What Does Black History Month Mean to the Music Industry?

Image via Jonathan F

Karen Civil is an author, philanthropist, and brand curator 

What pressures and challenges do you face as a person of color in the music industry?

The industry has always been a boys club, but I've never let stereotypes of what society thinks my life should be stop me from progressing in my field. No one can deny work ethic and great talent. I'm always going to be a person who looks at the glass half full. My potential and goals will always be my main priority.

Who inspires you to continue building in the music industry?

Angie Martinez continues to inspire me, she doesn't conform or remain stagnant in her career. When people thought she was "missing out" on opportunities in her career, she did what was best or it. She continues to let women like me know, we have options and plenty of opportunities to create and maintain success for ourselves. 

Why does Black History Month matter and what does it mean to you?

Black History Month matters because it brings our contributions to the forefront. Tells the story of our perseverance and celebrates our achievements that history books like to marginalize.

Ruddy Rock has been involved in the music industry for years, helped break Wiz Khalifa, and currently works with artists like Chronixx and Squidnice.

Why does black history month matter and what does it mean to you?

Black History Month matters for a number of reasons to me. I think it's a time where America should acknowledge the hardships and struggles our people went through just to get to this point. And also celebrate all that black people have contributed to this country, a culture which America has taken so much from.

Educating the younger generations on people like Chuck Berry who Elvis Presley stole his style from to then become "the king of rock 'n' roll." People like Marcus Garvey, Dr. Sebi, Nina Simone, Mumia Abu Jamal, etc. 

What pressures and challenges do you face as a person of color in the music industry?

The pressures and challenges that I face as a person of color in the music industry is probably perception. As a person of color there's sometimes a box or mold you're kind of expected to fit in. The wave can't fit in a box juheard!!!! 

Also I definitely think there should be more people of color in the major label systems. I think as urban music continues to dominate streaming services and streaming continues to change the landscape of the music industry, it'll lead to more opportunities for POC in the industry (hopefully). 

Who are your inspirations and motivations to continue building in the music industry?

A few of my inspirations in the music industry are people who helped shift or bridge cultures, people like The Rza, Chris Blackwell, Fab 5 Freddy, Dame Dash, Dallas Austin, Ken "Duro" Ifill, Will.I.Am, Irv Gotti, Dante Ross, Steve Stoute. 

I'm motivated by people in the music industry like Chace Infinite, Jacob Moore, Tunji Balogun, TDE, Stretch (Active Management), Coltrane Curtis, Kei, 740 Project... and definitely young cats like Shabazz, Hallway J, The Umbrella Boyz, Chad Carrington, Lil Jake, Tabby Wakes, Mallory Merk, etc. 

Scottie Beam is a radio and television personality born and bred in New York. Earning her start on-air with Hot 97’s morning show “Ebro in the Morning,” Scottie quickly turned her social media magnetism into partnerships with leading brands like as Nike, BET, Twitter, Essence and Billboard.

What pressures and challenges do you face as a person of color in the music industry? 

Being a double minority has its challenges. As a black woman,  you are rarely taken seriously in this music industry. If it's not men testing you on your knowledge on music or assuming you don't need to be acknowledged during a meeting, its white people telling you what works for your culture. We are often working 5xs as hard to prove we've earned a seat at the table. To overcome, I seriously love what I do and I'm committed to staying focused.

Who inspires you to continue building in the music industry? 

My mother, a radio vet, has been my greatest inspiration. Every day, I am learning more about the music industry through her 30+ years of experience. Thankfully, I have been blessed to work for some of my inspirations like the very iconic Angie Martinez and receive mentorship from passionate brilliant minds like Ebro Darden, Sam Selowane and DJ Clark Kent. I am continuously inspired by many black creatives from my co-hosts on Black Girl Podcast to the innovative minds who elevate brands consistently.

Why does Black History Month matter and what does it mean to you? 

Black History Month is just a small reminder as to why blackness and its history should be celebrated and taught year round.

Aishah White is and entertainment publicist and the founder and CEO of AKW PR, whose clients include Ty Dolla $ign, Lloyd, Lil Pump, IDK, and more.

Why does Black History Month matter and what does it mean to you?

Black History Month matters because it reminds the rest of the world who we are, and the contributions we've made in this country. 

What pressures and challenges do you face as a person of color in the music industry?

Personally, I haven't experienced challenges in the music industry because of my skin color, but I do find it challenging to discuss cultural appropriation with some colleagues and peers because they can't understand the hurt behind it. 

Who are your inspirations and motivations to continue building in the music industry?

I look to great women leaders and teachers in the industry to inspire and motivate me like Sylvia Rhone (Epic), Spring Aspers (Sony Pictures), Julie Greenwald (Atlantic Records) and my mentor, Jana Fleishman (Roc Nation).

