The Power of Black Art: Using Music and Creativity to Heal and Elevate
Omar Cook Performs “Spiritual War”
By: Omar Cook
Art is powerful. Every note, every lyric, every visual we put into the world carries energy. As Black artists, we hold a unique platform to influence minds, hearts, and culture. Unfortunately, mainstream Black entertainment has often been steered toward negative agendas—glorifying sex, drugs, and materialism—rather than uplifting, healing, or inspiring. This imagery and messaging aren’t harmless; they shape how people think, feel, and act.
Music is spiritual. It affects the soul whether we acknowledge it or not. When hate, destruction, or death are the themes we amplify, that energy is released into the world, and eventually it comes back to us. Every song, every performance is a choice. It doesn’t have to be gospel or a political speech, but it should be intentional. Ask yourself: Does what I’m creating benefit others? Does it uplift, heal, or inspire, or does it add to the destruction of our people?
The youth feel the impact the most. They attend concerts, watch videos, and consume music on a massive scale. They are receiving this energy, absorbing it, and it becomes part of the environment they grow up in. As artists, we have a responsibility to be conscious of that influence. The music we create isn’t just entertainment; it’s shaping the mindset and spirit of generations.
Promoting positive, high-vibrational artistry starts with us as creators. It starts with being a catalyst for change and holding ourselves accountable for the legacy we leave behind. I want my art to exist as a source of healing, growth, relatability, and inspiration—something that gives people strength to keep going despite life’s challenges. That is the power of intention in art.
But the responsibility isn’t only on artists. As consumers, we also hold power. Where we put our energy—what we stream, share, and support—determines which artists rise and which messages dominate culture. Supporting artists who inspire and uplift is just as important as creating that content.
The shift starts now. It’s time to check ourselves, both as creators and as audiences. Black entertainment can evolve. Our art can carry the vibration of hope, love, and unity. Our legacies can be measured not only by hits and streams but by the healing and inspiration we leave behind. The question is simple: what energy do you want to leave on this planet, and how will your gifts serve the people?
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
