I have therefore come to the conclusion that I should make this statement and step down, with immediate effect. While my intention was to honour a musical hero, I recognise my appearance was offensive and I made a terrible mistake.”He added: “As a consequence of this, I readily agreed to disciplinary actions by my employer last year.” “Since then however, allegations surrounding the party have continued to be made against me.
While my intention was to honour a musical hero, I recognise my appearance was offensive and I made a terrible mistake. I unreservedly apologise to anyone who has been hurt."
Moreover, they have been used against a wonderful company and the label I love. Updated July 10, 2020 12:41 pm Ben Cook, president of Atlantic Records, has quit in a new ‘blackface’ scandal (Warner Music) Ben Cook, the president of … Seven years ago, at a birthday party where guests were asked to come dressed as their favourite musical icon, I came as a member of Run DMC. Since then however, allegations surrounding the party have continued to be made against me.
Ben Cook, a key figure in the success of Ed Sheeran and one of British music’s most powerful figures, has stepped down as the president of Atlantic Records in … Announcing his departure from Atlantic Records UK, Ben Cook admits he made a "terrible mistake" at a party seven years ago, where he went dressed as a member of American hip-hop group Run DMC. Atlantic Records president Ben Cook has resigned after 12 years following a fancy dress party seven years ago where he dressed as a member of Run DMC. "He adds, "As a consequence of this, I readily agreed to disciplinary actions by my employer last year. The original line-up of Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels and Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell, who was killed in 2002, enjoyed hits including It’s Tricky and Walk This Way, with rockers Aerosmith.Industry insiders believe that Cook, who had been with Atlantic for 12 years and is popular with artists, could make a comeback given the fulsome apology he delivered. A statement from Warner Music, the parent company of Atlantic, said: 'Ben Cook is leaving Atlantic UK and this will be his last week in the office.' © 2020 JPIMedia Publications Ltd.Ben Cook, the president of Atlantic Records, the Warner Music-owned label behind Cook, who acknowledged that his choice of dress was “offensive”, said he attended the party seven years ago and that he had made a “terrible mistake.”His resignation is the latest “blackface” controversy, following the Several images emerged of Trudeau wearing racist make-up in his youth and late-20s at parties, tarnishing his liberal image.A high-flier, credited with guiding the careers of Sheeran, Stormzy and Rita Ora, Cook’s position was particularly sensitive as the head of a record company that is home to many prominent black artists and which publicly champions diversity.Announcing his resignation, Cook explained: “Seven years ago, at a birthday party where guests were asked to come dressed as their favourite musical icon, I came as a member of Run-DMC.” “Late last year rumours began to circulate about my appearance at that event, many of which are simply untrue. Atlantic Records president Ben Cook has resigned after 12 years following a fancy dress party seven years ago where he dressed as a member of Run DMC.Cook decided to step down today (16 October) following backlash after wearing blackface at a fancy dress party seven years ago.The Atlantic Records president dressed as a member of Run DMC, and was disciplined by the label last year on the grounds of racially offensive behaviour.Parlophone’s co-president Mark Mitchell will take over from Cook at Atlantic Records on an interim basis.
I have learned a great deal from this event and will resolutely continue to champion these values moving forward. Atlantic Records U.K. president Ben Cook announced his resignation as a result of blackface controversy when he dressed up as a member of Run-DMC at a birthday party seven years ago. His roster of stars includes Jess Glynne, Anne-Marie, James Blunt and Clean Bandit.All rights reserved. Moreover, they have been used against a wonderful company and the label I love.” “I have therefore come to the conclusion that I should make this statement and step down, with immediate effect.”Apologising unreservedly to “anyone who has been hurt,” Cook said: “I am devastated that this mistake has caused upset and has called into question my commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, values which I have championed throughout my career.”“I have learned a great deal from this event and will resolutely continue to champion these values moving forward.”Blackface, the practice of white people painting their faces darker, which was a regular feature in the entertainment industry’s past, is widely condemned as a racist caricature.Founded in 1983 in New York, Run-DMC are acknowledged as one of the most influential groups in the development of hip-hop.
Cook issued a statement on his resignation, which is effective immediately: "It is with great sadness that today I announce I am stepping down as president of Atlantic Records, UK. Cook decided to step down today (16 October) following backlash after wearing blackface at a fancy dress party seven years ago. 17 October 2019 • 10:02am L ast year, a photo of Atlantic Records UK president Ben Cook in blackface at a staff fancy dress party was posted to Facebook. "Cook closes his statement with an apology, "It has been an incredible privilege to have worked with the immensely talented artists, managers and team at Atlantic and the wider Warner family. I am devastated that this mistake has caused upset and has called into question my commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, values which I have championed throughout my career. Late last year rumours began to circulate about my appearance at that event, many of which are simply untrue.