This year, Black Music Month takes a different turn. Because of the horrific deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and more, we at Billboard hope to uplift and empower African Americans during this cloudy and dubious time. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the remainder of the month, an artist will provide a playlist designed to remedy the heartaches endured by the Black community.
D Smoke, winner of Netflix’s music competition Rhythm & Flow, will kick things off with his “A Piece of Mine 2020” playlist, which features songs by Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, Outkast, Common, and Smoke, himself. Recently releasing “Let Go,” featuring his brother SiR, the emotionally-charged record was written the same day Floyd was killed.
“Within the fight for justice lies an equally important fight to maintain oneself. To me, these songs kick ass, give hope, and inspire strength,” Smoke tells Billboard.”
Listen to D Smoke’s “A Piece of Mine 2020” playlist below.