A playlist to provide empathy, understanding and symbolic healing through the recognition of racism; it’s inequality and injustice. Allow yourself to listen, be moved and cry - allow yourself to shed the ‘hard black man’ persona and stigma and be melancholic as you recognise your trauma through music.
Creator: Ama Antwi-Saki (Sociology and Human Rights)
1. Superheroes by Stormzy
“Live and you learn, they’ll always hate me for my tone for the shade of my skin” our first pick, Stormzy’s ‘Superheroes’ addresses the reality of racism and beckons for black men and women to find strength, love and community in one another as opposed to becoming defeated by racism in the UK as well as globally. He sings “Young black king, don’t die on me, you my brother, you my keeper I need you to keep an eye on me” promoting healing through brotherhood and community, rather than mistrust and internal fighting - the “don’t die on me” lyric referring to London’s prolific gang and knife violence, a reminder of the biblical teaching that “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not stand” [Mark 3:25, ESV].
2. I’m Tired by Labyrinth - Zendaya
Beautiful and melancholic, this song articulates and expresses the title through melancholic ballad. Allow escapism, understanding, recognition and tears to wash over whilst you listen.
3. The Bigger Picture - Lil Baby
Lil Baby’s ’The Bigger Picture’ is a song which focuses on recognising the Black Man’s struggle, he raps with honestly, highlighting the gaslighting nature of the media and the idea of focussing on destigmatising black men. “Every coloured person ain’t dumb, and all whites not racist” - and although he does mention contemporary examples of police brutality, ultimately the song is about changing narratives, prejudices and working towards ’The Bigger Picture’ of a less racist society, despite it’s stark truthfullness ultimately The Bigger Picture is a hopeful song.
4. Spirit - J Hus
J Hus’ ’Spirit’ is a testament to remaining brave in the face of fear, he reminds listeners to gain inner strength from knowing community will prevail over prejudice and stigma, and although “All you hear is siren and skeng fire, hold your higher” because ultimately, you’re spirit is your own and the strength you gain from community will remain and prevail over racism. “They wan’ take ‘way my freedom, but they can’t take away my spirit”, J Hus, who wrote this album after his release from prison, emphasising incarceration isn’t the end, and through community, friendships and brotherly love he maintained his spirit.
5. Lions - Skip Marley
Skip Marley's "Lions" is the song to define a generation, it perfectly encapsulates the feeling of strength and resistance to unethical, unequal, inequitable and unjust treatment. "Hate's been winning but the Lover's ain't done, yeah not on my watch" - "We are the Lions, we are the chosen; we gonna shine out the dark, we are the movement, this generation you'd better know who we are". A powerful message of solidarity and brotherhood [sisterhood] in the face of adversity.
6. Beloved - Raquel Norland
A beautiful ballad reminding listeners they are 'more than your pain, wonderfully made, beloved' - although this pick is not race focussed, it is a beautiful and gentle reminder to Black Men who may feel neglected, demonised, stigmatised and rejected by the world, that they are indeed more than their pain, "wonderfully made" and "beloved".