Method Man Set to Perform at White House Juneteenth Celebration
Prominent Wu-Tang Clan member, Method Man, has been invited to commemorate Juneteenth at the White House by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
In honor of the end of enslavement and to pay homage to African American ancestors, the White House plans to host a concert on its South Lawn on Tuesday, June 13. This event, besides marking Juneteenth, also aims to pay tribute to Black Music Month.
The White House’s press release explained that the concert’s aim is to “uplift American art forms that sing to the soul of the American experience.” Method Man, a Grammy Award-winning artist and one of Staten Island’s finest, is among the performers scheduled to take the stage.
The line-up also includes renowned artists such as Audra McDonald, Jennifer Hudson, Ledisi, Colman Domingo, and Fisk Jubilee Singers. Groups like Maverick City Music, Morgan State University Marching Band – The Magnificent Marching Machine, Hampton University Concert Choir, and Step Afrika! will also be performing.
Both Black Music Month and Juneteenth carry immense significance for African Americans, albeit for distinct reasons.
Black Music Month, established in 1979 by music executive Kenny Gamble, radio host Dyana Williams, and DJ Ed Wright, is a celebration of one of the greatest American exports, as described by the Grammy Awards. Dyana Williams, discussing the founding of the month, stressed the importance of celebration, respect, and proper recognition for their contributions to music.
Juneteenth, in contrast, marks the day in 1885 when Union soldiers in Galveston, Texas, announced to African Americans that they were no longer enslaved. Recognized by Texas’ African American community for the past 137 years, this holiday was officially made a national holiday in 2021 by President Biden. The president described Juneteenth as a day of “profound weight and profound power,” which underscores the enduring impact of slavery on the nation.
