President Joe Biden declared June to be Black Music Appreciation Month, a time to celebrate the powerful influence Black music has had on American culture and heritage.
Originally created by former President Jimmy Carter in 1979, the appreciation month is reestablished every year with a presidential proclamation.
Time and time again, Black musicians have contributed a soundtrack for people’s lives and a safe expression of emotions.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, they performed at-home concerts. Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” and other songs expressed the emotions felt by so many navigating a life-stopping virus in the United States.
Jalaiah Harmon, dancer and TikTok star
Music by Black artists also transformed our social media newsfeeds into safe havens. In 2020, social media became a space for the Black community to engage with lighthearted and uplifting content, such as R&B duo Chloe x Halle performing songs from their tennis court. Social media influencers, including Jalaiah Harmon, used catchy dance challenges as a way to bring happiness across people’s timelines as they quarantined at home.
Some Black artists, including rapper Lupe Fiasco, have also taken to social media to advocate for COVID-19 vaccines.
After saying his fans would need to be vaccinated in order to attend his 2020 concert, the rapper received harsh pushback from people on Twitter. Despite the comments, he did not backpedal. He told fans his decision came from searching for options outside of vaccines.
Chloe x Halle perform on their tennis court during the pandemic
With more outdoor and indoor music events this summer, it’s crucial for Black Americans to get shots into their arms.
“Be vigilant, vaccinated, boosted, double boosted, sanitized and distanced,” said Gary Hines, director and producer of the three-time Grammy Award-winning inspirational group Sounds of Blackness. “This will be the first full celebration of Juneteenth, which is now an official, national holiday. Our latest song release, ‘Juneteenth,’ is an anthem about the themes of this season: celebration, liberation and freedom. And part of that freedom and celebration should be vaccination.”
Gary Hines, director and producer of “Sounds of Blackness”
The bottom line: The pandemic became a space where Black musicians took the time to make sense of the world around them and defiantly tell their stories, personal and political. Their musical talents and uplifting mantras have moved us onward and upward. With more vaccinations, we can keep moving in the right direction.
For resources and toolkits to help you build vaccine confidence in your community, visit the We Can Do This website.
Josephine McNeal is a member of the Public Relations Team for CMRignite, a strategic marketing agency in Milwaukee.