As Juneteenth approaches, the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness offers Twin Cities audiences a stirring soundtrack for Freedom Day: “Juneteenth Celebration,” the Minneapolis ensemble’s vibrant anthem of joy, freedom and resilience. First released in 2022 alongside an official music video, the song has become a recurring centerpiece of the group’s June observances — a contemporary tribute to June 19, 1865, the day enslaved Africans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Written and produced by founder and music director Gary Hines and recorded at Atomic K and Winterland studios in the group’s hometown of Minneapolis, “Juneteenth Celebration” channels the jubilation that newly freed people might have felt — rendered through the ensemble’s signature blend of gospel, soul, R&B, funk and African-rooted rhythms.
For more than five decades, Sounds of Blackness has used music as a vehicle for cultural affirmation, social justice and spiritual uplift.
A celebration rooted in history
The song’s layered harmonies, exuberant instrumentation and call-and-response energy are built to do two things at once: remember and rejoice. By the time the chorus arrives, it works as an open invitation — a summons for communities across the country to join in the celebration.
Under Hines’s direction, the composition bridges generations, linking the historic struggle for emancipation to present-day expressions of Black excellence, community pride and collective resilience. It is at once a party and a remembrance — a reminder of the sacrifices and determination that shaped the African American experience.
The accompanying video reinforces that message with imagery centered on unity, heritage and hope, offering a visual tribute to one of the most significant commemorations in American history.
A legacy spanning more than five decades
Sounds of Blackness traces its roots to 1969, when the ensemble took shape at Macalester College in St. Paul as the Macalester College Black Voices. In 1971, Gary Hines assumed leadership and the group adopted the name it carries today. Over the following decades it grew from a local gospel chorus into one of the nation’s most respected musical institutions, drawing national attention in 1991 when producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis released its debut album, “The Evolution of Gospel,” on their Perspective label.
The ensemble’s repertoire spans gospel, jazz, blues, soul, R&B and African musical forms, reflecting the breadth of Black cultural expression. Its catalog includes enduring favorites such as “Optimistic,” “The Pressure,” “I Believe” and “I’m Going All the Way.” Across its career, Sounds of Blackness has earned three Grammy Awards, multiple Stellar Awards, NAACP Image Award recognition and an Emmy nomination, among other honors.
It is at once a party and a remembrance — a reminder of the sacrifices and determination that shaped the African American experience.
Beyond the accolades, the group has consistently positioned itself as a cultural and educational force, using music to address civil rights, social justice and community empowerment. As Hines has put it, the ensemble remains “in and of the community.” In the summer of 2020, members joined demonstrators in the streets of South Minneapolis, blocks from their rehearsal space, in the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd.
Music as a movement
At a moment when debates over race, equity and historical memory continue to shape public life, “Juneteenth Celebration” lands as more than a song. It is a declaration of resilience and a call for unity.
The work reflects the group’s stated mission of educating, inspiring and uniting people of all backgrounds through African American music — a charge Sounds of Blackness continues to carry through performances, recordings and community engagement.
As Juneteenth observances grow nationwide, the anthem offers listeners a chance to reflect on the past while embracing a future grounded in freedom, dignity and collective progress.
“Juneteenth Celebration” and its official video are available through major streaming platforms and the group’s channels. For music, tour dates and educational programming, visit SoundsOfBlackness.org.
