Juneteenth Jams

Juneteenth is a historic holiday that celebrates the beginning of the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865, union soldiers arrived at Galveston, Texas announcing war was over and that slaves were free— nearly two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which had freed slaves in the south in hopes of weakening the Confederacy.

Today, we celebrate not only independence, but the beauty of a culture that has survived and continues to face systematic discrimination.

Today, we celebrate the people who have fought for freedom, respect and dignity, and shed light on those who continue to fight for equal rights today. This playlist is a tribute to the message behind Juneteenth; recognizing the struggle of the African-American community, and making something beautiful out of it.

Check it out below: