🔴🟡🟢Happy Black History Month🔴🟡🟢 Rock and Roll (1950-1960s) Rock and roll emerged in the early 1950s as a dynamic and rebellious fusion of rhythm and blues, country, and gospel music. It was characterized by its driving rhythms, electrifying guitar solos, and raw vocal performances. Rooted in African-American musical traditions, rock and roll found its early pioneers in artists like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Fats Domino, who brought a new energy and attitude to popular music. Their hits, including "Johnny B. Goode," "Tutti Frutti," and "Blueberry Hill," captured the imagination of young audiences and helped define the sound of the genre. In the mid-1950s, rock and roll exploded into mainstream consciousness with the rise of Elvis Presley, whose charismatic performances and provocative style made him a cultural icon. The success of Presley and other rock and roll stars like Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bill Haley & His Comets propelled the genre to new heights of popularity. The 1960s saw the emergence of British rock bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who, who brought a new level of sophistication and experimentation to rock music. This era, often referred to as the "British Invasion," cemented rock and roll's status as a global phenomenon. Since then, rock and roll has continued to evolve and diversify, spawning countless subgenres and influencing generations of musicians across the world. Today, rock music remains a powerful and enduring force in popular culture, with artists like Foo Fighters, Green Day, and The Black Keys carrying on its legacy. #blackhistorymonth #musicaljourney
Alexandra Mitchell, M.S.’s Post
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This morning, I threw on my Bad Brains t-shirt and it happily occurred to me that it’s the beginning of Black History Month. Whilst you don’t need an excuse to listen to Bad Brains, what better time to celebrate one of the most groundbreaking bands in punk history? I distinctly remember first picking up a Bad Brains CD at Derby’s (now defunct) legendary Reveal Records—for the bargain price of £2. I hadn’t heard them before, but the moment I hit play on my (very) early noughties Sony Discman, I was blown away. Their sound was like nothing else out there. Bad Brains formed in 1977 in Washington, D.C and completely shattered musical and cultural barriers. They were one of the few all-African American bands in a predominantly white punk scene, and their music didn’t just stick to one genre. Hardcore punk? Check. Reggae? Check. Jazz, heavy metal, and more? Absolutely. Their fearless ability to mix genres made them stand out, and that influence is still felt across music today. As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s a perfect time to reflect on artists like Bad Brains who changed the narrative- not just in music, but in culture. They proved that Black artists belong everywhere. Bad Brains didn’t just break the mold; they obliterated it, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. #BlackHistoryMonth #BadBrains #PunkRock #MusicHistory #DiversityInMusic #HardcorePunk #RevealRecords #GenreBendingMusic
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We could not let this month pass without wishing the incredible Vaughnette Bigford a Happy Black Music Month!!! In case you didn't know, June is the month to celebrate Black musicians' enduring impact and legacy and their creativity on music, culture, and history. We love you Vaughette!! Thank you so much for all your support and for gracing the world with your talent!! __________________________________________________________________________________ Want a way to keep up with all these special dates and occasions, DM and ask about getting your very own copy of the 2024 Caribbean CEO Publicity Calendar
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What does it take to be recognized as real? And what does it take for your real to be recognized as good? I’ve wrestled with that. Being young, being Black, and having the experience I do, I always feel like I got to prove myself. What do I need to do to show my value? How quickly can I get it done? It brings a lot of anxiety and a massive chip on your shoulder. And it’s perfect that today we’re talking about the anniversary of The Low End Theory because this album? This album is that answer. The Low End Theory dropped today in 91. Tribe had already put out their first album, and it was cool—people were paying attention—but this one was completely different from what we had seen in hip-hop. Instead of just sampling tracks, they actually composed these songs, pulling their inspiration from jazz. They were vibing with live musicians and building songs from the ground up. This wasn’t just beats over loops anymore; this was a whole new level of creativity. Critics loved it. They treated it like “real” music. They saw it as a return to a “higher art form” and recognized that hip-hop was something serious. And the momentum from this album led to Native Tongues, which brought out other groups like De La Soul and Jungle Brothers. All around win. But here’s the thing—it wasn’t that Tribe was trying to do something totally new. They were returning to roots. Their compositions were inspired heavily by jazz, the grandfather of rap (also created by Black folk) and fused it with hip-hop. It wasn’t some departure; it was a continuation of Black musical history. What the industry called a return to high art was really just us embracing our roots. Tribe didn’t need to change to fit into some mold or be taken seriously. They just showed what hip-hop already was—authentic, deep, and grounded in Black culture. The Low End Theory laid the foundation for so much of what came after, from J Dilla to Kanye to Questlove. It didn’t just break ground—it built the house. Want an album to remind you to be who you are? Listen to The Low End Theory. https://lnkd.in/gGPtq9Gc
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The Music Industry Shakeup: A Reflection on Power Dynamics in America In a tumultuous week that shook the music industry to its core, we witnessed a series of events that highlight the persistent power imbalances in American society. Here's a breakdown of what transpired and its implications: 1. Atlantic Records dropped 59 prominent artists in a sweeping move that sent shockwaves through the industry. 2. Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, co-founder of The Roots and influential figure in Hip Hop, was reportedly detained and placed on suicide watch, though exact details remain unclear. 3. A wave of resignations followed, primarily involving long-standing Black executives across various music labels. 4. Sean Diddy Combes the King maker of Hip Hop , was arrested and remanded in custody, with bail denied twice by Federal Justices . These events serve as a stark reminder of the power structures that continue to dominate not just the music industry, but American society as a whole. It underscores that despite progress, control over key economic and cultural institutions remains largely in the hands of White America. This reality calls into question the rhetoric of figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who often stoke fears about shifting power dynamics. The truth is, the established power structures remain firmly in place, regardless of who occupies positions of visible leadership. For the African American community, this setback represents another missed opportunity for advancement and equal representation in a major cultural and economic sphere. It suggests that true equity and power-sharing in American industries may still be decades away. As we process these events, it's crucial to consider their broader implications for racial equity, economic power, and cultural representation in America. #MusicIndustryShakeup #PowerDynamics #RacialEquity #AtlanticRecords #HipHopCulture #AmericanPolitics #CulturalRepresentation
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Delving into the symbolic significance of the iconic Black Sabbath song "N.I.B." This blog post explores the profound impact of the band on the evolution of rock and roll music. Discover how they revolutionized the genre, bringing it to new, heavier heights. Uncover the true meaning behind the song here: https://ift.tt/9eksYJ3
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I had a chance last week to join Cara Kneer and her incredible team at Atlanta & Co. to talk about Black Music Month and Atlanta's musical contributions. The conversation around equity has to continue beyond June. Here are my big takeaways on the issues in the industry as it stands for black artists and professionals and my proposed solutions to help make the music industry a more successful industry for all. The Issues: We have little to no control of how the music comes out and is shared/framed with the public, the labels and system do. This prevents us from moving culture in a positive way. We have little to no control over finances. This creates opportunities where young people and young leaders can be taken advantage and "pimped out" for short-term corporate profits. We have little to no control of the people. Sure, we are seeing more black executives than in the past, but in the system they are reinforcing the institution. When I was in this system I gave up my freedom to be able to create systemic change and I knew that. That change has to be done by means of getting the full trust that other groups have over their music (Latins running Latin music, Nashville people running country music) I KNOW all of this is because I was in this and lived this and when I tried to change things I got the boot. The Solutions: Grassroots community building - we as a black community need to start investing in each other and passing our knowledge on in an impactful way to the generation behind us. We need to bring awareness to our non-black friends to understand what we are up against and how this is actually preventing moving culture forward for all of us. Real ACTUAL inclusivity, not empty titles/positions where black leaders can't actually lead https://lnkd.in/er-kD3jS #blackmusicmonth #dei #diversity #equity #blackprofessionals #blackbusiness #musicindustry #music #entertainment #entrepreneurship #raydaniels
