Happy Black Music Month and Happy Pride. As a Black pan creative, both celebrations mean a great deal to me. I also view Black-born music as a way to protest and unify, something that producer EMMBER and their musical partner on this one, Terrell Carter, understand. The assignment was understood, and done so well on “Won’t Bring Me Down.” The track delves into Chicago house music, funk and even a bit of R&B to deliver a song meant to unify those who hear it. As a Queer artist from Chicago, their plight was one that started with EMMBER hiding their true identity, but eventually accepting who they are, saying that events like Pride “[mean]…finally [being] free, themselves and just no longer…afraid of what people think.” I’m here for that.

In addition, EMMBER and Terrell Carter give us a thumping anthem for the marginalized, blending queer activism with Black activism. Let’s never forget that many of those who stood for civil and queer rights in the 1960s and 1970s were Black people and other people of color. I say that because “Won’t Bring Me Down” also has a healthy dose of Black lives mattering (without just saying “BLM,” which is always a great thing to see and hear). The song itself was written during the infancy of the late-2010s-to-present Black Lives Matter movement, which makes its release during Black Music Month and Pride that much more poignant. I really love Carter’s vocals here as they are strong, full of revolutionary flair and just sound great.

If you’re pro-Black people/pro-Black Queer people/Queer creatives–or just want a Pride-friendly “I’m here and I’m not going anywhere” anthem, this is the one. Check it out below and remember to support dope music in all its forms.