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CONTACT: media@dima.org
Reps. Ivey and Kamlager-Dove Share Insights and Personal Experiences with Black Music in Series of Conversations
Members of Congress, Industry Leaders, and Black Music Experts discuss the importance of Black Music Month and Black music to culture, politics, and society
Washington, D.C. (July 13, 2023) – As part of the Digital Media Association’s celebration of Black Music Month, DiMA collaborated with industry leaders, Members of Congress, and music experts to recognize the Black community’s invaluable contributions to music and culture. Continuing its series of conversations on Black Music, DiMA connected with Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), and Pandora’s Vice President of Music Programming, Joshua “J1” Raiford, to talk about the influence of Black artists and their impact on music.
The conversations highlighted music’s ability to empower people through representation. Rep. Ivey discussed “the talent and impact of African American musicians” around the globe. Rep. Kamlager-Dove added on by sharing that, “Black music, at the end of the day, is about hope,” and “nothing quite pumps you up like Black music.”
DiMA also asked Dr. Dwandalyn R. Reece, Associate Director for Humanities at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and music curator and educator Mark Puryear to offer insights into the history of Black music as part of our ongoing work to look at ways music streaming can open doors to past eras and underrecognized artists.
Click here to access the interviews with Rep. Ivey and Rep. Kamlager-Dove and the accompanying playlists.
Click here to access Dr. Reece’s blog and playlist.
Click here to access Mr. Puryear’s blog and playlist.
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About The Digital Media Association (DiMA):
DiMA is the leading organization advocating for the digital music innovations that have created unparalleled consumer choice and revolutionized the way music fans and artists connect. Representing the world’s leading music streaming companies and streaming innovators – Amazon, Apple Music, Feed.fm, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube – DiMA’s mission is to promote and protect the ability of music fans to engage with creative content whenever and wherever they want and for artists to more easily reach old fans and make new ones. www.DiMA.org
