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The Legacy of African American Artists & Black Music …
June 2, 2020
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Due to the death of George Floyd and all the events since, I started to hold off on writing about June’s kickoff to Black Music Month. The more I thought about it, I but realized, we can protest, call for accountability and change, take a pause as the music industry did with “Black Out Tuesday,” and still salute African American accomplishments in music.
A Constant Reminder …
The narrative of Black Music Month is continuous. It's an American story highlighting the contributions of African Americans to the world of music. We must keep updating and telling the story or it will become a historical footnote.Then Versus Now …
The original model for Black Music Month relied heavily on independent and chain record stores to package and sell Black music product. Unfortunately, most are no longer in business and despite the resurgence of albums on a “boutique level,” there is not a high demand for creative artwork for artist displays anymore. With the changes to music delivery systems (streaming, downloads, and social media sites), record company financial support has become a lot less for Black Music Month.The Reality …
Economics rule in the business of music. When an artist or music becomes a commercial success, it is only at that point when the “cultural wonderment crown” is bestowed. The record companies were the original economic vehicles for Black Music Month, but tradition is forever changing. There is still support to a certain extent, but without art displays and packaging at retail outlets, the dollars are not there. The new metric for music sales is music consumption, streaming (music & video services), new portals like Tik Tok, downloads, and social media.What Drives Black Music Month Today …
These days Black Music Month has become syndicated radio programming, recorded vignettes, SiriusXM features, music and video streaming service salutes, cable TV music specials, PBS documentaries, and some well-produced NPR programs. The month is celebrated, but it’s not the same, but what is in 2020?Global Growth …
People have said to me "Black Music has changed." Sorry, it's called growth. Inevitably there will be more artistry hybrids and more new music delivery systems. Thanks to technology, Black music and artists will be archived more effectively for years to come. Black Music Month is art for the ages.Salute The Artists, Song Writers, & Producers … Past & Present
Mahalia Jackson, Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records, Aretha Franklin, Stax Records, Chris Brown, Thelonious Monk, Dallas Austin, Motown, Notorious B.I.G., Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Timbaland, Prince, Nat King Cole, Quincy Jones, Jay-Z, Little Richard, Howlin Wolf, Keith Sweat, Beyoncé, BB King, Barry White, Rick James, Mary J. Blige, Sarah Vaughn, Drake, Miles Davis, Megan thee Stallion, The Temptations, Betty Wright, Tupac Shakur, Bessie Smith, Ludacris, Teddy Riley, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, The Winans, Kem, The Spinners, Cardi B, The Weeknd, Janet Jackson, Charlie Parker, Eddie Levert, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Johnny Gill, Etta James, Barry Gordy, Missy Elliott, Def Jam, Clarence Clemons, Sade, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Neptunes, Jesse Norman, Kendrick Lamar, Donna Summer, Lenny Williams, 9th Wonder, David Porter, Jimi Hendrix, Regina Belle, Michael Jackson, Hezekiah Walker, Gucci Mane, Troop, Louie Armstrong, John Legend, The O'Jays, Stanley Clarke, Mariah Carey, Sly & The Family Stone, The Mills Brothers, Boyz ll Men, Earth Wind & Fire, Daniel Caesar, Muddy Waters, Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards, Gerald Levert, Jermaine Dupri, Kirk Franklin, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Cash Money Records, Fats Waller, L.A. Reid, The Supremes, Narada Michael Walden, Charlie Wilson, Khalid, Rufus Thomas, LL Cool J, Otis Redding, Tina Turner, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Anthony Hamilton, Gladys Knight, Atlantic Records, John P. Kee, Kanye West, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, J. Cole, The Stylistics, Bob Marley, NWA, Jhene Aiko, Rodney Jerkins, Shirley Caesar, Babyface, Miles Davis, Rihanna, Lloyd Price, Childish Gambino, The Drifters, Salt-N-Pepa. Sammy Davis Jr., Billie Holiday, Toni Braxton, Snoop Dogg, Eartha Kitt, Pharrell Williams, Roc Nation, Migos, Issac Hayes, Regina Carter, Smokey Robinson, Fats Domino, India. Airie, Interscope Records, Anderson. Paak, Johnny Mathis, Whitney Houston, James Brown, Heavy D, Ella Fitzgerald, John P. Kee, Anita Baker, Norman Whitfield, Rappers Delight, Cab Calloway, H.E.R, Chuck Berry, RCA, Lena Horne, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Lionel Hampton, Stevie Wonder, Clark Sisters, Billie Eckstine, Ice Cube, Peabo Bryson, Queen Latifah, Vanessa Williams, Dababy, Mary Mary, Shaggy, 50 Cent, Dinah Washington, Busta Rhymes, Alicia Keys, Duke Ellington, Denise LaSalle, Tank, Marion Anderson, Brandy, Curtis Mayfield, MC Hammer, Natalie Cole, Lil Wayne, Tyrese, Brothers Johnson, Swizz Beatz, Darlene Love, and so many more.
If you want more background on Black Music Month, check here.
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