We celebrate the profound contributions of Black artists who shape music and culture everyday. This Black History Month, and moving forward, we aim to create the spaces, tools and resources for Black creators to grow and enhance their artistry, connect with their fans and elevate their careers. One way to do that is through amplifying genres that Black artists created, defined and innovated at their origin, and continue to push new sounds and styles forward today.
Afro music brings unique sounds and influences from Africa together into subgenres that have music fans and mainstream listeners in a frenzy around the world. Amapiano — a fusion of traditional African rhythms and jazz, pop and R&B. Originating in the 2010s, its booming drums and silky smooth piano keys have built an international party scene that lives by it. Afrobeats is similar, but different; originating in the 1960s as “Afrobeat” by trailblazing musician Fela Kuti, what was once a form of political resistance has spun off into a beautiful mix of styles, locations and influences that have become staples on playlists for music lovers of any genre. Afrohouse, another subgenre of Afro music, stretches back to the late 1990s in nightclubs around Johannesburg and Pretoria, with its soulful sounds, new school house music production and chill-inducing vocals. To hear these sounds, and more, check out our BHM Afro playlist that features songs like “Bundle by Bundle” by Burna Boy, “Turn off the lights,” by TXC, and “Ouu Wee” by Mannywellz.
Country music is the soundtrack to honest and blatant reflections of the heart, whether it be around long and lost love or having a long day on the clock. Black musicians have been a part of Country music since its beginnings, influencing its sound with instruments like the banjo, a West African instrument that was brought to America by enslaved Africans, and elements of the blues, while also helping to break down racial barriers in the genre. Country music found its footing in the 1940s as an engrossing look into the emotions we all understand. In our BHM Country playlist, you’ll find songs from innovators like “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by SoundCloud Ascending artist Shaboozey, “Silverado” by Tanner Adell, and “Same Work” by Breland and The War And Treaty.
Hip-hop hasn’t stopped since its origins at a ‘Back To School’ party in the Bronx in the 1970s hosted by DJ Kool Herc and organized by his sister, Cindy Campbell, and it never will. One of the most innovative and constantly evolving musical genres, it went mainstream in 1979 and never looked back. The use of breakbeats, cutting and scratching by DJs like Grandmaster Flash and Jazzy Jay would lead to an explosion of boom bap popularity in the 1980s and 1990s that would propel the culture forward to this day. Listen to our BHM Hip-Hop playlist and discover songs like “GOT ME GEEKED” by Denzel Curry, and “Magnolia Rain” by Samara Cyn, and “3:AM” by Rapsody and Erykah Badu.
The smooth singing and emotional appeal of rhythm and blues music captures everyone who hears it. Originating in African-American communities in the 1940s, it would become responsible for inspiring the development of rock, as well as the genesis of popular bands like the Rolling Stones, the Who and the Animals that took elements of the style and ran with them in their own special ways. Over the decades, R&B music spun off into soul and funk, providing stirring new ways to explore the depths of emotions that has become the soundtrack to our trials, tribulations and triumphs in love and relationships. Today, R&B music is a mix of the subgenres that it created and inspired. One thing will never change though, regardless of how it sounds — you’ll always feel something when you vibe to it. Listen to our BHM R&B playlist to hear tracks like “Too Many Women” by Ascending artist Jordan Adetunji and kwn, “Karma” by Susan Carol, and “NOSEBLEED” by Destin Conrad.
Come back to the Clouds of Color playlist every week in February to hear our celebration of Black artists in these genres pushing music forward at SoundCloud.
LISTEN TO THE CLOUDS OF COLOR PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
