Even though Black History Month is now over, we should always be supporting Black artists. There are so many good songs and so many incredible Black artists that it pains me to not make this list 1000 lines long! In other words, I had to do a lot of narrowing down for this article.
Now before I get into this list, I would like to acknowledge the profound influence that Black people have had on music. Black people not only founded the genres of R&B, Hip Hop, and Rap, but also Rock n’ Roll, Techno, House, Jazz, and Country. You can learn more about how Black people founded these genres here.
- Black Qualls by Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, Thundercat, and Childish Gambino
My friend introduced me to this song, and I was already looking forward to it from seeing the list of incredible artists. Thundercat says that this song explores the experience of Black youth in feeling the need to put up walls in public out of fear and thus, hide their true knowledge, successes, and personality. The song encourages people to unlearn that notion and showcase who they are without the fear-mongering of the rest of the world. This song makes your walk to Stauffer or Douglas feel like a swanky dream sequence (you’ll see what I mean when you listen to the song).
- Down in Virginia by Grace Victoria
This song describes the experience of being Black in the southern United States. The lyrics are candid and well written. Grace Vitoria’s voice is so smooth and calming. I highly recommended that everyone listens to this song and pays attention to the lyrics.
- Broken Clocks by SZA
A fun fact about me is that I am in love with SZA. SZA, if you’re reading this somehow, I love you. Now that the obligatory SZA appreciation is out of the way, Broken Clocks talks about balancing a work-life with a love life. Trust me, passionately singing along to the line “Why you still talkin’ ’bout me like we together? / I moved on for the better, you moved on to whoever / I was down for whatever, and then some / You gon’ make me late to work again” will make you feel like the coolest person on the planet (even if you have never been in a romantic relationship). I am only scratching the surface by recommending this song because SZA’s entire Ctrl album is a definite no-skip and if you somehow haven’t listened to it, then I highly encourage you to do so.
- Pyramids by Frank Ocean
I could honestly put Frank Ocean’s entire discography on this list. Frank Ocean is loved by many, and for good reason. This is a 10-minute song with a bit of complex narrative behind it, so I will link the genius lyrics page here. Like many other Frank Ocean songs, there is a glorious beat switch that you can just get lost in. It’s a great song to study to or relax to.
- Queen Tings by Masego & Tiffany Gouche
If you want a catchy R&B rhythm, then this is the song for you! This song is an ode to female Black singers and actresses. Masego is an absolute gem and this video of him performing his other song, “Navajo”, will scratch your brain in just the right way.
- Me and Your Mama by Childish Gambino
The entirety of Gambino’s Awaken, My Love album is a masterpiece, but this song will make you ascend and that is a guarantee. In terms of the lyrics, Gambino is confessing his love to a girl in the form of a funk-rock artistic experience.
I am barely scratching the surface by recommending these songs and there are so many black artists with voices waiting to be heard. The short month of February is not the only time to support Black artists!