Black Music Month

by · July 6, 2022

Black Music Month Celebration

Black Music Month is an annual celebration of African-American music in the United States. It was initiated by President Jimmy Carter on June 7, 1979. In 2009, the commemoration was given its current name by President Barack Obama.[1] In his 2016 proclamation, Obama noted that African-American music and musicians have helped the country “to dance, to express our faith through song, to march against injustice, and to defend our country’s enduring promise of freedom and opportunity for all. “[2]


Black Music Month sometimes called music appreciation month is celebrated in the month of June. Formerly called National Black Music Month, it is a celebration of African American musical contributions. The playlist Black Music Month on Spotify contains a variety of genres that African Americans have created influenced or inspired. The playlist contains black musicians from; Sacred Music, Folk Music, The Blues, Military Music, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll, Hip Hop, R&B, and Soul.

A celebration of black creatives

Black Music Month Facts!


President Jimmy Carter designated June as Black Music Month in 1979. It was created to recognize the impact Black music has had on American music culture. Carter assigned June as Black Music Month, however, he did not sign a presidential proclamation that would make it official. Dyana Williams, a community activist, lobbied for the legislation along with Congressman Chaka Fattah, and June was officially declared Black Music Month. You can find more fun Facts on this information on National Today.

Williams’ yearning led to the birth of Black Music Month in 1979. Co-founded with radio DJ Ed Wright and her former husband, Philadelphia soul legend Kenny Gamble, the month is meant to be a vibrant celebration of all the genres that thread America’s cultural fabric.

Black Musicians:


There are many artists and music industry professionals who have had a significant impact on African American music throughout history. One company, in particular, is Motown Records. Founded in 1960 by Berry Gordy Jr, was the first record label owned by an African American. Primarily featuring African American artists, Motown Records achieved crossover success with a sound that bridged genres and reached across racial lines during a time when much of the country was still segregated. Motown had 110 top 10 hits from 1961 to 1971 and many more after that. The legendary label housed artists like; Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, and The Jackson 5.

One of my favorite music artists who continues to impact the culture of African American Music is Kanye West. His continued innovation in both music and business is setting the tone for the future of music. His recently launched stem player is just the latest example. One of my favorite indie artists, Thugod who released a song called Color Blind in 2020 definitely has a style that was influenced by some of the greatest black musicians in history.

Final Thoughts

African Americans have influenced the way we listen to music today. Music continues to evolve and change every day. African Americans poured their heart and soul into their lyrics. You too are a part of the culture and history that every song leaves on the legacy of Black Music. Please do your own research on this topic and If you come across some information that you feel is informative to add to this topic please comment below or email us at [email protected].

Tags:

You may also like...