Missy Elliott’s “The Rain” is the First Hip-Hop Song Sent to Space
In a testament to her pioneering spirit, Missy Elliott became the first hip-hop artist to have a song sent to space.
Article Category: Black Music
Black Music: The Sound of Freedom
From the spirituals flowed melodies for the soul. It transitioned to a syncopation, improv of early folk music evolving into blues, jazz, gospel, swing, R&B and Hip-Hop.
Queering the Future: Black Women Pushing the Culture to Inclusion
This month Unerased | Black Women Speak celebrates the Pride of Black Music with a hearty homage to the influence of queer Black women artists whose voices were never silenced or erased.
Celebrating Three Blues Queens
Musical royalty, they were all late 19th Century contemporaries who staked out their legendary portraits: the First Lady of Blues Mammie Smith, the Mother of Blues Ma Rainey, the Empress of Blues Bessie Smith.
Feel the Vibration: Black Music, Wellness & Liberation
By Tracy Chiles McGhee Black music has historically been a source of healing, empowerment, and resistance, shaping both our individual well-being and collective movements for social justice. It has grooved us, moved us, and soothed us through “chill mode” to catastrophes, celebrations, chaos, and cultural shifts. Our music is a balm, forever expanding our relationship…
Beyoncé Makes Room on the Country Music Throne for Other Queens
Beyoncé continues to use her platform to uplift artists from underrepresented communities even though the door was closed on her during her 2016 Country Music Awards performance.
My Life Tells A Story
A recent Howard University grad offers a Zellenial’s take on musical icon Mary J. Blige who recently shared her journey between darkness and light twenty-seven years after her favorite album.
Ma Rainey
“She was a person of the folks,” said poet and literary critic Sterling Brown who sheds love and light in this poem simply titled Ma Rainey.
Songstress Superstars: Honoring their Pain and Passions
Singing through their pain, these superstars endured trauma and addiction to produce unforgettable music. Let’s celebrate their soaring legacies.
The Power of My Voice
To demand respect, think, and rocksteady, where reasons to inspire my people to aim higher / Knowing a change is gonna come