John,
We're hearing
ONLY great feedback about our Black Futures Month celebration, and don't worry, we're back for
Music Monday! Let's be for real. When it comes to expressing ourselves through music, no one on this planet does it better than we do, and we're standing on that!
This week's Music dump highlights some of the most uplifting Black artists, songs, and albums. The unique thing about Black music is that the experience starts from many places, from the title to cover art, tempo, and mix. We've invented and reinvented timeless loving memories and even provoked global change for Black folks through our musical expression.
It's no surprise that there has been a resurgence of Black Country music in the mainstream in recent years; after all, we invented it! Yes, you read that correctly:
BLACK PEOPLE INVENTED COUNTRY MUSIC. After our African ancestors were brutally uprooted from their homes and brought into slavery, they also brought their rich culture along, which came with a very distinct African instrument called the Banjar. You might know it today as the “Banjo.”
Here's another fact you can bring up amongst your friends and family:
up until the early 1840s, African captives were the only ones who played banjos. It wasn't long after the creation of our soulful work songs, chants, and call-and-response music in the fields that white minstrel performers would start to use Black face to adopt our Banjo and country music by learning from slaves in Virginia!
That's the 100% truth yall!
Today, we see legendary Black artists like Beyonce tapping into culture that is inherently ours. We aren't "borrowing" or "stepping into other lanes"; we've always been doing this and are here for it. We are the mainstream and always have been.
As we continue to vibe during this Black Futures month, let's remember: Black music isn't just a soundtrack; it has been and will continue to be a powerful form of expression.
In love and solidarity,
Black Lives Matter
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