In the mid-1970’s, a small college radio station created an evening program catering to a new socioeconomic group referred to as the “new Black middle class.” The show was called “The Quiet Storm” and it grew so popular that an entire genre of music would spring up alongside it. Artists like Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, and many more would find massive success in the genre, performing smooth and sexy songs you could turn on after a long day.

Audio producer Christopher Johnson made a piece about The Quiet Storm for the legendary podcast about design 99% Invisible and he joins Anna to talk about why Quiet Storm music will always feel like home to him.

You can listen to The Quiet Storm playlist from 99% Invisible here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0cuU6j4C77EEuQDRWEEKFb?si=a2u3yKzLTwqz7cvycywmUw

This episode was produced for DSM by Andrew Dunn.

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The Sexy Soundtrack for the ‘New Black Middle Class’

Death, Sex & Money

The Sexy Soundtrack for the ‘New Black Middle Class’