JUNETEENTH commemorates the day, 155 years ago today, that a Union general told enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, that the Civil War was over and they were free. The war had in fact ended, and the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed, more than two years earlier. The long delay from theoretical freedom to actual freedom is but one of a thousand reasons for contemplation and sorrow on a day meant mostly as celebration. It isn't a national holiday (think about that as you contemplate today), but a growing number of companies are observing it, especially in this horrific month in this horrific year. For much of the music industry, it will be the second day of reflection on racism in America and in music in two and a half weeks. WARNER MUSIC is considering it a paid holiday but not a day off—"an important time for all of us to learn, reflect, and connect as we continue to battle systemic racism." SPOTIFY's US offices are closed and its New Music Friday playlist is featuring all Black artists. BANDCAMP is donating all profits today to the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund. There have been small steps so far, both symbolic and tangible, at these companies and elsewhere. Bands and labels have dropped offensive names. A decades-old euphemism for the word "Black" is on its way to being canceled. At least one label, BMG, says is reviewing all of its historic record contracts, "mindful of the music industry’s record of shameful treatment of black artists." Hundreds of millions of dollars have been pledged. Hopefully, over time, the symbolic initiatives will lead to tangible results and the tangible ones will become important symbols for others to follow. And hopefully the reflection and action today and beyond will continue to point inward: At opportunities and compensation for Black artists and Black employees. At figuring out new systems to undo the old systems that have been in place for decades. At making sure decision makers will still be contemplating, and acting, next year, and the year after that, and five and 10 years down the line... The stories in today's mix celebrate great artists and moments in Black American music, which is another way of saying, simply, American music... It's FRIDAY and that means new music from TEYANA TAYLOR, NONAME (70 perfect seconds), ANDERSON .PAAK, H.E.R., JOHN LEGEND, SMOKEPURPP, TEE GRIZZLEY, ROY AYERS (first studio album on ADRIAN YOUNGE and ALI SHAHEED MUHAMMAD's JAZZ IS DEAD label), ALICIA KEYS, KEEDRON BRYANT, WALE, the BLACK EYED PEAS, DON BRYANT, OUMOU SANGARÉ, SHIRLEY KING, BOB DYLAN, SAULT, NEIL YOUNG (his legendary unreleased '70s album HOMEGROWN), PHOEBE BRIDGERS (released Thursday), BRAIDS, KAYGEE DAKING & BIZIZI, RUDRESH MAHANTHAPPA, GABBY BARRETT, YO-YO MA/STUART DUNCAN/EDGAR MEYER/CHRIS THILE, LAMB OF GOD, PROTEST THE HERO (released Thursday), AMNESIA SCANNER, JASON MRAZ and BAAUER... RIP LAROME POWERS.