Celebrating Black History Month, we connected with Jaqueline Lockinger, the curator behind Vevo’s special programming, to discuss the impact of the Black culture in the UK music scene and worldwide.

“Black artists are integral to the history, present-day and future of music, and Black History Month provides us an opportunity to delve even deeper into the history and achievements of Black artists”, starts Jaqueline Lockinger. She’s the curator of a very special programming created by music video giant Vevo in celebration of Black History Month, that aims to showcase and amplify Black voices in the UK and worldwide. Throughout October, Vevo programming will include a variety of special music video blocks dedicated to honour the impact and contributions of these music singers, producers and music directors across genres, eras and continents.

Here, we connected with Jaqueline to discuss the programming and special events curated for October, as well as how the company works on supporting Black artists all year long.

Read the full interview…

Can you tell us more about the programming and how it celebrates UK artists during Black History Month?
Black artists are integral to the history, present-day and future of music, and Black History Month provides us an opportunity to delve even deeper into the history and achievements of Black artists. Here at Vevo, Black artists are celebrated within our programming and original content all year long.

One example is DSCVR, our exclusive performance series, showcasing the most promising new artists every week, which consistently highlights Black talent from a variety of genres. Some that we shot for DSCVR recently, include Tyla, METTE, Sipho, and Ruger.
On the Vevo TV app and our 24/7 connected TV channels, Vevo is also amplifying these music videos via speciality programmes, such as Black and British, which feature the incredible homegrown talent that the UK has to offer.

How do you see the role of music and music videos in highlighting the history and culture of the Black community?
Music videos are powerful and creative visual tools for storytelling and representation, in a widely accessible way, especially when the mainstream media often is not. Black artists have long used music videos as a way to share their experiences, highlight social issues, and celebrate culture.

This art form allows Black culture to be celebrated visually, with music videos serving as short films that tell stories that share expressions of Black excellence. Jorja Smith’s By Any Means, for example, truly captures the essence, joy, and humanity of young Black Britain. As well as the short film project by rapper Jords, which accompanies his Dirt in the Diamond album. He uses the music video to explore his Jamaican heritage, through the lens of the Black British experience in the 1970s, with themes of catharsis, grief, and self-expression.

Our programme Black History Now! showcases how the music video format is used to create powerful social commentaries and challenge stereotypes, serving as entry points for deeper discussions, from Bob Marley, Public Enemy, and Tracey Chapman, to Kendrick Lamar and FKA Twigs. Music videos are not just for entertainment; they provide a medium for education and empowerment.

How important is it for Vevo to promote and celebrate Black artists during Black History Month?
Without Black artists and their contribution to music over the years, there would be no music videos as we know them, I see it as Vevo’s responsibility to make this contribution known. As the world’s leading music video network, we curate our vast library to include a variety of music videos by Black artists, from emerging to established, across all genres, in a way that creates a positive impact and shows the diversity of Black artists. By featuring Black talent in our content and programming, we not only help Black artists connect with new audiences and build new fan bases, but we also support and highlight Black culture overall. Music videos really illustrate the multifaceted brilliance that often goes underrepresented in mainstream media.

What impact do you hope these programs will have on the audience?
Seeing the achievements and resilience of the community can serve as a source of strength, creative inspiration, and social change. For young Black viewers, in particular, this representation is crucial and we want to play our part in showing them what is possible. Featuring these music videos are also a way to ensure that the struggles and triumphs of previous generations are not forgotten, serving as both a lesson and an inspiration for what can be achieved.

Can you share some of the criteria you used to select the artists and content featured in Vevo’s Black History Month programs?
One focus for this year is the theme of resilience and the use of music as a political tool. We wanted to also highlight how different generations use music to shed light on their own experiences and serve as a beacon of hope and creativity.

It is important to us to show the breadth of Black musical expression, from reggae to rap to pop, and to feature everyone from musical legends to emerging talent. For example, we have classics like Fight the Power by Public Enemy, alongside newer voices like Nino SLG, a 16-year-old artist from South London who contemplates survival as a young Black man in his song,Battle Cry.

