Celebrate Hip-Hop & RnB

Aubrey L. • February 15, 2021
As we look at celebrating diversity, we know that music is a wonderful way to highlight the history and creativity of different cultures. For this month’s playlist, we are featuring the soulful sounds of R&B and the classic rhymes of Hip Hop. You can tune in below.
February is Black History month, and one thing that truly captures Black culture is music. The history of Black expression can often be found in art–many great writers and poets were originally African slaves (or their direct descendants), the Harlem Renaissance brought an influx of artwork of all kinds, and the Civil Rights Movement birthed a new genre of music through Motown. While R&B and Hip Hop have many roots, and the sounds of this music can be found in other genres as well, what sets these two genres apart notably is the honesty and ownership that many Black artists are able to express. Whether it’s female empowerment, the struggles of racial discrimination, love and relationships, or just a song that celebrates rhythm and dance, each artist who has contributed to this playlist has left their mark on people of all races and cultures, and we can learn a lot about Black culture by listening to their voices. Not to mention, it’s hard not to want to dance or sing along when one of these songs comes on the radio.


I’d like to note that sometimes there is language used in these songs that may be perceived a certain way by different audiences. Specifically, with Hip Hop, harsher language may be used to express the reality of the message in the song. We’ve done our best to provide ‘clean’ versions of these songs, but it’s important to understand that the purpose of explicit language is often to emphasize the rawness of the message the artist is sharing. Additionally, many artists are using the vernacular of the culture they grew up around–it is not meant to be offensive, rather, the artist is portraying more vulnerability by speaking in his or her real voice.

We hope you find this playlist both educational and fun to listen to! We had a ball putting together some of our favorite classics and plan to jam in the lobby, on Zoom, and in our cars. Get into the vibes with us!

-Written by Aubrey Lawrence
Office Manager, Sunburst School of Music 

Night Market Band Application
By Alex Stanton April 22, 2025
Band Application now open for 2025 Squirrel Hill Night Market
April 1, 2025
April 2025 - Issue #92
March 1, 2025
March 2025 - Issue #91
February Newsletter Icon
February 1, 2025
February 2025 - Issue #90
By Alex Stanton January 9, 2025
January 2025 - Issue #89
By Alex Stanton December 4, 2024
December 2024 - Issue #88
Musicians Gift Guide
By Alex Stanton December 2, 2024
The holidays are fast approaching and you’re trying to find the best gift for all of the amazing musicians in your family. There’s a lot of noise out there, but we at Sunburst are HEAR to help!
By Alex Stanton November 5, 2024
Get ready for an action-packed November at Sunburst! From Winter Recital signups and group program enrollments to free jam sessions and a heartwarming food drive, there’s something for everyone this month. Dive into our latest newsletter for all the details on events, new instructors, and ways to give back!
October 31, 2024
Join us in donating to the JFCS Food Pantry! Check out our guide on what items they need most and find a link to make a financial contribution directly on their website.
By Alex Stanton October 24, 2024
Sign-ups are now open for our Winter Recitals! Each teacher will be hosting one or two 45-minute sessions during the first two weeks of December. Students can sign up through the link below, or feel free to reach out to us here , and we’ll be happy to assist with the registration process. Here are a few key reminders about the recitals: Participation is free, but we do welcome donations to our Scholarship Fund . You can contribute when you check out, or we’ll also be accepting cash donations at the door. Thank you for your support! Each recital session lasts about 50 minutes, featuring 12–15 students. We anticipate an audience of 40–60 people. Friends and family are encouraged to attend! If you plan on bringing more than four guests, please let us know in advance so we can arrange seating accordingly. If you’re unable to attend your teacher’s assigned session but still want to perform, let us know! We’ll do our best to accommodate you in another session. Adults are welcome to participate in their teacher’s session or in a special BYOB adults-only session on December 13th! Not all teachers will attend the adult session, so be sure to discuss this with your instructor ahead of time. Regularly scheduled lessons and programs may overlap with some recital times, so we kindly ask everyone to be mindful of this when entering and leaving the building. We're here for any recital-related questions (or anything else!), so don’t hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to see everyone perform this winter!
Show More