After a Grammy snub, Minnesota’s Sounds of Blackness gets a surprise honor

Minnesota’s Sounds of Blackness has been making music since 1971, and most recently released the song and music video for “We’re Unstoppable.” You can be sure Sheletta Brundidge knows all the words.

So, when the song didn’t get a single Grammy nomination, Brundidge had some thoughts. “It’s a travesty!”

“Sounds of Blackness understands the industry and understands the nuances that go into a Grammy nomination,” said Gary D. Hines, music director and producer of Sounds of Blackness. “’Unstoppable’ should have been nominated, both the song and the video.”

Sounds of Blackness has performed across the globe, collaborated with industry giants, and created music that spreads the messages of hope, unity, and love.

Along with Hines, Sounds of Blackness consists of a diverse rotating membership of singers and a core band. Additional members include Billy Steele (assistant director/keyboards), Jamecia Bennett (lead vocalist), and vocalists like Jevetta Steele, Patricia Lacy Aiken, Daryl Boudreaux, Shirley Marie Graham, and others.

“We’re Unstoppable” is an inspirational anthem blending gospel, R&B, hip hop, and drumline power to celebrate unity, resilience, and strength.” Brundidge loved the song so much, she decided to take it upon herself to right the Grammy wrong. She had her friends, Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, make a declaration.

“From now on, January 31^st is Sounds of Blackness Day,” Brundidge exclaimed.

The signed and sealed proclamation testifies to the many attributes of the group, including three Grammy Awards, four Stellar Awards, an Emmy nomination, an NAACP Image Award, multiple NAACP Image Award nominations, and a star on the iconic First Avenue mural, one of the most prestigious cultural honors in Minneapolis.”

The proclamation notes that Minnesotans “are proud to celebrate artists who reflect the values of inclusion, creativity, courage, and compassion, and whose work reminds us that music has the power to connect us, sustain us, and move us forward together.”

The message is timely as Minnesotans are witnessing a large Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in our state and resulting unrest after the shooting deaths of two Minnesotans.

“We want to dedicate ‘Unstoppable’ and this honor to Alex and Renee and the ongoing movement for justice in our home state,” Hines added.

Sounds of Blackness is also working on another song dedicated to the movement in Minnesota called “Keep Standing Up.” Plus, you can catch Sounds of Blackness performing “Music for Martin,” a celebratory tribute to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. “Music for Martin” first premiered on the Ordway stage in 1988 and is coming back for one night only on Friday, Feb. 20. Get tickets at: https://ordway.org/events/sounds-of-blackness/

Learn more about the Sounds of Blackness, see music videos, and check out the group’s events schedule at: https://www.soundsofblackness.org/.