The world lost Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 51 years ago on April 4, 1968 when he was slain in Memphis. Right On! Digital pays respects to the Nobel Peace Prize winner whose legacy should be preserved. Various tastemakers and gold and platinum artists honored his memory with their musings and recollections of this great man for this exclusive feature.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY BUL LION FOUNDATION
AMANDA HOLLEY
RECORDING ARTIST
“As an African American millennial female I often looked to Dr King’s words for inspiration. He stood in the face of adversity and never backed down nor did he succumb to violence – he led with love and surrendered to his divine calling which proves that it is possible if God plants that seed in your heart to create positive change it is achievable despite outside appearances and circumstance.”
COUTESY BUL LION FOUNDATION
UNCUTT
ACTOR/ARTIST
“I was inspired by how he showed his greatness thru his actions. And was determined to shine. I learned courage watching the King.”
REGINA BELLE
“Dr. King was gifted in wisdom, social skills and leadership. Diligence in worldly studies, along with an above-excellent inner circle, are what magnified these God-given attributes. We benefit from his compassion and drive for freedom to be realized by all men and women. This is a big part of what still inspires me and the world today. So I wrote a song about it… “Freedom!”
COURTESY BUL LIION FOUNDATION
DEREK MCKEITH
ARTIST
“Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired me to be strong in the face of adversity!”
COURTESY BUL LION FOUNDATION
FUNKMASTER FLEX
NYC AND BEYOND AIR PERSONALITY
“Dr. King inspired me in many ways! Most of all he made me understand that the color of my skin doesn’t stop me from reaching my goals!”
COURTESY BUL LION FOUNDATION
KAIN_CARSO
ARTIST
“Martin Luther King, to me, was a peaceful outlaw to me. He used words of love, truth and hope to get a nation to shift in a direction so we can be here today doing what we want. Dr. Martin Luther king meant peace, hope and equality. He was the voice for the voiceless and a beacon of hope in light in times of darkness.”
COURTESY BUL LION FOUNDATION
ALYSON WILLIAMS
R&B RECORDING ARTIST
“Dr Martin Luther King put us on a path to seek truth, justice and righteousness through peace, diligence and compassion.
He laid a foundation on which we will forever be able to stand upon firmly and proudly, knowing that his commitment and his sacrifices paved the way for us and future generations to thrive. He inspires me to be the best me that I can be and show it to the world.”
COURTESY BUL LION FOUNDATION
STEREO H
KING ME ENT/DIOS MUSIC
“He was a man that dedicated his life to change and did that not by a weapon or violence but by his words…. the ‘I Have A Dream’ speech contains some of the most important and POWERFUL words you will have ever heard in your life.”
COURTESY BUL LION FOUNDATION
RENEE MONTGOMERY
WNBA PLAYER,
ATLANTA DREAM
“Martin Luther King Jr. has touched the lives of so so many. Some realize it and some don’t. Although he died in 1968 he’s really not that far removed from my generation. As an athlete, I was able to attend a D1 University, but my parents who were academically and athletically gifted instead chose to attend a HBCU because that was the opportunity presented. Because of this, my parents always let me and my sisters know that the things we were able to enjoy were because of leaders like Dr. King who paved the way and opened closed doors. His fight for equality and human rights is actually still continuing today. He is an inspiration to me and motivates me to continue his legacy and make things better for the future generations.”
