This year, Black Music Month has taken a different turn. Following 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.
Today (June 5), acclaimed songwriter and producer Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd — who has written for the likes of Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, and more — delivers us his “Bearthday Music” playlist. Boasting appearances by Michael Jackson, Tupac, Bob Marley, Kendrick Lamar, and more, Poo Bear hopes artists can help redesign America’s fabric with unity.
“Music represents our silence of emotions,” he says. “It integrates all elements to move our voice forward through words, tone, instruments, and overall the unity of individuals that have come together to create a masterpiece. That’s where we are now — just creating a song, uniting to be vocal, executing actions, and solidifying justice together.”
Check out his “Bearthday Music” playlist below.