Celebrities Talk About Black Music Month

 

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, 2016, President Barack 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, Barack Obama 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 called upon “Public officials, educators, and people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs that raise awareness and foster an appreciation of music that is composed, arranged, or performed by African Americans.” 

I caught up with some celebrities and asked them the following question.

What decade of music has influenced your life the most and why?

 

KAMASI WASHINGTON 

The 60s, the height of free jazz, and the modern jazz movement.

 

JASON MORAN 

The 90s because I moved to New York in the 90s. It became the golden age of hip-hop. Pivotal bands and ideas were finding their way into this brand-new music form. It was hitting a mass audience too. Being in New York when Wu-Tang emerged was powerful.

 

ALEXIS FLOYD (Grey’s Anatomy) 

It sounds strange maybe, but this decade. It's a combination of the music that played a role in my life during the pandemic. Music is actually a life force. I needed it to know there was love in the world. Listening to John Legend play music from his house. Janelle Monet would DJ for hours.

Seeing our Black mothers and fathers play music is a public safety act.

This decade changed how I felt about music. It’s essential!

 

BEN VEREEN

I love music. Music is in my soul.  I listen to music all the time.  The 40s with the big band and swing – the Black Renaissance. That’s it for me!

 

KENNY LEON – (Director of ‘A Soldier’s Play’/'Raisin in the Sun') 

All of them equally. I’m interested in new music. As an artist, it’s important to be relevant. No music is ever new. It’s tied to what came before it.  It’s all tied together. I try to stay in tune with what makes people move today.

 

DERRICK DAVIS (The Secret Garden)

Oh, God, I would have to say, it’s either 70s, 80s, or 90s. I will pick the 70s. I love the 80s for sure. The 90s is what gets me going.  But it’s the 70s! That’s the music my father blasted.