In the late 1970s, President Jimmy Carter designated June as Black Music Month, a move that officially recognized the profound impact of Black musicians on American culture.
This declaration was aimed at celebrating the contributions of Black artists across various genres, including jazz, blues, gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and more.
Black Music Month has since become an annual observance, honoring the legacy and ongoing influence of Black music on the national and international stages.
HOUSTON – FEBRUARY 19: Singer/actress Beyonce attends the 2006 NBA All-Star Game during NBA All-Star Weekend at the Toyota Center on February 19, 2006 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) (2006 Getty Images)
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – AUGUST 10: Solange performs at Way Out West on August 10, 2019 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Julia Reinhart/Redferns) (2019 Julia Reinhart)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 15: Megan Thee Stallion performs during the Hot Girl Summer Tour at Toyota Center on June 15, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation) (2024 Kevin Mazur)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Yolanda Adams attends the 2024 Recording Academy Honors presented by The Black Music Collective at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 01, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) (2024 Jeff Kravitz)
SAN PEDRO, CA – OCTOBER 29: (L-R) Scarface, Bushwick Bill and Willie D of the Geto Boys perform on stage at the Growlers 6 festival at the LA Waterfront on October 29, 2017 in San Pedro, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images) (2017 Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUNE 30: (L-R) Tobe Nwigwe, Martica “Fat” Nwigwe and kids seen during day 1 of the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ at Caesars Superdome on June 30, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE) (2023 Getty Images)
Maxo Kream
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: Maxo Kream attends Savage X Fenty Show Presented By Amazon Prime Video – Arrivals at Barclays Center on September 10, 2019 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Savage X Fenty Show Presented by Amazon Prime Video ) (2019 Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – AUGUST 06: UGK members Pimp C (L) and Bun B attends the First Annual Ozone Awards at the Bob Carr Auditorium August 06, 2006 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) (2006 Ray Tamarra)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – APRIL 07: Mickey Guyton attends the 2024 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 07, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for CMT) (2024 Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 02: Kelly Rowland attends Jhpiego’s Laughter Is The Best Medicine Gala at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on May 02, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Jhpiego) (2024 Getty Images)
Monaleo
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MAY 31: Monaleo performs in concert during the “Spend The Night” tour at Emo’s Austin on May 31, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images) (2024 Rick Kern)
Kim Burrell
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 18: Kim Burrell attends the 2024 Black Music Honors at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on May 18, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carol Lee Rose/Getty Images) (2024 Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 03: Houston rap artist Slim Thug performs at halftime as the Houston Texans played the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium on November 03, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) (2022 Bob Levey)
Robert Glasper
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 02: Robert Glasper performs during the 2024 Roots Picnic at The Mann on June 02, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban) (2024 Taylor Hill)LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 13: Lizzo is seen on June 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) (2024 Bauer-Griffin)
Johnny Nash
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Johnny Nash Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Z-RO
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 30: (EDITOR NOTE: Image was created using a filter lens.) Rapper Z-Ro attends BET Hip Hop Awards 2022 on September 30, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/ Filmmagic) (2022 Prince Williams)
Lil Flip
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Rap artist Lil’ Flip performs on stage during the Urban Nights a Communal Art Experience at Rice University Moody Center for the Arts on November 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images) (2022 Marcus Ingram)
Lil Keke
HOUSTON, TEXAS – MAY 20: Rapper Keke speaks on stage during the 2023 Texas Black Expo Day 2 at George R. Brown Convention Center on May 20, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images) (2023 Marcus Ingram)
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