Hello everyone, it’s Valencia C., co-chair of Owlchemy Lab’s Black employee resource group, Night Owls!

June is African American Music Appreciation Month, time of celebration that began in 1979 as a month to celebrate the musical influence of African Americans. To join in on this celebration, we created a list of our favorite American musicians to share with the Owlchemy community for a chance to explore history through the art of sound.

Ruth Brown

“The R&B singer who built Atlantic Records. They called Atlantic “the house that Ruth built” for good reason—her two dozen hits put the budding company on the map. She was both a diva and a fighter, a glamorous R&B singer and a tireless advocate for musicians’ rights.”- The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

**Popular Song: “**Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean”

Cure for Paranoia

“Cure for Paranoia is the powerhouse Dallas alternative hip-hop collective founded by songwriter and frontman Cameron Mccloud featuring Tomahawk Jonez & Jay Analog. Their critically acclaimed full-band live show with WE THEM GRAYS blends the components of live instrumentation and dance music into the classic sensibilities of rap, R&B, funk, and jazz.” - Spotify

**Popular Song: “**The Artshow”

Amber Mark

“Amber Mark is the genre-splicing polymath that music needs now. Raised across Europe and Asia and based in New York, Amber weaves her deep knowledge of international styles into a stunning musical tapestry that reveals new intricacies with every listen. Adding to the unique magic is the fact that Mark writes and produces all of her music herself.” - Spotify

Popular Song: “Lose My Cool”

Marvin Gaye

“Marvin Gaye was one of the most consistent and enigmatic of the Motown hitmakers, with a career that exemplified the maturation of black pop into a sophisticated form spanning social and sexual politics. Blessed with a mellifluous tenor and a four-octave vocal range, Gaye was among the most gifted composers and singers of his era.” - Genius

Popular Song: “Sexual Healing”

Kendrick Lamar

“Kendrick Lamar is one of hip-hop’s most influential rappers known for the songs “Alright,” “HUMBLE.” and “Not Like Us.” After writing stories as a child, the Southern California native who started rapping under the name K-Dot put music to some lyrics about the rough Compton streets he grew up on. Lamar’s 2012 debut studio album, good kid, m.A.A.d City, was released to great acclaim, and his accolades have only grown since. The 22-time Grammy winner has three Best Rap Album awards to his name and made history when his record DAMN. became the first of its genre to earn a Pulitzer Prize in 2018. Lamar surprise-released his sixth studio album, GNX, in November 2024. ” - Biography.com

Popular Song: “HUMBLE”

Michael Kiwanuka

“British musician Michael Kiwanuka first came into the public consciousness with his acclaimed debut album, Home Again. A talented, unassuming young man of Ugandan heritage and honeyed voice, Michael stood out for making the most emotionally engaging contemporary soul music of recent years, earning him a coveted BRIT award.” - Red Light Managment

Popular Song: “Cold Little Heart”

And, of course, some honorable mentions because you can never have too much celebration:

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