The systemic racism and institutional violence inflicted against the Black community is rightly the focus of protests across the world. Music has the power to heal, to inspire, to challenge, and to hold a mirror up to society. Soul music in particular has often narrated the historic and contemporary struggles of Black people. Below, several artists have each contributed one song which they feel is pertinent in this current climate, along with an accompanying statement about why. At the conclusion of this article, you can find links to petitions, fundraisers, and other sources of information to help support the Black Lives Matter movement. All lives cannot matter until Black Lives Matter.
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1. Marvin Gaye’s ‘Inner City Blues’ – chosen by Lisa Fischer
Pre-Covid survival was already a struggle. Add on the weight of trying to survive a pandemic without losing your mind or the will to live… Afraid to breathe, to touch, then add on to that either reading, hearing or seeing videos of the most senseless heart-wrenching, pure evilness, hatred and racism… Yet again… And again… There’s only so much a soul can take… Folks are TIRED!
“Trigger happy policin’
Panic is spreadin’
God knows where we’re headin’
Oh, make me wanna holler!”
It’s a hate in the heart that’s so senseless… So deep that even in the face of a global pandemic, souls are dead and eyes are blind. There’s a healing in this song for me, even though the truths are still hard to swallow to this day.
2. Billie Holiday’s ‘Strange Fruit’ – chosen by Kimberly Nichole
This song has been haunting to me all of my life. I feel many things – emotionally, spiritually, mentally and even physically when I listen to it.
“Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swingin’ in the Southern breeze
Strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees”
Those lyrics in particular have been resonating strongly with me during this time. I believe this to be the greatest protest song of all time… It is brutally honest – so honest it makes people uncomfortable by its truth. So brutally honest I can’t think of a time I listened to it and didn’t cry and feel pain and hurt. There is no greater – more befitting – brilliant voice to have sang it than Lady Day.
3. Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ – chosen by Bettye LaVette
If you listen to the lyrics and think of what’s happening right now, you’ll see the pertinence. Marvin always felt EVERYTHING that was happening to EVERYBODY all over the world. And you can hear that pain in his voice.
4. Donnie’s ‘Cloud 9’ – chosen by Sy Smith
And I’m fine under cloud 9”
“Twist my cloud and let it rain
And when it rains it pours
And the energy will absorb
Power for the metaphysical one”
That’s a whole forever mood. Destination: Joy.
5. Donny Hathaway’s ‘Someday We’ll All Be Free’ – chosen by Acantha Lang
I was born in America (New Orleans, Louisiana). With the ongoing murders of black men in America, all I can think of is my brother (who lives in Texas) and it terrifies me to think that this could happen to him based on his skin color. I had to call him to let him know I see him as a King. That he is worthy. That he is enough. That he is loved.
This Donny Hathaway song is still relevant today and has the ability to fill me with hope and bring me to tears at the same time.
“Hang on to the world as it spins around
Just don’t let the spin get you down
Things are moving fast
Hold on tight and you will last
“…Never mind your fears
Brighter days will soon be here
Take it from me, someday we’ll all be free”
6. Stevie Wonder’s ‘Conversation Peace’ – chosen by Ruby Turner
I’ve been numb, heartbroken and I’m tired! I’m so tired. That’s all I have to say… It’s not a first and sadly won’t be the last if the world ceases to have the conversation! And keep having the conversation! Situations come and go and we all go back to tolerating/ignoring/saying nothing! Then it happens again. I can only pray dialogue remains on the lips of every person black and white what ever colour! And agree we can no long wait for a change to come! We need a change NOW!
7. Jazzy Jeff feat. Raheem DeVaughn’s ‘My People’ – chosen by Hil St Soul
The sentiment of the whole song really resonates with me but the lyrics that’s stand out are ‘always pulled over facing police brutality’ for obvious reasons.
8. Nina Simone’s ‘Mississippi Goddam’ – chosen by Ayanna Witter-Johnson
It is unfortunate that Nina’s first civil rights song rings as true today as it did in 1964. But may it continue to encourage us to have the courage to speak out against injustice wherever it rears its ugly head.
