Why The Magic Of Music Blooms In June: An Ode to Black Music Month

Music serves as more than just entertainment; it is an emotional outlet, a bonding agent, and a catalyst for cognitive development. Throughout our lives, significant moments are often marked by specific songs, forever linking memories to melodies. Music activates nearly every region of the brain, connecting memory, movement, and emotion at once. It is a universal language, fundamentally shaping who we are, helping to heal, inspire, and define cultures across the globe.

Culture

Black Americans have continually used music to express their evolving culture. Music was a source of endurance during hardships throughout the centuries and served as a means of communication, including signaling escape plans. The determination of black people and their melodies of survival have become an integral part of the soundtrack of the nation. In recognition of the profound influence of Black music, President Jimmy Carter declared on June 7^th 1979 that June would become Black Music Month. This day also holds additional significance as it marks the birthday of Prince Rogers Nelson.

Gospel Music

Artists like Prince and Michael Jackson are celebrated among many people's top ten favorites. Their lives and careers revealed both the triumphs and challenges within the music industry, while also showcasing the resilience of Black Americans. Their experiences do illustrate why American Blacks created Gospel music. A lot of music comes from the churches. To keep themselves motivated oppressed black people sang songs that expressed faith, sorrow, and a deep longing for freedom. Those cries for freedom would later become the inspiration for modern pop music.

Pop Music

The essential elements of contemporary popular music including blues, rock, R&B, country, and hip-hop—were crafted by Black Americans. By merging multiple rhythmic traditions, spirituals, and field hollers, artists established the foundations of jazz and blues. Many years later, New York composers notoriously integrated these Black American styles with European folk melodies, producing sheet music for mass consumption. As early as the 1700's, the world began to take great interests in Black American music which is why we have K-Pop, Latin Pop, Afrobeats and electronic music today.

Music as an Identity

Black American Music explores its community's history, values, struggles and beliefs. It provides a powerful voice for communal joy, grief, and social movements, uniting individuals under a shared identity. The music of American Blacks has broken down geographical and linguistic boundaries, ultimately forming more alliances than divisions. It is sad how today’s music has been kidnapped for profit. What use to be activism and art has turned into egoism and the breaking of hearts. But things are slowly changing.

Today people can create, access and share music without going explicitly through corporate entities as a result soul music is returning and with it the spirit of what music was intended for. Communities are once again using music to build bonds, release oxytocin, and gain economic freedom. Thank you to those who are reaching back through time and honoring the ancestors whom many try to forget. Happy Black Music Month.