Celebrating Juneteenth this year was like no other. For many Americans it was the first time that they had the work day off and were able to engage in civic activities like protesting the social injustice against Black lives or celebrating Black History/Herstory in their communities. I felt immense joy seeing a plethora of black pride mark the streets of NYC and hearing sermons address what work needs to be done so that we can live peacefully and harmoniously. Perhaps what moved me most was the musical representation of celebrated artists who chose to use their platform to speak to black joy and black power. Nina Simone, Beyonce, India.Aire, and Public Enemy musical releases are fine examples of poetic justice. Their voices intertwined with the stylish beats send a strong message to all who listen that we are educated woke fighters who won't back down against any adversary. They are proof, recorded eloquently in rhythm and poetry that we are not alone in the fight for human rights. And they guide us, verse after verse, chorus after chorus of what we download, listen, and repeat.
"To be young, gifted, and black, oh what a lovely precious dream" are the opening lyrics to Nina Simone's iconic song. Nina said it then, and over 50 years later, we are still critiquing what it means to be young, gifted, and black. While Nina viewed this mantra as a precious dream that we must "begin to tell our young," I wonder if our young people have received this message loud and clear? Do they still have hope?
"Young, Gifted and Black"
Nina Simone
To be young, gifted and black,
Oh what a lovely precious dream
To be young, gifted and black,
Open your heart to what I mean
In the whole world you know
There are billion boys and girls
Who are young, gifted and black,
And that's a fact!
Young, gifted and black
We must begin to tell our young
There's a world waiting for you
This is a quest that's just begun
Public Enemy's remix of "Fight the Power" is anything but subtle. Although the year is 2020 instead of 1989, the same social issues still remain, still linger, still need to be fought. What's unique about this rendition is the inclusion of other MCs who offer a unique perspective from his or her point of view. The perspective is multigenerational and a direct critique of the continued loss of Black life from those sworn to serve and protect and from those sworn to serve and teach. That reality transcends whatever year it might be. It also fuels many to counteract the prescribed status quo of a Black person's reality. There is the assertion of hope and perseverance in each MC's voice. There is the call to keep celebrating and acknowledging the beauty in being unapologetically. Black.
"Fight the Power" remix
Public Enemy
The year is 2020, the number
A little somethin' to get down
Sound of the funky drummer
Music hitting' the heart 'cause I know you got soul
The next generation still singin', "Fight the Power" - Nas
They book us, won't book us, I'm Booker
T. Washington, George killed, for twenty
Think about it (Think), that's two thousand pennies
The value of black life the cost of goin' to Wendy's
For a four-quarter burger, ended in murder
Fight for Breonna and the pain of her mother, gotta - Rapsody
Yeah, generations just how long we been at war
The revolution on all platforms
You break a man's mind in his back - Black Thought
People, people, stronger than this evil
Smashin' your power structure, melanin royal, regal
System designed to kill and unprotect
Worldwide, hit the streets just to get some respect
Our fight and our rights for freedom will never wane - Jahi
They killed Malcolm X, they killed Doctor King (Doctor King)
They gave us guns and dope, they wanna stop our kings
They tryna erase our history, stop and think
History class ain't tell us 'bout Juneteeth -YG
In Beyoncé's "Black Parade," there is repetition that easily won't let you forget how powerful the "we" in we are. The repetition is beautiful, spiritual words of affirmation. The words reemphasize a long history and herstory of Black people doing greatness in and outside of the Motherland. That greatness we do not forget. We sing about it, call on it, and we repeat it.
"Black Parade"
Beyoncé
We got rhythm (we got rhythm), we got pride (we got pride)
We birth kings (we birth kings), we birth tribes (we birth tribes)
Holy river (holy river), holy tongue (holy tongue)
Speak the glory (speak the glory), feel the love (feel the love)
Motherland, motherland drip on me, hey, hey, hey
Motherland, motherland drip on me, hey, hey, hey
I can't forget my history, it's her story
Motherland drip on me, motherland, motherland drip on me
India.Aire has always reminded Black people of their power, justice, and love in her discography. This song "Worthy" is another ode to this theme. It is true that all of us is worthy. Worthy of living, worthy of dignity, worthy of respect, and worthy of wealth. Sometimes people will make us forget this truth, but the right voice reminds us of our God-given worth.
