We Celebrate Black Music not just in the month of June but year round!

And, how could we not? The art of Black Music has been so incredibly good to us. Not just for the unlimited hours of pleasure it has provided, but many of us have made millions off of it!

Could our ancestors even stop to imagine that the descendants of slaves would make careers off of the simple pastime that got them through so much suffering and so much pain?

My, how the Negro spiritual sung so plainly just over a 100 or so years ago has made way for today’s “I’m A Flirt” or “Buy You a Drank.”

Now, go ahead and laugh if you wanna! I’m not dissin’! I’m feelin’ both R. Kelly and T Pain.

It’s just a little perspective and only a sign of the times; perhaps a sign of evolution.

To be fair, let’s remember, there’s been a whole lot in between.

You, see me personally, I’m a child, a pupil of Stevie’s, Donny, Aretha, Patti , Marvin, Diana, Luther and Chaka; a brother to Michael, Prince, Janet, and Whitney.

My cousins are LL, Tupac, Biggie, Jay-Z and Kanye.

Am I not the the grandchild of Nat Cole, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday?

Should I go on?…

Oh! What a family. I mean on certain days I feel certain ways. I call up a relative that can fill a certain need, one who can provide a certain pathway to escape. If I’m feelin’ a bit jazzy, I may access Uncle Miles, Dizzy or Satchmo; or if it’s some be-bop that I’m feelin’, I may wanna chat with Basie, Duke or Ella—or feelin’ the blues I gotta hit up my man B.B. or the Hooker called John Lee.

If I’m in a spiritual quest, I may visit cousin Kirk Franklin, Kurt Carr, sisters Kim Burrell or Karen Clark Sheard. I mean there is simply no end.

And when my street gears kick in, I’ll let them show—because I can’t resist Busta or Snoop, Dre, Lil Kim, Q-Tip, Lupe or the underground sounds of Mos Def or Lil Brother.

In my more militant or political states I may be looking for some guidance from P.E., KRS 1, X-Clan or Gil Scott Heron.

And not all Black music is made by Black people. There’s some white folk that have done black real well: Teena Marie, the Average White Band, Steely Dan, George Michael, Gino Vanelli, Eminem, Robin Thicke, hell even Bubba Sparxx. You can’t tell me they don’t have flava!

There’s black music untapped, undiscovered and unrecorded; not to mention those who we need to go back and rediscover. When was the last time you played a Stylistics, Minnie Riperton or Phyllis Hyman song? When was the last time you saw a great band perform like the Ohio Players, Isley Brothers or my absolute favorite Earth Wind & Fire?

I get that some of its generational! The followers of Smokey and the Miracles may not be able to get with Lil Jon & the Eastsidaz; and fans of The Supremes may think they’re better than Beyonce and Destiny’s Child.

But they are all linked—linked to the power of one legacy, the power of Black Music.

I thank my ancestors for their sacrifice. It goes not unnoticed or unappreciated.

The power of their legacy continues to be remembered.

The legacy is at the core of who we are. It’s in our flesh and blood. The way I vibe, the way you vibe, the way we all vibe, the way we think and express ourselves.

Black music is in our DNA!

President Jimmy Carter declared June Black Music Month back in 1979 when he invited literally dozens of influential music industry executives and performers at the time to the White House Lawn to celebrate the achievement of Black musicians and executives. He understood that the power and commerce of black music are among the greatest U.S. exports.

So, celebrate June as Black Music Month. But celebrate like its year-long!