Black Music Project
@blackmusicproject.bsky.social
The award-winning Black Music Project is an online exhibit showing that Black American music's history is the story of America. Meet the founder https://bsky.app/profile/christopherinla.bsky.social
Jellybean Johnson was a multi talented musician and critical architect of the Minneapolis Sound. We were blessed to know him and give our condolences to his wife and family. The Minneapolis Sound has lost one of its greatest champions. #RIPjellybeanjohnson #minneapolissound #Prince #TheTime
November 22, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Jellybean Johnson was a multi talented musician and critical architect of the Minneapolis Sound. We were blessed to know him and give our condolences to his wife and family. The Minneapolis Sound has lost one of its greatest champions. #RIPjellybeanjohnson #minneapolissound #Prince #TheTime
#AugustWilson, was one of our greatest writers. His works like, The Piano Lesson and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom chronicle the Black experience in the 20th century and music plays a big role. If you want to truly understand America, then you must familiarize yourself with Wilson's work. #Pittsburgh
July 9, 2025 at 4:40 PM
#AugustWilson, was one of our greatest writers. His works like, The Piano Lesson and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom chronicle the Black experience in the 20th century and music plays a big role. If you want to truly understand America, then you must familiarize yourself with Wilson's work. #Pittsburgh
At its essence, Black music is a music of liberation and freedom—even gospel music does this (unlike European-derived religious music, which rarely made room for vocal improvisation). Little Richard grew up in the church, and he brought that soulful euphoria to secular music. #blackmusicmonth 2/5
June 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM
At its essence, Black music is a music of liberation and freedom—even gospel music does this (unlike European-derived religious music, which rarely made room for vocal improvisation). Little Richard grew up in the church, and he brought that soulful euphoria to secular music. #blackmusicmonth 2/5
Weekend rec: A double-bill. Rent the #movie Far From Heaven and the Little Richard #documentary I Am Everything, and watch them back-to-back. Why? Because Far From Heaven depicts the "straitjacketed" world that Little Richard and rock 'n' roll helped liberate society from. #PrideMonth #Movies 1/5
June 28, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Weekend rec: A double-bill. Rent the #movie Far From Heaven and the Little Richard #documentary I Am Everything, and watch them back-to-back. Why? Because Far From Heaven depicts the "straitjacketed" world that Little Richard and rock 'n' roll helped liberate society from. #PrideMonth #Movies 1/5
#DJKoolHerc is The Father of #HipHop. He innovated the skills he learned in Kingston, sneaking into sound system parties. Now that you know the Asian connection in hip-hop predates Wu-Tang, we'll conclude borrowing from one of their song titles, "Lesson Learn'd." #blackmusicmonth 13/14
June 27, 2025 at 9:05 PM
#DJKoolHerc is The Father of #HipHop. He innovated the skills he learned in Kingston, sneaking into sound system parties. Now that you know the Asian connection in hip-hop predates Wu-Tang, we'll conclude borrowing from one of their song titles, "Lesson Learn'd." #blackmusicmonth 13/14
Herc soon became a local legend and influenced other young people. Clive Campbell just wanted to help his little sister raise some cash for new school clothes; he had inadvertently launched a music revolution. #raphistory #hiphop #rap #DJKoolHerc #hiphophistory #raproots #blackmusicmonth 12/14
June 27, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Herc soon became a local legend and influenced other young people. Clive Campbell just wanted to help his little sister raise some cash for new school clothes; he had inadvertently launched a music revolution. #raphistory #hiphop #rap #DJKoolHerc #hiphophistory #raproots #blackmusicmonth 12/14
Herc's party was a success, and he began hosting other events. Herc applied his Jamaican-learned toasting skills to encourage the dancers, whom he named "b-boys" and "b-girls," & their dance style was called "breakdancing." #Breakdancing #dance #hiphop #Bboys #DJKoolHerc #rap #blackmusicmonth 11/14
June 27, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Herc's party was a success, and he began hosting other events. Herc applied his Jamaican-learned toasting skills to encourage the dancers, whom he named "b-boys" and "b-girls," & their dance style was called "breakdancing." #Breakdancing #dance #hiphop #Bboys #DJKoolHerc #rap #blackmusicmonth 11/14
To DJ his sister's party, Clive promoted himself as "DJ Kool Herc." Herc's set-up included boxes full of records, two turntables, and a microphone. #DJKoolHerc #twoturntables #CliveCampbell #blackmusicmonth 10/14
