Hello, my mellow music lovers!

by Stephen Furlow
OMA Associate Director for Community Engagement & Partnership

Even with an extra day, we cannot leap over the fact that Black history month 2024 is now history, well at least until June which in 1979 became Black Music Appreciation Month. Wait, what am I saying? Black People continue to make history all throughout the year, in areas that extend far beyond the arts.

Here’s a challenge for you? Think about the career path that you are currently pursuing or the job that you are currently doing and find out who the first Black person or person of color was to occupy that seat, giving you the opportunity and space to innovate. It may surprise you that your participation still qualifies you as a part of breaking the color barrier and addressing diversity, equity, inclusivity, and engagement. 

Please allow me to move my soapbox over. Thank you kindly. 

With very little time left, I will not be able to go into heavy detail regarding the following genres: Disco, Classic Soul, 80’s/90’s R&B and of course, 2000’s to present day Hip Hop. However, I wanted to leave you with a sizable list of resources that you may find useful when conducting your own searches and melody motivated and melanated historical deep dives.  

To keep the wrap up entertaining and the exit grand, I wanted to use one short clip from online music enthusiast “GendirectMusic” on all social media, to highlight a practice that record companies use to profit from unaware fans. A practice that allowed Elvis Presley to flourish while using Big Momma Thornton’s Hound Dog to propel him towards greater success. In essence, this is the same practice that had both Black American singer and Actress Dionne Warwick and Black Jazz legend Miles Davis, confused about the look of their album covers, which depicted white women in various leisure like scenes that were not at all reflective of the feel of their artistry. 

While doing research for the Divisions of Student Affairs Black History Month Coffee and Chat, I became curious about popular forms of Black artistry and how they may have been appropriated around the world. The links below are examples of a Popular style of Hip Hop known as Drill which originated in Chicago and New York City but became a worldwide phenomenon. 

I truly hope you enjoyed this year’s OMA Black Music Series during BHM, and I hope that you look forward to the next installment as you stay tuned to our newsletter for this and all other great topics each week! Peace! 

• UK Versions of 90’s Songs - GendirectMusic
• Chief Keef - Love Sosa (Clean Video) – Chicago Drill example (Caution)
• Hideyoshi - Majinahanashi ( Legendado / Tradução ) – Non-Translated (Japanese Stylized Drill, Watch at own risk) 
• Pete & Bas - Sindhu Sesh – UK Drill 
• CANNON Z - "Spirit Boy" official music video – Non-Translated (Chinese Stylized Drill, Watch at own risk)
• Y7Y - ARABI DRILL (Prod by HERMVN X Yoshi) – Non-Translated (Arabic Stylized Drill, Watch at own risk) 
• Blp Kosher - HanukkahWeen (Official music video)- Profanity – (Watch at own risk) 

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