BLACK MUSIC MATTERS IS BACK!!
“A Black music experience for the people, by the people, to inspire, to heal, to give voice to Black musicians and artists, to provide space for cross cultural collaborations, to support communities most impacted by covid with health and wellness as the state reopens, to honor legendary yet unheralded Black musicians whose shoulders we stand on, to provide support for the future of our music, and to uplift arts and culture as one of the vital components in our community.” -Kev Choice
We have an incredible lineup celebrating the diversity of Black music!
Kev Choice Community Ensemble * Black London *Grand Nationxl * Netta Brielle * DJ D-Sharp * Drew Banga & Basi *Ja Ronn & Flow *Josh Jones & The Latin Jazz All-Stars* Jada Imani & The Erfftones *Tyler Lauren* Ajai Wilborn ++++ More!!!
“Artists are crucial to social movements, offering spiritual nourishment, catharsis and hopeful visions for moving forward.” -KQED
After over a year of basically no performances and lack of live entertainment, BLACK MUSIC MATTERS 2, returns to welcome community back to live shows, musicians back to stages, and in celebration of Black Music Appreciation Month. With so much affecting our communities over the last year from Covid-19, a rise in violence, media driven division between Black and Asian people, plus a heightened attention on mental health, music as a healing, connecting, and positive source of energy is essential and necessary now more than ever. In an effort to highlight Black music and collaborators from genres including Jazz, Hip-Hop, R&B, Gospel, Soul, Salsa, and World Music, BLACK MUSIC MATTERS 2 will take place Saturday, June 26th, 2021, 12-6pm at Lake Merritt’s Edoff Bandstand in Oakland, CA. Kev Choice is pushing forward with his vision to make this an annual festival for Oakland community.
In 2020, BLACK MUSIC MATTERS was organized in support of those on the frontlines of the social justice uprising that took over the streets of our nation and the world demanding justice for George Floyd, Breaonna Taylor, and so many others who have lost their lives at the hands of police violence. Co-organizers Kev Choice, Ryan Nicole, and Jennifer Johns, organized a full day of music in less than two weeks that featured over 40 musicians, 15 artists, 8 bands, 4 DJ’s, 2 comedians and 2 host’s.
This year the focus will be on community healing, cultural collaboration, youth arts education, health and wellness, and honoring unheralded legends in Bay Area Black Music. Organizer Kev Choice has put together a stellar lineup of local rising and established stars, with support from community sponsors and partners including Kapor Center, Square, Center for Cultural Power, Bay Area Blues Society, and more.
The lineup will include a focus on up and coming young artists, cross cultural collaborations with Black, Latino, and Asian musicians, and highlighting musicians and artists from the Bay Area with socially conscious and positive messages from communities impacted by gentrification, homelessness, and violence. Kev Choice will debut his “Kev Choice Community Ensemble” featuring an all star lineup of Musicians and artist from throughout the Bay Area.
In addition, Umoja Health will be onsite providing free covid test and vaccinations.
Admission is Free
Bring your own food and water
Black Music Matters
Edoff Memorial Bandtand
Lakeside Park(666 Bellevue Avenue)
12-7pm
June 26th
Kev Choice 