June is Black Music Month, although the official name was changed to African American Music Appreciation Month by President Obama in 2009. In 2016, Obama declared that African-American music “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.”
Celebrate Black Music with these playlists and events:
Released on June 10, Apple Music shared a playlist to celebrate Juneteenth titled ‘Juneteenth 2022: Freedom Songs.
NPR Music will celebrate Black Music Month with 11 of its signature Tiny Desk concerts. Tiny Desk Producer Bobby Carter shared “This month of carefully curated shows reinforces how uniquely the Tiny Desk showcases Black music.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Spotify teamed up to create a playlist that includes legendary artists like Chuck Berry, James Brown, and Muddy Waters and spans the genres of Soul, R&B, Blues, Hip Hop, and Funk.
Tidal’s BMM playlist was curated by Dyana Williams, a.k.a. the “Mother of Black Music Month” and one of the celebration’s creators. She shared “Black music. It is powerful. It is influential. It is everywhere. I designed these playlists to cover the breadth and depth of Black music. Peace, [and] happy listening…”
Nashville’s National Museum of African American Music is celebrating with events all month long including the June 17th State of Black Music Summit and Juneteenth Block Party.
