Black History Month is a time to pause, listen, and learn — to honour and amplify the voices of Black Canadians while recognizing the profound impact they have had on shaping this country’s cultural, social, and artistic landscape. At OurBasement, music is often our entry point into these conversations, but the stories behind the sounds run far deeper than any playlist.

Black history in Canada stretches back more than four centuries, beginning with Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator and interpreter whose presence in what is now Canada dates to the early 1600s. From that moment onward, Black Canadians and their communities have played a vital role in shaping Canada’s identity — even though that history has too often been overlooked or left out of mainstream narratives.

Many Canadians are unaware that people of African descent were among the Loyalists who settled in the Maritimes after the American Revolution, or that Black soldiers made sacrifices as early as the War of 1812. There is also limited awareness that enslavement existed in what would become Canada, and that those who resisted it helped lay the groundwork for a more diverse and inclusive society. Black History Month offers space to acknowledge these realities while recognizing the resilience and contributions that followed.

The official recognition of Black History Month in Canada came through years of advocacy. The Ontario Black History Society, founded in 1978, played a key role, leading to Toronto’s first proclamation in 1979. Nova Scotia began observing Black History Month in 1988, later renaming it African Heritage Month. In 1995, following a motion introduced by Dr. Jean Augustine — the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament — the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month nationwide. That recognition was reaffirmed in 2008 through a Senate motion introduced by Senator Donald Oliver.

Music has always been one of the most powerful ways Black Canadians have shared their stories, experiences, and creativity. Early trailblazers like the Bohee Brothers helped popularize the banjo internationally in the Victorian era. Composer R. Nathaniel Dett blended European classical traditions with spirituals, while Portia White broke barriers as the first Black Canadian concert singer to gain international acclaim. Jazz legends like Oscar Peterson and Archie Alleyne, and pioneers like Eleanor Collins — who hosted her own CBC television show in the 1950s — expanded what was possible for Black artists in Canada.

In soul, R&B, and hip-hop, artists such as Salome Bey, Liberty Silver, Maestro Fresh Wes, and Jully Black carved out space, visibility, and influence, often while challenging industry norms and social barriers. Their work laid essential foundations for the global success of contemporary artists like Drake, The Weeknd, Daniel Caesar, K’naan, and Michie Mee — artists whose impact reaches far beyond Canada’s borders.

These legacies matter. They remind us that Canadian music history is richer, more complex, and more powerful when we tell the full story.

During Black History Month, we’re invited not only to celebrate achievements, but also to deepen our understanding — to listen more closely, question what we’ve been taught, and make room for voices that deserve continued recognition. At OurBasement, we honour Black Canadian artists past and present, and we commit to keeping their music, stories, and contributions in rotation all year long.

Because remembering, learning, and amplifying these voices isn’t just a February thing — it’s part of building a more honest and inclusive Canadian cultural landscape. 

Archie Alleyne

A longtime resident drummer at both the Town Tavern and the Colonial Tavern, Archie Alleyne was one of the few Black musicians working regularly on Yonge Street during that era. In this clip, he speaks candidly about being denied work because of his race, what it meant to navigate the scene as a Black artist, and the lasting legacy of earlier Black musicians in Toronto, including Cy McLean. This discussion comes from Tuning Up, Heritage Toronto’s 2014 Black History Month concert and panel event, recorded for Heritage Toronto.

The playlist that follows, available on TIDAL Music and YouTube, highlights recent and current releases from Black Canadian artists who are shaping the sound of today while paving the way forward. It’s a snapshot of a scene that’s vibrant, evolving, and deeply influential—showcasing voices that continue to push boundaries, tell powerful stories, and define the future of Canadian music.

Tidal Music link:

https://tidal.com/playlist/f6a36a31-a3f2-44e2-b8a0-a3f95c081e52

Go here for more information on Black History Month.