Black Music Month: How Black Music Shaped the Way We Live

In honor of Black Music Month, journalist Mimi Brown takes listeners on a powerful audio journey through the cultural blueprint that is Black music. “Word. Style. Power.” explores how iconic songs didn’t just shape playlists — they shaped the way we speak, dress, move, and resist.

Through six pivotal moments — from Missy Elliott’s futuristic fashion in “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” to the global rise of Afrobeats with “Essence” by Wizkid and Tems, to Beyoncé’s country reclamation in Cowboy Carter — Mimi breaks down how Black artists have defined language, fashion, and politics across generations.

Each track in the piece was chosen not just for its musical impact, but for the cultural shift it sparked — whether it was the invention of the word “bling,” the worldwide echo of “We gon’ be alright,” or the unapologetic joy of crunk music taking over dance floors.

Listen now!