MPR News with Angela Davis

Celebrating Black Music Month: How Black music shaped every sound we know

A large vocal ensemble performing on an outdoor stage
Sounds of Blackness performs at Taste of Minnesota in 2024. Coming up at 9 a.m. on Thursday, the group's founder, Gary Hines, talks with MPR News host Angela Davis about the history and influence of Black artists across all genres of music.  
Tony Nelson for MPR file

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter officially recognized June as Black Music Month to honor the influence of Black musicians and artists in shaping American music.  

It's a reminder that Black music has been at the heart of almost every sound we know and love, including jazz, blues, rock, R&B, gospel, hip hop and even country. 

And in Minnesota, we’ve felt the impact — from the legacy of Prince to the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness. 

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Gary Hines, the founder of Sounds of Blackness, about the history and influence of Black artists across all musical genres.

a man poses for a portrait
Gary Hines, founder, music director and producer of Sounds of Blackness, a Grammy Award-winning vocal and instrumental group from Minnesota that blends gospel, R&B, soul and jazz music, poses for a portrait in the Kling Public Media Center in St. Paul on Thursday.
Nikhil Kumaran | MPR News

Guests:

  • Gary Hines is the founder, music director and producer of Sounds of Blackness, a Grammy Award-winning vocal and instrumental group from Minnesota that blends gospel, R&B, soul and jazz music.   

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