The annual celebration of Black History Month, which takes place in the month of February, is known for being the time where the history of African Americans are exemplified. This month brings to light the culture, work, influence, and people that are significant to black history in America. African Americans have come so far from the brutal past of oppression, segregation, slavery, racial violence, and many other things. Music has been a way for people to recognize the struggles African Americans have gone through, and bring them together. It teaches people today about black history, and is a way to celebrate African American achievements. Here are 10 of the many songs from influential artists in honor of Black History Month.
- Billie Holiday – Strange Fruit (1939)
This song was originally written by a civil rights activist named Abel Meerpool, who lived in the Bronx. The idea for this song sparked when he came across a photograph that dated back to the 1930’s, where it showed the lynching to two black men. The picture dreaded on his mind for days, before he wrote the song. Holiday later picked up the song after listening to the lyrics, which reminded her of her father who passed when hospitals refused to treat him because he was black. She wanted to highlight the things that were still happening in her lifetime through this song.
2. Sam Cooke – A Change is Gonna Come (1964)
This song was released on December 22nd, 1964. Sam Cooke’s inspiration for this song was based on milestones from his life. One of the most prominent moments is when he and his crew got turned away from a “whites-only” motel for being black. The most notable lyric from this song is “It’s been a long time coming, but I know a change is gonna come.”
3. N.W.A. – F**k Tha Police (1988)
This song can be recognized from the famous movie Straight Outta Compton, as N.W.A. album inspired the title for the movie, and has a heavy influence on the pop culture of today. Some of the problems that were expressed in the song are still prevalent in this day and age. The song was written not too long after N.W.A. was harassed by a local police department. It depicts America’s heavy racial profiling and police brutality at the time, and was a part of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Song’s of All Time.
4. Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror (1988)
Michael Jackson has to be one of the most influential black artists of his time. He broke all types of records in his age and has made history and huge milestones in the music industry. Michael Jackson is no stranger to releasing songs that were socially conscious. His famous songs like, We are the World and Earth Song, have helped him bring to light social injustices in the world. The Man in the Mirror music video features clips of MLK, Nelson Mandela, the Kent State shootings, the KKK, and other historical figures and moments. The songs main message is that in order for change we must first look at ourselves and start there. MJ is one of the most influential music artists in black history by breaking records as the first black global icon, being the first black person to have his music video on MTV, and his record breaking sales for Thriller.
5. Tupac – White Manz World (1996)
An Outlawz member, EDI Mean, says that this song was written by Tupac when he was in jail. It was released shortly after his death, and was a part of his album, Makaveli Tha Don: Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. The main message in the song is that in order for an African American to survive in America, they have to constantly hide who they truly are to satisfy the white man. It depicted liberating activism and was written for his mother and his sister during his time behind bars.
6. Kanye West – New Slaves (2013)
Fast Forward to the 21st century, where African Americans are still experiencing the horrendous repercussions of their brutal past. Kanye West’s song is from his 6th debut album Yeezus. Although West has had some controversial statements about African American history in the past, his song still covers topics such as slavery, segregation, racism, and sterotypes of African Americans. He said that the construction of this album is basically like a protest in the form of music.
7. Kendirck Lamar – I (2014)
Rapper Kendirck Lamar had 2 very different versions of this song, one from the album To Pimp a Butterfly, and as a single, but it still holds the same message. Lamar has grown up around gangs, such as the Bloods and Crips his whole life. He is tired of seeing people throw up gang signs, when they should be promoting peace and love. This song is very important to the African American male who may be subjected to take part in gang activities from growing up in low-income communities. It promotes self-love and self-empowerment for these people.
8. John Legend feat. Common – Glory (2014)
This song won “Best Original Song” at the 2015 Golden Globe Awards and the 87th Academy Awards. The creation of this song was influenced by the Civil Right Movement and the Selma to Montgomery Marches in 1965. The fatal shooting of Michael Brown is also what prompted John Legend and Common to write these songs. The lyrics express the pain the black community goes through, as well as the hope for a better future, and talks about things such as injustice and police brutality. Both of them went to march at Selma in 2015 on MLK day, where they performed Glory live for hundreds.
9. Beyonce feat. Kendrick Lamar – Freedom (2016)
Beyonce is known for embracing black culture and her tremendous support for the black community based on her art and politics. The song Freedom is written for a black woman, which fits into most of her work in the past which is empowering women. She talks about her stuggle as a black woman in this society, and brings up the history of slavery as well. This song had its part in the Black Lives Matter Movement, that is a movement to stand up to racial injustices in the system, and campaigns against violence. Both Beyonce and Lamar performed this song for the opening of the 2016 BET Awards.
10. Chris Brown – A Lot of Love (2016)
Chris Brown made this song as tribute to those who were killed by police brutality, such as Alton Sterling and Philando Castro, who were recent victims at the time. Although Brown has been accused of being colorist to African American women, the song speaks about showing love to all, in order to rise up from the horrid past that African Americans have been through. The main message is to smile and get through the pain because you can’t get anywhere with holding hate in your heart.
Written by: Sheryl Kemraj (@sherryk__)