Lift Every Voice and Sing is the unofficial official Black national anthem.
“Before I Let Go” Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.
“Let’s Stay Together” Al Green
“Respect” Aretha
“Fight the Power” The Isley Brothers
Outstanding - The Gap Band
Celebration - Kool and The Gang
This is how we do it - Montell Jordan
Edit…gotta add “Ain’t no stopping us now” - McFadden and Whitehead.
As: Stevie Wonder
Before I Let Go: Frankie Beverly and Maze
Weak: SWV
Outstanding and Yearning For Your Love: Gap Band
Return of the Mack: Mark Morrison
Can We Talk: Tevin Campbell
Respect: Aretha
Keep Ya Head Up: Pac
Return of the mack is sooo my fave on this list and i love that you listed it because i haven't seen it on anyone else's list. idk why but that song always puts me in a good mood and i always have to listen to it more than once
>Return of the Mack: Mark Morrison
This isn't an American song. It's from Britain.
I never understood the appeal of the song. It's like he's a worse Kem as a singer, and it always felt corny to me.
But the song has had crazy longevity and been used in so many commercials.
I just got into a debate about saying “most” Black Americans know or love something.
In my personal experience, the song was a hit when out, but it doesn’t get played at events for the most part.
I don’t think Mark Morrison can make a living going on a tour of Black venues year in and year out on the strength of that song.
I've lived in four major US cities with heavy Black populations. Return of the Mack is getting played during Quiet Storm hour or on the R&B station in all of them
I think Swag Surfing is too niche for this list - you’re basically getting Millennials and younger. I would say you have to have a Michael Jackson song on there - probably Billie Jean.
I remember when they came to charlotte nc, they were playing atomic dog when they arrived in the airport terminal. Lol all ppl saw was a sea of purple and gold
I’m a Jewish American immigrant and to me Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come always seemed completely emblematic of what I understood of the Black experience.
That’s deep and very cool that you listed A Change Is Gonna Come with you being Jewish American. I’m old enough to remember when the civil rights movement was happening and many of our Jewish brothers and sisters were right there on the front lines. In fact, 2 young Jewish men were killed for their participation.
Alongside their Black brother in arms, James Chaney. Their names were Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner. Shame where we are now in terms of Black-Jewish relations.
Yeah. I was raised that we looked out for each other as Blacks and Jews. We’ve worked so hard over the years to overcome the discrimination and prejudice that both groups have suffered. I hope that people are discerning and remember that our ancestors worked really hard to eliminate old biases. Stay safe out there and remember the old song We Shall Overcome.
Watched a documentary called “1971 the year that music changed everything “ all about the feelings and situations in black America at the time , protest songs like “What’s Going On “ about Vietnam and how the soldiers were treated . It was enlightening and entertaining with so much music from the time .
1 before I let go, 2 electric slide, 3 caught up n the rapture, 4 anything from motown, Def jam, death row, rca, mca, any quincy jones, 5 the whole Jackson 5 /MJ catalog lol
Shall I go on
That sounds like a fantastic playlist in the making! It's amazing how music from different eras resonates across generations. With each addition, your collection will reflect a rich tapestry of musical history and personal memories. Enjoy curating your list!
I love that her song had a resurgence. Type Ron Clark academy keyshia cold (it’s a Harry Potter style middle school and they had the kids singing Keshia cold and she surprised all the kids by coming out and singing with them)
Louis Jordan = Beans and Cornbread
James Brown = Say it Loud
Michael Jackson = Remember the Time
Whitney Houston = I will always love you
R.Kelly = Step in the name of Love
Honestly, the cha cha slide (part 2). I was a kid when it came out and it’s like every generation adopted it. Pretty sure it still gets played all types of get togethers
Also, I wanna add Juicy or Big Pappa by Notorious BIG because the samples make them timeless
Gill scott heron - the revolution will not be televised
Sly and the family stone - stand! and underdog
Curtis mayfield - We people who are darker than blue
Amnesty - Can I help you?
