(Press play to listen listen on Spotify.)
Last month, I shared a mix of some of my favorite protest music in honor of George Floyd.
We’re into July now and the resistance continues in full force. June’s Pride marches highlighted intersectional oppression (in New York City, Los Angeles, Paris, and elsewhere). More and more projects are emerging that lift up black voices (in business, in the arts, in music, on YouTube). And July 4th protests kept racial justice front and center for the nation (in DC, Chicago, Richmond, Philadelphia, Mt. Rushmore, and socially distant actions). It’s looking like Black Lives Matter is the largest movement in U.S. History.
This is going to be a long fight. If we’re going to keep pushing through, burnout is a real possibility for many of us.
This playlist is meant to push your serotonin buttons and keep you going through the next wave of this journey. We all need time for self care, to let loose and dance, to restore our spirits and embody the freedom that we’re fighting for. As Emma Goldman put it, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.”
I hope that this month, in between moments of fighting the power, you’ll take some time for yourself and dance!
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Press play or listen below.
1. The Shins – “Simple Song” (2011)
2. Laura Mvula feat. Nile Rodgers – “Overcome” (2016)
3. ANIMA! – “Optimism” (2016)
4. Sufjan Stevens – “The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders” (2005)
5. People Under The Stairs – “Acid Raindrops” (2002)
6. Bibio – “lovers’ carvings” (2009)
7. will.i.am – “It’s A New Day” (2008)
8. Patrick Wolf – “The Magic Position” (2007)
9. Kishi Bashi – “Honeybody” (2016)
10. Janelle Monáe – “Dance Apocalyptic” (2013)
11. Daði Freyr – “Think About Things” (2020)
12. Stevie Wonder – “Sir Duke” (1976)
13. Regina Spektor – “On the Radio” (2006)
14. The Knocks feat. POWERS – “Classic” (2016)
15. Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé – “Savage Remix” (2020)
16. Surfaces & Elton John – “Learn to Fly” (2020)
17. Noname – “Self” (2018)
18. UMI – “Pretty Girl hi!” (2020)
19. The Felice Brothers – “Love Me Tenderly” (2008)
20. Alicia Keys – “Underdog” (2020)
