On Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, the New York State Black Legislative Task Force (NYSBLT) and Elmcor hosted a memorable and spirited tribute to iconic musicians including, Sheila L. Brown, Andre Langston, Talib Kweli, MC Lyte, DJ Beverly Bond, and posthumously honored John Coltrane and Bob Law. 

This year’s Second Annual Black Music Month Celebration at the New York State Museum was a resounding success, highlighting New York's unparalleled contribution to the history of Black music and fostering unity and pride among community members and music enthusiasts alike.

The event showcased vibrant performances that beautifully represented the rich diversity of Black music genres.  

The festivities concluded with energetic floor introductions and heartfelt proclamations recognizing the outstanding contributions of the honorees in both the state Senate and Assembly Chambers. The celebrations underscored the importance of preserving and cherishing the profound legacy of Black music.  

Nationally recognized each June, Black Music Month celebrates the extraordinary influence and enduring legacy of Black musicians, songwriters, and cultural icons who have profoundly shaped American culture across various genres, from jazz and gospel to hip-hop and R&B. For New Yorkers, this annual celebration holds special resonance, recognizing our state’s central role in cultivating these influential music movements and honoring the diverse artists who continue to enrich our communities and inspire future generations.

Said Senator Webb, “Music is a universal language that brings us all together. Black music has always been about more than just entertainment, it is a form of protest, community, joy, justice, and a way to express our shared experiences. This year’s honorees have made incredible contributions to the music industry and have truly changed the sound of the world. I am proud to partner with the New York State Black Legislative Task Force and Elmcor to highlight artists who rose from our great State of New York.” 

Said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud, “Black Music Month is a powerful reminder of the enduring influence, creativity, and cultural legacy of African American music. From its roots to its global reach, Black music continues to shape sound, storytelling, and social movements across generations and music genres. As we celebrate, we must also recognize the importance of honoring and uplifting the artists whose contributions have too often gone uncredited or uncompensated. I thank Senator Lea Webb for her leadership in highlighting this rich cultural heritage and for ensuring these voices and stories receive the recognition they deserve.” 

“From the drum circles of West Africa to the fields of the American South, and into the pews of Black churches that helped fuel the Civil Rights Movement, Black music has always been a force for communication, community, and resistance,” said Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas. “As we celebrate Black Music Month, it is essential to honor the profound influence of Black culture across all genres—including but not limited to Hip-Hop, R&B, Gospel, Jazz, Blues, Folk, Country, Hard Rock, and Heavy Metal, all of which trace their roots to Black musical traditions. Our music is global, its impact undeniable, and its legacy enduring. Black Music Month is not only a celebration—it is a recognition of Black artists as cultural innovators, communicators, and legacy builders who continue to shape the sound of the world.” 

Said Assemblywoman Larinda C. Hooks, “In Queens; the borough that gave the world Louis Armstrong, Run-DMC, and countless others, Black music has always been more than sound. It’s been community, culture, and a vehicle for change. Black artists have told our stories, challenged injustice, and brought generations together. This Black Music Month, we honor the creativity, resilience, and enduring legacy of the artists who shaped our culture and continue to shape our future.”

Said Senator Jabari Brisport, “From the songs that guided enslaved Black folks to freedom, to the jazz sets at Sistas’ Place giving life to the December 12th Movement, Black music is the sound of revolution. The commercialization, sterilization, and appropriation that our music is so often subjected to will never truly erase the radical love, strength, joy, and defiance that flows through it.”

Said Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson, “Black Music History is American history. From gospel and the blues, to jazz, R&B and hip hop, Black musicians have helped to birth and shape many genres of music that we know today. But we see the impact and contributions of Black musicians in all genres of music, from classical and rock, to now being among some of the leading pop stars in the industry today. There is no music without Black musicians, and that is why we dedicate this month to them.”

Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “Black Music Month is a celebration of a legacy that has shaped not only American culture, but the soul of our nation. Our African ancestors, brought here in chains against their will, also carried with them traditions and cultural expressions that no oppressor could ever steal. Through spirituals, sacred rhythms, expressive dance, and songs reflecting both bondage and perseverance, they created the foundation for generations of Black musical excellence. From Jazz and Gospel to Blues, R&B and Hip-Hop, Black music has always been a powerful expression of resilience, creativity, resistance, and joy. I am proud to celebrate Black Music Month in New York State, as we honor the immeasurable contributions of Black artists whose talents continue to inspire the world.”

