By Darlene Donloe
June is Black
Music Month and what better time to celebrate its rich history.
For centuries,
Black musicians, singers, writers and producers have made incredible
contributions to the music industry.
This is the
month set aside to pay homage to all those individuals who, through their
music, have made us smile, laugh, cry, dance, tap our feet, clap our hands and
swivel our hips.
President Jimmy Carter officially designated the
month of celebration on June 7, 1979. It was during a reception at The White
House, which featured performances by Chuck Berry, Billy Eckstine, Little
Richard and Andre Crouch.
On May 31, Obama declared the month of June 2016
“African-American Music Appreciation Month” in a presidential proclamation. Although
June was first deemed “Black Music Month” by Jimmy Carter and campaigned for by
songwriter and producer Kenneth Gamble back in 1979, as the nation’s first
Black President, POTUS felt strongly that an official proclamation was more
appropriate.
The
proclamation calls Black music “among the most innovative and powerful art the
world has ever known.” President Obama also calls upon “public officials,
educators, and people of the United States to observe this month with
appropriate activities and programs that raise awareness and foster
appreciation of music that is composed, arranged, or performed by African
Americans.”
In 2009, POTUS released the following statement.
“The legacy of African-American composers, singers,
songwriters, and musicians is an indelible piece of our Nation's culture,” said
President Obama. “Generations of African-Americans have carried forward the
musical traditions of their forebears, blending old styles with innovative
rhythms and sounds. They have enriched American music and captured the
diversity of our nation. During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we
honor this rich heritage. This legacy tells a story of ingenuity and faith.
Amidst the injustice of slavery, African-Americans lifted their voices to the
heavens through spirituals. This religious music united African-Americans and
helped sustain them through one of the darkest periods in our nation's history.
Years later, spirituals contributed to the advent of a new form of music:
gospel. Both styles incorporated elements of African music and were rooted in
faith.”
I caught up with
some celebrities and asked them the following: Name an entire CD you can play
without skipping a song.
Nick Cannon
NICK CANNON (America’s
Got Talent) – There are several CDs. I’m a huge gospel fan, so definitely The
Clark Sisters. Almost everything by Mariah Carey. I’m still her biggest fan in
the world. Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt. Also stuff by Tupac and Biggie.
Maya Rudolph
MAYA RUDOLPH –
Oh, man! There are too many to even
think about. Yes, anything by my mother
(Minnie Riperton)
BLAIR UNDERWOOD
– Anything by Michael Jackson.
MARGARET AVERY –
(Being Mary Jane) Anything by Aretha Franklin.
I exercise to her. She makes me keep tone. I have fond memories when I
listen to her.
Eddie LeVert
EDDIE LEVERT
(The O’Jays) - Songs in The Key of Life
(Stevie Wonder) and not skip one song.
James Brown Live at the Apollo and
not skip one song, Etta James, the one with At
Last and not skip one song. There are more.
Jason George
JASON GEORGE –
(Grey’s Anatomy) – Black Radio by
Robert Glasper, Vol. 1 & 11
COREY HARDRICT (Destined)
Usher – The 8701.
ROBERT BAILEY
JR. (The Night Shift) Keane’s Hope and
Fears; Michael Jackson’s Thriller
and Off The Wall.
MARTIN SHORT – Blue by Joni Mitchell
RICHARD LAWSON –
(Saints & Sinners) What’s Going On (Marvin Gaye) or
anything by Sly and the Family Stone
Eloise Laws
ELOISE LAWS –
Anything by Nancy Wilson
MOYA ANGELA –
Broadway actress (Dreamgirls) - Toni Braxton’s Secrets.
BARRY SHABAKA
HENLEY – John Coletrane (Love Supreme),
Miles Davis (Sketches of Spain) and
anything from Louis Armstrong, Alice Coletrane, Chick Corea and Charles Mingus.
TAMMI MAC –
(actress and KJLH radio personality) Off
the Wall by Michael Jackson.
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