In the UK, October marks Black History Month, a month which “gives everyone the opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage and culture” (BBC). Black History Month began in the 1920s in the US, and has been celebrated in the UK since 1987.
The theme for Black History Month this year is “Reclaiming Narratives” (blackhistorymonth.org.uk). According to raceequalitymatters.com, this year’s theme is “about challenging the narratives that have historically marginalised Black achievements and instead highlighting stories of resilience, success and empowerment.
“This theme is more than just reflecting on the past – it’s a movement to correct the inaccuracies, reclaim stolen legacies, and ensure that Black voices are heard and honoured.”
Here are a few of the Black artists whose success and contributions to the music industry I would love to celebrate and recommend you listen to this Black History Month, and whose voices are heard through their music.
SZA
First is SZA, who produced one of my personal favourite albums with SOS. Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA, is a “distinct force in contemporary R&B [who] has set herself apart with a vulnerable and casually poetic songwriting style and a voice conveying a multitude of emotions with subtle twists and turns.” (Spotify)
SZA has been one of my favourite artists for the past few years because of her songwriting and vocal talent, and the vulnerability of her lyrics which I find myself drawn to with each album. SOS is an album which will forever be close to my heart, and which demonstrates just how talented SZA is.
My SZA recommendations: “Low”, “F2F”, “Nobody Gets Me”, “Special”, “Normal Girl” and “Prom”.
Frank Ocean
Next is Frank Ocean, whose most recent album, Blonde, was released in 2016. According to Forbes, in September 2024, both Blonde and Channel Orange were on the rise on the Billboard charts.
Clearly, despite the fact Ocean has not released an album in eight years, he remains a successful artist and is gaining more and more fans as his work is celebrated online.
Blonde is an album which was especially impactful during my teenage years, with its candid and vulnerable lyricism. Ocean’s work is moving and powerful, and he has remained an artist I have enjoyed listening to from my teenage years into my twenties for good reason.
My Frank Ocean recommendations: “Godspeed”, “White Ferrari”, “Ivy”, “Super Rich Kids” and “Bad Religion”.
Rachel Chinouriri
My third artist recommendation is Rachel Chinouriri, who began on Soundcloud; she is now rising in popularity with over two million monthly Spotify listeners (myself included). Having recently gotten into Chinouriri’s music after it was recommended to me and after listening to her album, What A Devastating Turn of Events, her music has been on repeat.
In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2022, Chinouriri discussed her music being part of the indie/indie-pop genre, and being mislabelled as an R&B artist. She said: “I’ve never tried to water down my Blackness or my heritage, but when, for example, I use my African surname and keep in my braids, for some reason it’s hard for people to translate that you can be as African, as Croydon, and as proud of where you’re from, but also still enjoy indie music or quote-unquote white music.
“And you can also want to write that music and be involved in it. Putting race to music, to me and to many people, seems so dumb.”
On returning to her indie roots, Chinouriri stated: “being able to do whatever I wanted this year [2022] has allowed me to actually build on my artistry, rather than manufacturing art that doesn’t belong to me.”
Chinouriri is inspiring in her refusal to be put in a box which does not reflect her output and does not feel authentic to her; I’m excited to continue getting into her music and continue to celebrate her artistry.
My personal Rachel Chinouriri recommendations: “All I Ever Asked”, “Never Need Me” and “I Hate Myself”.
These artists’ voices are heard and honoured through their music, through their phenomenal vocal and songwriting talents, and I will be celebrating them this Black History Month and beyond.
