ASCAP CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH

ASCAP has kicked off its Black History Month celebration with a campaign honoring Black artists, songwriters and composers and their contributions to music.

As part of the monthlong initiative, ASCAP is bringing attention to a different group of Black change-makers each week, including in-depth editorial coverage, social-media posts featuring honorees and key historical events and genre-spanning playlists of Black music pioneers. ASCAP is also commemorating its 107th birthday.

“ASCAP is passionate about recognizing the contributions of Black songwriters and composers who have created music that has made an impact on our culture and the world,” said ASCAP’s SVP/Memberships Nicole George-Middleton. “During this month, especially, it is our mission to shine the spotlight on ASCAP member pioneers, innovators and icons who have changed history, shaped music as we know it and given us the songs we love so much.”

The campaign’s weekly themes are Black Pioneers in Music (2/1-2/7), Black Musicians and Important Black Moments in ASCAP History (2/8-2/14), Iconic ASCAP Members in Black History, which incorporates material on Martin Luther King Jr. and Bob Marley (2/15-2/21) and ASCAP Members Making History Today (2/22-2/28).

Also acknowledged are Quincy Jones, Charley Pride, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle, Duke Ellington, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Florence Price, James Weldon Johnson, Timbaland, Gucci Mane, Wale, Blackalicious, Ma$e, Ice-T and Nelly.

Visit ASCAP’s Black History Month webpage for more info.