitomizes the transformative potential that artists wield when they harness their influence to advocate for substantive change, propelling the music industry and society at large towards a future that prizes inclusivity, equity, and reverence for the boundless power of black art.
In a resounding display of artistic resilience and a demand for justice, Young Stoner Records, in collaboration with Kevin Liles, recently unveiled a profound video and petition titled "Protect Black Art." This poignant visual masterpiece serves as a piercing indictment of the injustices suffered by Young Thug and Gunna during their involvement in the RICO case. Notable director Spike Jordan, who shares a close relationship with Gunna and the YSL team, enlisted the talented Matt Canon as the video editor for this impactful visual. The release of this evocative video reverberated across the vast landscape of hip-hop media, capturing the attention of audiences far and wide.
Beyond its immediate impact, the "Protect Black Art" video galvanized an extraordinary alliance of musicians, record labels, and scholarly minds who united in the printing of an open letter petition directed at esteemed publications, the New York Times and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Esteemed recording artists, including the incomparable Mary J. Blige, the genre-bending Drake, the lyrical virtuoso J. Cole, and the soulful Alicia Keys, were among the illustrious signatories who lent their names to this powerful missive. In a remarkable demonstration of industry solidarity, influential labels such as Warner Music Group, Sony Music Group, and Universal Music Group, alongside others including BMG and Quality Control, lent their weight to the cause. Notably, luminaries from renowned academic institutions, including Howard, Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton, added their scholarly gravitas to this profound plea. Together, this veritable coalition of industry titans sought to underscore the fundamental truth that lyrics that traverse themes of violence or crime are often an artist's personal reflection, a creative expression born from their lived experiences and their astute observations of the world.
The unveiling of the "Protect Black Art" video took on heightened significance as it seized the grand stage of Summer Jam 2022, the illustrious hip-hop music festival. This watershed moment provided Young Thug with an unprecedented opportunity to courageously speak out against the injustices he had endured since his arrest, marking a pivotal milestone in his artistic journey. Summer Jam's electrifying atmosphere and sprawling audience ensured that Young Thug's voice resounded far and wide, intensifying the urgency for transformative change within the very fabric of our justice system.
-Meek Mill introducing the video at Summer Jam 2022
