Black Music Month

Thumbnail and social media photo: Hadas

As Black Music Month comes to a close, I figured it was more than suitable to highlight black musicians in the many sub-genres of “rock.” Contrary to what many were told growing up, Elvis Presley was not the beginner of all things “rock n’ roll.” Rather, “rock” was an amalgamation of all sorts of musical styles (e.g., rhythm and blues, gospel and soul, country, jazz) living and breathing within the black community. I could go on and on about this topic, but I digress. If anything, I hope that what you take out of this is that black people are good at just more than the preconceived genres they are associated with (ahem…hip-hop/rap). We are just as much a part of the rock/alternative scene than the white, Dickies-wearing suburban kid next door with the Minor Threat patched vest and shaved head. So without further ado…

Fever 333 | Inglewood, CA | Punk meets 808

Fever 333: Hunting Season

Socials

Instagram: @fever333 

Twitter: @fever333

Youth Man | Birmingham, UK | Punk

Youth Man: SKIN

Socials

Instagram: @youthmanband

Twitter: @youthmanband


Meet Me @ The Altar | Florida/Georgia/New Jersey | Pop-Punk

Meet Me @ The Altar: Morris Farm Drive

Socials

Instagram: @mmataband

Twitter: @MMATAband

Koren Grace | Norfolk, VA | Alternative pop/blues

Koren Grace: Perfect World (Imagine)

Socials

Instagram: @korengrace

Twitter: @KorenGrace

UMI | Seattle born/LA based | Alternative

UMI: Sukidakara

Socials

Instagram: @whoisumi

Twitter: @whoisumi

HUSH | Los Angeles, CA | Alternative pop-rock

HUSH: Cycle

Socials

Instagram: @hushwestcoast

Twitter: @hushwestcoast


Dariel Clark | Virginia Beach, VA | Alternative

Dariel Clark: I’m Not Black? (Word?)

Socials

Instagram: @darielclark

Twitter: @darielclark1

Nothing | Philadelphia, PA | Shoegaze

Nothing: Zero Day

Socials

Instagram: @bandofnothing

Twitter: @bandofNOTHING

Shormey | Chesapeake, VA | Psychedelic funk/disco soul

Shormey: CRUISE!

Socials

Instagram: @shormey_

Twitter: @Shormey_

Choker | Michigan | Alternative/Indie

Choker: LUCKY

Socials

Instagram: @choker

Twitter: @chokest

KennyHoopla | Wisconsin | Alternative/Indie

KennyHoopla: plastic door

Socials

Instagram: @kennyhoopla

Twitter: @KennyHoopla

NNAMDÏ | Chicago, IL | Alternative/Indie

NNAMDÏ: Flowers To My Demons

Socials

Instagram: @nnamdithegreat

Twitter: @NnamdiOgbonnaya


Jesus Piece | Philadelphia, PA | Hardcore/Metalcore

Jesus Piece: Live Show

Socials

Instagram: @jesuspiecehc

Twitter: @JesusPieceHC

Vein | Boston, MA | Hardcore/Metalcore/Mathcore

Vein: Audiotree Live Clip

Socials

Instagram: @vein.tv

Twitter: @VEINBAND


Kaonashi | Philadelphia, PA | Emo Mathcore

Kaonashi: My 5-Year Plan

Socials

Instagram: @kaonashipa

Twitter: @Kaonashipa

letlive. | Los Angeles, CA | Experimental Punk/Post-Hardcore/Metalcore

letlive.: The Sick, Sick, 6.8 Billion

Socials

Instagram: @letliveperiod

Twitter: @thisisletlive

Turnstile | Baltimore, MD | Hardcore Punk

Turnstile: Real Thing

Socials

Instagram: @turnstiletribe

Twitter: @TURNSTILEHC

Issues | Atlanta, GA | Prog Metalcore/R&B

Issues: Drink About It

Socials

Instagram: @issues

Twitter: @issues

Dance Gavin Dance | Sacramento, CA | Post-Hardcore/Funk/All of the Above

Dance Gavin Dance: Son of Robot

Socials

Instagram: @dancegavindance

Twitter: @DGDtheband