Love is always in the air, but this month highlights a special type of love for all melanated people. February is here, Valentine’s Day is around the corner, but black love continues to live in us forever. This intimate time of year deserves not only attention, but infinite comfort, warmth, and immense care to honor legendary love; the root of black people. To kick this month of passion off, I have created a playlist dedicated to the sounds of black love and how our love is mirrored through music.
Music has always been a pillar of creativity, expression, and livelihood for the black community. From negro spirituals, to blues, jazz, and hip-hop, music has been one of the prime languages of black people; holding a special place in the heart of history for black people. Not only has it been a language for us to be heard in society, but we also use this creative outlet to communicate with our people on the emotional, physical, and mental level.
Music such as jazz, rhythm and blues (informally known as R&B), pop, rap, hip-hop, neo-soul, and reggae, are not only genres in the music category, but also a way of life. These categories became the epitome of community engagement within black culture, and the love for music that black people have only grows with time. The songs that my generation used to clown as children turned into our favorite classics as adults.
Artists such as Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Al Greene, Stephanie Mills, Luther Vandross, Etta James, and Teddy P. have been known as the artists who showcased what love looks like in our community through music. I put a lot of them in my playlist as symbolization that love does not grow old, but constantly evolves with time; like fine wine, like black music. They used jazz, pop, and blues to create a scenery of soulful life. They were some of the original artists who openly shared with the world what black love sounds like.
Artists like that are the reasons why Sade, Anthony Hamilton, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, SWV, Jodeci, Aaliyah, and D’ Angelou thrived in what we know as R&B. They merged modern styles of instrumentation with poetry to form a passionate sound of love. This unified black culture in both entertainment and overall life.
In today’s music, artist such as Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, H.E.R, Phoelix, SZA, Robert Glasper, Tems, GIVĒON, Jazmine Sullivan, And PartyNextDoor are paving the way for current neo-soul and R&B music. Artist like these prove that R&B has not died, but has evolved like never before. On Feb 5, 2023 artist Robert Glasper who is known for his devotion of keeping black music alive was awarded for Best R&B Album of the Year. Seeing African American artists who dedicate their music to not only black music, but black love specifically is more than deserving of a Grammy. “Better than I Imagined” featuring H.E.R and “Forever” featuring PJ Morton and India. Arie are songs that are on his album that I added into my playlist as personal favorites.
In a month like this, these artists will be the go-to selections to set the mood for euphoric love. Listening to this playlist will have you drifting into Loveland where Cupid resides, ready to shoot an arrow of passion into your ear. Not only will you be vibing for hours, but you’ll also have a chance to fully grasp what “Black Love” truly sounds like!
*I am not responsible for any last-minute relationships being made, late night phone calls, a little lovey long-time, future Scropios or Sagittarius being born, loud speakers playing outside your window, cravings of forehead kisses, or temptation to hug … I just want make a great playlist*
You can find the “What Blk Luv Sounds Like” playlist here on Spotify!!