By: Kenya Isaac

This June 2025 has officially been proclaimed as Black Music Month in the city of Toronto. Following a request from the Canada Black Music Archives, Mayor Olivia Chow and her office have issued a proclamation stating June as Black Music Month, highlighting the contributions of Black Canadian musicians to the artform.

Black Music Month celebrates the many genres, cultures, and experiences that have shaped the country’s music landscape. The concept was first proclaimed in the United States by former President Jimmy Carter in 1979 as African American Music Appreciation Month. It has since spread internationally and plays an important role in helping to promote Black music and culture.

This is the third proclamation issued by the Mayor’s Office at the behest of the CBMA. Former Mayor John Tory first issued the proclamation stating June as Black Music Month after a request from the Music Managers Forum in 2019. The CBMA then followed suit in 2023 and onwards.

In the proclamation made by the Mayor’s Office, the city acknowledges not only the artistic but social impact the artform has for these communities. Noting, “Black Music has many lessons to teach us. Messages carried in Black music contain stories of history and culture that are sacred…” It goes on to highlight the use of the medium as a form of resistance against injustice.

A prime example of this resistance can be found in Toronto based track “Can’t Repress the Cause” by supergroup Dance Appeal. The song was created as a plea for greater inclusion of Black music genres in the Canadian music industry. Those featured in the group included Toronto music pioneers like the Dream Warriors, Lillian Allen, Michie Mee, Devon, Messenjah, Leroy Sibbles, Maestro Fresh Wes, and more.

Maestro, who was honoured this past May with an induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, is thanked for his contributions in the proclamation. Others listed include Jully Black, Kardinal Offishall, Michie Mee, Drake, the Weeknd, Mustafa, DijahSB, TOBi, and WondaGurl.

“Toronto is a global centre for Black arts and culture thanks largely to the legacy and impact of past and current Black musicians” reads the proclamation, “This month, we acknowledge with gratitude all those who have contributed to this artform.”

The Black diaspora has flourished in Canada for over a century, contributing music from folk to jazz, reggae to hip-hop, and those in between. Black Music Month celebrates the rich musical history from these communities, shining a much needed light on its impact.

You can find the link to the full proclamation here: Black Music Month Proclamation