Black is Beautiful - Mixtape

 Abriya Revels

Professor Harris

ENGL 2017-64187

23 May 2023

Black is Beautiful

            Black is Beautiful is an intricately designed and well thought of 13-song playlist to highlight the beautiful attributes of African American people through different genres of music. This playlist also brings recognition to colorism and how black people battle this frequently. While listening to this playlist take some time to rewind, relax, and uplift your melanated skin because black is beautiful, and we are the epitome of being exquisite.

            Starting off the playlist strong with BROWN SKIN GIRL by Beyonce, SAINt JHN, Wizkid, and Blue Ivy Carter. The song BROWN SKIN GIRL did exactly what it needed to do by singing about the complexion of brown skin girls. Not only did they mention skin, but all the beautiful attributes of brown skin girls. The next song is titled Redbone by Childish Gambino. Redbone is a term to describe African Americans that are of a lighter skin tone. The song Redbone was chosen to show awareness to the light skin community as well because the playlist Black is Beautiful is showing love to all the shades in the black community. Melanin Magic by Remy Ma ft. Chris Brown is definitely magic to the ears because they are singing about loving melanin skin. My personal favorite is Pretty Girl Rock by Keri Hilson. Pretty Girl Rock is an overall women empowerment song to give you the ultimate confidence as you listen and sing it with her. In the Pretty Girl Rock playlist, Keri showcases many different African American women that have influenced the black community. For example, Janet Jackson, TLC, and Josephine Baker. Next up is ALIEN SUPERSTAR by Beyonce. ALIEN SUPERSTAR gave the idea that black people are out of this world and superb. We are literally the bar and Alien Superstars.

            Song number 6 on the Black is Beautiful playlist is the song Little Brown Girl by Ebony Jenae. Little Brown Girl puts an emphasis on not being ashamed of how you look or how you are perceived as being black. Lyrics that really stood out were “And if you’re passionate it doesn't mean you’re angry, so keep your head up and let your voice be heard”. These lyrics are important because we as black women have this negative connotation of being an “Angry black woman.” This playlist is to uplift everyone in the black community so with that being said our black kings couldn’t be left out. Black Man by Stevie Wonder highlights all accomplishments done by black and brown men. He does point out other races in his song, but most importantly he didn’t leave out his own people. As mentioned earlier this playlist has different genres, this song is titled Black Girl Magic by an artist named Londrelle. Londrelle makes R&B/Soul music, but it can be interpreted as poetry because he is a poet. Black Girl Magic is about how black women are truly magical. Londrelle states in this song “Beautiful soul beautiful skin” which is perfect for this playlist. A common song in this playlist is Crooked Smile by J. Cole ft. TLC. J. Cole says, “No need to fix what God already put his paintbrush on”. There’s no need to fix your skin complexion or anything about you. Love who you are. Coming in at number ten on the playlist is BIGGER by Beyonce. She starts off the song with “If you feel insignificant, you better think again”. This is important in the African American community because it’s so easy for us to think we are the minority when in reality we are most certainly a part of something way bigger, and Beyonce reminds us of this.

            Pretty Little Fears by 6LACK ft. J. Cole speaks about the beauty of black girls. Second to last is the song Complexion by Kendrick Lamar ft. Rapsody is an anthem to fight the idea of colorism and how all complexions and shades are wonderfully made by God. Lastly, but definitely, not least I’m Black and, I’m Proud by James Brown is the ultimate ending to this playlist because every black person should be proud, they are black no matter how they look, no matter what features, no matter what complexion. We are all one and we should find love in our skin tone because Black is Beautiful.

 

Black is Beautiful link: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/black-is-beautiful/pl.u-BNA6YaXt1oRvb36

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