June is also African American Music Appreciation Month! Created by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, this month celebrates the African American musical influences which is an essential part of the music’s treasured cultural heritage.

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Fun Facts Timeline;

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Late 1800 – Blues from racial oppression – Blues is born from the racial oppression and the struggle black people faced. Its inventors were slaves, ex-slaves and the descendants of slaves.

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1934 – First Music Theatre – The Apollo Theatre opens in the Harlem neighbourhood of NYC instantly becoming a cultural hub for African American music.

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1955 – Marian Anderson becomes the first Black singer to perform at the New York Metropolitan opera.

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1974 – Stevie Wonder become the first Black artist to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

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1982 – Michael Jackson releases “Thriller” and sells 66 million copies worldwide.

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2019 – Gambino’s “This is America” lauded for the way it represents American realities, becomes the first rap song to win song/record of the year at the Grammy Awards.

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Some of the most famous Black musicians of all time include Prince, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Nat King Cole and Tina Turner! Here are some genres to check out: Sacred Music, Folk Music, The Blues, Military Music, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll, Hip Hop and Rap.

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It would be nice to share some good music. If you are up for it, please share some of your favourite music on Instagram tagging @lifeatthrivetribe (or in any other way)! Make a video or just share the title. And a toast to a better world, free of racism!

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