Finally, this year in particular we have been celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, so I have been immersed in a lot of hip-hop music, both old and new, which definitely had a big influence on my programme selection!

Are there any lesser-known Black artists or historical figures you’ve discovered during your research that you believe deserve more recognition and spotlighting?

During our extensive research, for this project and throughout the year, we spotlight several lesser-known Black artists whose contributions deserve more recognition. One example is Guvna B. We recently had the privilege of filming a short piece with him as part of our ‘Hip Hop at 50’ celebrations, focusing on his track Bridgeland Road. The music video is more than just a creative expression; it serves as a reflection of his own experiences, inspired by an unprovoked encounter with the police. It masterfully shares his experience through a monochrome look at his hometown and life, poignantly entwined with the trauma he was the victim of. It’s a testament to the power of art in addressing pressing social issues and fostering understanding.

In addition to highlighting emerging talents like Guvna B, it’s also crucial to recognise and celebrate the contributions of Black artists across history. Interestingly, I think some ‘household names’ deserve particular attention for their political contributions. For example, Tracey Chapman was a Black queer woman making deeply political music in the ’80s, and her work continues to resonate today. While known for hits like Fast Car, she has songs like Talkin’ about a Revolution, which received heavy radio play in Tunisia in 2011 during the Tunisian Revolution, remaining relevant several decades after its release.

Another household name, Stevie Wonder, is known for his musical genius, but fewer are aware of his political activism. His song Happy Birthday was pivotal in the campaign lobbying for Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday to be honoured as a national holiday in the United States. As you see, while these artists might have global recognition, it’s important to tell these lesser-known stories.

Were there any particular moments or discoveries during your research that stood out as particularly impactful or enlightening?
One of the most impactful realisations was the enduring relevance and global resonance of songs advocating for justice. For instance, the parallels between Bob Marley’s Get Up, Stand Up and Kendrick Lamar’s Alright are striking.

Both artists, although from different generations, speak to the same themes of resilience, activism, and the fight for justice. Bob Marley’s focus on the plight of Haitians in the ’80s and Kendrick Lamar’s alignment with the Black Lives Matter movement shows many of the injustices these artists sang about decades apart are still issues we face today.
These discoveries are a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done and the powerful role that music can play in driving awareness and social change.

Can you share some insights into the creative process behind making assets for these programs?
The creative process is collaborative and multi-faceted, in that it involves various teams. We work closely with our colleagues in the US to pool knowledge, for a unified but culturally nuanced approach. This allows us to tap into a broader range of experiences and perspectives, enriching the content we produce.

Given that we’re spotlighting UK artists, it’s as much about celebrating Black Britain as it is about the broader Black experience. We want to make sure the content reflects the unique cultural landscape of the UK, by working with Vevo’s Music & Talent Manager Jodeci Chin Rampasard to spot emerging talent and give them a platform.

Importantly, it’s not just Vevo leading the narrative and curation, this year we have worked with Black artists like Rimon, JayO and Ama Lou to program their own essential Black History Month music video blocks. This allows us to not only feature their work but also to let them share their tastes and influences.

What are you most excited about and proud of?
I’m particularly proud of the diverse ways we’ve been able to tell Black stories, we’ve created a platform that celebrates the Black experience in all its complexity and creativity, as well as contributing to the education of audiences on important topics, through an entertaining lens. Outside of Black History Month, the year-round work we do at Vevo to continue the conversation is also key. Our Black and British programme has been running all year long for three years and is continually updated. It has become a go-to resource for fresh Black British music, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.

Looking forward, what do you hope to achieve with Vevo’s Black History Month programming in the coming years?
Our goal is simple: to continue spotlighting emerging and established Black artists. By giving them the platforms they deserve, we not only enrich our own content but also contribute to the broader cultural landscape and experience.

Whilst Black History Month serves as a focal point right now, it’s important for us to extend the conversation and celebration throughout the entire year. We want Vevo to be a trusted, year-round music video partner for Black artists and the celebration and honouring of their stories, not just a seasonal one.