BLACK MUSIC MONTH

If you were creating a list of the 20 greatest songwriters of all time, who would make the cut?

June is Black Music Month, and I found myself pondering that question after reading The New York Times' list of the 100 greatest songwriters, compiled from the responses of more than 25,000 readers. More than once, I caught myself mumbling, "Nah, man."

"Stevie Wonder landed at No. 6, Smokey Robinson at No. 13, Kendrick Lamar at No. 17, and Lionel Richie at No. 28—placements that generated more than a few side-eyes from me. "Beyoncé appeared at No. 47, Valerie Simpson at No. 73, and Babyface narrowly made the list at No. 97.

Of course, a single poll does not define the totality of anyone's artistic contribution. Still, the rankings prompted me to think about how we evaluate musical greatness—and, more importantly, how Black musical history is documented, interpreted, and passed on to future generations.

That question resurfaced this month with the release of another exceptional documentary by Questlove. The HBO documentary Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That's the Weight of the World) offers an intimate glimpse into a band often celebrated for its mastery of funk and soul while revealing the deeper spiritual vision that guided its founders. It provides the kind of context and understanding that is impossible to gain by simply singing along to the hits.

Verdine White, Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire perform at the 2015 Bonnaroo Music Festival at Great Stage Park on June 12, 2015, in Manchester, Tennessee. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

This month also brought the passing of Robert "Peabo" Bryson, whose voice remains etched into the soundtrack of our lives. As I reflected on his career, I found myself polishing up the vinyl to hear his voice as I first remembered it. I needed to experience the closing moments of "Feel the Fire," with those lingering vocals that float long after the melody has faded.

Moments like these remind us why documenting and honoring our cultural history matters. It is one of the strongest defenses we have against appropriation, cultural erasure, and the gradual loss of collective memory.

That commitment to documentation, preservation, and cultural inquiry is at the heart of BLACK CANVAS.

Every month, we strive to contribute another piece of Black history, thought, documentation, authentication, opinion, and critique. We celebrate artistic achievement, examine cultural movements, preserve stories, imagine the future, and create space for voices that too often go unheard.

And, if I'm being honest, there are moments when we ask ourselves a simple question: "Does what we do matter?"

Then an email arrives. A reader shares how a story resonated. A contributor explains why the publication matters. Someone discovers a piece of history they never knew. In those moments, the answer becomes clear.

Recently, I asked a few BLACK CANVAS contributors what value they believe the publication brings to our readers and our cultural landscape. Their responses reminded me why this work continues to matter.

"BLACK CANVAS has given me a rare space to explore the deeper meanings within Black artwork. Too often, Black exhibitions receive only surface-level attention, but BLACK CANVAS invests in high-quality arts writing that thoughtfully explores Black artistic expression as a critical part of history, culture, community, and contemporary art movements. It is an essential publication because it treats Black artists, Black audiences, and Black stories with the seriousness, care, and depth they deserve."

— Beverly Aarons

"BLACK CANVAS is not simply a magazine; it is an archive of our time and a testament to the richness and complexity of Black creative thought. It is a platform that has made it possible for my views on the continent of Africa to be shared. At a time when narratives about Africans and Africa are too often shaped from the outside, the publication provides a vital space for reflection, debate, documentation, and imagination. It must continue to exist." Aluta Continua!

— Gregory Vuyani Maqoma (South African) Narrative Architect | Cultural Strategist | Writer

Their words offer validation, but they also serve as a charge: continue building, documenting, questioning, preserving, and creating space for Black thought to grow and thrive.

As we celebrate Black Music Month, we revisit the art forms and artists that have shaped us, and we create new playlists for the summer ahead. And while reflecting, we look ahead and reaffirm our commitment to documenting Black creativity in all its forms.

Thank you for reading, supporting, and helping preserve the stories, ideas, and cultural contributions that deserve to be remembered.

Join us in preserving stories and creating space for new voices to be heard by becoming a monthly donor.

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With gratitude,

Vivian Phillips, Founder, ARTE NOIR