13 Songs to Celebrate African-American Music Appreciation Month
Musicnotes celebrates African-American Music Appreciation Month with 13 legendary songs that range in a variety of genres including jazz, R&B, and more!
So much of music history is also Black history. Jazz and gospel have their roots with Black musicians and communities, and rock and roll owes an enormous debt to first Sister Rosetta Tharpe and then Chuck Berry. Some of today’s biggest pop stars include musicians like Cardi B, Lizzo, and Janelle Monáe. June is African-American Music Appreciation Month, so today Musicnotes wants to amplify Black voices – literally. Here are 13 songs from the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and beyond, composed by Black songwriters and/or performed by Black artists.
- “We Shall Overcome” – Joan Baez (Also performed by other artists)
- “Strange Fruit” – Billie Holiday
- “Rise Up” – Andra Day
- “We Shall Not Be Moved” – Mavis Staples
- “People Get Ready” – Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions
- “What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye
- “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” – Nina Simone
- “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)” – James Brown
- “Redemption Song” – Bob Marley
- “Stand Up” – Cynthia Erivo
- “Someday We’ll All Be Free” – Alicia Keys (Originally composed by Donny Hathaway)
- “Fight the Power, Part I” – The Isley Brothers
- “A Change is Gonna Come” – Sam Cooke
Related Artists: