Black History Month: Profiles in Music

Series produced by WXPN

Caption: PRX default Series image
PRX default Series image 

a series of profiles celebrating black musicians in and their contributions to popular music

Black History Month: Profiles in Music celebrates artists in three to five minute biographies. Produced by Tracey Tanenbaum and hosted by World Cafe's David Dye, these profiles pay homage to contemporary artists drawn from the worlds of pop, folk, rap, reggae, soul and the blues. They also include audio clips from each artist as well as their music.

We feature eight artists. They include Keb Mo, Al Green, Mavis Staples, Shemekia Copland, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Michael Franti. Stations can use them to enhance their Black History Month programming. They require one line of set-up and probably a one line back-announce. The series producer will gladly furnish those to interested stations.


6 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
Gospel and Soul singer David Dye reports on Mavis Staples and her family's beginnings and artistic evolution.

Bought by KPIP-LP, WUMB, KBUT Crested Butte, Colo., Northwest Public Broadcasting, and 90.5 WSNC


  • Added: Feb 09, 2006
  • Length: 05:01
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
Host David Dye reports on soulman Al Green, the musical legend who has learned to balance the spiritual and secular in his music and his life.

Bought by KPIP-LP, WUMB, KBUT Crested Butte, Colo., 90.5 WSNC, KCUR and more


  • Added: Feb 03, 2006
  • Length: 04:22
  • Purchases: 6
Piece image
England's Linton Kwesi Johnson is the inventor of dub poetry. He's also been making reggae music about the Black experience in Great Britain since...

Bought by KPIP-LP, WUMB, and KBUT Crested Butte, Colo.


  • Added: Feb 03, 2006
  • Length: 03:39
  • Purchases: 3
Piece image
David Dye reports on Shemekia Copland, a young blues singer who's been compared to Koko Taylor and Tina Turner

Bought by KPIP-LP, WUMB, KBUT Crested Butte, Colo., KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, 90.5 WSNC and more


  • Added: Feb 03, 2006
  • Length: 03:50
  • Purchases: 6
Piece image
Folk artist Richie Havens is best known for his marathon performance at Woodstock. In this profile--hosted by David Dye--Richie Havens talks about...

Bought by KPIP-LP, WUMB, KEOS, and KBUT Crested Butte, Colo.


  • Added: Feb 03, 2006
  • Length: 04:10
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
This profile of rapper Michael Franti offers insight into the evolution of an artist. Hosted by World Cafe's David Dye

Bought by KPIP-LP, KBUT Crested Butte, Colo., KUSP, Musicians' Radio, and KWCW


  • Added: Feb 03, 2006
  • Length: 04:24
  • Purchases: 5