Black Music Month & Juneteenth 2022: Industry Celebrations (Updating)

It’s been 43 years since former president Jimmy Carter hosted a celebration for Black musicians on the White House lawn on June 7, 1979. Also known as African-American Music Appreciation Month, Black Music Month was formally recognized as a national, monthlong observance in 2000.

Another observance was added to the month when President Joe Biden — in the wake of protests stemming from the 2020 murder of George Floyd — declared Juneteenth (June 19) a federal holiday in 2021, commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. In salute to both observances, Billboard is spotlighting industry events and activations that will take place throughout June.

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June 1

YouTube 

YouTube will provide 10 prospective students of the 1500 Sound Academy with full-ride scholarships to attend the Music & Industry Fundamentals Live Online Program (which offers courses in music production, music business, engineering and more) as part of the #YouTubeBlack Music Future Insiders Scholarship program. Applicants can apply online, and enrollment is open through June 24. YouTube will also serve as the exclusive livestream partner of the iconic Roots Picnic music festival on June 4. The event will livestream via The Roots official YouTube channel. Through its #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund, which launched in October 2020, the company continues to select international grantees to receive seed funding to develop their YouTube channels, dedicated partner support from YouTube, training and workshops.

YouTube will also launch the following weekly programmed playlist series:

• Black Music Is the Source: Presents 21st century breakthroughs in pop culture via trendsetting moments that Black music genres such as hip-hop and R&B have garnered.

• Black Music Is the Sun: Highlights soulful summer songs gracing cookouts across the country.

• Black Music Is Live: Digs deep into YouTube’s rich catalog of legendary live music performances.

• Black Music Is Love: Singlehandedly taps into the tender, warm and intimate ways that Black music expresses love.

• Celebrate Juneteenth: A playlist commemorating the national holiday. Listeners will find the “Black Music Is…” playlist series, along with a collection of others celebrating Black Music Month and Juneteenth, on YouTube Music and youtube.com/music.

• Lyor Cohen, global head of music at YouTube, said in a statement, “It’s not a coincidence that Black artists have made such an impact on YouTube. From my early years at Def Jam to my current work with YouTube, I’ve had a chance to see and work with the immeasurable genius of Black artistry. Black music is a heartbeat of culture and that’s why YouTube celebrates Black creativity today and everyday.”

• Tuma Basa, director of Black music and culture at YouTube, added, “Black Music Month may as well be renamed to ‘Range and Depth Month.’ That’s because it’s the time of the year where we get to really celebrate the range of genres and sub-genres that originate from Black culture as well as how deep they’ve penetrated popular music. We’re going in!”

Apple Music

Thanks to its global campaign titled Black Music Month: The Future, Apple Music will highlight 40 artists through a curated list of international rising stars across multiple genres that are creating and influencing new sounds. Apple Music believes each artist will help shape Black music in the years to come. Apple Music’s complete Black Music Month coverage of the selected 40 rising stars, plus featured playlists are available online.

Ebro Darden, Apple Music’s global editorial head of hip-hop and R&B said in a statement, “The Future of Black music is as important as the history. We have to learn and support to build a seamless bridge and make sure the culture is taken care of. So let’s dig in and uplift for Black Music Month 2022!”

SiriusXM and Pandora

SiriusXM and Pandora are joining forces to launch five exclusive, limited-engagement channels and additional specialty music programs and events in honor of Black Music Month. SiriusXM unveiled two new channels saluting Whitney Houston and The Notorious B.I.G. Both the company’s 2PAC and Prince channels have also returned. Also noteworthy, Pandora’s popular Black Music Forever Radio has extended to its own SiriusXM channel, Black Music Forever Radio.

SiriusXM will also air live event specials. On Rock the Bells Radio from June 1 through June 6, LL Cool J will guide listeners through his influential album, Bigger and Deffer (1987), in celebration of the work’s 35th anniversary.

ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)

ASCAP commemorates Black Music Month on social media by featuring ASCAP members discussing the impact and influence Black music has made on them and the world. Every Friday all month-long, award-winning singer TL Cross will present fun facts about top Black music creators and their songs, available on ASCAP’s Instagram pages @ASCAP and @ASCAPUrban.

Comcast

Comcast celebrates Black Music Month with a one-of-a-kind musical showcase which includes exclusive content available only on X1, Stream and Flex. The “Best of the Best” collection (available on the Black Experience on Xfinity Channel) features top-charting albums, most streamed videos, viral sensations, Guinness World Record holders, documentaries and the top five artists by decade. The collection also features a curated music video playlist by legendary music icon Quincy Jones and a partnership with REVOLT, featuring exclusive content from Lucky Daye — including a newly reimagined single backed by several talented instrumentalists, available on demand for Xfinity customers.

June 3

Amazon Music/Coco Jones

Rising R&B singer and Bel Air actress Coco Jones released an all-new Amazon Original song titled “Love Is War,” as part of “Credit the Culture,” Amazon Music’s celebration of Black Music Month.

Also as part of “Credit the Culture,” Amazon Music will drop additional Amazon Originals from new artists, including rapper/R&B crooner Yung Bleu; artist, producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist bLAck pARty; and more. Listeners can also tune in to Amazon Music’s Black Culture Radio, a multi-genre station highlighting Black artists. Amazon Music will debut Diaspora, a new playlist that will serve up the hottest new music across, hip-hop, afrobeats, and R&B—all on one unified playlist.

June 4

Black Music Honors

The 7th Annual Black Music Honors, hosted by Grammy-winner LeToya Luckett and comedian DeRay Davis, took place in Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on May 19 and will premiere via National Broadcast Syndication from June 4 to July 3, and additionally on Bounce TV on June 25. Among the honorees are Keri Hilson, Music and Songwriter Icon Award; Mary Mary, Gospel Icon Award; Tevin Campbell, R&B Icon Award; Dru Hill, Urban Music Icon Award; Karyn White, Soul Music Award and The Whispers, Legends Award.

June 8

ASCAP

ASCAP Experience, ASCAP’s signature event created to inspire, educate and connect aspiring songwriters and composers, is celebrating Black Music Month with a series of events highlighting diversity. On June 8 at 3 p.m. ET, Indian-American TV/film composer Raashi Kulkarni (Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow) and Costa Rican composer-producer Daniel Rojas (Marvel’s Hit-Monkey, M.O.D.O.K.) will come together with Universal Pictures executive Jeff Cafuir for “The Sound of Diversity: Championing Unique Voices in Film/TV Music” — a discussion in which the panelists will explain why diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are so important in the industry. Kulkarni and Rojas will also discuss their experiences with NBCUniversal’s Universal Composers Initiative, an effort dedicated to closing the gap for women, people of color and other underrepresented communities in the composing world. The conversation will take place live on Instagram @ASCAP.

Tidal

Tidal teamed up with the “Mother of Black Music Month” Dyana Williams, and the National Museum of African American Music to bring The Official Black Music Month Playlist, a four-part series releasing every Wednesday through June. 

June 10

ASCAP

As part of the ASCAP Experience, the ASCAP Wellness Program will present “The Art of Listening: A Live Music Meditation with Beginner’s Ear”  at noon ET. With contemporary classic music performed by ASCAP composer Todd Reynolds, founder of Beginner’s Ear Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim will guide an immersive group meditation that explores how sound, stillness and mindfulness are interconnected. The meditation will take place live on Instagram via @ASCAP.

Apple Music 

Apple Music will launch Juneteenth 2022: Freedom Songs, an exclusive curated collection of 16 new original songs and covers available in Spatial Audio on Apple Music to celebrate and honor Juneteenth. The genre-spanning track list includes: 6LACK, Denzel Curry, Lupe Fiasco, Brittney Spencer and more. Artists featured on Juneteenth 2022: Freedom Songs were commissioned by Apple Music’s expert music curators.

