Patti LaBelle, Ciara and more to appear on ABC News’ ‘Sound of Freedom – A Juneteenth Celebration’

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ABC/Michael Le Brecht II

ABC News will be commemorating Juneteenth and Black Music Month with a special featuring some of music’s biggest stars.

Set to air on Friday, June 17, Sound of Freedom – A Juneteenth Celebration, presented by the network’s Soul of a Nation series, will be hosted by country music star Jimmie Allen and will include performances from Patti LaBelle, Marvin Sapp and Jon Batiste. Also expected are conversations with CiaraJimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who will discuss the importance of ownership in music with ABC News’ Janai Norman, as well as a segment that will see ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott put a spotlight on some of the “all-Black production teams behind major artists and groups.”

The primetime special is set to air Friday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and will be available to stream on Hulu the following day. It’s the third year in a row that the network has produced the special, but according to co-executive producer Catherine McKenzie, it is one of the most important specials to date.

“From gospel and country to jazz, rock and today’s pop hits, every genre of American music is influenced by the Black Diaspora and our stories of survival, joy, pain and resilience,” McKenzie says in a press release. “We’re looking forward to taking viewers on this musical journey in one of our most significant specials yet.” 

Co-executive producer Quiana Burns adds that it’s “a must-watch for all viewers.”

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