The music that lives with the majority of Black people all over the world is youth music. The Future of Black music, that which stands, crawls, raps, grooves and sings, belongs to young creative people. As a musician and arts educator, I take Smiley's challenges seriously and rather personally. There is no way to talk about making anything better, hoping for a future without a real, sometimes tough but necessary, tight relationship with today's young people, and their cultural practices. Education, music and cultural arts are the most important carriers of public values.
Black music is our people's most cherished cultural expression.
Many educators, musicians and artists are committed to getting together and sharing ideas. We must take a serious look at our music with the young arts community and ensure we eradicate any current downward spirals. In most cases these are simply singer projects. Younger musicians really need to see how deep and rich being in music is, and be exposed to our great legacy of, musicians. Somehow we have got to hook up and go into the church, after school and artists residency initiatives in which practicing musicians of all stripes, but of professional competency will help to ensure that new generations of musicians are inspired and directed to cultivate their talent.