Apple Music celebrates Juneteenth
Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate unanimously voted in favor of making Juneteenth National Independence Day a federal holiday on June 19 each year to celebrate the end of slavery in the country. The date had been growing in prominence in recent years and has been recognized by many companies and institutions, including the music industry at large.
To honor Juneteenth 2021, Apple Music has commissioned a specially curated collection of 20 songs titled ‘Juneteenth 2021: Freedom Songs.’ The compilation features original compositions and covers in service of the holiday from the likes of Black Thought, H.E.R., Hit-Boy, Kirk Franklin, Madison Calley, Maverick City Music and Willie Jones among many others. In addition, Ghanaian American visual artist Kwadwo Obeng has paired up some of the works by the artists with timeless visualizations of their individual Juneteenth messages. The playlist is available now on Apple Music.
“2021 marks an important moment in Black History with Juneteenth finally being recognized as a holiday by cities and states across America,” said Ebro Darden, Apple Music Global Head of Hip-Hop and R&B, in a statement. “Until now, many people were not taught about the importance of June 19 in public schools and corporations and state governments weren’t giving time off. This is a very big moment in history that the mainstream is embracing and acknowledging the day enslaved Black Africans were set free from physical bondage by the U.S. government — a painful part of American history that can no longer be a side-note.”
Darden went on to say the teams at Apple Music aren’t just promoting June’s Black Music Month here in the States, but expanding the conversation internationally, working to make sure the rest of the world realizes that all the music which is popular today has its roots in what was first created by Black people. “The significance of these recognitions is helping normalize the truth and the trauma done to Black people worldwide by white supremacy and racism,” he says.
“‘Juneteenth 2021: Freedom Songs’ is an idea born with the desire to make sure new sounds were available for this important day,” Darden adds. “Many corporations and state governments are acknowledging Juneteenth now, so our idea was to help lift this day higher and create more awareness. Black artists from many genres and from around the world contributed this moment this year, the same way Black creatives and storytellers over centuries shared their talent, soul, joy and pain to create all the music the world enjoys today.’”
Artists taking part in ‘Juneteenth 2021 Freedom Songs’ were appointed by Apple Music to speak to the spirit of the day through the majesty of music. The project spans a dozen genre perspectives from hip-hop, gospel, metal, jazz, R&B, country and more. Within the collection, the listener is sure to uncover the complexity of the Black experience against the backdrop of the historical touchpoint that is Juneteenth. From joy to pain and from hope to rage, ‘Freedom Songs’ is a sonic journey through covers from the past and new works of today.
Leader of Philly’s own The Roots, Black Thought, delivered “Approximately Free” for the set, a song where he uses the gift of rhyme to educate about Black America’s continually undervalued contributions to contemporary culture.
“Every day should be Juneteenth and every month should be Black History and Black Music Month,” the rapper declares.
VINYL OF THE WEEK
Keep an eye on this spot as each week we’ll be looking at new or soon-to-be-released vinyl from a variety of artists. It might be a repressing of a landmark recording, special edition or new collection from a legendary act. This week, it’s the soundtrack from a beloved 80s movie.
SAY ANYTHING: ‘EXPANDED MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK’
One of the top teen romcoms in the history of cinema, hands down, is the 1989 film ‘Say Anything,’ written and directed by Cameron Crowe and starring John Cusack and Ione Skye. It’s full of iconic moments, perhaps none more so than Cusack’s Lloyd Dobler character hoisting a boombox outside of Diane Court’s (Skye) bedroom window with Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” playing.
That song, along with many others, is included on the newly released expanded edition of the soundtrack to the essential, genre defining film, presented by Mondo and Vinyl Films. It’s a two-LP set that’s a must have, featuring the original 10 track song listing remastered plus and entire additional disc of music.
Now included on the ‘Say Anything’ soundtrack among songs by Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Replacements are demos written and recorded for the film — previously unreleased in any form — including long-lost demo recordings of the “Joe Lies” songs, as performed by Nancy Wilson for Lili Taylor and penned for her character’s ex-boyfriend. There’s also a demo of the Smithereens hit “A Girl Like You” and bonus tracks from Soundgarden, Aerosmith and a live version of “In Your Eyes.”
Featuring a 16-page booklet, containing never before seen photos and liner notes from the then first time director Crowe, Cusack, Skye, Taylor and Wilson, the set is available on 180gram standard black vinyl as well as a limited run pressed on translucent red vinyl.
The expanded soundtrack to ‘Say Anything’ is available at mondoshop.com and in stores from all respectable retailers who carry vinyl.