 @advancemusicca / Twitter By Claudia Cheung Music has always been a healing tool for many people. Whether you are listening to music or creating music - out there, is always a voice that matches your taste. It is tough times like now that makes us more grateful for musicians and people who work behind the scenes.
 © Shakeil Greeley for GQ / Getty Images By Akilah James For generations, music has been an active part of Black culture and stands heavily important within our modern day context. Black music is highly diverse and while many people might think of limited stereotypical genres like rap and R&B, Black people created most of your favourite genres.
 © Page Six By Nobetternina (@nobetternina) Following the many Black Lives Matter protests that took place last year, and the increasing call on community members to support Black-owned businesses’, many are hoping that 2021 is the year of growth for the Black community and their businesses’.
 © George Rose | Los Angeles Times By Justin Wong When thinking of the origins of Rock n’ Roll music, many people would quickly associate it with artists such as Elvis Presley and Aerosmith. However, the beginning of rock music as we know it today, can be traced all the way back to the blues and the strong influence of Black culture and musical traditions.
 By Muniyra Douglas
If you’ve traveled on Yonge Street, chances are you’ve noticed one of the giant murals dedicated to Nashville-born, Toronto legend and transgender Soul pioneer Jackie Shane (May 15, 1940 – February 22, 2019). Nominated at the 61st annual Grammy Awards this year, her story is a fitting honour during Black History Month. The singer’s historical album Any Other Way was a collaborative effort.  © The Day By Karen Burke
Take a look at any GTA high school band or choir and, for the most part, you will not see a representation of what Toronto’s population looks like. Toronto is by far the most diverse city in North America and probably the entire world according to ‘The Globe and Mail’ (April 2018). As such, the music being taught in our schools and celebrated in our communities should reflect our population, but it often does not. |
