'It's systemic': Jully Black reflects on racial injustice in the music industry

The Block11:08Jully Black talks CBC's Docu-Series Paid In Full on The Block

Singer, personality and Canadian icon Jully Black stops by The Block studio to talk about her involvement in the CBC Gem\BBC docu-series Paid In Full: The Battle for Black Music

Singer Jully Black is the narrator of a new docuseries, Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music, premiering Sept. 21 on CBC Gem. The three-part series analyzes the systemic racism experienced by Black artists in the music industry by breaking down how contracts, copyright and other exploitative efforts affected musicians' compensation and freedom. 

WATCH | The official teaser trailer for 'Paid in Full':

‘How do we keep the money from Black music in Black people’s hands?’

2 months ago

Duration 0:57

In a new interview with JJ LaBorde on The Block, Black discusses her involvement in the show and reflects on her journey as an artist in the industry.

You can hear the full interview above and read an excerpt below.

I had the opportunity to get a sneak peek of the series and it was fascinating. Tell me, when did you first hear about the project and how did you become a part of it?

I heard about the project many, many months ago before I was even asked to narrate. I was very interested in learning more. And then when the opportunity came for me to be the voice, it was an opportunity to actually take a master class while narrating, learning [about] things that I had no idea [were] happening... and [are] still happening in the music business. And just really, it gave me a sense of gratitude for how far I've come and inspiration for where I really want to go.

We'll get to you in a second, and your stories, but was there a story from the series that really took you aback? You had no idea that this had happened and played out this way. Was there one that was most surprising to you?

There's so many. But, you know, without sounding like it's all about the accolades, I think about Nina Simone. For the longest time, I used to call myself Jully Lucci because it took a while for me to win awards in this country, so to speak. But to know that Nina Simone went to her grave without getting any awards or being rewarded or recognized [surprised me]. Obviously, she was the voice of civil rights [and] she did so much that we honour. But to know that [she didn't have] one Grammy, not one nomination for her entire life, that blew my mind.

Yeah. It's amazing. Does it make you angry for her?  How does it make you feel for her personally, and then for just the legacy of that?

Well, it's interesting because I now understand that our legacy is really how we make people feel and what we want people to remember about who we are, more so than what we've done. But to see her say "They're pirating my music," she was fired up. And I loved that she was audible. She was very radical with what was happening, and she wasn't afraid to say something. So, no anger. I'm inspired, in fact.

Beautiful that you're inspired.

Thanks.

What about your story? Does this go back to your beginnings? Any stories where you had to overcome these types of obstacles?

You know, it's so interesting because sitting here at this stage of my life, understanding that it is a privilege to be Jully Black, no matter how much work I put into becoming Jully Black, I still truly believe that, you know, had I sang the same songs as Adele, I'm not sure if it would have got the same recognition. Had Glenn Lewis sang the same songs as Ed Sheeran, not sure if he'd get the same recognition. I've experienced [recognition] here in this country, you know, I'm grateful. A lot of the same players run the business, so I'm not sitting here complaining, but it's a big "ah-ha" 29 years [in] for me and for some people, I'm brand new.

Yeah. But I think it's important to note that [the documentary team] reached out to all the labels to participate in the series, but they declined to be interviewed.

Okay. 

Any insight or thoughts on that?

Especially in Canada, it's the same people running the labels [and] truth be told, it's systemic, right? So in watching this documentary, you'll start to realize, wait, we move into the Rockefeller records era ... the various black labels, Motown, etc., and you see Black faces owning [and] running the labels. But the systems didn't change. So you start to realize, is it racism or is it systemic? It's systemic. So that's what kind of has me exhale quite a bit more and not hold that anger toward any person in particular or any group of people. It's the system [that] needs to be dismantled and rebuilt and run by those who are going to be fair.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length. To hear the full interview, listen to The Block on CBC Music. Stream Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music on CBC Gem beginning Sept. 21.