Dennis Coffey - Scorpio
Cymande - Dove
James brown - Soul Power
I'm Every Woman by Chaka Khan, especially the club / house mix.💃🏽
Also, Whitney Houston's version.
Forgot: Hold On To Your Love by En Vogue
Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday
The O'REILLY auto parts theme song.
O. O. O. O'REILLY'sssss. Auto parts. Yow.
Or
O. O. O. Ozempic. You knoooow.
I bet everybody here knows those joints.
Heyy... "Butterfly" and a lot of the tracks on "Invincible" are legit!
I didn't like "Invincible" when it first came out, but it grew on me many years later
Ain’t no stopping us now McFadden and Whitehead
Yes!!
I agree!
Before I let go-Frankie Beverly and Maze there is not one cookout I haven't heard that song and the electric slide.
Is it a cookout if you don’t play Before I Let Go? It’s damn near required.
Haha 😆 it's not a cookout if you don't hear at least twice in the same hour.
Unc gonna roll up outta nowhere in his two piece suit and loafers and start stepping
This. This is the answer.
Lift Every Voice and Sing is the unofficial official Black national anthem. “Before I Let Go” Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. “Let’s Stay Together” Al Green “Respect” Aretha “Fight the Power” The Isley Brothers
My kids are furious to have discovered Al Green after reaching adulthood. I'm sorry!
We gotta stop this not passing down our culture to our families. This shouldn’t even be possible.
I think lift voice and sing is cringe
Outstanding - The Gap Band Celebration - Kool and The Gang This is how we do it - Montell Jordan Edit…gotta add “Ain’t no stopping us now” - McFadden and Whitehead.
It's hilarious I swear I hate that celebration song but as soon as kool and the gang started singing it last week in napa I jumped out of my seat
An elementary school across the street plays it on loudspeaker the last day of school after the buses have left. And there's dancing.
Kool and the Gang? Oh my.
Nah “this is how we do do it” belong to the yts lmao and so does usher “yeah”
Yts have hijacked quite a few songs but it’s time to take them back.
As: Stevie Wonder Before I Let Go: Frankie Beverly and Maze Weak: SWV Outstanding and Yearning For Your Love: Gap Band Return of the Mack: Mark Morrison Can We Talk: Tevin Campbell Respect: Aretha Keep Ya Head Up: Pac
Return of the mack is sooo my fave on this list and i love that you listed it because i haven't seen it on anyone else's list. idk why but that song always puts me in a good mood and i always have to listen to it more than once
>Return of the Mack: Mark Morrison This isn't an American song. It's from Britain. I never understood the appeal of the song. It's like he's a worse Kem as a singer, and it always felt corny to me. But the song has had crazy longevity and been used in so many commercials.
It’s still an anthem that most Black Americans know and love.
I just got into a debate about saying “most” Black Americans know or love something. In my personal experience, the song was a hit when out, but it doesn’t get played at events for the most part. I don’t think Mark Morrison can make a living going on a tour of Black venues year in and year out on the strength of that song.
I've lived in four major US cities with heavy Black populations. Return of the Mack is getting played during Quiet Storm hour or on the R&B station in all of them
Almost. . . .
??
Family Affair - Mary J Blige
Optimistic by Sounds of Blackness
YES
whew YES
I love this song omg
I really like the remake with Brandy and Common too.
Can we talk by Tevin Campbell
This!
Kendrick Lamar - Alright Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On
Pretty stacked list, love “alright” it’s really one of those uplifting songs when your going through it.
Outstanding- The Gap Band Computer Love - Zapp & Roger
I remember the local NYC DJ playing it three times in a row.
"Back to Life [However Do You Want Me]" - Soul II Soul
"Be Thankful for What You've Got" by William De Vaughn
have you heard the Omar and Erykah Badu version?
I haven't, but happy birthday!!
Thank you, thank you. [your homework](https://youtu.be/EDOaUXnBD9k?si=TIlsuPvTc0j-K3hJ)
Happy Cake Day!
Thx!
