Juneteenth, a portmanteau of June 19th has been an especially significant and remarkable holiday celebration in the history of black culture.

The culture is known to produce one of the best crafts in the music industry today which means Juneteenth is a big deal for dope soundtracks.

As reported by ABC News, Apple Music has just recently announced an Apple original playlist entitled "Juneteenth 2021 Freedom Songs." It featured artists ranging from D Smoke, to Kirk Franklin, H.E.R, Chloe x Halle and more.

According to Apple Music, their original playlist celebrates "the legacy, artistry, impact, and influence of Black musicians around the globe through playlists, DJ mixes, original content, Apple Music TV, radio programming and more."

List of  Songs for Juneteenth 2021: Freedom Songs

Here are the songs to lookout for in the Apple Music Original Playlist for June 19th:

  • Black Thought (Original Song "Approximately Free")
  • D Smoke (Original Song called "Kinfolk")
  • H.E.R. (Cover of "Inner City Blues" by Marvin Gaye)
  • Hit-Boy (Original Song "Back In Traffic")
  • Jimmie Allen (Cover of Charley Pride's "Kiss An Angel Good Mornin")
  • Kirk Franklin (Cover of "We Shall Overcome" called "Overcome 2021")
  • Madison Calley (Cover of "Lift Every Voice And Sing")
  • Maverick City Music (Original Song "Breathe")
  • Tobe Nwigwe (Original Song "Passing Through")
  • Willie Jones (Cover of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song")
  • Amaarae (Cover of Herbie Hancock's "Butterfly")
  • Tems (Cover of John Legend's "Ordinary People")
  • Zeal & Ardor (Original Song "Calloway")
  • Sech (Original Song "Somos Iguales")
  • Kane Brown (A reimagining of his own song "Worldwide Beautiful")
  • Saba (Original Song "Black Astronaut")
  • Honey Dijon (Original Song "Unleash")
  • Chloe & Halle (Cover of TLC's "Waterfalls")
  • Jean Dawson (Original song "Ghost*")
  • Terrace Martin & Brandee Younger (Cover Song "Damage")

Read more: Apple Music Can Now Be Heard in 52 More Countries  

Apple's Juneteenth 2021 'Freedom Songs' A Tribute to Black Culture

According to Ebdro Darden, Apple Music Global Head of Hip-Hop and R&B, in an exclusive interview with The Root, "2021 marks an important moment in Black History with Juneteenth finally being recognized as a holiday by cities and states across America."

However, he especially highlighted how there is a predominant unawareness of the significant holiday amongst many communities. 

"Until now, many people were not taught about the importance of June 19th in public schools, and corporations and state governments weren't giving time off. This is a very big moment in history that the mainstream is embracing and acknowledging the day enslaved Black Africans were set free from physical bondage by the US government -a painful part of American history that can no longer be a side-note.", he said.

Following that, he explains the reason behind Apple's initiative to push Black Music Month forward, aiming to let the whole world know that popular music wouldn't be alive today if not for Black people. 

"The significance of these recognitions is helping normalize the truth and the trauma done to Black people worldwide by white supremacy and racism," he said. 

Darden believes that by spreading awareness through music, which is a highly influential tool, the world will have a deeper understanding of the significance of Black culture to our world. 

Related Article: Apple Announces Its First-ever Apple Music Awards... Leaving Spotify in the Dust 

This article is owned by Music Times

Written by Nikki A.

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