June 12

Tribeca Film Festival/HARGROVE

The world premiere of HARGROVE, a heartfelt documentary chronicling the last year of legendary jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove’s life, will be presented at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival  in New York. The film, directed by Eliane Henri, includes interviews with Erykah Badu, Questlove, Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper and more. Additional Black-music oriented documentaries include Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby and The DOC  — about rap pioneer The D.O.C.

June 13

Cordae

Rapper Cordae will make his TED Talk debut, titled  “The Hi Level Mindset,” during which he will reflect on his journey from high school student to music star. Cordae will also explain the importance of performing at the highest level possible at all times. 

June 15

ASCAP

The ASCAP Experience will host  “Express Yourself: A Roundtable on Identity in the Music Industry” with Lazaro Hernandez (VP, A&R at Warner Chappell Music for U.S. Latin and Latin America), Ryan Cassata (award-winning singer-songwriter, LGBTQ+ activist) and Jamie Moore (Grammy-nominated songwriter-producer). The roundtable discussion, which will air on ASCAP’s YouTube channel, will address how each participant’s identity shapes their music career, how they’ve navigated challenges and how to create a more welcoming, accessible and nurturing music industry.

June 16

Juneteenth Honors Award Show and Festival

The Juneteenth Honors Award Show and Festival will kick off in Washington, D.C. with the Live Nation produced Juneteenth Honors Red Carpet Awards Show at the Historic Warner Theatre with special performances by: T.I., Rick Ross, Ledisi, Keri Hilson and more artists. Honorees include: Maxwell, Doug E. Fresh, Big Sean, Cathy Hughes (founder/chairperson of Urban One, Inc) and more. Terrence J. and MC Lyte will co-host the award show.

June 17

Madam Walker Legacy Center

The Madam Walker Legacy Center, a National Historic Landmark in Indiana, is celebrating its 95th anniversary with a Legacy Concert at Walker Theatre, headlined by Indianapolis native and music legend Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. Babyface will also be inducted into the Madam Walker Legacy Center Walk of Fame on the same day as well.

SiriusXM

Grammy-winner 2 Chainz, will give an invitation-only concert as part of SiriusXM’s Small Stage Series in Atlanta at Terminal West, which will air on SiriruHip Hop Nation.  For information on how to attend SiriusXM’s Small Stage Series featuring 2 Chainz, please visit: www.siriusxm.com/2ChainzPR.

Pharrell Williams’ Something in the Water Festival (SITW)

Produced by Redrock Entertainment and Live Nation, the Something in the Water Festival returns in Washington, D.C. on Independence Ave for Juneteenth weekend (June 17 to 19). The musical event will celebrate art, culture and music with performances by: 6LACK, Adekunle Gold, Ashanti & Ja Rule,Ashe, Baby Tate, Baird, BIA, Blxst, Calvin Harris, Chloe x Halle, Dave Matthews Band, Davido, Denzel Curry, DJ Domo, Dominic Fike, Dreamer Isioma, Duckwrth, EARTHGANG, Emotional Oranges, ericdoa, Gracie Abrams, Hope Tala, Jean Dawson, Jeremy Zucker, JID, Jon Batiste, Lakeyah, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, Lucky Daye, María Isabel, Mariah the Scientist, Moneybagg Yo, Montell Fish, Ogi, Omar Apollo, Ozuna, Paris Texas, Pharrell & Phriends, Pusha T, Q, Quinn XCII, Rae Sremmurd, Raveena, Rei Ami, Roddy Ricch, ROLE MODEL, Run The Jewels, Saba, Sabrina Claudio, Skepta, Skiifall, Skillibeng, slowthai, Snoh Aalegra, Syd, Teyana Taylor, Thundercat, T.I., Tierra Whack, Tobe Nwigwe, Tokischa, Tyler, The Creator, Usher, YVNGXCHRIS and more. The festival will also spotlight D.C. music with performances from Go-Go musicians including Backyard Band, Rare Essence and Sound of the City. Clipse, Justin Timberlake, N.O.R.E, Q-Tip, SZA and more will join Pharrell as special guests during his set.

