Throwback: Happy Black History Month/Happy 85th Birthday, Smokey Robinson!

Today is the 19th day of Black History Month. Because the current administration is racist, fascist and wants to deny the existence and histories of anyone that isn’t cis-het and white, there are some important things everyone should remember during this month — and every single month: 

• You can’t love Black artists and their work, and not see them as people 
• Black lives — and Black art matters 
• Black culture is American culture 

As we go through the month, I’m going to talk about a collection of Black artists. It’ll be fairly comprehensive and eclectic list — although it won’t be a complete list. Of course, there are some important Black artists, who were also born during Black History Month. 

So far, I’ve talked about the following, extraordinary artists:

• Big Boi, who also celebrated his 50th birthday on February 1
• Rick James, who was born 77 years ago on February 1
• James Brown, the legendary Soul Brother #1
• The Temptations‘ Dennis Edward, who also was born 82 years ago on February 3
• Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the godmother of rock ‘n’roll 
• Bobby Brown, who also celebrated his 56th birthday on February 5
• The legendary Bob Marley, who was  was born 80 years ago on February 6
• James Dewit Yancey, best known to the entire world as J. Dilla, one of the most influential and important hip-hop producers and beatmakers who was born 51 years ago on February 7
• Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul 
• Billie Holiday, whose influence on jazz and pop has been towering
• The legendary Roberta Flack, who also celebrated her 88th birthday on February 10 
• Janelle Monáe, who’s guably one of the most dynamic and exciting artists out there today
• The legendary  The Isley Brothers, who over the course of their eight decade career have written and recorded some of the most beloved, covered and sampled songs ever
• Ella Fitzgerald, arguably one of the greatest and most influential voices ever
• The legendary Maceo Parker, who also celebrated his 82nd birthday on February 14
• Janet Jackson, one of the most commercially successful female artists in recorded history  
• Ice T, who also celebrated his 67th birthday on February 16
• The trailblazing Chuck Berry
• Dr. Dre, who also celebrated his 60th birthday on February 18 
• Acclaimed British singer/songwriter, musician and producer Seal, who also celebrates his 62nd birthday today

The great Smokey Robinson celebrates his 85th birthday today. Robinson was the founder and frontman of the pioneering Motown Record soul group The Miracles, for which he was also chief songwriter and producer. 

Notably, he has written some of the most beloved, oft covered songs ever written or recorded. Without Robinson, there’s no Motown. And without Motown — well . . . you don’t have modern R&B or pop. 

Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and was awarded the 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for his contributions to popular music (which are many). He’s also a rare double Hollywood Walk of Fame Inductee, as a member of The Miracles and as a solo artist. 

Happy birthday, Smokey! May there be many, many more!