A Word: The Racial Reckoning Soundtrack

Published: June 25, 2021, 10 a.m.

Police violence and protests were the sounds of summer 2020, and Black musicians from across the spectrum lent their voices to the moment. In honor of Black Music Appreciation Month, entertainment and music reporter Jewel Wicker talks with Jason Johnson about the tradition of popular music mixing with protests --from The Staple Singers, to Beyonc\xe9, to DaBaby-- and which songs will have staying power.\n\nGuest: Jewel Wicker, entertainment and music journalist\n\nPodcast production by Ahyiana Angel and Jasmine Ellis\n\nYou can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices