By Intisar Seraaj
Photo by Shane Aldendorff from Pexels.
It’s already been an emotional year because of the international pandemic of COVID-19. On top of that, the past several weeks have been full of Black Lives Matter protests, now-recorded displays of racism worldwide, and the worldwide awakening to the fact that racism is still a current global issue. We’re starting to see some changes with controversial statues being removed, some states making symbolic changes to represent all residents and not just the history of some, some cities strategizing on how to redistribute police funding, businesses are taking a stance on what they will and won’t stand for among employee representation, and more. It’s a lot to keep up with.
History books take time to write and are often written in a subjective way. Luckily, we live in an era where the internet allows us to have news faster than newspapers and have easier access to news archives than brick-and-mortar libraries. Articles, especially op-eds, and thought-provoking blogs that have been capturing the emotional state of current world happenings. Music has been doing the same thing.
Photo by Oleg Magni from Pexels.
Many artists have been quickly putting out new songs to reflect the times, similarly to how music has always been used to do since olden times. For a current example, Beyoncé gave us the gift of “Black Parade” on Juneteenth. Even centuries ago, Negro Spirituals were used to preserve enslaved African’s identity and culture and used as actual roadmaps to freedom. In the ’50s and ’60s, music captured the emotion and occurrences the of Civil Rights Movement and helped combat segregation and Jim Crow laws. Every major shift in culture has had music to support the movement, aid in creating change, and to later be a historical account. We’re seeing that happen now even with artists who haven’t before been vocal about such significant topics. Take a look at some of those songs on this Tidal playlist.
Photo by Brett Sayles from Pexels.
Besides the fact that this newly released music is representative of what’s happening around the world, especially in America, it’s been largely released during June, which is African American Music Appreciation Month. In 1979, the U.S. declared June as a time to celebrate the contributions of African Americans to music. If you’ve been following us on social media, you’ll see we’ve been sharing a song from Black artists every day that speaks to the current times. Check out our African American Music Appreciation Month playlist below.
- “Don’t Touch My Hair” – Solange ft. Sampha
- “What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye
- “U, Black Maybe” – Common
- “Say It Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud” – James Brown
- “A Change is Gonna Come” – Same Cooke
- “Lean on Me” – Bull Withers
- “Love Train” – The O’Jays
- “Freedom” – Pharrell Williams
- “They Don’t Care About Us” – Michael Jackson
- “Ooh Child (Things Are Gonna Get Easier)” – The Five Stairsteps
- “Say It Loud” – Kool Moe Dee
- “Keep Ya Head Up” – Tupac
- “Respect” – Aretha Franklin
- “Wake Up Everybody” – John Legend, The Roots ft. Melanie Fiona, Common
- “I Gotta Find Peace of Mind” – Lauryn Hill
- “Stand Up For Something” – Andra Day ft. Common
- “MY POWER” – Beyoncé
- “I Am Not My Hair” – India.Arie ft. Akon
- “Move On Up” – Curtis Mayfield
- “We Shall Overcome” – Morehouse College Glee Club
- “Tennessee” – Arrested Development
- “Higher Ground” – Stevie Wonder
- “Brown Skin Girl” – Beyoncé ft. Blue Ivy Carter, Wizkid & SAINt JHN
- “Brotha” – Angie Stone
- “Fight the Power, Pts. 1 & 2” – The Isley Brothers
- “Cult Of Personality” – Living Colour
- “DNA” – Kendrick Lamar
- “Keep Your Head Up” – Chaka Khan
- “This Is America” – Childish Gambino
- “Lift Every Voice” – Beyoncé