McDonald's: Black Music Month 2026

McDonald's is celebrating Black Music Month with Justin Garner and Ian Kelly with custom content created to resonate with audiences in each artist's hometown area.

Cultural & Local Relevance

McDonald's has a long history of celebrating cultural tentpoles and amplifying emerging artists... and these campaigns combine those efforts.

Campaign Content

Campaign content features each artist in his element in a variety of social videos designed to drive engagement and excitement with fans. The artists also get to taste test all of the McDonald's Refreshers in viral-style #sipcheck social videos.

Justin Garner Social Videos

• "Day-in-the-life" video where Justin is in the studio to record his track "Feels." His studio essentials include a fresh beat, soulful lyrics, and a Mango Pineapple Refresher ordered via the McDonald's App.

• Soulful performance of "Feels" in the studio; lyrics appear on-screen as Justin performs, with a Strawberry Watermelon Refresher nearby throughout the session

• Candid, sit-down interview where Justin discusses his Louisiana roots, his musical inspirations, and the significance of Black Music Month. He also recalls memories of sharing McDonald's meals with family and friends.

• Raw, handheld vibe check where Justin provides unscripted reactions to the new Refresher flavors, establishing them as the best way to beat the Louisiana summer heat.

Ian Kelly Social Videos

• Ian talks about his versatile hip-hop style and how the McDonald's app is a lifesaver during late-night studio sessions.

• Ian sees music as therapy. He talks about the way music can be a theraputic tool, the culture of the Bay Area, and his childhood ritual of grabbing McDonald's before football games.

• Reflecting on Black Music Month as the heartbeat of culture, Ian performs a freestyle rap about McDonald's.

• Ian and his alter-ego, Leandre, do a split-screen taste test, reviewing drinks like the Dirty Dr Pepper, Orange Dream, and Sprite Berry Blast

• It's short. It's funny. You should just watch it.

• Reaction video with Ian doing a #sipcheck with the full lineup of McDonald's refreshers with Ian calling out the Orange Dream as his favorite