Today (6/19) is Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Although the Emancipation Proclamation had actually freed slaves about two and a half years prior, it was on this day, the 19th of June, in 1865 that the state of Texas finally freed those in slavery.

Without black Americans, there’d be no rock n’ roll. Its foundations are rooted in blues and R&B, genres that were pioneered by black artists. The songs we’ve compiled to honor this day range from classic to contemporary, and they only scratch the surface of the vast contributions of the black community to rock music.

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RELATED: 8 Facts About Juneteenth

Pierre’s Playlist: Juneteenth 2024

• Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode

• Little Richard - Tutti Frutti

• Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Didn't It Rain

• Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze

• The Temptations - Get Ready

• Martha and the Vandellas - Dancing in the Street

• Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground

• Prince - Little Red Corvette

• Run DMC with Aerosmith - Walk This Way

• Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It

• Living Colour - Cult of Personality

• Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation

• Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way

• Sevendust - Denial

• Alice In Chains - Check My Brain

• Alabama Shakes - Hold On

• Killswitch Engage - My Curse

• Radkey - Dark Black Makeup

• Gary Clark Jr. - When I'm Gone

• Ayron Jones - Blood in the Water

• Willow - <maybe> it's my fault

• Nova Twins - Choose Your Fighter

• Oxymorrons - Green Vision

• Fire From The Gods - Right Now

• Meet Me @ The Altar - Say It (To My Face)

• Sleep Theory - Fallout

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