The label that’s home to Ariana Grande and The Weeknd said of axing the term used for hip-hop and R&B acts, “ ‘Urban’ is rooted in the historical evolution of terms that sought to define Black music,” but “over time the meaning and connotations of ‘urban’ have shifted and it developed into a generalization of Black people in many sectors of the music industry, including employees and music by Black artists.”

The term was coined by DJ Frankie Crocker in the ’70s.

Republic and Sony are among labels launching new social-justice funds and diversity task forces.