March 2020
Shawn Mendes Donates $175K To SickKids Foundation
Through the Shawn Mendes Foundations, Mendes states “By making this donation to SickKids, we hope to help provide support in the urgent screening and prevention of COVID-19 for their patients and the surrounding community of Toronto. For the next month, we will be directing all donations to The Shawn Mendes Foundation to go towards additional efforts by SickKids, as well as efforts being made internationally by the World Health Organization COVID-19 Response Fund.”
SickKids is a children’s hospital determined to deliver the best possible health care for children and families.
SickKids CEO Ted Garrard declared his appreciation for Mendes’s support stating “This generous and timely donation will assist our hospital with increased efforts in prevention and screening of COVID-19.”
April 2020
World Health Organization (Who) And Global Citizen Announce: “One World” Together At Home
This was a Global special to celebrate and support healthcare workers in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. A legendary broadcast hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert. Featuring Lady Gaga, Alanis Morissette, Andrea Bocelli, Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong, Burna Boy, Chris Martin, David Beckham, Eddie Vedder, Elton John, Finneas, Idris and Sabrina Elba, J Balvin, John Legend, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kerry Washington, Land Lang, Lizzo, Mauluma, Paul McCartney, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Shah Rukh Khan, and Stevie Wonder.
“The World Health Organization is committed to defeating the coronavirus pandemic with science and public health measures, and supporting the health workers who are on the frontlines of the response,” said Dr. TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, Director-General of the World Health Organization.“We may have to be apart physically for a while, but we can still come together virtually to enjoy great music. The ‘One World: Together At Home’ concert represents a powerful show of solidarity against a common threat.”
May 2020
Stuck With You Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande
The proceeds went to First Responders Children’s Foundation. The video embodied what real life looked like in lockdown. It showed the public they are not alone in the never-ending battle of “staying home” and taught us how to make the most of it.
The video featured cameos of Hailey Bieber, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Demi Lovato, Chance the Rapper, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Michael Buble, and Jaden Smith dancing in the comfort of their own homes.
First Responders Children’s Foundation distributed more than $2 million in grants, funded more than 11,000 hotel room nights, and donated more than 200,000 FDA certified, surgical-grade masks (without disrupting the supply chain of N95 masks for hospitals) and paid for 16 funerals of first responders who have died from COVID-19.
June 2020
The Weeknd Donated $500 K Right Before Blackout Tuesday
Late Monday night prior to “Blackout Tuesday” The Weeknd gave generous donations of $200 K to Black Lives Matter Global Network, $200 K to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp and a final $100 K to National Bail Out. The Weekend set the bar for giving back to the community he stated “Go Big and Public”.
The Weeknd wrote on an Instagram post “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 on this.”
Not only Blackout Tuesday was trending but also “The Show Must Be Paused” the hashtag like 2020 reminded us to “take a pause”, reflect on what really matters and how we can make a difference. “The Show” not only symbolizes the music industry but life in general.
July 2020
James Bay Live London Show In Support Of “Save Our Venues”
The “Save Our Venues” campaign is to follow the release of James Bay’s new single “chew on mu heart”. James Bay performed a 45 minute live set in London on July 16th, 2020. The show was seen on James Bay’s official YouTube channel. The fundraiser had direct donation links to “Save Our Venues” the official music industry crowdfunded started by the UK to protect to assure music venues will not be at risk of permeant closure due to the pandemic.
“Big or small, spending time honing your craft and performing in venues is vital on the journey to becoming a successful touring and recording artist. We must never live in a world where live music venues don’t exist. They are as important for the artist as they are for the countless visitors and of course the dedicated staff that devote themselves to running those rooms like clockwork. Venues offer joy, an escape and magic you just don’t experience through a screen or even through a stereo speaker. At all costs, we must save our venues.” James Bay
August 2020
Jessie Reyez Makes History Performing On Top Of Toronto’s CN Tower
She is the first artist to ever sing the American and Canadian national anthems from the CN Tower Edgewalk. The star is known for her song “Before Love Came To Kill Us” and her cameo in the song “Scar” in Beyonce’s “Black is King” visual album.
The performance was held during the Round 1 Game 1 of the Toronto Raptors NBA Playoff Series.
September 2020
Universal Music Canada’s B.L.A.C.K. Label Coalition Announced New Scholarship In Partnership With The Pinball Clemons Foundation
UMC (Universal Music Canada) B.L.A.C.K. (businesses levelling access to change and knowledge) Label Coalition and the Pinball Clemons Foundation announced a new multi-year scholarship program for black high school student leaders who have proven to be devoted to volunteering work and involvement in their communities
The B.L.A.C.K. Label Scholarship is a product of a proposal put together by the B.L.A.C.K. Label Coalition. Their goal is to increase racial diversity, equity, and representation within UMC. With this scholarship, UMC will give 5 students up to $10,000 each to put aside for their first year of post-secondary education of their choosing.