National Museum of African American Music

The National Museum of African American Music will host the second annual State of Black Music Summit at the NMAAM Roots Theater in Nashville. Sponsored by Warner Music Group, Atlantic Records Group and Go West Creative, the event will explore the intersection of Black music and culture with industry leaders, artists and media personalities.

June 18 

What the Funk Festival/Praise God Entertainment

Geno Shelton’s Praise God Entertainment will host the first-ever What the Funk Festival in celebration of Juneteenth. During the Indiana Juneteenth Freedom Music Festival featuring What the Funk Tour, attendees will see performances by Zapp, The Original Lakeside, Average White Band, The Bar-Kays, Klymaxx (featuring Bernadette Cooper), Trouble Funk, Circle City Band and The Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign. On Sunday, June 19, Soul Music Hall Of Fame inductee Uncle Jamz will host the inaugural What the Funk Summit whose theme is “Everything You Need to Know About the Music, the Music Business and the Music Industry.”

Notes Shelton, aka DJ Geno, “We wanted to unapologetically salute the historical Juneteenth weekend … filled with spectacular performances by iconic groups.”

B-Hen & DIAGEO

B-Hen is partnering with DIAGEO to launch Joy of June, a series of local events, programming and experiences across the country that will celebrate the vibrancy of Black joy, identity and self-expression, while toasting to the creative voices powering change across local communities. 

The series will kick off with the B-Hen Block Party presented by DIAGEO and its brands Smirnoff, Crown Royal and DeLeon Tequila for a Los Angeles takeover to kick off Juneteenth weekend.  Events will take place in major cities including Washington, D.C., Chicago and New York through September.

Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame

Outside of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame’s June 2022 class will be inducted. Among the inductees for the walk — established by the Black American Music Association and the Georgia Entertainment Caucus — are Urban One founder Cathy Hughes, Prince, Nas, Run-D.M.C.,  Charlie Wilson, Tamela Mann, the Clark Sisters, Steve Harvey, Bob Marley, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and Duke Ellington.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

A special performance from the Djapo Cultural Arts Institute will be held outside at the Rock Hall. Free for all guests, the event is slated to take place from 2 to 9 p.m. ET. The Djapo Cultural Arts Institute will give viewers a taste of Africa and the African Diaspora with theatrical travels through Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Guinea and the U.S. highlighting Djapo’s dynamic dance company, community performers and international artists from each region.

Harlem Festival of Culture/ Black Independence Awards

The Harlem Festival of Culture will host the first Annual Black Independence Awards recognizing the best of Harlem through the outstanding leaders, entrepreneurs, artists and creators whose contributions have proven to be cultural, social and economic drivers for the Harlem community. The Awards will be hosted by hip-hop icon and Harlem native Doug E. Fresh. Honorees include TV personality, author, and actress Bevy Smith, fashion designer Dapper Dan and restaurateur and founder of Melba’s Restaurant Melba Wilson. Brownstone will perform and other notable appearances include Michael Bivins, Estelle and Ro James. The Black Independence Awards — which will include a Black-carpet, pre-reception, dinner and awards presentation — will take place at the Harlem Parish.

Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival

Los Angeles’ annual, free celebration of Black culture and community will feature performances from Buddy, Masego and Smino at Leimert Park Village. Rotation, the hip-hop/R&B brand from Amazon Music, has worked hand-in-hand with Still Rising Corporation to curate the main stage. The Juneteenth event will honor South Los Angeles’ Black community.

June 19

Hollywood Bowl/JUNETEENTH: A Celebration of Freedom

Composer and musical director Derrick Hodge is at the forefront of JUNETEENTH: A Celebration of Freedom — an all-star concert that will feature an all-Black symphony orchestra (The Re-Collective Orchestra) performing for the first time in the 100-year history of the iconic Los Angeles venue. Thomas Wilkins and Derrick Hodge will conduct the orchestra; Adam Blackstone and Questlove are musical directors. Produced in partnership with Live Nation Urban, the lineup includes Earth, Wind & Fire; The Roots; Lucky Daye; Jhené Aiko; Robert Glasper; Killer Mike; Billy Porter; Mary Mary; Anthony Hamilton; Michelle Williams; Mickey Guyton; Khalid; Amir Sulaiman; the Debbie Allen Dance Academy; and more.

