In 2023, President Joseph R. Biden signed a presidential proclamation officially changing “African American Music Appreciation Month” back to “Black Music Month.” In the proclamation the President spoke about Black music’s deep impact at home and abroad.
During Black Music Month, we pay homage to legends of American music, who have composed the soundtrack of American life. Their creativity has given rise to distinctly American art forms that influence contemporary music worldwide and sing to the soul of the American experience.
—Joe Biden
Black music has indeed reverberated around the world and been the inspiration for many other musical genres.
With each generation, the definition of Black music and its impact shifts, similar to the (Baby Boomer era) in which the children’s game of ‘Telephone’ where each player passes on their interpretation of an original message to the next player. By the time the last player says the message aloud, it barely resembles the original.
To understand how Black music is defined and understood by different age groups, its different meanings and the breadth of its impact, we asked the opinion of Black men and women aged 78 to 18.
James Davis, 78, artist
In my time, there were a lot of protests about Black music. Marvin Gaye’s “What’s going on?” “Moving on up” by The Impressions. The songs were socially conscious. They were talking about issues and aspirations, which I found attractive. I was into protest music while I was in college. Then I got into jazz and started listening to Cannonball Adderley.
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and there was a lot of that. Although the Righteous Brothers were some bad dudes. You wouldn’t have known they were white unless somebody told you. The only rap song I remember was one of those socially conscious tunes. The guy said, ‘don’t push me because I’m close to the edge’. Now, that is something I could relate to.
David Johnson, 64, musician
Black music expresses our desire to define ourselves. Sly in the Family Stone, “I Am Everyday People;” James Brown, “Say it loud-I’m Black and I’m proud,” or “The Payback.” We define ourselves as a people who are proud, who are strong, who are resilient,” Johnson said. No matter how oppressed we have been, we rise again and again. So black music for me, just made me so proud to be Black.
Black music has always been appropriated by non-Blacks.
Black music is the most imitated music. So much so that other people eventually try to claim they invented it. Look at country music, look at the blues, look at rock and roll. All of it is Black music.
Cardilla Hunter, 52, executive
I really started paying attention to music when The Sugarhill Gang came on the scene with Rapper’s Delight. I think that’s when the culture changed to Hip-Hop.
I do believe that Black music is the Mecca. It speaks volumes about what an artist can do, what music can do, how it feeds the souls of different individuals and different nationalities. You know that it affects the whole world when you have a Chris Brown who sells out in one of the largest stages in South Africa within hours for two nights straight. That lets you know that it’s not just here in the States, but it is worldwide.
Also, when someone’s beats from years and years ago gets sampled in today’s music, which lets you know that, yes, music changes over generations, however, the feeling and the message still stays the same.
Natashia Townsend, 40
I think have a blend of a lot of different musical tastes – my parents, my grandparents and now my daughter. Black music is so culturally rich. I think it’s a way for people to express themselves. Right now with all the things that are going on, I feel music is a form of resistance and empowerment. It’s a really powerful tool to unite people and bring them together and amplify voices because it influences so many people. Black music in particular is a universal and inclusive language. It speaks to people across all backgrounds. It’s like a cultural bridge and a powerful way to tell stories which preserve our culture.
Historically speaking, Black people have created and invented so many things and then it’s taken, and the name is changed and its said to be from something else entirely. If we’re looking at Black music in a historical context, it’s like a living archive. It captures struggles, it captures triumphs with the stories it tells. But it also fosters innovation within other groups outside the Black community. It helps them create a bridge for the different things happening in their lives, whether it’s appropriated or not. That’s the one thing I can think of right now that people can agree on. So many people like our music.
Jonathan Williams, 32, retail sales
My generation was definitely the generation that pushed the boundaries, and they still are. Looking back, it seems kind of prophetic because you had a lot of rappers talking about their problems and the things that they’re going through in the streets and now that’s become the standard. We listened to UGK and Rakim. One generation before me, the music was more about Black oppression. Throughout the 2000s there was such a change in music, and it’s great. Now it’s more like this isn’t just my struggle. This is our struggle. This is what’s going on everywhere.
Lil Wayne changed music by being one of those artists that never wrote his lyrics. Everything that he does is practically free style. The horizons have broadened, and the beats have gotten better. With technology now literally anyone can be an artist. All it takes is a phone and a dream. That’s a lot easier than what it used to be.
Alyssa Moore, 18, student
“Growing up in the 2000s, I was heavily inspired by Nicki Minaj throughout a large portion of my childhood. I even had, like, a birthday party themed after her. I was just really deep in it. I really just love that she was just a boss. She was never really apologetic about anything that she did. She was always 100 percent herself and didn’t really back down to anyone. Plus, I just love the way she dressed. I just kind of wanted to mimic it because it made me feel empowered. I think Black music is 100 percent international. A specific thing I’m thinking about is K-pop. One reason why I could never fully stand behind K-pop is that there’s always a heavy black influence. So, the songs never feel truly authentic to that artist.
I’m currently listening to a lot of house music. Again, that’s another thing with heavy Black influence that White people try to be like it’s really a European thing. House music was really never a European thing in the first place because it started in Chicago.
The Origins of Black Music Month
It was Jimmy Carter who first declared June as Black Music Month through a presidential decree in 1979. However, it would be another twenty years before congress passed House Concurrent 509, officially recognizing June as African American Music Month.
The transition from presidential decree to congressional designation was due in large part to ten years of advocacy by journalist and activist Dyana Williams, along with music producers Kenneth Gamble, Ed Wright and Philadelphia Congressman Chaka Fattah.
Williams is an award-winning broadcaster and a staunch advocate of America’s indigenous music, including R&B, blues, hip-hop, soul and jazz. She is the CEO of Influence Entertainment, one of the leading media and entertainment consulting companies in the U.S.
Williams learned that although President Carter had decreed June as Black Music Month, he did not sign a presidential proclamation. She worked for over a decade to convince congress to correct the oversight. With the help of Fattah, Williams was successful. Williams co-authored the landmark House Concurrent Bill 509, which earned her the title, “The Godmother of Black Music Month.”
Williams said that Black Music is a billion dollar business, but it doesn’t always get the respect and recognition it deserves.
“We use the microphone to uplift the minds, bodies and souls of our worldwide audience.” Williams said. “To my very last breath, I will be promoting this style of music.”
