How Black Music Is Redefining Itself in the Streaming Age

By Laura Onyeneho | Houston Defender | Word In Black This& post& was originally published on& Defender Network (WIB) – Black music has always been a powerful force, a constant evolution reflecting the times and shaping them, too. Today, the landscape is being redrawn again, with streaming services acting as both a catalyst and a challenge. Gone are the days of gatekeepers and limited airwaves. Streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal offer a smorgasbord of sound, empowering Black artists to bypass traditional barriers and connect directly with audiences worldwide. This democratization of access has fostered a vibrant new era of Black music, one brimming with diversity, experimentation, and a relentless drive to redefine genres. Take& Soullia Rae, a rising Houston soul singer and songwriter. Though she has been singing all her life, she chose to delve into music during the COVID-19 pandemic. She gradually began doing open mic nights as a way to tap into her community and heal due to her experience with personal grief and loss. Her desire to make music stems from her appreciation of Black culture, and she uses her platform to show appreciation. Soullia Rae is a Houston-based singer and songwriter. Courtesy of...