WORDS FROM ONE BLACK MUSIC MOGUL
A STATEMENT
Written By: Angelo Ellerbee, President and CEO of DoubleXXPosure/June 30. 2015
Reading Mr. Ellerbee’s statement reminded me of what Black Music, is all about. Where the music have gone, where it came from (born) and where it will be taken. This piece was important enough for me to share it with you, so that you can also remember the long fought battles that got Black Musicians where they are today and the importance to keep it going for future generations.
According to Mr. Ellerbee, how can we celebrate in one month, music with root-.extending from the call and response message of slavery; through the empowerment era of the civil rights movement into the mainstream industry of today? we cannot. Just as we cannot shelve musicians who are veterans of the industry, who has mentors, could offer tremendous contributions born of their struggles, triumphs and lessons.
These musicians are wiser, smarter and eager to share the knowledge they have gained; but don’t share the lifetime adulation afforded by fans of groups like say: the Rolling Stone, the remaining Beatles or Barbra Streisand-who all remain tour-attracting superstars well beyond the ages; Black stars are considered washed up. Conversely, older artists, who are black Music originators, while largely ignored are still around to watch their styles, sound, and trend setting music borrowed by other cultures in the mainstream.
Many listeners of popular music decry that the music is missing messages and meaning these days. Others, claim that culture vultures have taken over vital elements of Black Music from Blues to Jazz, R&B and even Hip-Hop. In each era, from the traditional music of Africa that found its way to North America and Europe via the slave trade, to James Brown, reminding a generation to be Black and proud—music has held both the message and the means for people to empower themselves. Power, could include utilizing the music veterans and their skills to shepherd the seemingly out of control youths in the industry today. Power includes new young artists, making the most of multi-million dollar recording contracts and international exposure to say something to motivate and galvanize this era–as Black Music has done for centuries.
It was out of the tumultuous 1960’s and the war torn years of the early 70’s that Black music emerged to raise its fist and stir an entire nation into self-pride and Black power. It was on the trail end of this movement in 1979, that intrepid musicians and industry executives Dyana Williams, Kenny Gamble and Ed Wright, developed the idea to celebrate with a month dedicated to the impact of Black music.
The trio successfully lobbied former President Jimmy Carter, to recognize the world-altering contributions of black music; Chaka Fattah, as US-Representatives, sponsored House Resolution 509 in 2000, which acknowledges the importance of Black Music on the economy. In 2009, President Barack Obama, went a step further when he made June, African American Music Appreciation Month; set to commemorate Black “Musicians, composers, singers, and songwriters (who) have made enormous contributions to our culture.
Since its launch, Black Music Month, has grown into what actually should be just the beginning of a daily campaign to bring this art form to the forefront as a marker of historic, economic and social importance. This must be the frame but not the finish of an ongoing recognition that is not swept under the rug, like some veterans of Black Music, once the month’s deadline has expired. The messages lead them to roads of freedom. The messages of Nina Simone or Odetta, James Brown and the Last Poets….all spoke to our souls about what it means to fight for that freedom-this era’s responsibility is to not sleep on that great torch that has been passed.
For the cultures who have so admired and respected Black, music so as to emulate it; there should be a additional amount of ongoing education about what lies within the hearts of the African, turned Americans that makes the music we all love and what it will take to preserve those messages for future generations.
