Sweet Honey in the Rock

Sweet Honey in the Rock is an all-female a cappella singing ensemble that was founded by Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon in 1973. The group emerged from the DC Black Repertory Theater Company in Washington, D.C., and continues to call Washington, D.C., their home. The ensemble is world-renowned for their moving live concert experiences, where they weave together the hymns, spirituals, and gospel from the black church with other forms of music such as folk, reggae, jazz, and blues. Although the members of Sweet Honey in the Rock have changed throughout its long-standing history, Dr. Reagon only recently retired from the group, in 2004. Along with their unique blending of musical genres, the members of Sweet Honey in the Rock deliver their music with a feminist message. Lyrics from their songs often document the history of the women's and civil rights movements, challenge injustice in the United States and across the globe, inspire activism, and explore themes of everyday living such as love, death, and partnership. Sweet Honey in the Rock has a deliberate message in their music of peace, love, and justice for all in the world.

The name of the group is inspired by biblical Psalm 81:16, which discusses the promise to a community that they would be fed by honey out of a rock. Dr. Reagon believed that this story, along with the nurturance of honey and the enduring strength of rock, would provide the essential foundation of a name for an all-female, African American, powerful singing group. Sweet Honey in the Rock has toured across the United States and the globe, delivering their message of peace and humanity. At their concerts, there is always sign language interpretation, with the interpreters becoming an essential part of their stage production through the use of dance and movement during the interpretation.

During their more than 30 years of producing music, Sweet Honey in the Rock has more than 20 recordings, a frequently visited website, and a busy tour schedule. They have recorded live at Carnegie Hall, and in Australia. Their first recording was simply called Sweet Honey in the Rock, and was released on Flying Fish Records. In 1993, the ensemble produced a 20-year retrospective on their music titled Still on the Journey, released by EarthBeat! Their most recent recordings have included Endings and Beginnings, a self-release, and Raise Your Voice, released in 2005 by Music for Little People. Sweet Honey in the Rock has [Page 1358]often performed at live music festivals and engaged in social protest. In 2001, the group signed on to a voting rights campaign and recorded “Give People the Right to Vote” to support this campaign. The current members of Sweet Honey in the Rock are: Louise Robinson, Aisha Kahlil, Arnaé, Shirley Childress Saxton, Carol Maillard, Nitanju Bolade Casel, and Ysaye Maria Barnwell.