BMAC presents Juneteenth Summit to have fun Black Music Month

Saluting the enjoyment and energy of Black music. Commemorating freedom. Honoring the legacy of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. That was the three-pronged celebration behind the “Say It Loud! I’m Black and I’m Proud!” Juneteenth Summit that came about on Saturday (June 21), hosted by the Black Music Motion Coalition (BMAC), Main Wave and the Common Music Group Job Pressure for Significant Change.

The invite-only occasion was held at Brown’s property, positioned 6 miles outdoors the legend’s boyhood city of Augusta, Georgia. The event additionally marked the fifth anniversaries of each BMAC and UMG’s Job Pressure. “Celebrating BMAC’s fifth anniversary and Black Music Month throughout Juneteenth weekend on the property of the legendary James Brown was surreal,” stated BMAC co-founder and CEO/president Willie “Prophet” Stiggers. “Mr. Brown launched ‘Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud! in 1968 earlier than the peak of the Black Energy Motion. He put all of it on the road.”

Noting additionally that Brown stored slave shackles in his closet as a reminder of America’s darkish historical past, Stiggers added, “Whereas we have been ready for our 40 acres and a mule, Mr. Brown purchased 70 acres and a non-public jet down the street from some of the ruthlessly brutal plantations [Redcliffe Plantation] within the South. Our survival, our excellence and our pleasure; [are] a testomony to the resilience of our individuals.”

Main Wave’s vp of asset and inventive Donna Grecco additionally commented on the late artist’s legacy. “James Brown was a larger-than-life icon; a trailblazer for Black artist entrepreneurship within the enterprise of music. He tirelessly fought for racial justice. We will’t consider no higher place to have co-hosted this celebration of Black excellence and this impactful dialogue of the facility of Black music than on the residence of the Godfather of Soul.”

Government coaches ferried 150 music dignitaries from Atlanta to Brown’s property. As soon as there, attendees have been handled to a gap reception that includes a tour of the property and cocktails, a soul meals barbecue with wine/beer tasting from native, Black-owned corporations, adopted by a panel dialogue and music performances by Mali Wilson, T.I.’s son Buddy Crimson and Tiffany Evans.

BMAC board member Naima Cochrane moderated the panel dialogue, which featured Amazon Rotation head of R&B and Hip Hop and BMAC government management council member Sierra Lever, UMG basic counsel/government vp, enterprise and authorized affairs Jeff Harleston, artist supervisor and BMAC board member Caron Veazey and Brown’s daughter Dr. Deanna Thomas. Additionally in attendance was one other Brown daughter, Yamma Brown.

Sharing a key lesson realized from her dad, Thomas declared, “By no means promote. That’s what my father taught us. The music was the gold, and he knew that — even and not using a formal schooling. He at all times stated, ‘It’s not ‘present enterprise,’ it’s ‘present and enterprise.’ 75% of what you do is enterprise. In case you don’t have that collectively, you’ve already given away your 25%.”

Amongst different soundbite takeaways from the dialogue:

Harleston: “Dangerous Bunny owns all of his stuff. He decided and had the self-discipline to see it by means of. That’s empowerment.”

Lever: “Artists immediately haven’t at all times skilled what it means to elevate another person up. J. Cole collaborating with Lil Durk — that was publicity to a brand new sort of message and accountability.”

Cochrane: “Black music will not be a monolith. The panorama is altering, and there’s a studying curve on all sides — artists, execs and customers.”

Veazey: “There’s not one single platform anymore. That fragmentation makes it tougher for significant music to chop by means of.”

Along with BMAC, sponsors of the Juneteenth Summit included Common Music Group’s International Influence staff, Billboard and Vacation spot Augusta. Right here’s a gallery of pictures taken on the occasion.