If someone asked you to name three Rock musicians that are Black, could you?

Some people might be able to, but in general there aren’t a lot of them.

This is despite the fact that the genre traces its roots back to Black blues, gospel, and rhythm and blues artists in the United States. The rock music industry and academic scholarship of the genre instead tend to focus on white voices. That’s according to research from the University of Ottawa. 

Cameron Lavi-Jones says that’s part of what inspired him to create the band King Youngblood, which he fronts. It’s also why, along with co-founder Anthony Briscoe, Lavi-Jones created Black & Loud Fest.

The Fest celebrates Black-fronted bands - especially those in genres that don’t  typically feature many Black performers.

And it’s returning to Seattle for its third year: next Saturday, September 14th at the Crocodile.

Guests:

• Cameron Lavi-Jones, frontman of King Youngblood, and co-founder of Black & Loud Fest

Relevant Links:

• Black & Loud Fest Website