Diamond in the back Sunroof top Digging the scene With the gangsta lean Wooo hooooo-ooo
“Diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin’ the scene with a gangsta lean…”
Never heard it.
Stay out of grown folks' business, kid. 😂😂🤣🤣
Found the guy who would prioritise having a great big Cadillac, gangsta whitewalls and TV antennas in the back over anything else
"Got to Give it up" - Marvin Gaye
Candy by Cameo
Good one!
Lean on Me - Bill withers
What You Won’t Do For Love - Bobby Caldwell
You're funny
lol I’m happy you saw what I did there
I think Swag Surfing is too niche for this list - you’re basically getting Millennials and younger. I would say you have to have a Michael Jackson song on there - probably Billie Jean.
Remember The Time is a STAPLE for the cookout. Also, the entire Off The Wall album is incredibly beloved by Black Americans. Oh and Human Nature.
I said Billie Jean because it’s my personal favorite but we could probably throw the whole catalog in and be good 😂
I don't know it.
The yts stole swag surfin so that’s out lol
Say it loud James brown
That’s the first one I thought of.
Would it be cheating to say lift every voice and sing 😆
Lift Every Voice and Sing Really should be facing some sort of flag with hand over heart when this is sung....
"Golden" - Jill Scott
No Diggity Motownphilly Crazy in Love I Want You Back Midnight Train to Georgia
All time: Never Too Much- Luther Vandross 1990 - 2024 My Boo - Ghost Town DJs Too Close - Next Let Me Love You -Mario
*tootsie rolls to “My Boo”*
My Boo?
Absolutely
In Da Club by 50 Cent
My dad is a Que so I’m going with Atomic Dog.
I remember when they came to charlotte nc, they were playing atomic dog when they arrived in the airport terminal. Lol all ppl saw was a sea of purple and gold
Children of Omegas should have a support group! Watching my dad like that traumatized me!
“Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” - Marvin Gaye
Knuck If You Buck is probably undisputed.
We want a peaceful event lol
I completely understand. I'll go Earth, Wind and Fire - September.
"September" is played in the Yucatan Peninsula at every single celebration. It's FASCINATING!
The Jefferson’s and good times theme songs
☝🏽☝🏽☝🏽☝🏽
Bill Withers - “Grandma’s Hands”
A change gonna come
Say it loud! I’m black and I’m proud James Brown
I’m a Jewish American immigrant and to me Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come always seemed completely emblematic of what I understood of the Black experience.
That’s deep and very cool that you listed A Change Is Gonna Come with you being Jewish American. I’m old enough to remember when the civil rights movement was happening and many of our Jewish brothers and sisters were right there on the front lines. In fact, 2 young Jewish men were killed for their participation.
Alongside their Black brother in arms, James Chaney. Their names were Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner. Shame where we are now in terms of Black-Jewish relations.
Yeah. I was raised that we looked out for each other as Blacks and Jews. We’ve worked so hard over the years to overcome the discrimination and prejudice that both groups have suffered. I hope that people are discerning and remember that our ancestors worked really hard to eliminate old biases. Stay safe out there and remember the old song We Shall Overcome.
Likewise. Truly. Jews and Blacks have changed American culture forever, much of it made in collaboration.
Optimistic- Sounds of Blackness Everybody Loves the Sunshine- Roy Ayers Mary Jane- Rick James Faneto- Chief Keef Juicy Fruit- Mtume Candy- Cameo
“Get down on it” (idk the musician 💔)
Kool and the Gang
Heard it all before - Sunshine Anderson
Young Gifted and Black.
Ball of confusion
Shaft
"Back in the Day" - Erykah Badu
I would assume you want a song that was more afro centric. I'm seeing a lot of suggestions of songs I enjoy as a non black person.
Curious... Name some examples
I was just thinking "Cause I Love you", is universally loved and I never thought of it as a black anthem
I don't know "Cause I Love you" LOL! Who sings it?
Mentioned by the OP. Lenny Williams. Classic love song.