Said Senator Siela A. Bynoe, “Music is often used to tell a story and bring people together. For generations, Black music has continuously impacted genres, inspiring new melodies that spread rapidly throughout the world. Many Black musicians found their voice in the streets of New York, a place rich in cultural diversity and expression. It is an honor to participate in the New York State Black Legislative Task Force’s commemoration of Black Music Month and to remember those who paved the way for the music we listen to today. I believe without the brave artists who took a risk and pushed boundaries, we would not have the beautiful, culturally rich sound of New York we are privileged to hear every day.”

Said Senator Samra Brouk, “As a young person, music helped me embark on my journey to self-discovery and connect with the world around me. Black Music Month reminds us that we must nurture the raw talent in our communities of color to enable others to unlock their potential for artistic excellence and inspire future generations of Black artists.”

Said Senator Leroy Comrie, “Black Music Month is a celebration of one of the most powerful cultural forces in the world. Black music has always told the stories of our communities, our struggles, our joy, our resilience and our evolution. From gospel and jazz to hip-hop, reggae, soul and R&B, these sounds have shaped generations, influenced global culture and created opportunities for artists and communities to be seen and heard. Here in Queens and across New York, we continue to see the impact of Black music every day through the creativity, diversity and talent that define our neighborhoods. This month, we honor the pioneers who paved the way and the next generation continuing to move the culture forward.” 

NYS Assemblywoman Alicia L. Hyndman said, “As a representative of Southeast Queens—a historic sanctuary for jazz legends and hip-hop pioneers alike—Black Music Month is deeply personal to our community. Honoring modern visionaries alongside the great John Coltrane, who once called our borough home, reminds us that the legacy of Black music is woven directly into the fabric of New York. I am exceptionally proud that this legacy continues today with Queens’ own reggae superstar, Nigel Hector—better known to the world as Nigy Boy—who I once had the privilege of calling my intern. This celebration by the Black Legislative Task Force is a beautiful testament to the artists who have soundtracked our struggles, our triumphs, and our collective joy.” 

“New York has played a major role in Black music history, from the Harlem Renaissance to hip hop and beyond. I’m proud to celebrate Black Music Month,” Said Senator Zelnor Myrie 

“As we observe Black Music Appreciation Month, we honor the profound legacy of Black artistry that has served as the heartbeat of our nation’s cultural identity for generations,” said Senator Jamaal T. Bailey. “From the foundations of gospel and blues, the influence of jazz and R&B, to the revolutionary origins of hip-hop in the Bronx, Black musicians have consistently impacted the universal language of music. This month is more than a celebration of song but a tribute to the pioneers and modern visionaries who have shaped our history and provided the soundtrack for our progress. By recognizing the undeniable impact of these Black voices and artists, we ensure that their contributions continue to inspire, heal, and define the global musical landscape for years to come.”

Said Assemblyman Demond Meeks, “Black music is the heartbeat of our history and the blueprint for our future. From the soulful sounds that echoed through Clarissa Street in Rochester to the world-changing rhythms of today, Black artists have used their voices to demand justice, inspire hope, and define the American soundscape. I am proud to join Senator Webb in celebrating Black Music Month as we honor the pioneers who turned their lived experiences into a universal language of resilience and joy.” 

The 2026 Black Music Month Honorees Include: 

• MC Lyte, the first female rapper to release a full solo album, the first female rapper to perform Hip Hop in the White House, the first Black woman to serve as the President of the Los Angeles chapter of the Recording Academy, a 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and a role model for all female rappers who came after her
• DJ Beverly Bond, an internationally recognized DJ and founder of Black Girls Rock!, a platform dedicated to uplifting Black women and girls 
• Talib Kweli, accomplished Hip Hop artist, activist, and entrepreneur 
• Bob Law, civil rights activist and pioneering broadcaster, represented by his daughter Aisha Patrice Law
• John Coltrane, a legendary and iconic jazz pioneer, represented by his step-daughter, Michelle Coltrane, who is an acclaimed artist herself 
• Sheila Brown from Buffalo’s WUFO radio, the first Black woman in the country to own a radio station
• Andre Langston from Rochester’s WDKX radio, who is continuing his father's work at WDKX for more than 50 years, is a Black-owned radio station from inception that is named for Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X.

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