BMAC Holds Act III Of ‘Three Chords & The Actual Truth’ Conversation

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Pictured (L-R): Daisha “The Rap Girl” McBride, Alice Randall, Reyna Roberts and Naima Cochrane. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for Black Music Action Coalition

The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) held “Act III: A Conversation Around Three Chords & The Actual Truth” last Wednesday (May 15) at Live Nation in Nashville, in partnership with Vibe, Songwriters of North America (SONA), Mayors for a Guaranteed Income and The Ogunlesi Group.

The panel discussion continued the important conversation surrounding Black origins of country music and the exclusion of Black artists in the genre. Naima Cochrane, who wrote BMAC’s 2022 report on the marginalization of Black people in country music, moderated the panel consisting of country artist Reyna Roberts; novelist, songwriter, educator and activist Alice Randall; and rapper, songwriter and OnRamp Awardee Daisha “The Rap Girl” McBride.

Roberts shed light on the fanbase expansion and movement that country music has been experiencing following the release of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. “It’s great to be supported by people who aren’t typically country music listeners…I have been praying for this moment for years,” she shared. Randall gave an overview of the “first family of Black country,” which included Ray Charles, DeFord Bailey, Charley Pride and more.

McBride talked about being a rapper in Tennessee, and the importance of uniting the Black female community despite genre differences in order to create more opportunities for Black musicians in Nashville as a whole. “This is Music City, not just Country Music City. There is space for everybody here…There are other genres here that deserve a little bit of shine as well,” she noted.

Pictured (L-R): Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Mayor Michael Tubbs and Rep. Justin Pearson. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for Black Music Action Coalition

Afterwards, BMAC Co-Founder, President & CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers; Mayor Michael Tubbs, Founder of SEED and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income; and Tennessee State Representative Justin Pearson took the stage to call for economic justice in Tennessee. BMAC then announced its partnership with Rep. Pearson and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income to develop legislation for guaranteed income for underserved Tennessee communities. Attendees were also treated to a live performance by Roberts.

Liza Anderson
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