Ok so name something President George W. Bush got right during his tenure? We’ll wait… Ok, we’ll tell you. In June of 2001 the first Black Music Month was implemented and celebrated. That’s right a whole month to acknowledge the history, diversity, and future of music we all have grown up listening to and that has impacted our lives on some level. Think back to a birthday(Stevie Wonder), a breakup(Mary J. Blige), a political event(Public Enemy), a makeup(Marvin Gaye), a death(Kirk Franklin). Someway, somehow in our lives we can reflect on a song that has had significant meaning in our lives or just summed up our feelings in that moment. The beauty of music, while embraced by many cultures has been greatly influenced by Black culture and people for generations. From the historical drums of Africa to the electric guitar rhythms of the 1960’s and 1970’s and autotunes of today, Black people have influenced music and to not acknowledge our role would be like not acknowledging that McDonald’s makes the best french fries. Ok, so that may be just our opinion, but you get the idea. Music as we know it today would definitely not be the same if not for the contributions in front of and behind the microphone of many Blacks, and not just Black Americans. Now to delve in to the past, present, and future of Black music would require a series of posts which we may get to one day. However, in the meantime we’d like to bring you this month a glimpse at the years since Black Music Month has been implemented starting with significant accomplishments from 2001-2003. Please stay tuned over the next few weeks as we continue our trip down a short memory lane.

2001
Alicia Keys: Songs in A Minor
We didn’t know what key we were singing in, but Ms. Keys had us Fallin’ right alongside her and we were loving every minute of it and the love affair has yet to end!

Fallin – Alicia Keys

2002
Nelly: Nellyville
We didn’t even know it was so Hot in Herre, especially since we thought we were over ‘here’, but we were sweating and we liked it!
Eminem: The Eminem Show
Yea we’re claiming this one as a people, say something…