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The United States has been celebrating African-American Music Appreciation Month in June since 1979. The month of June is set aside to appreciate the contributions of African-American musicians, composers, singers, and songwriters to American culture. The month honors the history and rich African traditions that gave birth to different styles of music such as rap, hip-hop, jazz, rhythm and blues, barbershop, and swing. It is also the month to celebrate creative inspiration and appreciate African-American music’s impact on generations of performers and music lovers! From tales of slavery and racism and fighting for their fundamental human rights to find their heritage and values in their lyrics, Black music covers a vast range of topics that have great significance for this community. Over the years, we have seen Black musicians reach great heights on official music record charts and at entertainment award ceremonies. While President Jimmy Carter designated June as Black Music Month in 1979, it wasn’t until 2000 that the presidential proclamation for the month was signed. President Barack Obama, in 2009, went on to rename the month from Black Music Month to its current name, African-American Music Appreciation Month.

HISTORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH
First coming into existence in 1979 as Black Music Month, this month was meant to honor and celebrate Black artists’ contributions to music on U.S. soil. President Jimmy Carter wanted people to recognize how much of an impact Black music has had at home and abroad, as people all over were adopting elements from it to express themselves. Moreover, the ’70s was fast becoming the decade in which Black music gained traction in signing music labels, with many business heads recognizing its commercial value.

Although President Carter had assigned June as Black Music Month, he had not signed a special presidential proclamation that would have made it official. Dyana Williams, a renowned journalist and community activist attempted to submit a petition to hold a Black Music Month event at the White House in 1998 during President Bill Clinton’s term. But she was soon informed that an event wouldn’t be possible due to the absence of a presidential proclamation. Yet, all was not lost – Williams lobbied for legislation with the help of Congressman Chaka Fattah and, thanks to their joint effort, two years later, June was officially declared as Black Music Month

In 2009, President Barack Obama renamed Black Music Month to African-American Music Appreciation Month. He also highlighted the importance of this month and the various genres in Black music. This includes sacred music, one of the earliest African-American music forms in the U.S. that highlighted gospel themes and Black Christian values. Blues and R and relayed ideas of the homeland and racial integration. Hip-hop, rap, and rock and roll quickly became popular overseas as they appealed to youngsters worldwide.

African-American music is not just music but an integral part of American history. As we mentioned before, African-Americans musicians’ efforts gave birth to several newer genres of music like jazz and rap. Throughout the last century, these genres have redefined America’s cultural landscape. When people were struggling as a nation, the music brought an entire generation together. The music that emerged in the last few decades also became an essential part of the Civil Rights Movement.

The beats and sounds of these genres influenced rock, soul, gospel, swing, be-bop, boogie-woogie, and other genres of music. Famous rock bands like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles credit blues and jazz as significant influences on their music. A lot of Elvis Presley’s songs were originally performed by Black artists. More recently, funk, Motown, and hip-hop have also been influenced by African-American performers who have introduced new dancing and singing styles to the genres. Throughout June, music lovers gather together to celebrate African-American Music Appreciation Month. They celebrate the diversity, inclusivity, and the community’s impact on shaping cultural conversations in modern America.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH TIMELINE

The late 1800s

Blues from Racial Oppression
Blues is born from the racial oppression and the struggles Black people faced. 1934 First Musical Theater

The Apollo Theater opens in the Harlem neighborhood of NYC, instantly becoming a cultural hub for African-American music.

1955 Marian Anderson Makes History
Marian Anderson becomes the first Black singer to perform at the New York Metropolitan Opera.

1974 Stevie Wonder Wins a Grammy
Stevie Wonder becomes the first Black artist to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

1982 Michael Jackson Released “Thriller.”
Michael Jackson releases “Thriller,” and the album sells 66 million copies worldwide.2019Gambino’s ‘This is America’

Childish Gambino’s 2019
‘This is America, lauded for how it represents African-American realities, becomes the first rap song to win Song/Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH FAQS

Is it jazz Black music?
Yes, jazz is a genre of music that has its roots in African-American culture.

When did Black music become popular?
Black music became popular in the 19th century, especially with the advent of blackface minstrelsy.

How does music affect African-American culture?
Music played a central role in the African-American civil rights struggles. It also sheds light on the parts that music and musicians played in movements for equality and justice.

HOW TO CELEBRATE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH

1. Stream your favorite African-American artists. One of the best ways to spend the month is listening to and enjoying African-American music and giving it the hype it deserves. Explore new genres and singers, but also appreciate your old favorites. Streaming apps are also a great way to discover new artists.

2. Donate to a music school. Many music schools teach African-American music. If you are interested in learning more about these genres of music, you can enroll yourself in a program. And if you can’t find time for it, consider donating to one.

3. Please read up on African-American music history or watch a documentary that genuinely appreciates the different layers of this music. Get into the mix by reading up on the history related to it. You will not only come to know all about the different moments and people that helped shape a genre, but it will also help you appreciate the music you have access to today. Also, plenty of documentaries have been made on African-American music and the lives of the musicians. Find a title that interests you the most and settle in for a movie night.