As protests against racial injustice continue across the world, members of the electronic music community are doing their part to support black creators. Electronic music is a genre founded and spearheaded by boundary-pushing POC and LGBTQ+ artists that deserve recognition. To put these musicians in the spotlight, EDM mainstays Diplo and Dillon Francis recently curated playlists overflowing with exceptional music from the likes of Troyboi, 12th Planet, G-Buck, and many more black innovators.
Titled Electronic Music: Black to the Future, Diplo’s new playlist features, “Dance and club music celebrating Black American artists.” Dillon Francis’ official Spotify playlist Dillon Francis’ Magical Playlist has been updated to predominately feature music from black artists.
Make no mistake—dance music is born from black culture. Without black creators, innovators, selectors, and communities, the electronic dance music we hold so dear would simply not exist. In short, dance music is deeply indebted to the global black community and we need to be doing more. Black artists and artists of color have played a profound role in shaping the sound and culture of dance music and now more than ever, it is necessary for everyone in the music community to stand up for the people that have given us so much. Dancing Astronaut pledges to make every effort to be a better ally, a stronger resource, and a more accountable member of the global dance music community. Black Lives Matter—get involved here:
