Celebrate Black History Month Through Music!

It is hard, if not impossible, to point to a genre of American music that is not rooted in or has not been influenced by Black history, culture, and people. In continuing your education, it is also important to recognize how Black musicians have been sidelined, erased from the historical record, and have had their artistry stolen throughout history. In addition, it is important to recognize how these same mechanisms continue to work in the industry today.

As February comes to a close, and with it Black History Month, Center Stage Music Center wished to take a moment to highlight Black artists and researchers that celebrate and share Black music history through their varied projects.

Puerto-Rican-Dominician writer and music journalist, Jenzia Burgos founded The Black Music History Library, a “living register” of materials concerning the “Black origins of traditional and popular music dating from the 17th century to present day.” This website “attempts to highlight Black authors and participants as much as possible when selecting materials, as it’s essential to prioritize accounts from those who have primary insight into the subject at hand.” In doing so, resources by and from Black authors are highlighted in blue, creating a vast knowledge base for fans of music criticism and history. Further websites/individuals doing similar work are featured here on The Black Music History Library's website.

Meanwhile, the Black Music Project seeks to “use the power of graphics and storytelling to recognize, promote and preserve the idea that the history of Black music is the story of America.” Founded by Christopher Fuller, the interactive website is organized into Genres, Artists, Eras, and Exhibits. Of current topicality is their work illustrating the Black origins of country music: The Black History of Cowboys and Cowboy Music – Exhibits and Beyoncé and Country Music – Exhibits.   

In addition, there are various artists and collectives whose work continues to reference those who came before them. For example, in a 2020 piece, British DJ Jaguar spoke to “Black women who laid the foundations for the house music scene as we know it today,” interviewing legends such as Sharon White (the first woman to headline/play at The Saint and The Paradise Garage). Their work is continued on by such collectives as Soul Connection, founded by New York-based Lovie and Honey Bun. Their joint party series - that exclusively books Black femme DJs - has dedicated nights to Diana Ross, Donna Summer, and Soul Train, emphasizing the “importance of acknowledging dance music’s Black roots.”

In film, Questlove (of the Roots) has directed two critically-acclaimed documentaries: 2021’s Summer of Soul (...or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and 2025’s Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) about Sly and the Family Stone. Both of which are streaming on Hulu for your viewing pleasure. Summer of Soul (...or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)'s subtitle references Gil Scott-Heron's "The Revolution Will Not be Televised" - a song that exemplifies how activism and music have often tied together throughout American history.