The celebration, produced by Live Nation Urban and Jesse Collins Entertainment, will be broadcast exclusively by CNN.

Sirius XM

Sirius XM’s Soul Town will air a performance and commentary from The Manhattans as they begin the Soul Train Cruise concert at 5 p.m. ET.

Juneteenth Unityfest

The Juneteenth Unitfyfest, happening in Brooklyn, New York on Father’s Day, will celebrate the role that gospel music and church have historically played in uplifting the Black community and the stories of Black dads striving to uplift their own communities and families at home. Gospel greats Tye Tribbett, Deborah Cox, Israel Houghton, Mali Music and more are set to perform during the big day which will take place across several locations. The Juneteenth Unityfest will be complete with a classic, old-school neighborhood block party with DJ Spinna; the official Unityfest Concert at Prospect Park and a late night after-show at Brooklyn Bowl.

June 21

Mechanical Licensing Collective

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) is teaming up with Nashville Music Equality (NME) to present a one-day summit that  will celebrate the evolution of Black Music and its ever-growing impact on the music industry. Titled “For The Culture: Empowering Black Music Creators to Achieve Beyond Reach,” the summit will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time at The MLC’s offices in Nashville. The event will feature panels designed specifically for Black music creators. The event was speerheaded by Dae Bogan, The MLC’s head of third-party partnerships – in collaboration with NME’s Gina Miller, Kortney Toney and Shannon Sanders.

Summit speakers include:

Dae Bogan: Head of Third-Party Partnerships, The MLC, and 2019 Billboard Digital Power Player

–Brennen Boose: Sr. Manager of Marketing and Communications, National Museum of African American Music

–Alandis Brassel: Entertainment Attorney, Manager and Assistant Professor of Music Business – University of Memphis

–Mimi McCarley: Founder of Collab Music Network & Co-Founder of Nashville is Not Just Country Music and We Own Now

–Gina Miller: Senior Vice President & General Manager, MNRK Music

–Derek Minor: GRAMMY® Award-Winning Artist and Producer & Co-Founder of We Own Now and hip-hop record label Reflection Music Group (RMG)

–George Monger: CEO, Connect Music

–Cheryl Potts: CEO, Cleerkut Royalty

–*Shannon Sanders: Executive Director of Creative, BMI Nashville, and 3-time GRAMMY® Award-Winning Producer

–*Kortney Toney: Marketing, Inclusion & Outreach Manager, Naxos of America

June 24

Ashanti/ASCAP

Grammy-winner Ashanti will speak with VIBE Editor-in-Chief Datwon Thomas about the 20-year legacy of her historic debut album, Ashanti, at 3 p.m. ET on ASCAP’s YouTube channel. Ashanti, CEO of record label Written Entertainment who recently became the first Black female artist to co-found a Web3 company, EQ Exchange, will also release her first children’s book, My Name Is a Story, on July 12 with HarperCollins Publishing.

Ashanti’s discussion with Thomas will conclude ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, which will take place on @ASCAP and @ASCAPURBAN social media from June 21 to 24.

June 25

Live Nation Urban and D-Nice

Club Quarantine Live in Los Angeles, hosted by Kenny Burns, will take place at the Crypto.com arena with a star-studded lineup of special guests including: Ne-Yo, Brandy, Nelly, Jadakiss, Machel Montano, Mary Mary, El Debarge and Lil’ Mo.

June 26 

The 2022 BET Awards, hosted by Taraji P. Henson, will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Viewers can watch the fun-filled ceremony on BET. With six nods, Doja Cat is the most nominated artist of the event. Fellow artists Ari Lennox and Drake are tied for second most nominated, with four potential wins each.

See the complete list of 2022 BET Awards nominees.

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