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Art, especially entertainment and music, is understood by everybody, and it lifts the spirits and the morale of those who hear it. - Nelson Mandela
My colleagues at Community Solutions spend a substantial amount of time dedicated to studying, advocating, and writing about disparities impacting marginalized populations. Amid all this work, there must be ample time to sit back, rest, and relax.
What does rest look like? For some, it means spending time with friends. For others, it means grilling outside on a cool evening. For others it’s music, like the playlist compiled by some of my colleagues here at Community Solutions to celebrate Black music month. Take a listen to celebrate the resiliency and joy evident in the Black community.
Frank Ocean: Nights
First off on our playlist, we have the song Nights recommended by Dylan Armstrong. Dylan likes this song because it “really highlights Frank Ocean's artistic ability and because I listened to it a ton when I was out in Rhode Island and struggling. Really felt like this song helped me during those times.”
Tank and the Bangas: Stolen Fruit
Next up, we have Stolen Fruit by Tank and the Bangas, recommended by Brandy Davis. This song “Reminds me of so much. It is a song that I can listen to on repeat and reminisce about times with family—love, loss, perseverance.”
Great song to put on while working out.
Kendrick Lamar and Labrinth
Dylan Armstrong made two more song recommendations here. All of the Stars by Kendrick Lamar is a song he recommends “to cruise to at night.” Following that, he also recommended Still Don’t Know My Name by Labrinth which he recommended as a “great song to put on while working out.”
Sade
Tara Hereford recommends By Your Side by Sade. Give it a listen!
John Coltrane: Mr P.C. + BlueTrain
Brandy Davis and Jason Kluk-Barany recommended two John Coltrane songs. The first, is Mr. P.C. recommended by Jason. Jason likes the song because “Mr. P.C. was the song that got me interested in and helped with understanding of jazz. I had a piano teacher that taught a very basic version to me in high school and it stuck with me.”
Brandy Davis recommended Blue Train because it’s “one of my favorites to sit down and relax to.”
Outkast: Idlewild Blue
Alex Dorman recommended the song Idlewild Blue. He states its importance and significance by writing “The OutKast Musical Idlewild will always hold a special place for me as the catalyst to diving into the rest of the duo’s legendary library.”
Santigold is her own genre.
Santigold: L.E.S. Artistes
Alex Dorman also recommended Santigold’s song L.E.S. Artistes. Alex recommends it because it’s“An all-time favorite, Santigold is her own genre.”
Robert Glasper: Shine
Finally, closing out the staff recommendations, we have Shine by Robert Glasper, recommended by Kyle Thompson. “I really like this song because it's chill and a great way to start the day, especially in the morning.”
Want to hear them all?
Check out our playlist on Spotify.
