Juneteenth commemorates the events of June 19th, 1865, which marks the official end of slavery in former Confederacy. In support of this occasion, Bandcamp has decided that every June 19 they will donate their revenue share to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Bandcamp has no shortage of black artists to support. According to a crowd-sourced spreadsheet, there are over 2000 black musicians, producers and labels whose music is available on Bandcamp.
Right now we will consider a few recommendations of socially conscious music created by black artists.
Algiers – There is No Year
The Algiers third album is an exhilarating hybrid of industrial, soul, gospel and punk. They create the perfect soundscape for the song’s insightful lyrical messages. It is a solid followup to their excellent 2017 album The Underside of Power which is also available on Bandcamp and was one of the best protest albums of the 2010s.
Archie Shepp, Raw Poetic, and Damu the Fudgemunk – Ocean Bridges
The 83-year-old Archie Sheep has had a six-decade career creating socially conscious music. The saxophonist and poet collaborated with MC Raw Poetic and producer and multi-instrumentalist Damu the Fudgemunk to create an avant-garde masterpiece.
BL Shirelle – Assata Troi
Because I’m writing this before the release on June 19, I’ve only had a chance to listen to a couple of the singles that were released from the album. “Sigs” in particular is a powerful track addressing systemic issues facing America. Shirelle is a gifted lyricist and looking forward to listening to the entire album. She also founded the non-profit record label Die Jim Crow, which features the music of formerly and currently incarcerated musicians.
Roy Kinsey – Kinsey: A Memoir
The Chicago rapper has created a riveting and candid collection of tunes which deals with the trauma that he experienced has a queer black man living in America. His excellent 2018 album Blackie: A Story by Roy Kinsey is also on Bandcamp and was one of the best protest albums of 2018.
Dua Saleh – ROSETTA
This EP is named after Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the pioneering gospel artist who is considered one of the founding mothers of rock & roll. Tharpe as a gay black woman wasn’t afraid to go against religious taboos and societal conventions. Growing up queer in a strict Muslim household Saleh taps into a similar non-conforming spirit. Musically it is more personal than political, but Saleh is a prime example that the simple act of making music on your own terms is a powerful act of protest.
Oceanator – Tear The Fascists Down
The following three songs EP by the talented New York musician features reworkings of classic protest songs including a poignant rendering of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.” All proceeds support the New York affiliate of Survived and Punished, a volunteer organization whose mission is to eradicate the criminalization of survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Also on Bandcamp is her excellent and timely cover of Dead Kennedys’ “Police Truck.”
Quelle Chris & Chris Keys – Innocent Country 2
An adventurous and eclectic album featuring Quelle Chris’ satirical wit. Musically it encapsulates the post-Corona mood. Also, Quelle Chris entire discography is worth checking out, especially his 2018 masterpiece with Jean Grae, Everything’s Fine.
The Philadelphia spoken word artist and experimental musician has been so prolific it is hard to recommend just one album. Her whole discography is worth checking out. She recently released ANTHOLOGIA 01, the first in a limited series of cassettes where all the proceeds go to disability justice. She also recently released the excellent Offering – Live at Le Guess Who with Nicole Mitchell. Her album Analog Fluids Of Sonic Black Holes, which was one of the best protest albums of 2019.
In 2020 she was also involved in a couple of other excellent albums. Who Sent You by Irreversible Entanglements (under her name Camae Ayewa) and True Opera by Moor Jewlery.