Singer Fiona Apple has pledged to donate two years' worth of song royalties to charity.
Following the release of her critically acclaimed studio album Fetch the Bold Cuttersin April, Apple promised to donate all money made from two of the record's tracks when they are featured on TV and film.
Royalties from the track “Shameika” will be given to the Harlem Children’s Zone, which aims to help end intergenerational poverty in the New York neighbourhood of Harlem.
Meanwhile, money made by “Heavy Balloon” will go to Seeding Sovereignty, an indigenous-led group working to dismantle imperialist institutions and decolonise capitalism.
In order to increase the amount she can donate, Apple encouraged her fans to message Hollywood music programmers telling them to include the track in their shows and films.
However, she assured fans that in the case neither track appeared on screen, she would still donate £39,000 ($50,000) to each charity.
“I will still give each organization I mentioned here fifty-thousand dollars if no one ends up requesting use of these songs. But I will be able to give a lot more, if I can earn some of that Hollywood cash, so here’s hoping, here’s trying, and that’s that, I guess,” Apple wrote in a handwritten note shared by her fans.
Last year, the singer donated around £71,000 ($90,000) to the While They Wait Fund that she earned in royalties whenever her song “Criminal” was played on TV or film.