"Worthy"
India.Aire
Now listen up to this truth
You are me and I am you
Every one of us is worthy
Baby girl, worthy woman
Every one of us is worthy
"To be young, gifted, and black, oh what a lovely precious dream" are the opening lyrics to Nina Simone's iconic song. Nina said it then, and over 50 years later, we are still critiquing what it means to be young, gifted, and black. While Nina viewed this mantra as a precious dream that we must "begin to tell our young," I wonder if our young people have received this message loud and clear? Do they still have hope?
"Young, Gifted and Black"
Nina Simone
To be young, gifted and black,
Oh what a lovely precious dream
To be young, gifted and black,
Open your heart to what I mean
In the whole world you know
There are billion boys and girls
Who are young, gifted and black,
And that's a fact!
Young, gifted and black
We must begin to tell our young
There's a world waiting for you
This is a quest that's just begun
Public Enemy's remix of "Fight the Power" is anything but subtle. Although the year is 2020 instead of 1989, the same social issues still remain, still linger, still need to be fought. What's unique about this rendition is the inclusion of other MCs who offer a unique perspective from his or her point of view. The perspective is multigenerational and a direct critique of the continued loss of Black life from those sworn to serve and protect and from those sworn to serve and teach. That reality transcends whatever year it might be. It also fuels many to counteract the prescribed status quo of a Black person's reality. There is the assertion of hope and perseverance in each MC's voice. There is the call to keep celebrating and acknowledging the beauty in being unapologetically. Black.
"Fight the Power" remix
Public Enemy
The year is 2020, the number
A little somethin' to get down
Sound of the funky drummer
Music hitting' the heart 'cause I know you got soul
The next generation still singin', "Fight the Power" - Nas
They book us, won't book us, I'm Booker
T. Washington, George killed, for twenty
Think about it (Think), that's two thousand pennies
The value of black life the cost of goin' to Wendy's
For a four-quarter burger, ended in murder
Fight for Breonna and the pain of her mother, gotta - Rapsody
Yeah, generations just how long we been at war
The revolution on all platforms
You break a man's mind in his back - Black Thought
People, people, stronger than this evil
Smashin' your power structure, melanin royal, regal
System designed to kill and unprotect
Worldwide, hit the streets just to get some respect
Our fight and our rights for freedom will never wane - Jahi
They killed Malcolm X, they killed Doctor King (Doctor King)
They gave us guns and dope, they wanna stop our kings
They tryna erase our history, stop and think
History class ain't tell us 'bout Juneteeth -YG
In Beyoncé's "Black Parade," there is repetition that easily won't let you forget how powerful the "we" in we are. The repetition is beautiful, spiritual words of affirmation. The words reemphasize a long history and herstory of Black people doing greatness in and outside of the Motherland. That greatness we do not forget. We sing about it, call on it, and we repeat it.
"Black Parade"
Beyoncé
We got rhythm (we got rhythm), we got pride (we got pride)
We birth kings (we birth kings), we birth tribes (we birth tribes)
Holy river (holy river), holy tongue (holy tongue)
Speak the glory (speak the glory), feel the love (feel the love)
Motherland, motherland drip on me, hey, hey, hey
Motherland, motherland drip on me, hey, hey, hey
I can't forget my history, it's her story
Motherland drip on me, motherland, motherland drip on me
India.Aire has always reminded Black people of their power, justice, and love in her discography. This song "Worthy" is another ode to this theme. It is true that all of us is worthy. Worthy of living, worthy of dignity, worthy of respect, and worthy of wealth. Sometimes people will make us forget this truth, but the right voice reminds us of our God-given worth.
"Worthy"
India.Aire
Now listen up to this truth
You are me and I am you
Every one of us is worthy
Baby girl, worthy woman
Every one of us is worthy
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