9. Tony Momrelle feat. Talib Kweli’s ‘Pushing Through’ – chosen by Tony Momrelle
Growing up in London during the early 80’s was a mixture of great times but also sad times. I remember when I heard negative words re the colour of my skin and it was at that point I knew what it was to be black. I wrote ‘Keep Pushing’ because in all honesty the struggle has been real for hundreds of years, and the song is a reflection of all the pain and hurt we all go through just because we look different. ‘Keep Pushing’ is a song of encouragement to keep pushing no matter what.
10. Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’ – chosen by Joel Culpepper
“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me.”
A statement that continues to be timeless and just can’t age. During this time it’s statements like this that resonate with issues such as race and the black experience in particular, it’s paralysing. “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone is a song I’ve heard a million times. I’ve heard it in films, in adverts and heard covered a handful of times… I’ve heard but not truly listened. Have you actually listened to the words? The song is deceptively painful in its triumph. She repeatedly asks “you know how I feel” and ends with “Oh Freedom is mine and I know how I feel, it’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me.” I cry every time I hear it. The proclamation is a dart to the middle of the board and refuses to veer off in any other direction. Freedom is not just a concept, it’s tangible and it’s ownership is hers. She spoke out against racial injustice and sacrificed her own career, mental well being and personal life because of it. It’s funny that most households would have grown up listening to Aretha Franklin (including mine) who possessed her own magic and this isn’t a comparison. But during this time I’ve not heard much people talking about huge artists like Aretha within the context of contributions. It makes me think that Nina for all her vulnerability, honesty and relentless truth telling is finally getting her flowers.
11. Aretha Franklin’s ‘Young, Gifted & Black’ (originally by Nina Simone) – chosen by Natasha Watts
The younger generation need to remember that they all young, gifted and black, and the world is their oyster no matter how many obstacles are in the way, no matter how many times people try and push them down.
12. Sounds of Blackness’ ‘Optimistic’ – chosen by Bel-Ami (of Herbivores)
I love this song for a number of reasons. But there’s so much hope in these lyrics…
“When in the midst of sorrow / You cant see up when looking down / A brighter day tomorrow will bring…”
“As long as you keep, your head to the sky / You can win…”
I’m reminded that when I look beyond my circumstance and focus on my goals, the perceived obstacles between me and my goals begin to shrink. The deck has for years been stacked against us as Black people in America. It is this optimism that continues to move us forward. Just as it took years to engineer and evolve systematic measures of oppression, so will it take time to dismantle them. This song reminds me to continue pressing on and doing my part to continue the fight for equity.
13. Sam Cooke’s ‘A Change is Gonna Come’ – chosen by Buwa
At this point I have to believe a change of some sort is about to happen. I have to believe that we’re on the precipice of change. I have to believe that more people are beginning to understand why we say Black Lives Matter. I have to believe more young people are unlearning internalized racism. I have to believe that we’re going to keep fighting and protesting for change. If I don’t believe a change is gonna come, I’m not sure what the alternative is. Sam Cooke after being turned away from an all white motel, penned down the words to what I believe to be one of the greatest civil rights anthem. Who knew in 2020, a song like this would still be so relevant.
What can I do to help?
Sign Petitions and Donate to Anti-Racist Causes
Consult this Google Doc for a range of different petitions you can sign. TimeOut have also collated a list of anti-racist causes that need funding
Educate Yourself
Consult Mireille Cassandra Harperon’s piece on non-optical allyship, Corinne Shutack’s piece on ‘75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice‘, and author Layla F Saad’s anti-racist reading list. Netflix UK has also compiled a list of ‘powerful and complex stories about systemic racism and the black experience.’
The House That Soul Built extends a huge ‘thank you’ to Lisa Fischer, Kimberly Nichole, Bettye LaVette, Sy Smith, Acantha, Lang, Ruby Turner, Hil St Soul, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Tony Momrelle, Joel Culpepper, Natasha Watts, Bel-Ami, and Buwa for their contributions
