The Godfather of House Music
Frankie Knuckles is one of the pioneers of house music, a unique sound developed in the gay nightclubs across Chicago
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Black History
I know it’s why you came here. You want to know about Black people, don’t you?
How Leslie Riddle Changed Country
From 1945-1965 Riddle retired from music until singer and folklorist Mike Seeger tracked him down after hearing Maybelle Carter discuss what she learned from him.
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America Has a Problem: Kilo Ali
Even if you’ve never heard the name Kilo Ali before you’ve probably heard his song Cocaine sampled by Beyonce for “America Has a Problem.” Kilo was in a gang at one point, but he left and built a career for himself with music throughout Atlanta in the early 90s through what was a unique sound
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Charley Pride Sings The Hits
Charley Pride led a super interesting life. In 1952 he was a pitcher in the Negro American League. When he played for the Louisville Clippers they traded him and Jesse Mitchell to the Birmingham Black Barons for a bus. Yeah, a bus. On the side, he sang a little bit, and got paid to sing
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Mickey Gets Nominated
As a Black Man from the midwest, I love country music, it is what it is. Some people will tell you it isn’t Black music, and those people are wrong.
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Public Enemy vs Arizona
The journey to making Martin Luther King Jr Day a holiday was a long one that included legends like Coretta Scott King, politicians like Representative John Conyers, celebrities like Stevie Wonder, and strangely enough an impassioned speech by New Gingrich to his Republican colleagues.
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What is Black Music Month
In 1979 President Jimmy Carter declared June as Black Music Month. President Carter forgot to actually make it official despite holding celebrations each year after. I think Jimmy just liked Black music and wanted a reason to celebrate. For years journalist Dyana Williams lobbied for it to be officially recognized by the US Government, and
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Who is George L Knox
George Levi Knox was sold into slavery at the age of three. During The Civil War his master took him to fight on the front lines. I’m sure Knox thought about the wife and four children he had, and still decided to run across to the other side. He joined the 55th Indiana Infantry Regiment
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No Blacks In The Pool
David Isom is well known at this point for going to a segregated swimming pool and taking a swim. Nobody hurt David, and that’s good. But, many other Black Americans were not as lucky.
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The Snitch Who Stole Christmas
Maulana Karenga sometimes known as Ron Karenga is often praised as the sole inventor of Kwanzaa and leader of the US Organization. However he was convicted of heinous crimes and many dispute the idea that he is the sole creator. In 1969 he launched a once sided war against The Black Panther Party alongside police officers that led to the deaths of 4 Black Panthers.
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