(This post has been updated.) LOS ANGELES – A list stating some of music’s top recording artists are reportedly boycotting Florida over the George Zimmerman verdict surfaced Monday following confirmed statements from Stevie Wonder and Mary Mary that they would no longer play in the state due to its Stand Your Ground law.
American Urban Radio Networks White House correspondent April Ryan released the list on her blog. It included A-list acts like Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Jay Z, Patti LaBelle, Madonna and the Rolling Stones.
The full list, which Ryan said came from someone “close to the Stevie Wonder camp,” comprised many of the biggest names in music, which spawned a significant reaction online when it was published. It included:
- Mary Mary
- Eddie Levert
- Rod Stewart
- Madonna
- Usher
- Pattie Labelle
- Kanye West
- Mary J. Blige
- Trey Songz
- Jay Z
- Rolling Stones
- Justin Timberlake
- R. Kelly
- Rihanna
- Alicia Keys
- Joe
- Will.I.AM
- Keyshia Cole
- Young Jeezy
- Erykah Badu
- Wale
- Frankie Beverly
- Parliament
Later, Ryan updated the post, saying she had been in communication with several artists’ representatives, some of whom said their talent was “uncomfortable being identified on that list.”
Some stars deny involvement in boycott
In a further update to Ryan’s story Wednesday, the reporter wrote that she received an official statement from Keys’ publicist “questioning the validity of the list,” adding: “I was given this list from a source who has been reliable in the past. So far, in addition to Stevie Wonder, two other entertainers whose names appear on the list have been identified by other news organizations as being supporters of the boycott. They are Mary Mary and R&B singer Eddie Levert.”
Keys’ publicist Kelly Bush told theGrio she believes the list that was given to Ryan is fabricated, describing it as an “Internet meme.”
Bush said in the official statement provided to theGrio and to Ryan: “We question the validity of this list since Alicia’s name along with many others has appeared erroneously.”
TheGrio reached out to Wale’s management, who said, they were “unaware of Wale’s involvement in any Florida boycott in regards to the Stand Your Ground verdict.”
George Clinton, who is a resident of Florida, said in a statement to theGrio: “While we stand in support of the spirit of the “boycott Florida” movement, the fact of the matter is that such a boycott cannot be practically maintained by those of us who reside in or whose base of operation is Florida. We hope that we may use our influence to encourage others to become active in the burgeoning campaign to repeal the “Stand Your Ground” law in ALL states by refusing to buy the products from companies whose management and/or ownership supported such legislation.”
“We believe that only through the concerted effort of the general populace can we accomplish that goal,” the statement continued. “While entertainers can refuse to perform in Florida, everybody can refuse to drink orange juice.”
Other artists contacted by theGrio did not respond to requests for comment, but some provided statements to other news outlets.
A representative of The Rolling Stones told Mother Jones she was “not aware of this” list, and hadn’t been until the outlet contacted her.
Similarly, a source close to Rihanna told the Huffington Post that she was not part of the boycott, and Jay Z, Justin Timberlake and Madonna have also denied reports.
Timberlake and Jay Z are still scheduled to perform for their tour on August 16 at Sun Life stadium, as the venue confirmed via Twitter to PolitiFact.
Next: Wonder sparks a movement
Originally, Wonder announced his pledge to boycott the state during a performance in Quebec City, Canada, and it was this decision that led others to follow his lead.
“I decided today that until the ‘Stand Your Ground’ law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again,” he told the audience. “As a matter of fact, wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world.”
Joining the singer’s initiative, Mary Mary confirmed their participation in the boycott via Instagram, stating “We will stand with Stevie Wonder and boycott Florida until the Stand Your Ground law is changed.”
On Twitter, Levert expressed his support, tweeting, “Well!!!!! I’m going to join MR STEVIE WONDER IN HIS BOYCOTT OF FLORIDA I EDDIE LEVERT WILL NOT PLAY FLORIDA UNTIL THEY CHANGE THEIR GUN LAWS.”
He followed it with a second note, “Well!!!!! I’m doing this as a individual because u shouldn’t be able to follow, chase, assume, and kill anyone. no matter what color they are.”
And late this week, R&B legend Chaka Khan announced that she too would be boycotting the Sunshine State.
The propensity for change
Beyond star alliances, black organizations have begun to call for boycotts against the tourist industry in Florida as a means of protesting the Zimmerman verdict and the Stand Your Ground law.
A petition launched in support of the efforts has garnered nearly 13,000 signatures as of Thursday, and millions have taken to social media to express their sentiment on the situation.
However, Florida is not the only state with such laws. Nearly half the states in the U.S. have some version of the directive, though the results of the Zimmerman verdict have prompted some to reconsider its merit.
Reports USA Today, Arizona state Sen. Steve Gallardo has asked lawmakers and leaders to review the law, as did U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
In Alabama, a Democratic lawmaker said Tuesday there would be an effort to repeal their version of the law.
Despite protests and political call-to-actions, experts believe the likelihood of change is small.
Daniel Webster, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research, told CNN that “Overturning laws isn’t very common,” and “stand your ground laws have some popular appeal due to the the very general notion that citizens should be able to protect themselves and you shouldn’t have to, in essence, run from crime.”
Follow Courtney Garcia on Twitter at @CourtGarcia