Black Music Month Vancouver is back for its 8th year — and this one hits deep. Taking over the City Centre Artist Lodge from June 27 to 29, BMMV25 is turning up the volume on tradition, identity, and rhythm with this year’s theme: “Black to da Classics.” Expect a high-energy weekend that dives into the sounds that shaped Black North America — from gospel and funk to hip-hop and R&B — while keeping one eye on the future.
This isn’t just a music festival. It’s a movement. Founded in 2009 and officially revived in 2017, BMMV has become one of the West Coast’s only festivals dedicated exclusively to Black music. Every year, it’s a celebration of heritage, healing, and unapologetic creativity — amplifying the voices of emerging and established Black Canadian artists in a city where those stages are still few and far between.
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The 2025 lineup is a genre-hopping masterclass featuring Sargeant X Comrade (soul duo and Polaris Prize nominees), TK The Artist (Victoria’s rising R&B star), Hardbody Dreams, Sad Boy Denzel, and LIYVZ, who’s blending K-pop with Afro-Canadian vibes. There’ll be gospel rap from Love Quest KREW, a tribute to late Canadian R&B legend Devon ‘Metro’ Martin, and a return performance from BMMV09 alum Lucious Groove.
But it’s not just about the music. BMMV25 is also bringing the vibes with Kemet yoga, spiritual dance workshops, community panels, and a BIPOC artisan market featuring local Black and Indigenous creators. This festival isn’t running on big corporate bucks — it’s powered by community love and real grassroots hustle.
As Artistic Director Lincoln “Linx” Thorne puts it: “Even without the funding, we’re holding space for our people. That’s non-negotiable.”
📍 Location: City Centre Artist Lodge, Vancouver
🎟️ More Info: Black Music Month BC
