Each June, music fans around the world come together to celebrate the indelible influence that Black musicians have made on culture with Black Music Month. To mark the month, Amazon Music has worked to put together a brand-new slate of content that honors the legacy of the Black artists whose music soundtracks our lives and defines our culture.
New Playlists and Never-Before-Heard Black Music Month Songs
Throughout the month of June, Amazon Music has invited some of the most exciting Black artists across a wide spectrum of genres to record a new collection of brand-new Amazon Originals songs. Debuting Fridays in June, the series kicks off today with a brand-new cover of “Falling in Love with Jesus” from two-time GRAMMY®-nominated gospel artist Koryn Hawthorne. A soulful take on Jonathan Butler’s gospel classic, the song can be heard exclusively on Amazon Music on the Gospel Now playlist. Fans can hear acclaimed R&B artist serpentwithfeet’s cover of Labi Siffre’s “Bless the Telephone” now, which was released as a part of Black Music Month and Pride. Next Friday, soulful singer/songwriter Yola will deliver a reimagined version of her recent single, “Diamond Studded Shoes.”
“This song is so special to me because it’s what I live for. Regardless of life’s circumstances the love and comfort of Jesus has pulled me through,” said Koryn Hawthorne. “Releasing this song during Black Music Month is also important to me because Gospel music is the foundation of Black American music, and the message is a reminder of healing and strength.”
Amazon Music’s music experts have also worked to curate Made in the…, a new collection of playlists celebrating a different American region and its influence on hip-hop, R&B, and beyond. Debuting weekly throughout Black Music Month, fans can listen to the first two playlists in the series—Made in the East and Made in the West—now to hear the Black music that has defined the sound of the East Coast and West Coast. Additional Made in the South and Made in the Midwest playlists will roll out through the month, spotlighting the best in Southern and Midwest hip-hop and R&B. Customers can also tune in to Amazon Music’s Black Music Month station, which features a hand-curated selection of contemporary and classic contributors across genres, by asking “Alexa, play the Black Music Month station.”
Simultaneously, Amazon Music has also curated a series of new [RE]DISCOVER playlists to correspond with each region featured in the Made in the… series. Amazon Music’s [RE]DISCOVER playlists take listeners on a career-spanning journey of musical discovery—or re-discovery—through an artist’s body of work. Debuting alongside Made in the East, playlists like [RE]DISCOVER Teddy Pendergrass and [RE]DISCOVER Billy Paul will take Amazon Music fans through a career-spanning trip through Philadelphia Soul, while new [RE]DISCOVER playlists for Master P, UGK, and Big Freedia will cover everything from Houston Rap to New Orleans Bounce music.
Koryn Hawthorne – “Falling in Love with Jesus”
