BLACK SONGS MATTER #20-11. Continues tomorrow.

A Caffè Lattè tribute…

 

BLACK

SONGS

MATTER

Some remain iconic; some were a call to arms; while others imagined a world where prejudice and injustice ceased to exist. Here are 100 songs by black voices that are the soundtrack to the struggle that continues to this day for equality, respect and dignity. They serve to carry the message that Black Lives Matter. 

20

GLORY

Common & John Legend

The Oscar-winning song from the 2015 film ‘Selma’ references the past and the present issues affecting the civil rights struggle.

 

19

FREE NELSON MANDELA

Special AKA

When this single was unleashed in 1984, Nelson Mandela was still imprisoned in South Africa. The heroic activist was finally released and later was elected President of his country.

 

18

VILLAGE GHETTO LAND

Stevie Wonder

This track on his 1976 album ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’ describes the poverty, injustice and indifference experienced by members of the African-American community.

 

17

THE MESSAGE

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5

One of the first rap anthems, 1982’s “The Message” gave the mainstream an insight into the difficulties affecting African-Americans.

 

16

THIS IS AMERICA

Childish Gambino

By 2018, the struggle for equality and justice still had a long way to go. Despite decades of protests and some small gains, black lives are still needlessly lost.

 

15

PERFECT WAY TO DIE

Alicia Keys

This 2020 song was written in response to the numerous young lives snuffed out, depriving children of their potential. It is written from the point of view of grieving parents. 

 

14

THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED

Gil Scott-Heron

An early blueprint for rap and hip hop, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” is truly revolutionary. The 1971 track foresees a radical shift in society.

 

13

FUNKY DIVAS

En Vogue

This 1992 single from the girl group’s ‘Funky Divas’ album was a reaction to the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles that same year. En Vogue’s hit targets prejudice.

 

12

SISTER ROSA

Neville Brothers

A tribute to Rosa Parks who refused to give up her seat on a bus when the law of the day compelled black citizens to stand if a white person wanted to sit.

 

11

BLACK AND BLUE

Louis Armstrong

“Black And Blue” is quite possibly the first song to directly address the fight for civil rights.