From Spanish to Japanese, and everything in between
Originally written by Otis Redding, 'Respect' is a high-energy soulful song that is perfect to celebrate Black History Month.
Bill Withers shares a message of love, support, and unity in his 1972 classic 'Lean on Me.'
Tracy Chapman's hopeful song has us all dreaming about better days. The lyrics go:" Don't you know / Talking about a revolution? / It sounds like a whisper / Poor people gonna rise up / And get their share / Poor people gonna rise up / And take what's theirs."
Inspired by the events surrounding the death of George Floyd, 'The Bigger Picture' is a Black Lives Matter anthem.
Wale celebrates black women in this 2017 tune.
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See also: How Black artists helped make country music what it is today
Also known as the Black national Anthem, 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' has been interpreted by many artists over the years. The Boys Choir of Harlem sings a particularly beautiful version of it.
'The Charade' is all about social justice and black activism. D'Angelo highlights the oppression of Black America in lines such as "Crawling through a systematic maze … Degradation so loud that you can’t hear the sound of our cries."
'Strange Fruit' was originally a poem by Jewish teacher Abel Meeropol. Billie Holiday's depiction of the lynching of Black people turned her into a target of the FBI.
Nina Simone has a number of songs that should be added to a Black History Month playlist. 'Young, Gifted, and Black' is one of them, and so are 'Mississippi Goddam' and 'Sinnerman.'
'Umi Says' is about the generational hardships endured by black people. "I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free," he sings.
'Glory' is a modern take on a civil rights song and the dream of a better world. The lyrics go: "Justice for all just ain't specific enough / One son died, his spirit is revisitin' us / True and livin' livin' in us, resistance is us / That's why Rosa sat on the bus / That's why we walk through Ferguson with our hands up."
This song tries to deconstruct a number of stereotypes and misconceptions of marginalized groups. The acronyms stand for "queer," "untouchables," "emigrants," "excommunicated," and the "N" stands for those labeled with the n-word.
'What’s Going On' is a protest song that touches on police brutality. The song epitomizes the struggles of Black America in 1971.
The Carters, aka Jay-Z and Beyoncé, released this anthem about black wealth in 2018. It's certainly one to sing along to in celebration of Black History Month.
This liberating tune that encourages diversity has everyone singing along: "Man's red flower / It's in every living thing / Mind, use your power / Spirit, use your wings."
The song is pretty self-explanatory. In case you have doubts, just read the lyrics: "I am not my hair / I am not this skin / I am the soul that lives within."
This liberation anthem from 2016 touches on racism and oppression, two common themes in Black American history.
Black History Month is here, and what better way to celebrate it than through music. Black music has shaped America. Without it, there would be no blues, no jazz, no rock 'n' roll, no rap, and so on. The hardships and prejudice suffered by African-Americans are portrayed through music, but so are their victories and pride.
In this gallery, we compile a playlist of songs that celebrate several aspects of the African-American experience. Click on and celebrate Black History Month with these great songs!
Black men get some love and appreciation in this song by Angie Stone. The lyrics go: "He is my King, He is my one / Yes he's my father, Yes he's my son / I can talk to him, cuz he understands / Everything I go through and everything I am."
MJ touches on the divisiveness, inequality, and human rights violations experienced by many people. Prejudice is part of Black history in America, and this song reflects this.
This protest song is part of the soundtrack of Spike Lee's 1989 film 'Do the Right Thing.' The song has a strong revolutionary feel to it. "We've got to fight the powers that be," say the lyrics.
This is such a hopeful song! Sing it out loud: "You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky."
Childish Gambino's Grammy-winning song addresses a number of issues affecting the Black community in the US, namely systemic racism and gun violence, among others.
Life can get hard, but this Andra Day song can surely encourage us and lift us up. The lyrics go: "I'll rise up, rise like the day / I'll rise up in spite of the ache / I will rise a thousand times again / And we'll rise up, high like the waves."
'A Change Is Gonna Come' was inspired by a discrimination episode lived by the singer at a motel in Louisiana. 'A Change Is Gonna Come' struck a chord with the Black community in 1964.
'Alright' is essentially a song about hope. Kendrick Lamar's 2015 tune was on heavy rotation in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Standing up for one's rights is a quintessential theme in Black history. The Jamaican reggae artist wrote the song after a trip to Haiti, where he witnessed the struggle of the people living in poverty.
Queen Bey celebrates her heritage in this 2019 tune from 'The Lion King' soundtrack: "We got rhythm / We got pride / We birth kings / We birth tribes / Holy river / Holy tongue / Speak the glory / Feel the love."
Nas' song featuring Lauryn Hill dreams of a better world. "If I ruled the world (Imagine that) / I'd free all my sons — I love 'em, love 'em, baby / Black diamonds and pearls."
This wake-up call from 1975 still resonates with us to this day. "Wake up, everybody / No more sleepin' in bed / No more backward thinkin' / Time for thinkin' ahead / The world has changed so very much / From what it used to be / There is so much hatred / War and poverty," sing Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes.
The Godfather of Soul gets everyone pumping their fists in the air and shouting "I'm Black and I'm Proud." The lyrics are as empowering as they can get: "You know, we are people, too / We like the birds and the bees / But we'd rather die on our feet / Than keep living on our knees."
Songs to celebrate Black History Month
From protest songs to upbeat anthems
MUSIC Playlist
Black History Month is here, and what better way to celebrate it than through music. Black music has shaped America. Without it, there would be no blues, no jazz, no rock 'n' roll, no rap, and so on. The hardships and prejudice suffered by African-Americans are portrayed through music, but so are their victories and pride.
In this gallery, we compile a playlist of songs that celebrate several aspects of the African-American experience. Click on and celebrate Black History Month with these great songs!