June 27, 2025 at 8:50 PM
To DJ his sister's party, Clive promoted himself as "DJ Kool Herc." Herc's set-up included boxes full of records, two turntables, and a microphone. #DJKoolHerc #twoturntables #CliveCampbell #blackmusicmonth 10/14
In 1967, a 13-year-old Jamaican boy named Clive Campbell immigrated with his family to the Bronx, New York City. #Jamaica #immigrants #DJ #Bronx #NYC #toasting #blackmusichistory 9/14
June 27, 2025 at 8:48 PM
In 1967, a 13-year-old Jamaican boy named Clive Campbell immigrated with his family to the Bronx, New York City. #Jamaica #immigrants #DJ #Bronx #NYC #toasting #blackmusichistory 9/14
Jamaican radio ignored local genres at the time, mainly playing US R&B. By the late-60s and early-70s, #soundsystem parties became more popular than radio and live bands by showcasing skillful toast emcees, homegrown acts, and new genres such as #ska #rocksteady and #reggae #blackmusicmonth 7/14
June 27, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Jamaican radio ignored local genres at the time, mainly playing US R&B. By the late-60s and early-70s, #soundsystem parties became more popular than radio and live bands by showcasing skillful toast emcees, homegrown acts, and new genres such as #ska #rocksteady and #reggae #blackmusicmonth 7/14
The Jamaican jive-talker who conceived of toasting was Winston Cooper, aka Count Matchuki. #Jamaica #ChineseJamaican #blackmusicmonth 6/14
June 27, 2025 at 8:41 PM
The Jamaican jive-talker who conceived of toasting was Winston Cooper, aka Count Matchuki. #Jamaica #ChineseJamaican #blackmusicmonth 6/14
Jamaican emcees were known as "toasters" because they rhymed and chanted over records in a melody of boasts, whimsical sayings, and toasts. They adapted this technique from American radio R&B DJs' "jive-talk" at the start of records. #Toasting #emcee #dj #Jamaica #blackmusicmonth 5/14
June 27, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Jamaican emcees were known as "toasters" because they rhymed and chanted over records in a melody of boasts, whimsical sayings, and toasts. They adapted this technique from American radio R&B DJs' "jive-talk" at the start of records. #Toasting #emcee #dj #Jamaica #blackmusicmonth 5/14
Music historians trace the beginnings of sound system culture to Chinese-Jamaican Tom Wong, often referred to as the Berry Gordy of sound system producers. #Jamaica #ChineseJamaicans #HakkaChinese #blackmusicmonth 4/14
June 27, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Music historians trace the beginnings of sound system culture to Chinese-Jamaican Tom Wong, often referred to as the Berry Gordy of sound system producers. #Jamaica #ChineseJamaicans #HakkaChinese #blackmusicmonth 4/14
In the early 1950s, most Jamaicans were too poor to own record players, so the few who possessed them would rent theirs out for local block parties in Jamaica's ghettos. These music providers were called "sound systems." #Jamaica #ChineseJamaicans #blackmusicmonth 3/14
June 27, 2025 at 8:34 PM
In the early 1950s, most Jamaicans were too poor to own record players, so the few who possessed them would rent theirs out for local block parties in Jamaica's ghettos. These music providers were called "sound systems." #Jamaica #ChineseJamaicans #blackmusicmonth 3/14
After slavery's abolition in Jamaica in 1838, plantation owners encouraged Hakka Chinese to emigrate to work as indentured servants. By the 1950s, the Chinese and African diasporas had blended to form the Chinese Jamaican community on the island. #Jamaica #ChineseJamaicans #blackmusicmonth 2/14
June 27, 2025 at 8:32 PM
After slavery's abolition in Jamaica in 1838, plantation owners encouraged Hakka Chinese to emigrate to work as indentured servants. By the 1950s, the Chinese and African diasporas had blended to form the Chinese Jamaican community on the island. #Jamaica #ChineseJamaicans #blackmusicmonth 2/14
The film "Sinners" highlighted a lesser-known connection between Black culture and Chinese immigrants in Mississippi. However, did you know that there is another interesting connection between Chinese immigrants and the African diaspora that is particularly important to music? #blackmusicmonth 1/14
June 27, 2025 at 8:29 PM
The film "Sinners" highlighted a lesser-known connection between Black culture and Chinese immigrants in Mississippi. However, did you know that there is another interesting connection between Chinese immigrants and the African diaspora that is particularly important to music? #blackmusicmonth 1/14
James refused to change the wording from "and" to "but", saying he wanted to make a joyous affirmation of pride for Black youths—hence the use of call-and-response (a staple of Black music) with the children singing. The record co printed the label with "but," and James demanded they fix it.
