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Roots Culture Redefined

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Black Voices
Jett Holden’s Dreams Come to Life on ‘The Phoenix’For years, Jett Holden dreamt and dreamt about making a living through music, but everywhere he turned he was met with doubt, subtle prejudice, and closeted racism that left him running on empty and searching for something new. Following a journey to rock bottom, Holden is back stronger than ever…
Black VoicesSep 11, 2024

This year, a new event will debut at the IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, North Carolina. Presented by IBMA and The Banjo Gathering, Roots Revival: Black Stringband Symposium will explore Black contributions to bluegrass and traditional music over two days of the week-long event with six especially programmed sessions. On Thursday, September 26, conference-goers,…

Black VoicesSep 5, 2024

Growing up in rural Georgia, Jontavious Willis discovered blues through a YouTube video of Muddy Waters and immediately immersed himself in the genre. At 14, he began playing acoustic guitar, he started gigging as a college student, and released his first album, Blues Metamorphosis, in 2016. Two years later, he opened on the TajMo tour…

Black VoicesAug 15, 2024

Sometimes it strikes me just how much power can emanate from a creative mind. Speaking with Denitia was one of those times. When the indie music artist comes across an unfamiliar musical concept, she goes “sponge mode” until she understands it. Then she seamlessly integrates it into her artistic vocabulary. This relentless curiosity and sense…

Black VoicesAug 9, 2024

On his 2022 album Black Banjo, Tray Wellington thwarted stereotypes and pushed the boundaries of what bluegrass music can be. On his new EP, Detour To The Moon, he picks up right where he left off, weaving in jazz, hip-hop, country, and more into his trailblazing banjo bangers. The meshing of influences on the seven-song…

Black VoicesJun 18, 2024

Artist: Jon Muq Hometown: Kampala, Uganda Latest Album: Flying Away If you didn’t work in music, what would you do instead? I would work in construction or be a lawyer or a therapist. If you were a color, what shade would you be – and why? I would be green – green represents plants and…