February is almost over, but feel free to carry this Black History Month Playlist into Melanin March and every other month in the year. I didn’t pick these songs because they’re about “being black”. Some of the jams celebrate blackness, some remind me of my family, friends, and childhood, while others remind me of the struggle. Instead of explaining why this playlist is so necessary to me, I’ll let Tina Lawson school ya.

“It’s such beauty in black people, and it really saddens me when we’re not allowed to express that pride in being black, and that if you do, then it’s considered anti-white. No! You just pro-black. And that’s okay. The two don’t go together. Because you celebrate black culture does not mean that you don’t like white culture or that you putting it down. It’s just taking pride in it, but what’s irritating is when somebody says, you know, “They’re racist!”, “That’s reverse racism!” or, “They have a Black History Month, but we don’t have a White History Month!”

Well, all we’ve ever been taught is white history. So, why are you mad at that? Why does that make you angry? That is to suppress me and to make me not be proud.”

-Interlude: Tina Taught Me (A Seat at the Table)

Let’s be honest, A Seat at the Table (Solange) and To Pimp A Butterfly (Kendrick Lamar) could’ve made up for half of this playlist, but that was too easy. Let me also point out that Beyoncé’s Lemonade isn’t on Spotify, along with a handful of other songs I wanted to add to this playlist — but I did my best! Enjoy and remember to never turn down!

Warning: I tried to find “clean” versions, but some songs may contain explicit language.

 

Black History Month Playlist

What songs would you add to the Black History Month Playlist? Leave a comment, and maybe I’ll add it!