Louder: Art That Confronts and Challenges Racism

Plus: Zane Lowe, Norah Jones, Field Recordings and More

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story June 5, 2020 By Caryn Ganz Pop Music Editor “This country manufactures only one product powerful enough to interrupt the greatest health and economic crisis it’s probably ever faced,” writes Wesley Morris. “We make racism, the American virus and the underlying condition of black woe.” In a week when once again, ghastly camera phone footage documented the mistreatment and death of black Americans, Wesley was overcome by Patti LaBelle’s cover of “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” from 1985. I hate that I even just told you what song he writes about, because it’s a spoiler for an impeccable piece of writing. Please read it, and this guide to works that illuminate and tackle police brutality, social injustice and racial inequity. Jim Wilson/The New York Times   Critic’s Notebook The Videos That Rocked America. The Song That Knows Our Rage. Awash in the ghastly video mosaic shot by black people’s cameraphones, I found myself doubled over the kitchen sink. Then a lyric gave me strength. By Wesley Morris Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Art That Confronts and Challenges Racism: Start Here Our writers suggest works that illuminate and tackle issues of police brutality, social injustice and racial inequity. By Melena Ryzik, Wesley Morris, Mekado Murphy, Reggie Ugwu, Pierre-Antoine Louis, Salamishah Tillet and Siddhartha Mitter #BlackoutTuesday: A Music Industry Protest Becomes a Social Media Moment What began as a proposed day of reflection after the death of George Floyd morphed into something broader, leading some to complain that #BlackLivesMatter posts were being silenced. By Joe Coscarelli Musicians Push Industry to Support Justice With Money, Not Hashtags After the day of reflection #BlackoutTuesday, Warner Music announced a $100 million fund. Additional labels and tech platforms have promised unspecified contributions to other groups. By Ben Sisario Breaking Down ‘Those Color Lines’ in a Music Industry That Drew Them The first black person appointed president of a major U.S. record label talks about race in the industry, and what has and hasn’t changed. By Nabil Ayers JAZZ AND THE PANDEMIC Vincent Tullo for The New York Times   Live From New York, It’s Jazz at a Distance The Greenwich Village club Smalls is booking bands inside the venue again, but audiences will still have to stay home. By Alan Scherstuhl INTERVIEWS How Zane Lowe Became Pop’s Unofficial Therapist The D.J.’s interviews on Apple’s Beats 1 have gone from promotional stops to opportunities for deep thoughts, anchored by an impulse to share his own story. By Melena Ryzik What Tracee Ellis Ross Worried About in ‘High Note’ (It Wasn’t Her Mom) Her character, a glamorous singer, might remind others of Diana Ross, but that’s not what the star was thinking. Really. By Melena Ryzik my ten Norah Jones Enjoys a Weekly Christmas, and Sweating to the (Not So) Oldies The musician shares the movies, podcast, book and music that top her list of cultural essentials. By Giovanni Russonello Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT HBO   Critic’s Notebook A Documentary for the #MeToo Era “On the Record” implicitly addresses longstanding criticism that black women have been overlooked in the conversation about sexual assault and power, but the film could have gone further. By Salamishah Tillet A PLAYLIST AND POPCAST playlist Need More Nature? Listen to 12 Essential Field Recordings Albums featuring chattering animals and roaring weather systems have blurred the boundaries of music and chance, new age and noise. By Christopher R. Weingarten After Missteps, Pop Stars Apologize … and Sometimes Push Back Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat, and how some in the limelight bristle at social media condemnation. NEWS europe dispatch: a continent reopens At Drive-In Disco, It ‘Feels Like Saturday Again,’ Even Without a Dance Floor To stop the spread of the coronavirus, nightclubs are still shuttered as Europe emerges from a lockdown. But one German club has found another way to host a party. Honk if you’re having a good time. By Patrick Kingsley and Laetitia Vancon ‘Not Just for Gays’: The Year the Tonys Dared to Go There How Adam Schlesinger and his writing partner created what may be the most outrageous opening number the broadcast has ever seen. By Eric Grode the charts Gunna Extends Hip-Hop’s Dominance on the Billboard Album Chart The rapper earned his first No. 1 with “Wunna,” and now all eyes are on Lady Gaga, whose “Chromatica” is expected to take the top spot next week. By Ben Sisario Jimmy Capps, Guitarist on Numerous Country Hits, Dies at 81 In addition to his prolific work as a studio musician, Mr. Capps was a member of the Grand Ole Opry’s house band for more than 50 years. By Bill Friskics-Warren Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT FROM CLASSICAL Angie Wang   5 Minutes That Will Make You Love the Cello We asked Yo-Yo Ma, John Williams, Andrew Lloyd Webber and others to pick the music that moves them. Listen to their choices. Stephan Zwickirsch   ‘I Just Let Myself Go’: Igor Levit on Surviving a Satie Marathon The pianist livestreamed “Vexations,” a solo of four lines repeated 840 times, to evoke the crisis facing artists during the coronavirus pandemic. By Joshua Barone Make a friend’s day: Forward this email! Get this from a friend? Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter @nytimesmusic. Send your feedback on Louder at theplaylist@nytimes.com. Check out our full range of newsletters. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Louder from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. 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