The Weeknd donates $500,000 to #BlackLivesMatter causes

The Weeknd has donated $500,000 to a number of organisations supporting #BlackLivesMatter following the death of George Floyd, urging industry partners and execs to do the same.

The artist - real name Abel Tesfaye - addressed rampant police brutality on his social media platforms after a rake of companies within the music business engaged in a silent protest yesterday.

Dubbed #BlackoutTuesday and #TheShowMustBePaused, the industry was asked "not to conduct business as usual" and to spend time reflecting on how to support the black community rather than simply profiting from black music.

Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, the Weeknd wrote:

“To my fellow respected industry partners and execs — no one profits off of black music more than the labels and streaming services."

“I gave yesterday and I urge you to go big and public with yours this week. It would mean the world to me and the community if you can join us.”

To my fellow respected industry partners and execs- no one profits off of black music more than the labels and streaming services. I gave yesterday and I urge you to go big and public with yours this week. It would mean the world to me and the community if you can join us pic.twitter.com/tWzHMacnu5

— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) June 2, 2020

On Monday, the singer donated $200,000 to Black Lives Matter Global Network, $200,000 to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp Legal Defense initiative and $100,000 to National Bail Out, which he shared on Instagram.

“Keep supporting our brothers and sisters out there risking everything to push for actual change for our black lives,” he wrote.

“Urging everyone with big pockets to give and give big and if you have less please give what you can even if it’s a small amount.”