“The quest for equality is universal but today Universal Music Canada has made it more local. Everyone no matter their present condition, has needed help at some point. Racism has accentuated this reality for Black youth making it infinitely more difficult for them to experience success,” stated Michael “Pinball” Clemons, Co-Founder of the Pinball Clemons Foundation. “A humble thank you to UMC for providing hope and vision of a new day, a bigger, better and a brighter one͟. This contribution will empower Black youth to be self-sustaining… not just survive, but thrive, elevating them from the margins to the mainstream.”
October 2020
New Song “I’m A Woman” By Supergroup Woman, Produced and Joined by Queen Guitarist Brian May, Announced For Release On October 23rd In Honour Of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The WOMAN supergroup includes four of rock musical theatre’s most powerful female voices and ‘We Will Rock You’ alumni – Mazz Murray, Kerry Ellis, Gina Murray and Anna-Jane Casey. May and WOMAN have collaborated a blues-rock version of famed songwriter duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller’s classic 1962 “I’m A Woman,” originally made famous by Peggy Lee.
This special 2020 cover on which May performed and produced was released in Breast Cancer Awareness Month to support the work of cancer charities – Target Ovarian Cancer and The Caron Keating Foundation, the latter being the family-run cancer charity in memory of the much-loved TV personality that was established by her mother Gloria Hunniford, and Caron’s two brothers.
Brian states: “This recording was conceived as a response to a calling to promote this great cause for women’s health. But it evolved into a magnificently raunchy and defiant rock track in its own right. These four ladies all rock out sensationally, and it was pure joy to underpin their performances with my guitar. I actually stole that down-and-dirty riff from “I’m a Man” so I would claim this arrangement kicks more ass than all previous !! Woman Rocks !!!”
November 2020
Jill and Eddie Vedder Come Together With Celebrity Friends For Venture Into Cures, A Virtual Event Supporting EB Research Partnership’s Mission To Find A Cure For Epidermolysis Bullosa
The show highlighted uplifting stories about individuals and families living with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) with appearances and performances from celebrity friends to teach viewers about EB and raise critical funds for research toward a cure for EB and other rare diseases. Venture Into Cures featured nostalgic and heartfelt moments, with the premiere of new songs by Eddie Vedder, influenced by EB families: the debut of “Matter of Time” and a new version of “Say Hi”. Venture Into Cures.
The one hour show, produced by Door Knocker Media and Seed Entertainment, includes special appearances by Judd Apatow, Bradley Cooper, Laura Dern, Billie Eilish, Chris Hemsworth, Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman, Gaten Matarazzo, Luis “King Kong” Ortiz, Adam Sandler, Jill Vedder, and Renée Zellweger, and inspiring musical performances by Jon Batiste, Alessia Cara, Andra Day, Glen Hansard, Adam Levine, Keb’ Mo’, Lukas, Micah and Willie Nelson, and Eddie Vedder.
EB is a life-threatening genetic disorder that affects approximately 500,000 people worldwide. It is known as “Butterfly Children” because their skin is as fragile as the wings of a butterfly, children with EB face severe pain, open external and internal wounds, and brutal daily bandaging process.
December 2020
Max Richter’s VOICES To Unite Global Audiences Today On Human Rights Day
As part of Human Rights Day, Max Richter and creative partner, BAFTA award-winning Yulia Mahr collaborated with the UN to amplify the message of the Declaration of Human Rights. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) hosted a Q&A with Richter and Mahr and discussed VOICES, as part of their digital Human Rights Day.
“ VOICES” represents a deep understanding of the global community. Ritcher and Mahr’s career proves that creativity is a huge part of being an activist. The uplifting message gives us hope of ending this year of uncertainty with some positivity and peace.
January 2021
Olivia Rodrigo’s Debut Single “ Drivers License” Becomes Global, Record-Breaking Success
As someone who was personally listening to this song about 100 times on repeat in January, I can say proudly say this was well-deserved. I have always been a lyric-over-beat girl myself. No matter what stage/mood I am in…I just love emotional crying by myself music. There is just something so much more powerful with sad music based on pain over happy music based on shallow fleeting moments. The power of pain in her lyrics is vulnerable, raw, and real. It is the storytelling in her lyrics that made her an overnight success, similar to Taylor Swift’s narrative lyric writing.
Not only is her lyric writing emotional, but you can hear her heartbreaking about her first love when she is signing.” I guess you didn’t mean what you wrote in that song about me
‘Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street”.
February 2021
The Weeknd First-Ever Canadian To Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show
This was a big moment for Canadians and considering all the positive involvement The Weekend had a few moments prior with his generous donations for BLM, this was clearly more than justified.
The Weeknd wore his signature red blazer and black gloves, which the Weeknd has worn in every live performance and music video while promoting After Hours, the singer also incorporated a group of lookalikes wearing identical outfits (but with bandages wrapped around their heads — a version of the Weeknd’s After Hours costume) into his performance.
Canadians celebrated the Weeknd’s historic moment at the Super Bowl, by Toronto Mayor John Tory declaring that Feb. 7 will now be known as The Weeknd Day. In a press release, Tory stated that “Millions of people will be watching him and cheering him on but we know Scarborough, a community he continues to support, will be cheering loudest!” “Toronto is proud that one of its own, The Weeknd, has achieved such enormous popularity both here at home and on the world stage.”