June 19, 2025 at 10:10 PM
James refused to change the wording from "and" to "but", saying he wanted to make a joyous affirmation of pride for Black youths—hence the use of call-and-response (a staple of Black music) with the children singing. The record co printed the label with "but," and James demanded they fix it.
Current reading: My Black Country by Alice Randall. We laid the foundations of country music and Black people have contributed significantly to its evolution ever since. #blackhistory #blackmusic #blackmusichistory #UShistory #Americanhistory #countrymusic #blackmusicmonth
June 12, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Current reading: My Black Country by Alice Randall. We laid the foundations of country music and Black people have contributed significantly to its evolution ever since. #blackhistory #blackmusic #blackmusichistory #UShistory #Americanhistory #countrymusic #blackmusicmonth
Sylvester Stewart passed away today. Sylvester may be gone, but as Questlove's excellent documentary proclaimed, Sly Lives! Because his legacy will live on as long as everyday people love music. #SlyStone #SylvesterStewart #RIPSly #blackmusicmonth
June 9, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Sylvester Stewart passed away today. Sylvester may be gone, but as Questlove's excellent documentary proclaimed, Sly Lives! Because his legacy will live on as long as everyday people love music. #SlyStone #SylvesterStewart #RIPSly #blackmusicmonth
HB 3.8.1970 to Roxanne Shanté (Lolita Gooden). Roxanne is a hip-hop pioneer (she recently won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award). She was the 1st bonafide female rap star to achieve a hit single —"Roxanne's Revenge" (1984), which helped popularize the "diss track." #hiphop #rap #womenshistory
March 8, 2025 at 6:58 PM
HB 3.8.1970 to Roxanne Shanté (Lolita Gooden). Roxanne is a hip-hop pioneer (she recently won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award). She was the 1st bonafide female rap star to achieve a hit single —"Roxanne's Revenge" (1984), which helped popularize the "diss track." #hiphop #rap #womenshistory
OTD 3.7.2000, we lost pianist, conductor, composer, and educator Margaret Rosezarian Harris (sadly of a heart attack at only 56). She was the 1st Black woman to conduct symphony orchestras of Chicago, LA, Detroit & many other US cities. #womenshistorymonth sarahwhitfield.com/2023/02/17/m...
March 7, 2025 at 3:04 PM
OTD 3.7.2000, we lost pianist, conductor, composer, and educator Margaret Rosezarian Harris (sadly of a heart attack at only 56). She was the 1st Black woman to conduct symphony orchestras of Chicago, LA, Detroit & many other US cities. #womenshistorymonth sarahwhitfield.com/2023/02/17/m...
HB (2.27.1971) to Rozonda Thomas aka Chilli of TLC. TLC is the best-selling US girl group, with over 65M records sold worldwide. At their pique, TLC dominated the record charts, and their stylish look and swag influenced acts such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kehlani, and Tinashe.
February 27, 2025 at 2:51 PM
HB (2.27.1971) to Rozonda Thomas aka Chilli of TLC. TLC is the best-selling US girl group, with over 65M records sold worldwide. At their pique, TLC dominated the record charts, and their stylish look and swag influenced acts such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kehlani, and Tinashe.
In 2002, The Library of Congress added "The Message" to the National Registry, noting, "If there is a single message that unites 'The Message,' it's that living this life day in day out comes at an enormous psychological cost that adds up." It was the 1st #rap song given the honor. #wokesongs 🧵15/
February 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
In 2002, The Library of Congress added "The Message" to the National Registry, noting, "If there is a single message that unites 'The Message,' it's that living this life day in day out comes at an enormous psychological cost that adds up." It was the 1st #rap song given the honor. #wokesongs 🧵15/
Amazing Grace (by John Newton, 1772): "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound/ That saved a wretch like me/ I once was lost, but now I'm found/ Was blind, but now I see." Our most cherished hymn is a song about a man becoming woke. 🧵12/ #wokesongs #blackhistorymonth
February 20, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Amazing Grace (by John Newton, 1772): "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound/ That saved a wretch like me/ I once was lost, but now I'm found/ Was blind, but now I see." Our most cherished hymn is a song about a man becoming woke. 🧵12/ #wokesongs #blackhistorymonth