Dear nécessité,
Happy Day this very moment in July. How are you? I am feeling great. Stronger. Happy. Of course, each day is a different day, but that is how I am feeling at this very moment. THANK YOU, GOD. This past June was a significant month. Unfortunately, I did not realize all of the various significance occurring in the same month until after, so, in case you missed some important uplifting 411 last month in June, here is a little recap to share with you.
In June 2022, we were celebrating and recognizing Black Music Month for the entire month of June. Did you know that? Don’t worry. It’s ok, now you do. This was the month of honoring and paying tribute to black music, musicians, singers, songwriters, executives, producers, and everything and everyone black in the genre of music.
Usher was celebrating 25 years of his My Way album. He did a fantastic Tiny Desk concert set, which, I repeat, was fantastic. Did you see it? That voice, personality. Such charm. Yes, he sang, and the band played at a tiny desk in an office. Imagine going into your office, and Usher is there singing to you, and your work teammates live!?! Please watch this performance-linked at the end and witness it for yourself.
Also in June was The Singers Songwriters Hall of Fame, which inducted many artists, and some of the black artists honored were Mariah Carey, Isley Brothers, Pharrell & Chad (The Neptunes), and Little Nas X… Smokey Robinson performed. Wow!!! I enjoyed being there in person and listening to all of their touching speeches.
To give you a better idea, just in case you’re wondering what is celebrating all black music-take for instance, the voices that you hear with Barbara Streisand (one of my favorites) on many of her songs, the backup singers were black women; this June month was honoring all-black vocalist (there are many), so even the fantastic backup singers were celebrated in June. (Start paying attention to the backup singers if you have not). The backup singers help carry it all through; they are the secret sauce for many, not all, but for many. They add a bit more soul and feeling.
As I mentioned earlier, Usher closed Black Music month. His My way album, I had the great honor and pleasure of being present when it was being worked on. I was so excited I got to go to Paris when he was shooting one of his music videos. It’s 7’ o’clock on the dot….; that was my first time watching a music video made in Paris. (You know, not my first time in Paris).
Great memories and such an experience; THANK YOU, GOD. I just thought about this, why did Usher not sing at our wedding?!? I mean, not to be braggadocious, but he was there, and so were plenty of microphones. To me, no need to only honor black music and black musicians in June; let’s celebrate them daily as we listen to their music every day.
I mean, seriously. Who is not listening to Sade, Mary J Blige, Michael Jackson, Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Missy, or Prince, Drake, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Lenny Kravitz, Minnie Riperton, Usher, James Brown, Anita Baker, Louis Armstrong, and many many many more than only in one month? I honor them and their music daily. Why not?!? After all, they are also supplying the soundtrack to our lives.
We connect and feel and experience through music. Try playing some daily and allow it to help nurture your spirit and know that it can offer some healing on a physical, mental and emotional level. Music is a nécessité.
Please look at Usher
https://www.npr.org/2022/06/30/1103306435/usher-tiny-desk-concert
https://www.billboard.com/t/black-music-month/
Juneteenth-I first learned about and witnessed Juneteenth celebrations when I lived in Colorado. I know, of all places seeing Juneteenth celebrated in Denver, the least expected, I hear you. But, this June marked the first time it was the first day of observance as a national holiday. Pride month- loved loved loved attending the NYC Pride Parade. Some of the messages I got were of LOVE, acceptance, come all together and be you and not judge, as it’s easy to do.
Happy July, as we recapped a bit of June. Thank you for your time.
Much love and gratitude,
Erica Reid, Founder of nécessité
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Certified Gut Health & Auricular Therapy (Ear Seeds)
Certified in Plant-Based Nutrition
Certification T.Colin Campbell for Nutrition Studies.
Author of The Thriving Child and Shut Up and Cook!
Erica Reid, Founder of nécessité
