The issues facing the world cannot be solved by a music blog. We have neither the wisdom, the words, nor the position to address racial injustice. What we do have is a heart for those who endure its consequences on a daily basis. We have the utmost respect for all who fight to eradicate it. We have a deep love for the artists who use their voices in that fight. So instead of writing our own thoughts on the #BlackLivesMatter movement, we feel it is more appropriate to let the songs speak for themselves. These songs encourage listeners to “plot, plan, strategize, organize, and mobilize,” according to a recent speech from Run The Jewels’ Killer Mike.
Today’s playlist features 84 songs chosen to commemorate the final 8 minutes and 46 seconds of George Floyd’s life.
We remember him and all the other lives lost to racial violence. Be kind. Be strong. Become engaged. Stand together.
Links to some organizations and initiatives dedicated to fighting racism and all types of discrimination are provided below.
- Michael Kiwanuka – Black Man in a White World
- Michael Kiwanuka – Love & Hate
- Marvin Gaye – What’s Goin’ On?
- Marvin Gaye – Inner City Blues
- Marcus Miller feat. Mocean Worker – I Can’t Breathe
- A Tribe Called Quest – We the People…
- Childish Gambino – This is America
- Durand Jones & the Indications – Morning in America
- Common feat. Stevie Wonder – Black America Again
- J.S. Ondara – God Bless America
- Janelle Monae – Americans
- Sharon Jones – This Land Is Your Land
- Gary Clark, Jr. – This Land
- Bob Marley – So Much Trouble in the World
- Charles Bradley – The World (Is Going Up in Flames)
- The Last Poets – When the Revolution Comes
- Gil Scott-Heron – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
- John Legend, The Roots & Common – Wake Up Everybody
- Algiers – Blood
- Algiers – Remains
- serpentwithfeet – mourning song
- Syl Johnson – Is It Because I’m Black
- The Black Tones – The Key of Black (They Want Us Dead)
- The Chambers Brothers – Time Has Come Today
- The O’Jays – Give the People What They Want
- Ice Cube – Arrest the President
- Public Enemy – Fight the Power
- Kendrick Lamar – Alright
- Beyonce feat. Kendrick Lamar – Freedom
- Queen Latifah – U.N.I.T.Y.
- Brittany Howard – History Repeats
- Mavis Staples – No Time For Crying
- Mavis Staples – We Shall Not Be Moved
- Billie Holiday – Strange Fruit
- Nina Simone – Mississippi Goddam
- Nina Simone – Revolution, Pt. 1
- Nina Simone – Revolution, Pt. 2
- Erykah Badu – Soldier
- A Tribe Called Quest – The Killing Season
- The Roots – Guns Are Drawn
- Curtis Mayfield – New World Order
- Curtis Mayfield – Hard Times
- Lee Fields & The Expressions – Just Can’t Win
- Stevie Wonder – I Wish
- Sly & The Family Stone – Brave & Strong
- Gil Scott-Heron – Don’t Give Up
- Gil Scott-Heron – Did You Hear What They Said?
- Bob Marley – Get Up Stand Up
- Peter Tosh – Equal Rights
- Ben Harper – Oppression
- Ben Harper – I’ll Rise
- Benjamin Booker – Witness
- Kamasi Washington – Fists of Fury
- dead prez – Police State
- Public Enemy – 911 Is a Joke
- Algiers – Hour of the Furnaces
- Algiers – The Underside of Power
- Algiers – Cry of the Martyrs
- Fantastic Negrito – How Long?
- James Brown – Say It Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud
- Curtis Mayfield – Move on Up
- The Pharcyde – Runnin’
- Grandmaster Flash – The Message
- Public Enemy – Welcome to the Terrordome
- Run The Jewels – Ooh La La
- Living Colour – Cult of Personality
- The Tempations – Ball of Confusion
- Jimi Hendrix – Freedom
- Jurassic 5 – Freedom
- Sampa the Great – Freedom
- Richie Havens – Freedom
- The O’Jays – When The World’s at Peace
- Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come
- Mavis Staples – Change
- Fishbone – Change
- Charles Bradley – Change for the World
- Durand Jones & the Indications – Make a Change
- Cody ChesnuTT – Do Better to the Young
- Ben Harper – Better Way
- The War and Treaty – Hustlin’
- Jimmy Cliff – Peace Officer
- Bob Marley – Redemption Song
- TV on the Radio – Trouble
- Michael Kiwanuka – Hero
More information is available from these sources:
Bail Project
Black Lives Matter
Black Visions Collective
Campaign Zero
Change.org
Color of Change
Communities United Against Police Brutality
Equal Justice Initiative
George Floyd Memorial Fund
I Run With Maud
Know Your Rights Camp
Minnesota Freedom Fund
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
National Bail Fund Network
Reclaim the Block
Share This Article On...
Follow The Revue On...