Okayplayer Exclusive: IDK, Erick the Architect, Deante Hitchcock and More Share What Juneteenth Means to Them

For many Black Americans, Juneteenth has always been more than a date on the calendar.

Before it became an official federal holiday in2021, it was celebrated through family gatherings, community events, music, food and traditions passed down across generations. Commemorating June 19, 1865, the day enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, Juneteenth signifies freedom but also introspection. It's a reminder of how far we've come, how much we've overcome and how much work is still left to do.

Juneteenth looks a little different depending on who you ask. For some, it's a day of fellowship. A time to put whatever burdens you're carrying down, even if it's for just 24 hours. For others, it's an opportunity to honor the generations who came before us and the freedoms they fought for. More often than not, it's both at once because two things can be true.

As the holiday continues to evolve, so do the ways people choose to honor it. Across the country, people come together at cookouts, festivals, concerts and community events, while others are making space to learn, reconnect and deepen their understanding of the past. However it's observed, Juneteenth is and will continue to be deeply personal.

To mark the occasion, Okayplayer asked artists a simple question: What does Juneteenth mean to you? Their responses touch on freedom, family, Black identity, community and the many ways this holiday continues to resonate today.

IDK

Lately I’ve been thinking about Juneteenth less as a historical date and more as a mirror. It makes me ask what parts of us are still waiting to be free. Sometimes that’s systems, sometimes that’s environment, sometimes that’s the way we see ourselves.

For me, this weekend is about creating a space where people can feel that question without it being heavy the whole time. Music can do that. It can let people celebrate, reflect, and be around each other in a way that feels honest. That’s what I want Son de L’amour to feel like.

Erick the Architect

Juneteenth is a day to honor the people who endured and resisted while imagining a future they would never really get to see themselves. As a Black artist, I have the freedom to create and build community through my voice because of all the sacrifices that were made before me. I’m constantly reminded to never take freedom for granted and to extend my gratitude to my ancestors. 

Deante Hitchcock

Juneteenth is a myriad of things for me… but if I had to use one word to describe it, it would be bittersweet. A solemn testament to the perseverance of a people, and a reminder of the evils that people are also capable of. I celebrate with the squad, though.

Che Noir

Juneteenth is a celebration of Black resilience, our history, and the generations who fought for the freedoms we continue to protect today. Growing up in Buffalo, we celebrated Juneteenth long before it became a federal holiday. It reminds me of community, culture, and tradition. Black soap and shea butter, the music, the food, and the joy of being surrounded by my community. It’s a day to honor where we’ve come from while recognizing how far we still have to go.

Jack Splash

To me, Juneteenth has always been both a beautiful and painful holiday. It is the beautiful celebration that goodness always ultimately defeats hatred, but at the same time, it is the bitter reminder that this country was built on both slavery and genocide. It’s crazy to think that it only became an official federal holiday this decade. Honestly, though, it kind of goes in line with America’s constant refusal to truly acknowledge and properly deal with the damage it’s done to both African people and the Indigenous people of this beautiful country of ours. Each year, I hope that as people celebrate Juneteenth, they also think about the REAL reparations that are long overdue to the descendants of the people who actually built this country from the ground up. Can you even imagine what real reparations might look like? As we celebrate Juneteenth, I think we should continue the fight for reparations for the communities that are STILL making America one of the most beautiful and unique places in the world.

Homeboy Sandman

The magnitude of Juneteenth can’t be overstated. The abolition of chattel slavery in this country was a monumental step towards the realization of all of the promises this country was founded on. As a holiday, as a celebration, it’s a party that should go on until the end of time. Juneteenth also serves as a powerful reminder that the journey to end slavery and the racism that gave rise to it is still far from over. From new forms of legalized slavery like the prison industrial complex to mental slavery reinforced by rampant media stereotypes encouraging descendants of enslaved people to voluntarily forgo the freedom granted June 19, 1865, Juneteenth is also a yearly call to action reminding us to stay vigilant.

Dess Dior

Juneteenth means a lot to me because it's a reminder of how far we've come as Black people. Every opportunity I've had, every accomplishment, and every dream I've been able to chase is possible because of the strength, sacrifice, and resilience of the generations before us. Their fight is the reason we have the freedom to be who we are today. I've always been able to express myself freely, whether that's through my music, my style, or just being unapologetically me. Knowing that my ancestors didn't always have that same freedom makes me appreciate it even more.

Being able to connect with people and inspire them through my music and platform is a blessing, and I think Juneteenth is a time for all of us to really celebrate our roots. Of course, it's important to remember the struggle and everything it took to get here, but it's also a day to celebrate our culture, our growth, and everything we've accomplished as a people. It's about honoring the past while being proud of how far we've come and where we're headed.

EJ Jones

My music comes from a place of love, perseverance, and community, and that’s what Juneteenth represents to me too. It’s about honoring our history while celebrating the strength, creativity, and impact of our people.

As you celebrate, reflect and spend time with your community this Juneteenth, press play on our Juneteenth playlist featuring songs that honor the spirit, resilience and joy of Black culture.

Listen below.