20 Songs That Are Juneteenth Approved

Juneteenth is about remembering the past, embracing the future and turnin' up!

Juneteenth is a joyous celebration for American members of the African diaspora.

AuroraDraws / Via media.giphy.com

Juneteenth, a portmanteau of June and 19, is a holiday that commemorates the day that enslaved peoples in Galveston, Texas were officially notified that they were freed. Although Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all enslaved people in January 1863, slaves in Gavelston, Texas weren't aware of this information until Union soldiers informed them of it on June 19, 1865. 

The spirit of Juneteenth varies from person to person, so I wanted to create a music list that has a little bit of everything. So no matter how you celebrate the holiday, there's something here for you. Here are 20 tracks that should be in your Juneteenth playlist!

1. James Brown, "Say it Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud"

King / Via youtube.com

James Brown's "Say it Loud" is a revolutionary song that encourages Black people to have pride in their Black selves. "Say it loud: I'm Black and I'm proud," is a mantra that American members of the African diaspora should be repeating all Juneteenth, as well as throughout the entire year. 

2. Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"

Top Dawg Ent / Via youtube.com

Kendrick Lamar has garnered his status for being today's generation's top rapper because of his socially conscious and Black empowerment lyricism. Lamar's "Alright" not only spotlights the targeting Black bodies often face, but also promotes persistency. At the end of the day, no matter what occurs one thing Black folks will be is alright because of our resiliency and strong will to survive, just like our ancestors who survived slavery and lived to see their freedom. 

3. Sister Sledge, "We Are Family"

Cotillion / Via youtube.com

Black unity is the wave this Juneteenth so let every Black American know that we, as members of the American sector of the African diaspora, are all a family.

4. Solange Knowles, "Don't Touch My Hair"

Saint Records / Via youtube.com

Black hair is royalty and shouldn't be touched since it's our crown.

5. Beyoncé, "Already"

Columbia Records / Via youtube.com

In case you ever forget who you are, just listen to Beyoncé's "Already."

6. Ciara, "Melanin"

Via youtube.com

Melanin is power, and Ciara's "Melanin" is the perfect anthem to praise our differentiating complexions, something that is purely unique to Black folks.

7. Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing"

NFL

The Black American national anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," is a key part of the Black identity and Black experience. It's played at every church celebration event, graduation, talent show, etc. in the Black community. It's only right to blast it during Juneteenth.

8. Angie Stone, "Brother"

youtube.com

Juneteenth is an honorary day for Black people, and Black men should be celebrated thoroughly for their strength, swag, and smarts. Books or streetwise.

9. India.Arie, "Brown Skin"

youtube.com

Black is beautiful, and so is our skin. Hence why India.Arie's "Brown Skin" is such a flex and should be blasted all Juneteenth as a reminder of how amazingly unique we are.

10. Queen Latifah, "U.N.I.T.Y"

Motown Records

Black women are fabulous from infinity to infinity, and all Black women need to bask in that this Juneteenth. Remember that you're a queen worthy of love and respect as proposed in Queen Latifah's "U.N.I.TY."

11. Stevie Wonder, "Black Man"

Motown Records

Stevie Wonder's "Black Man" describes how essential African-American men and other men of color are to American history. Black men are just as instrumental in the progression of society as anyone else, and this Juneteenth every Black man should revel in that.

12. Nina Simone, "To Be Young, Gifted and Black"

RCA Records

Black youth, never forget that you're young, gifted, AND Black, just like Nina Simone said.

13. Tupac, "Keep Ya Head Up"

Interscope Records

An entire civilization came from the womb of a Black woman, and that is a scientific fact. Despite the adversity that Black women have to face due to their gender and ethnicity, they are still queens. Thus, every Black woman needs to play Tupac's "Keep Ya Head Up" repeatedly on Juneteenth.

14. Kenrick Lamar ft. SZA, "All The Stars"

youtube.com

Kendrick Lamar's and SZA's "All The Stars" is everything and adds to any Juneteenth celebration. 

15. Beyoncé, "Black Parade"

Columbia Records

Fun Fact: Beyoncé's "Black Parade" was released on Juneteenth 2019. Being that June 19, 1865, happened in Texas, Beyoncé's home state, it's only befitting that "Black Parade" is played at every Black person's Juneteenth cookout. 

16. Mickey Guyton, "Black Like Me"

Capitol Nashville Records

For our Black country folk, Mickey Guyton's "Black Like Me" will soothe your soul. 

17. KIRBY, "Superpower"

Roc Nation Records

Blackness is a superpower, as proposed by KIRBY in her record, "Superpower." That's something to celebrate on Juneteenth. 

18. Beyoncé, "Formation"

Columbia Records

Beyoncé's formation started an entire Black pride movement. This should be a part of the Juneteenth starter pack. Every Juneteenth should consist of a backyard barbecue and Beyoncé.

19. Chronixx, "Black is Beautiful"

Empire Records

This is self-explanatory. 

20. Boris Gardiner, "Every N-word is a Star"

Trojan Records

Whenever you doubt your Black excellence just remember what Boris Gardiner said. 

Make sure you head here for more of our Juneteenth coverage!

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