Fleur East explains the importance of Black History Month in powerful Rap Roulette
We've been celebrating Black History Month throughout October
Last updated 22nd Oct 2021
Every October, the UK celebrates Black History Month, and we have been recognising the celebration at Hits Radio. As well as honouring the contributions of black people from throughout history, it provides an opportunity for important discussions and a move towards positive change.
Fleur East, who presents the Hits Radio Breakfast show, is vocal in her support for Black History all year round, and for her Rap Roulette on 22nd October she rapped about the importance of Black History Month.
Watch Fleur's Black History Month rap:
You can watch more of Fleur's incredible Rap Roulettes here.
Fleur's Black History Month rap lyrics:
Why's there a Black History month you ask?
coz so many icons have been overlooked from the past
particularly those with black skin, decades all wrapped in
a different kinda cloth many books extracting
the impactful, influential, black figures, so essential
to our story, no credentials, stolen glory, preferential treatment of other races and faces
with no one knowing black people changed the spaces we walk in today icons hidden away
with so many of them having such a crucial part to play in the fabric of our nation, airbrushed information, that's why this month is here to provide the education. Did you know a black woman saved British soldiers' lives? Or a black man was behind Charles Darwin's rise? Think about it for a second, certain names don't get a mention or barely even given the attention.
Like looking at a puzzle but it's messed up, loads of pieces missing and some others are all dressed up.
Struggling just to see the picture hidden in a twisted frame, struggling just to be a player hidden in the misty game.
I hope that one day black history can just be taught just in the same way
the rest of the stories are being told open the gateway,
not just a month, we all should celebrate it on the daily.
Together we rise, sing to the skies.
The Mix Tape - Black History Month episode
On Monday 25th, singer, songwriter and DJ Craig David will host a Black History Month special edition of The Mix Tape on Hits Radio, where he will play a selection of songs by black artists that have inspired him and helped shape his own music career.
Speaking about Black History Month, Craig said that he is keen for the conversations to become more than just a month and open the education of Black History to everyone all the time.
Scroll through some of the best films to watch on Disney+ for Black History Month:
Phi Slama Jama
ESPN's Emmy winning documentary celebrates and explores the phenomenon of the 1980's University Of Houston men's basketball team who transformed the game itself.
This film also focuses on the disappearance of player Benny Anders and the brotherhood of co-captains Eric Davis and Lynden Rose when they try and find him after more than two decades of mystery. A must for all basketball fans!
The Hurricane
The Hurricane tells the story of boxer Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, who is wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence. The film stars Denzel Washington, where he won a Golden Globe award for Best Actor.
Release date: 15th October
Notorious
Notorious is a biographical film about the life and death of rapper Christoper Wallace, also known as The Notorious B.I.G, following his life and murder. The soundtrack is as almost as famous as the film itself.
Hidden Figures
Released in 2016, Hidden Figures tells the story of three female African-American mathematicians who play a pivotal role in astronaut John Glenn's launch into orbit. The true story, starring Janelle Monáe, Octavia Spencer and Taraji P. Henson, is thought provoking and up lifting.
Jordan Rides The Bus
In the fall of 1993 and when he was in his prime, basketball legend Michael Jordan walked away from pro basketball following the death of his father and issues with gambling. Jordan Rides The Bus tells the story of Michael rekindling his childhood love for baseball during the toughest time of his life. What happened when he pursued a new sporting career?
LA 92
Twenty-five years after the verdict in the Rodney King trial sparked several days of protests, violence and looting in Los Angeles, LA 92 gathers rarely seen archival footage that examines the crucial events.
Glory Road
Glory Road (2006) is based on the true story surrounding the events of the 1966 NCAA University Division Basketball Championship. Coach Don Haskins puts together an all-black starting line-up, the first in history. Glory Road explores racism, discrimination, and student athletics.
Queen of Katwe
Queen of Katwe follows the story of a chess prodigy from an Ugandan slum. The 2016 film was based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi, who took up chess aged nine despite not being in school and went on to compete in international tournaments. It stars Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo.
Ruby Bridges
The true story of Ruby Bridges, an African-American girl who, in 1960 and at age 6, helped to integrate and the segregarding of all-white schools of New Orleans. She truly changed history...
Red Tails
Red Tails is a beautiful tribute to a squadron of pilots known as the Tuskegee airmen are finally given the chance to prove themselves in the air. A true story full of heroes despite hideous discrimination.
The Fab 5
The Fab 5 is another ESPN documentary about a group of 1990s Michigan Wolverines men's basketball players Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson. The five are said to have 'revolutionised college basketball'.
Safety
Safety, released in 2020, is based on the story of Ray McElrathbey, a football player who battled family adversity to join the Clemson Tigers - all while trying to juggle his school work.
Deion's Double Play
Athlete Deion Sanders races against time when he manages to sandwich a pro football game around a pair of postseason baseball games, in two different cities a thousand miles apart. A very busy 24 hours, but can he manage to please all his fans?
Cool Runnings
A Disney cult classic, Cool Runnings is loosely based on the Jamaican bobsled team's appearance in the 1988 Olympic Games.
Prepare to be transported back to the 80s.
Remember The Titans
Highly considered the 'best sports film of the decade', Remember The Titans is the story of a new African-American football coach (Denzel Washington) and his team's first season in 1970s Virginia.
Belle
Belle is a period drama inspired by the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of a Royal Navy admiral in the 18th Century. Despite growing up in aristocratic home, her background makes her an outsider as she is encouraged to find a husband.
Beloved
Beloved is a pyschological horror about a mother haunted by her horrific slavery past and her desperate actions for freedom. Sethe and her daughter Denver experience strange things in the house after the visit of a young woman, whose existence brings their past fears to life.
Antwone Fisher
Directed by Denzel Washington, Antwone Fisher, a young navy man, is forced to see a psychiatrist after a violent outburst against a fellow crewman.
42 to 1
A documentary about what really happened when James "Buster" Douglas did the impossible and defeated Mike Tyson for the heavyweight championship of the world on Feb. 11, 1990, in Tokyo.
The Colour of Friendship
The Colour of Friendship is the inspiring story of two girls Mahree & Piper, who are opposite sides of the world, but they come together and change each other's lives. Another 1990s classic that will leave you smiling.
Doc and Darryl
Baseball duo Doc Gooden and Darryl Strawberry know what it's like to be on the good and bad side of fame. This documentary sees the pair look back at the 'glory days' of the 80s and the horrifying truth about their battle with addictions.
Faster: The story of Breaking2
In this National Geographic documentary three of the world's most elite distance runners set out to break the two-hour marathon barrier. Follow the trio as they train and get on with their day-to- day lives in eastern Africa before racing in Italy.
Hip Hop Uncovered
Hip Hop fans rejoice! This six-part documentary tells the story of 40 years of music history and takes a deep dive into the the genre's fascination of criminalisation and street culture.
Soul Of A Nation
Soul Of A Nation is a unique window into the realities of Black life, aiming to put black culture in America at the front and centre.
Release date: 27th October
Summer Of Soul
A 2021 documentary film about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which was held for six weeks. Despite having performers such as Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the festival was seen as 'obscure' in pop culture.
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