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Observe Black History Month with The Current

February 01, 2021

Black History Month on The Current.MPR graphic

Each weekday in February, we're paying tribute to a different musical icon in honor of Black History Month. We'll feature tons of music, and we'll hear Musicheads Essentials features that explore the lives and careers of artists like James Brown, Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, and Lizzo, as well as tracks from their catalogs.

Schedule

WEEK 1
Monday, February 1 - Marvin Gaye
Tuesday, February 2 - Janelle Monáe
Wednesday, February 3 - Public Enemy
Thursday, February 4 - Janet Jackson
Friday, February 5 - Sam Cooke

WEEK 2
Monday, February 8 - Charley Pride
Tuesday, February 9 - Lizzo
Wednesday, February 10 - Prince
Thursday, February 11 - James Brown
Friday, February 12 - Brittany Howard

WEEK 3
Monday, February 15 - Otis Redding
Tuesday, February 16 - Sharon Jones
Wednesday, February 17 - Kendrick Lamar
Thursday, February 18 - The Time
Friday, February 19 - Nina Simone

WEEK 4
Monday, February 22 - Charles Bradley
Tuesday, February 23 - Lauryn Hill
Wednesday, February 24 - Childish Gambino
Thursday, February 25 - Ma Rainey
Friday, February 26 - Stevie Wonder

Gallery

20 of 20

Stevie Wonder performs at Target Center, Minneapolis, in 2015. — Stevie Wonder performing at Target Center, Minneapolis, in 2015.
Nate Ryan/MPR

1 of 20

U.S. Postal Service's Marvin Gaye commemorative stamp — Released April 2, 2019, the U.S. Postal Service honored Marvin Gaye, one of the most influential musicians of his generation, with a commemorative stamp featuring original art by Kadir Nelson.
U.S. Postal Service; artwork by Kadir Nelson

2 of 20

Janelle Monae at the 51st NAACP Image Awards — Janelle Monae speaking onstage during the 51st NAACP Image Awards, Presented by BET, at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2020 in Pasadena, California.
Rich Fury/Getty Images