Seattle songwriter Olivia Thomas, who performs under the name LIV†, shares the importance of taking pride in the accomplishments of black people, encouraging black female artists, and feeling represented by artists like Alicia Keys and Lauryn Hill.
Bridging the illustrious musical legacy of Seattle’s Central District and his family’s rich Senegalese heritage, "wordsmith MC" Yirim Seck brings a unique insight to Black History Month and Black Future.
Whitney Mongé is a Seattle musician, who plays what she calls “Alternative Soul”, a blend of the R&B and ‘90s rock music that inspired her. In celebration of Black History Month, she shares influences and talks about how it's "pretty cool to be a brown person playing music."
Sistas Rock the Arts is a collective that presents weekly open mic and jam sessions at Rumba Notes in Columbia City. Co-founder La Tanya Horace, aka SistahLuv, talks to KEXP about creating community and black future.
Om Johari is a Seattle based Afro-Punk Musician and Feminist Activist who has sung in Bad Brains and AC/DC cover bands. She has a unique and interesting perspective on Black History Month and why artist Nina Simone matters.
Seattle rapper Gifted Gab talks about celebrating black history all your round, getting her musical education from her mom, and offers inspiring words to other minority artists trying to make their own way.
SassyBlack talks about Quincy Jones, debunking the myth that there's a lack of women producers, and how vast blackness really is.
Guitarist Jimmy James of the True Loves and Delvon Lamarr Trio talks about his musical influences, and how music breaks through the language barrier and brings people together.
Ayron Jones reflects on the Catch 22 of Black History Month, the spectrum of black artists that have inspired him, and furthering progress through recognition in the arts and technology.
In 2018, KEXP celebrated the 30th anniversary of local record label Sub Pop with a four-month retrospective, "counting up" every catalog number in their vast discography of over 1,200 releases. Dig into the archives of our catalog coverage, featuring in-depth coverage on the history of their releases.
