Throughout the month of June as we celebrate Black Music Month, we will be taking time to shout out the contributions from influential Black artists and highlight the incredible talent of Black artists who are distributed by The Orchard. This year, we have already seen remarkable successes with the releases of G Herbo’s PTSD and Joyner Lucas’ ADHD, both debuting in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. Now, as we move throughout the year, we continue to celebrate the immense star power and influence from The Orchard’s long list of Black distributed artists.
Over the years, The Orchard has been home to some amazing Black artists that have shaped the landscape of the music industry. From Mya to Christian McBride, Tamela Mann, Erica Campbell, Gaidaa, Your Grandparents and Darkovibes to Jorja Smith, Geto Boys, Channel Tres, JessB, and more, Black artists have long created popular culture and have pushed the boundaries of creativity.
Black Music Month was officially started in 1979, after former President Jimmy Carter issued a decree to honor the contributions of Black musicians. It wasn’t until radio icon Dyana Williams and songwriter Kenny Gamble, through their work with the Black Music Association, lobbied to have June officially recognized as Black Music Month by Congress in 2000.
Since then, the month has celebrated the contributions of Black musicians that have proven to be an essential part of America’s cultural heritage. The Orchard’s vast list of distributed artists take music lovers on a journey from disco, jazz, soul and funk to hip-hop, rock and gospel. From the “Queen of Disco” Donna Summer, whose songs set the disco scene on fire in the 1970’s to the soulful sounds of Betty Wright and the mesmerizing blends of Christian McBride, The Orchard thanks you for your countless contributions to music and pop culture.
Betty Wright “After The Pain” (MS. B Records)
Donna Summer “Mystery of Love” (Crimson/Demon Music Group Limited)
Gaidaa “Falling Higher” (On The Webs Records)
Joyner Lucas “Will” (Twenty Nine Music Group)
Jorja Smith “Be Honest” (FAMM)
G Herbo “Feelings” (Machine Entertainment Group)
Al Green “Love and Happiness” (Demon Music Group Limited)
Lil Jon “Snap Yo Fingers” (TVT Records)
Mýa “With You” (PLANET 9 / MGM)
Flatbush Zombies “iamlegend” (Flatbush Zombies)
Darkovibes “Inna Song (Gin & Lime) ft. King Promise (Darkovibes)
Channel Tres “Weedman” (Channel Tres)
Black Violin “Showoff” (Di Versatile, Inc)
JessB “Mood” (JessB)
Tamela Mann “Ups and Downs” (Tilly Mann Music Group)
The Soul Rebels “Real Life” (Feat. Passport P, Julian Gosin & Sean Carey) (Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Records)
Melanie Faye “It’s A Moot Point” (Downtown Records)
Izzy Bizu “Faded” (Izzy Bizu)
Deva Mahal “Fire” (Motema Music)
Christian McBride “New Jawn” (Mack Avenue Records)
Aaron Aye “Roots” (Culture Shock Music)
William Onyeabor “Fantastic Man” (Luaka Bop)
Fantastic Negrito “Chocolate Samurai” (Cooking Vinyl )
Listen to Radial’s Black Music Month playlist here.
