February is an important opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the achievements of black individuals in every facet of life, which includes music. The artists in this playlist are trailblazers and trendsetters. They have used their music and platforms to not ask for change, but demand it. Their art empowers their fans and promotes a necessary conversation on the pervasive inequalities that we still see everyday. This playlist doesn’t just reflect the present struggle of black individuals, however, but it also envisions a better future for people of all races.
“Formation“ — Beyoncé
“West End Blues“ — Louis Armstrong
“Respect“ — Aretha Franklin
“Shining Star” — Earth, Wind & Fire
“Let’s Go Crazy” — Prince
“Cult of Personality” — Living Colour
“If All I Was Was Black” — Mavis Staples
“Concrete Reservation” — Syl Johnson
“Freedom“ — Curtis Harding
“Gangland” — Lecrae feat. Propaganda
“We The People....” — A Tribe Called Quest
“Q.U.E.E.N.” — Janelle Monáe feat. Erykah Badu
“Every Woman — Vagabon
“POWER” — Kanye West
“The Blacker The Berry“ — Kendrick Lamar
“Freedom” — Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar
“This Is America” — Childish Gambino
“Don’t Touch My Hair” — Solange feat. Sampha
“Bad Bad News“ — Leon Bridges
“BROWN SKIN GIRL” — Beyoncé feat. Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid
This playlist was contributed by WUSC DJ Erin Slack.