The mic was on at The Future of Black Music held at The Vinyl Society, a Black owned venue in Detroit. Smirnoff Lemonades and BCode — a media platform created to reach, inform, and connect with Black consumers — extended the celebration of Black Music Month to amplify Black artists who are shaping our culture. After hitting Tampa and Atlanta, the final stop in Detroit featured three vibrant performances from Charity, Jai’Len Josey, and LaBritney.
Courtesy of Smirnoff
Energy was high as DJBJ, who also served as the host, warmed up the audience while they sipped Smirnoff signature cocktails such as Mule Behavior, The Headliner, Issa Classic, and Bass Drop, made with bold flavors of Pink Lemonade, Blue Raspberry Lemonade, and Peach Lemonade. Like the cocktails, each of the performers brought a unique flavor to the stage. First up was Detroit-born and LA-based bombshell, LaBritney, whose boss chick energy set the tone. The Love & Hip-Hop Hollywood alum dipped and swayed with two back up dancers as she performed fan faves such as “Acting Funny,” “Fwu” and “Me + U.” She shared a moment of connection with the crowd when she revealed it had been five years since she last performed in her hometown.
Courtesy of Smirnoff
“I actually love to see opportunity like this coming to Detroit because it doesn’t happen often,” shared the starlet whose current single “Back 2 Life” features the Detroit Youth Choir and Salt from Salt n Pepa. She added that partnering with major corporations means exposure for the artists as well as the city.
Next to slay the stage was Jai’Len Josey, a true southern delicacy whose robust vocals had the audience wide-eyed, waving and shouting. Josey is known as the pen behind Ari Lennox’s “Pressure,” and that’s exactly what she delivered with bops such as “Southern Delicacy,” her latest single, “New Girl,” and a soul-stirring cover of Jazmine Sullivan’s “Need U Bad.” When asked what it means to be the future of Black music, she is humble, yet boldly aware of the impact.
“It’s a blessing to be considered as someone who is part of the upcoming music. Not that many brands do it, especially with what’s been going on in politics,” noted the ATL-born artist whose family is from Detroit. “Smirnoff wanting to be a part of any of the artists that are performing here tonight shows that they are taking initiative to be behind the upcoming African American talent.”
Courtesy of Smirnoff
Detroit favorite neo-soul siren, Charity, closed out the night with fans and supporters surrounding the stage wearing her signature color, orange. Her lush vocals lulled the crowd as she sang about the joy and pain of love in “Eclipse” and “Cruel” — the single that got an upgrade from Snoop Dogg. Her latest anthem, “Uncomfortable,” is an uptempo switch up from her usual style of India.Arie mixed with Motown. For her, being the future of Black music is confirmation.
“I’m grateful to perform every single opportunity I get because sometimes, we as artists take for granted what a great opportunity it is to be a working artist, to be able to live off our work,” says the singer/songwriter who also plays the guitar. She added, “The integrity of how I create is because I want to be the future of Black music, because I see myself that way already. It’s affirming, if anything.”
Courtesy of Smirnoff
Listen to artists from Smirnoff and BCode’s The Future of Black Music on all streaming platforms.