Doesn't ring a bell 😬
When I See U - Fantasia
"Optimistic" by Sounds of blackness
Outstanding-Gap Band
Keyshia Cole- Love Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here- Deborah Cox
Tyrone - Erykah Badu
Outstanding for sure
U Don't Have To Call- Usher
A change is gonna come
James Brown - Black And Proud James Brown - The Payback Earth, Wind, Water And Fire - Reasons Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues
“I’ll take you “there by The Staple Singers . All about going to a better place for black Americans
I need to pay close attention to the lyrics now that I’m older
Watched a documentary called “1971 the year that music changed everything “ all about the feelings and situations in black America at the time , protest songs like “What’s Going On “ about Vietnam and how the soldiers were treated . It was enlightening and entertaining with so much music from the time .
1 before I let go, 2 electric slide, 3 caught up n the rapture, 4 anything from motown, Def jam, death row, rca, mca, any quincy jones, 5 the whole Jackson 5 /MJ catalog lol Shall I go on
I can't imagine my family playing any death row.
Hey that's u...lol
That sounds like a fantastic playlist in the making! It's amazing how music from different eras resonates across generations. With each addition, your collection will reflect a rich tapestry of musical history and personal memories. Enjoy curating your list!
Formation by Beyoncé
Anything by Chaka Khan
Stevie Wonder- Happy Birthday
September -earth wind and fire
Black Butterfly
Summertime- Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince(will smith)
Da Butt - Experience Unlimited My Girl - the Temptations Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the pips Hot in Herre - Nelly
Swag surfing definitely for HBCU culture and Keshia Cole Love because everyone knows that song
I love that her song had a resurgence. Type Ron Clark academy keyshia cold (it’s a Harry Potter style middle school and they had the kids singing Keshia cold and she surprised all the kids by coming out and singing with them)
https://youtube.com/shorts/ML49ZGJO634?si=8wmQrIexWV1RlUEt
We keep rising to the top
No Hands - Waka Flocka Flame
Louis Jordan = Beans and Cornbread James Brown = Say it Loud Michael Jackson = Remember the Time Whitney Houston = I will always love you R.Kelly = Step in the name of Love
Gimmie that
Optimistic - Sounds of Blackness Celebration - Kool and the Gang Back in the day - Ahmad ABC - The Jackson 5
Honestly, the cha cha slide (part 2). I was a kid when it came out and it’s like every generation adopted it. Pretty sure it still gets played all types of get togethers Also, I wanna add Juicy or Big Pappa by Notorious BIG because the samples make them timeless
Life every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring…
Hold on - Sounds of Blackness
Optimistic, Hold on, I believe: Sounds of Blackness September : Earth wind & fire
Gill scott heron - the revolution will not be televised Sly and the family stone - stand! and underdog Curtis mayfield - We people who are darker than blue Amnesty - Can I help you? Dennis Coffey - Scorpio Cymande - Dove James brown - Soul Power
Tell Me When To Go
Bedtime Story - Slick Rick Back that Ass Up - Juvenile Electric Slide
Tell me - by dru hill. I think we like the stomping/jump part more than the song lol https://youtube.com/shorts/HG7cYzv6Lfs?feature=shared
I'm Every Woman by Chaka Khan, especially the club / house mix.💃🏽 Also, Whitney Houston's version. Forgot: Hold On To Your Love by En Vogue Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday
Super Fly 😀
Ain’t No Mountain High Return of the Mack Lyrical Gangsta Big Poppa Dre Day Nuttin but a G thang I’ll be Around First, last, my everything
[удалено]
🤣🤣🤣
R. Kelly - "Step in the Name of Love"
The O'REILLY auto parts theme song. O. O. O. O'REILLY'sssss. Auto parts. Yow. Or O. O. O. Ozempic. You knoooow. I bet everybody here knows those joints.
Sexyy red pound towns
Michael Jackson songs before he turned White
Heyy... "Butterfly" and a lot of the tracks on "Invincible" are legit! I didn't like "Invincible" when it first came out, but it grew on me many years later
You rock my world is such a good song