Soundtrack

Perfect Pairing for African American Music Appreciation Month

African American appreciation does not end with Black History Month in February but continues throughout the year in June. While June has a lot of holidays and celebrations, it also commemorates African American Music Appreciation Month.

President Jimmy Carter created African American Music month in 1979 to celebrate and highlight African Americans’ contributions to music in American culture. African Americans have been a staple of music in America for years, dating back to enslavement. Enslaved Africans in America had an abundance of culture and traditions that they brought with them. In those traditions were various styles of music that transformed into the spiritual praise songs in Christian churches today.

Over time, spirituals turned into singing the blues, creating a sultry heart-wrenching sound that connected people through various life experiences, from hardship to love. The blues became a new sound that added more rhythm and beats to the lyrics creating R&B music. R&B and the sound of funk music inspired DJs in the boroughs of New York to create a brand-new sound that would shape the 1990s era and add more character to the 2000s called hip-hop.

The importance of food and music go hand in hand. Food traditions were being passed down to generations along with the growth of new musical eras. American family gatherings where shared food almost always had music playing on a record player, radio, or Bluetooth speaker.

Food has been a staple in the black community. It brings families and friends together in a safe environment. Another staple of June is the kickoff of cookouts season, and you can’t have a good cookout without some feel-good music.

There’s a correlation between how music makes you feel and the feeling after a good meal. The sensation travels through your body when you bite your favorite meal. The same way it feels when you hear your favorite song- it moves you. While eating certain foods, remember how you feel when you listen to your favorite song. Let the food travel through your soul along with the delicious meal.

We at Thompson Hospitality have paired some of the most common dishes you encounter at a cookout this summer. If you find these items on your plate, turn on the song that you feel corresponds with it. Here are our delicious pairings.

Potato Salad – Ooh Baby Baby by Smokey Robinson

Everyone loves a good-tasting potato salad. There is truly an art to having the perfect combination of all the significant ingredients in the dish, including eggs, celery, mayo, relish, and other special additions. Just like the ideal potato salad has the right ingredients, Ooh Baby Baby by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles have the right mix of the background vocals behind the main singer's voice, allowing the audience to get hypnotized by the memorization sound.

Baked Mac & Cheese- Never Too Much by Luther Vandross

Just like you can never have too much baked mac & cheese, you can never not have a good Luther Vandross song playing at your family function. Never Too Much is a feel-good song that can be played at any family function to ensure everyone is moving to the beat. The unforgettable lyrics place you in a trance and bring your older family members back to a time when they were jamming on the dance floor in their younger years. Similar to the song’s feeling, you will not stop grooving in your seat after your first bite of baked mac & cheese.

BBQ Chicken- Cuff It by Beyoncé

Queen Beyoncé shook up the world with her ninth studio album Renaissance, reintroducing the world to the sound of dance music. One of her ground breaking hits, Cuff It, started a global trend on the social media app Tik Tok where everyone had their family members moving left to right to the chorus of the song. Whoever cooks on the grill must be a master at perfecting BBQ chicken, just as the acclaimed singer is at her craft. A good piece of BBQ chicken will have you moving in your seat like the song.

Corn on the Cob- Good Days by Sza

Nothing is more satisfying than hearing the crunch of delicious corn on the cob. The corn has a flavor like no other, leaving you anticipating the next bite. R&B artist Sza has a unique sound, experimenting with various genres in her projects. Her hit single Good Days is a reminder to enjoy the present and worry less about tomorrow's potential stress. As you eat your corn on the cob this summer, remember the good times you are having and the delectable taste of the very next bite.

Fried Fish- My Boo (Hitman Club Mix) by Ghost town DJs

Not every family function will have fried fish as a main dish, but when it does, it will most likely be the main item on everyone’s to-go plates. Like fried fish, you may not hear Ghost Town DJs’ hit single My Boo (Hitman Club mix) playing. When you listen to it, the infectious beat allows you to appreciate it all over again. A good piece of fried fish will have you wishing you could relive the moment you had it for the first time.

BBQ Meatballs- Unforgettable by French Montana ft. Swae Lee

BBQ meatballs are not always seen as a mandatory dish at every African American event but once brought, they will be gone by the end of the day. Unforgettable by rapper French Montana featuring Swae Lee is a catchy song that many forget after not hearing it for a while. The afro-adjacent beat with an unforgettable chorus brings instant good vibes as the music continues to play. BBQ meatballs may not be at every function, but the taste is undoubtedly unforgettable.

Cornbread- Happy Feelin’ by Maze

There is an art to making fluffy, tasty, and mouthwatering cornbread. Usually served at dinner events in African American households, cornbread instantly helps feel you up with every bite alongside your main dish. Happy Feelin’ by Maze moderate beat and simple lyrics allow whoever is listening to it to catch on, making anyone feel included quickly. This song compliments well at any event, just like cornbread at dinner.

Lemon Poundcake- My Girl by The Temptations

There are many desserts with a sweet and familiar taste, but nothing screams summer like lemon poundcake. A cake you can never go wrong with, lemon poundcake is a good option that everyone of all ages can enjoy. My Girl by the Temptation is an older song, but with the simple beat and sweet lyrics, you can’t help but smile as the song continues. The next time you hear this song play, look at the elders in your family light up with joy, and the historic group sings about the one they love.