It’s now 2017 and being black is more lit than ever. More of us are loving our skin, our hair, our style, and much of the other great things that come with being black (and other people are loving it too, if you know what I mean). Here’s a playlist that feels good, informs, empowers, and all around sounds good.
1.) India.Arie — “I am Not My Hair” ft. Akon
Hair is one of the most important parts about being black. Eurocentric beauty standards have influenced this distinction between “good hair” and “bad hair” within the black community, and it’s been something that has defined our whole being. In “I am Not My Hair”, Akon starts of the song talking about how his hair impacted his opportunities (with jobs, women, etc.), and India.Arie expresses how her hair doesn’t define her. From her big chop to her 4c coils, her hair is beautiful, her hair is a part of her, but it’s not all of her. It’s such an empowering song that most black folks can relate to.
2.) Solange — “F.U.B.U”
In the song “For Us By Us”, Solange talks about how we, black folks, don’t ever get our turn, yet alone our well-deserved credit, as well as the black struggle. It’s also no secret that black people have been making things that are exclusively for us, such as #BlackOutDay. After that you can expect other people (typically and almost always white people) to feel left out. This is addressed in the song when Solange sings “don’t feel bad if you can’t sing along, just be glad you got the whole wide world—this us.” This song is a must on your Black History Month Playlist because there is something so empowering about having music that understands us. Music that is for us, and by us.
3.) D’Angelo — “Brown Sugar”
This song is such a classic. From Carmel to chocolate, brown skin is beautiful, desirable, sweet. I could easily say that this song is probably one of your favorite black women appreciation songs.
4.) Empire Cast ft. Sierra Mclain — “Black Girl Magic”
From the hair talk to the melanin talk, this upbeat song pretty much sums up what black girl magic is!
5.) Beyonce — “Formation”
(This song is not on the Spotify playlist due to Lemonade being available exclusively on Tidal, but it’s definitely a song worth blasting this month!)
“Formation” is unarguably one of the best pro-black songs of 2016. It’s no reach to say that it shook the nation. So crank up the volume, slick your baby hairs, shake your afros, and embrace your negro nose with Jackson5 nostrils.
6.) Jay-Z — “My President Is Black” (Remix)
I don’t know about your president, but my president is still black. (Forever in denial)
Find the full playlist on our Affinity Magazine Spotify!
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