[user104658]

Was she told outright NOT to have certain hairstyles or they wouldn't release her music, or was she advised against it on the basis that it would probably affect sales?

Both are rooted in racism, of course, but of a different branch. If it was the former it's the management being straight up racist. If its the latter and was management advice based on market trends, the real problem of course is racially-charged consumer expectations and management aren't really at fault for giving that advice if it's factual.

I guess the difference is between if they said "You can't have your hair like that", and if they said "you can have your hair how you want, but you'll sell fewer records".

Both are sad, sad situations though.