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Of all the commemorations and celebrations we cover in this blog, Black Music Month has to be one of the most enjoyable to ponder. How did Black music affect the American culture? The answer has to be – profoundly and beautifully!! #fulfillment #ecommerce https://hubs.li/Q02CSfqP0
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As I delve into T.J. English's newest book "Dangerous Rhythms: Jazz and the Underworld" at a Denver area coffeehouse, its pages illuminate the vibrant, yet complex tapestry of 20th-century America, where jazz and organized crime entwined in a dance of survival and exploitation. This book, a crucial part of my 24-book journey for Black History Month 2024, explores an era where the smoky jazz clubs were not just centers of musical innovation but also crossroads of societal contradictions. English, renowned for "Havana Nocturne," brings to life a world where legendary African American artists like Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday shared stages sponsored by mobsters such as Al Capone and Meyer Lansky. It’s a narrative that captures an uneasy alliance: the mob provided platforms denied to these artists by a segregated society, yet this came at the cost of perpetuating a new form of racial exploitation. Crucially, "Dangerous Rhythms" isn't just about the intersection of music and the underworld; it’s a commentary on the broader racial dynamics of the time. The book lays bare a quasi-plantation system where Black talent flourished under white control, reflecting the wider societal inequities. This paradox is heartbreakingly evident in the choices these artists faced – between mob-run 'protected' joints and venues free from such influences but fraught with other risks. In its pages, English adeptly chronicles how these dynamics gradually discorded with the burgeoning Civil Rights movement, marking a seismic shift in both the music industry and American society. The book thus serves not only as a historical account but as a reminder of the enduring power of art in the face of oppression and the complex realities of racial inequity. "Dangerous Rhythms" is more than just a book; it’s a journey through a pivotal era of American history, echoing Dr. Cornel West's description as a "brilliant and courageous" exploration of a less-acknowledged intersection of culture, crime, and race. As I flip through its pages amidst the cozy ambiance of the coffeehouse on a snow filled Denver day, each chapter reinforces the importance of understanding these intertwined narratives in our continuous endeavor to appreciate and learn from Black history. #Jazz #blackhistorymonth
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Beyoncé became the first Black woman to hold the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with her single “Texas Hold ’Em.” Country music is big business. According to a report by Economists Incorporated, the music industry creates $170 billion in value annually to the US GDP, supports 2.47 million jobs across a wide range of professions, and accounts for $9.08 billion in export sales. The report also states that revenues in the music industry have a 1.5x multiplier on the broader economy, and there are 236,269 music-related businesses across the country. In Nashville, the music industry contributes $5.5 billion to the local economy, for a total output of $9.7 billion within the Nashville area. Music events are also an essential part of the local economy, bringing in tourists, creating jobs, and generating income for local businesses. Overall, the music industry has a significant economic impact on the US and local economies.
Beyoncé becomes first Black woman to top Billboard's country chart
axios.com
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Country music is not just for white people. It's time to acknowledge the contributions of black artists to this genre, from the past to the present. #Beyoncé's recent album launch at the #SuperBowl has brought a lot of attention to this issue. Despite the lack of representation at country music awards, black artists have been using music to express themselves for centuries and this genre is no exception. Even Elvis Presley's music style was inspired by the black community, so was Rock n Roll, Jazz and House Music. This raises important questions about cultural appropriation, as discussed in my lecture at the British School of Fashion. The fashion and music industries often take inspiration from black culture without giving credit or equity. It's time to change that. We need to encourage more black artists to take on country music and other genres they have been excluded from, like Beyoncé and Lil Nas X. Let's celebrate the diversity of music and the voices that make it great. Check out this article by Essence Communications Inc. on the contributions of black people to popular music throughout history. #cultureappropriation
It's Not Just Country. We Can Thank Black People For These Popular Music Genres | Essence
essence.com
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