SoundCloud is honoring Black History Month with some amazing content
It’s no secret, Black History Month never feels long enough but while we’re full-fledged in a 28-days of Black excellence celebration, look no further than streaming powerhouse SoundCloud to properly put respect on some major game-changers by featuring curated content and homepage playlists celebrating Black brilliance and creativity.
SoundCloud has launched a Black History Month-inspired playlist
If you’re a huge fan of playlists, because who isn’t, geek out over the platform’s new green light of content in its ‘Selected By’ area.
Throughout the month, SoundCloud is rolling out a Black History Month edition of “SELECTED BY,” a series of exclusive artist-curated playlists featuring songs that promote moments of self-care and healing, created by incredible rising artists like Jalen Santoy, India Shawn, and Smooky MarGielaa. A number of the “SELECTED BY” playlists will include audio commentary giving a deeper look into how certain tracks have affected these artists. Listeners can navigate to the “BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Celebrating Black Expression'' section plus a wide-range of new and popular playlists featuring Black artists which tie back to this year’’s BHM theme like “SOAK: Soul for Self Care,” ”ON HIGH: Gospel House,” and “UPLIFT: R&B Celebration.”
It’s deeper than SoundCloud playlists
Don’t worry if you’re not on the playlists as much as the average streaming head. The platform is also taking its Black History Month appreciation to social media.
In addition, SoundCloud is leveraging the power of social media with a new tastemaker series to shine a light on some of the brightest leaders in the world of music on how Black art and creativity has been a vehicle for Black history. The series, which will live across SoundCloud’s socials, will share stories through content featuring interviews, animations, and quotes kicking off today with Executive Vice President/GM of LVRN Records and partner in LVRN Management, Amber Grimes, followed by spotlights on Tommy Brown (CEO of Champaign Music Group & Publishing, Grammy Winner, and Multi-Platinum selling producer), and Barry Hefner (Co-Founder, Since the 80s).
Amber Grimes understands the importance of celebrating Black creators
Executive Vice President/GM of LVRN Records and partner in LVRN Management Amber Grimes has already weighed in on how Black Music can be a guidepost for the times.
“Black artists do an incredible job of telling our story and being a sign of the times. And those songs grow older for the next generation to understand what was going on or really helps us understand how things haven’t changed. I remember going into the street to be a part of a protest and everybody just started chanting Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Alright.’ We just have this air of hope especially when we’re together in packs, in 100s, that we’ll get through something. I remember that moment and I’ll never, ever forget that song.”
Grimes also dished on how she envisions her own legacy for generations.
“What I would like my legacy to be is just one of hope. Any young Black girl, any young Black person in general, I want them to always know and believe that they can be whoever they want to be and they can do whatever they want to do. Nothing can stop them, and they shouldn't take ‘no’ from anybody because I never have.”