Carron Mitchell is an entertainment attorney at Nixon Peabody LLP in Los Angeles, CA. She currently handles matters for a number of recording artists including, Childish Gambino, Vince Staples, Brent Faiyaz, Sonder, A Tribe Called Quest, Ari Lennox, Pell, and EarthGang. 

Why does Black History Month matter and what does it mean to you?

Black History Month is important; especially now as so many social issues, that we hoped were behind us, have resurfaced to become even more prevalent in our country. I think it’s important that we celebrate all the great leaders and events in black history. It helps to remind everyone of the progress our country has made. It also serves to motivate the younger generation and inspire them to have a voice and make an impact that will leave a lasting impression on the culture.

What pressures and challenges do you face as a person of color in the music industry?

As a person of color some people will assume you only work within limited genres of music. That’s absolutely not the case. Before anything I’m a fan of good music, not a specific genre. I’m sure the same goes for many others. Music is universal, it’s accepting and should not be driven by the color of someone’s skin. That being said I think a challenge the industry is facing as whole, is the need to see more people of color in positions of power, outside of just the urban genre.

Who are your inspirations and motivations to continue building in the music industry?

Honestly my clients inspire and motivate me the most. There is no greater feeling then helping someone achieve their dreams. I’ve literally watched some of my clients go from having nothing to realizing their greatest potential. I live by the mantra “Focus on the Feeling.” Not the actual end goal itself, but the feeling it gives you when you’ve accomplished it. The feeling I get knowing I’m helping a client and then watching as they actually accomplish their goal, is what motivates me the most.

Lyrical is the CEO and owner of Three Twenty Three Music Group Inc. She is responsible for breaking artists including Ravyn Lenae, Lil Durk, and Tink. "I have been known to position up-and-coming artists in the proper light to be recognized over the past six years. My favorite quote is that I can’t get you famous but I can get you heard—I just want to lend a helping hand to allow people to know that someone out there cares enough to listen." 

Why does black history month matter and what does it mean to you?

Black history month matters to me and my family very much because as African Americans we have been through an enormous amount of trials all the way back to slavery times. We still have a form of slavery present today in 2018. I think it is important for people to know what our ancestors did and how and what they overcame to give us hope for the future. They fought and sacrificed for me to even be able to type on this laptop and answer these questions. It means my entire existence, if that makes sense. I honestly wish it was more than a month and that we could focus on our heritage and the promise of freedom year round.

What pressures and challenges do you face as a person of color in the music industry?

As a person of color, especially a woman of color, I feel we have to work 10 times as hard to get taken seriously in this business. Men are looked upon as the goats of the industry when actually behind every man there is a powerful woman maintaining the ship. Sometimes we have to do a lot more to push the envelope to get looked upon or even get a call back when others might be able to make a phone call and have certain things happen for them with a snap of a finger. Racism and misogyny are still very present in this day and age in the work force.

Who are your inspirations and motivations to continue building in the music industry?

My inspirations and motivations are Ms. Debb, Queen Latifah, Karen Civil, Monique Idlett, Missy Elliott, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Angela Rogers, Rihanna and Briahna Gatlin.

Stacie Anderson is a producer at Z100, handles artist relations and booking for the iHearts Dunkin Donuts Lounge, and is a promotions and marketing assistant.

​​What pressures and challenges do you face as a person of color in the music industry?

Fortunately, at this stage in my career, I have had very few pressures or challenges specific to me being a woman of color. However, the one concern I have is when dealing with resolutions of a conflict or disagreements in the office place. In my opinion, I have to be extra careful with how I express my feelings because what would be considered assertive behavior for some will be stereotyped as “The Angry Black Woman” for me. I’ve overcome these situations by taking some time to put things into perspective and remembering how much I love my job.

​​Who are your inspirations and motivations to continue building in the music industry?

One of my biggest inspirations would be Charlamagne, from the Breakfast Club. I’ll never forget the first day I met him. My radio career was just beginning and I had been feeling really discouraged about if I would make it in the industry. I worked up the courage to ask him a few questions (because at the time I was still terrified of him since I only knew him from his BC interviews and Wendy’s radio show.) He  stayed back two hours AFTER our event finished to tell me about his radio journey and encouraged me not to give up. “I got fired FOUR times, and look where I’m at now. Don’t give up.” I look at where he is today and can’t wait until I get to that level in my career. My motivations would be my family, especially my father. He sacrificed so much for me while I was growing up that I want to be able to give him everything and anything he wants.

​Why does Black History Month matter and what does it mean to you?

Black History Month matters because it’s our time to shine! (Not that we don’t during the other 11 months out the year.) I really enjoy the unity we all share during this month. I also love how we highlight the accomplishments of our ancestors. We have to make sure our younger generations are educated about their past.