It’s June! It may feel like one year you woke up and somebody on black twitter said “We’re going to make Black History Month last as many months as possible, SURPRISE – it’s Black Music Month!” The joke would be on you because that is not at all what happened. While the national celebration of Black History began in 1926, we didn’t bring the music celebration on the scene until 1979. Let’s examine how the acknowledgment has evolved and take a look at some of the artists at the forefront of this year’s observation.
Late to the Party
We can thank former President Jimmy Carter for the initial national announcement of the celebration. However, the appreciation month did not become official until a bill was passed in congress only 24 years ago in 2000 (etc.org, 2024). For that, we can give a round of applause for activist Dyana Williams.
Her platform set forth the ideology that music has been a tool of black history preservation since before any official recording. Many share the same sentiment that the colonizations of African [Americans] has watered down the culture. Black Music Month is meant to praise the evolution of black music and its contribution to various genres.
Pioneers
The first ever celebration was held on the White House Lawn and included the likes of Chuck Berry and Billy Eckstine (UCCS). Now let’s take a look at some of at some artists who are literally ones FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS!
- KING OF RAGTIME: Scott Joplin
- FATHER OF GOSPEL: Thomas A Dorsey
- FATHER OF FUNK: James Brown
- MUSICAL THEATRE FOREFATHERS: Eubie Blake & Noble Sissle (Shuffle Along)
- MOTHER ROCK ‘N’ ROLL: Sis. Rosetta Thorpe
- FATHER OF JAZZ: Duke Ellington
- MOTHER OF BLUES: Gertrude “Ma” Rainey
- MOTHER OPERA: Marion Anderson
Join the Action
This year, you can join the party in multiple ways. If you’re in Tennessee, you can join on the “Blackest Broadway” on June 16th. NYC can join at the Music & Power Awards on June 12th. In Georgia, you can attend the South GA Gospel Music Fest on June 8th. In Kentucky, there’s a Black Music Month Celebration at the Palm Room in Louisville that takes place on June 14th. And last but not least, if you’re here in the great state of Florida, join us June 9th in Miami Gardens at the Black Music Month Celebration! Search up your city and state to see any and all events going on for the next 21 days.
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