Black Music Month
Image provided by The Main Course Publication
Considering what we know about the origins of American and international music are largely and inherently, dare I say…Black. We can go as far back as 17th century Europe. While we can now infer that Beethoven probably was not of African descent, we now know that his closest, underrecognized collaborator and friend was a genius himself named George Bridgetower - an African and British composer. So influential that Beethoven’s “Sonata No. 9 in A major” was dedicated to Bridgewater. Dr. Kira Thurman mentions that proximity to Blackness is less important than the underrecognition of Black composers and their endless genius. Not only is Bridgewater in that number, but also Black European composers such as Chevalier de St. George and Amanda Aldridge (Smithsonian, 2020). Here in the U.S., Rock n’ Roll music originated from Black Music rooted in Jazz, Gospel, R&B, and Bluegrass, with founding artists such as Rosetta Tharpe, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard (we gon’ always give him his credit at OTO and here lol). And presently, Hip Hop, which is the sound that moves current culture, originated by DJ Kool Herc. Black Music has been the framework of revolution both musically and politically. Songs like Strange Fruit, Fight the Power, What’s Going On?, and Alright have been influential in political shifts in the collective consciousness. We can talk about the contributional rhythms of African drums, the vocal richness and fearlessness, and the depth of Black contribution that ranges from brashness to eloquence, lyrically and instrumentally- but we can also say you’re going to feel the message as deeply as you see it in the evolution of music itself.
What you will find at OTO is Oliver using music to guide listeners through his story. Namely, Black Music, which has had a large part in shaping him as well as current culture. If you have heard him speak, you will grasp how deeply music contributes to his message. While actors use method acting, as a speaker, Oliver moves in method activism, harnessing his personal emotional experiences and the experiences of others over and over again to ensure you feel each message resonates. That is what Black Music…Black People do. It is a long-standing part of Black genius and influence. The repetitive harnessing that the collective can feel that prompts the necessity of revolutionary work, evolution, and innovation.
In honor of Black Music Month, we created wide-ranging Black Music Playlists, something for the OGs’ and the Youngins’ that does everything from inspiring to fueling. With picks from our entire team - including Oliver (CEO and Owner), Ronnie (VP of Creative Production and Co-Owner), Keyasha (President), Tahirih (Project Director), and Nicole (Director of Education and Content Writer).
“I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me — like food or water.” – Ray Charles