Music
If you are like me, 2016 has been an incredibly difficult year full of racism, misogynoir, and sadness. Music saved my sanity. It carried me, comforted me, guided me, and gave me solidarity, shelter, and freedom where there was none otherwise. Here are 12 tracks by black womxn that helped rescue me from the woes of a white, weary year! (Note: while some of these songs are by and for queer black womxn, some of them are not. Misogyny and heteronormative themes/statements are present in some of these songs)
“Tomboy”
Princess Nokia
This song is the perfect anthem for “tomboy” queers who need musical solidarity from a fellow black queer. It’s the track to blast after people give you the classically disgusting “why the fuck is she dressed like a boy” sneer.
“Loved by You”
Kirby
A raw R&B track over electric guitar by Mississippi native Kirby Lauryen. The “picture perfect” candlelit dinner, chocolate and roses date night, serious kind of love song.
“Through the Day”
Young M.A
A more hardcore track by queer Brooklyn-based rapper Young MA, about the struggles of mental illness and life as an underprivileged black womxn, over some trap heavy beats.
“Drip on my Walk”, Kodie Shane
A fun, confident trap song by Kodie Shane, the only female rapper on Lil Yachty’s crew. The perfect flexin’, feelin’ myself track to Milly Rock and dab to!
“Resurrection”
Angel Haze
An aggressively vengeful yet hopeful track by Angel Haze, a bisexual East Coast rapper, about going through the struggles of the game and “making it” to the other side.
“High School Never Ends”
Mykki Blanco
Mykki Blanco is a female identified OC rapper. This is the night-capping anthem for late night mid-to-late-twenties shenanigans with your friends, with neo-soul and backpack rap vibes.
“Figures”
Jessie Reyez
To be honest, in my research I couldn’t find if Jessie is for sure black, but she is definitely a womxn of color. This song is a generationally significant raw ballad, about catching feelings for a partner you aren’t committed to, and vice versa, when you have many other-partner options. The perfect crying song.
“Bling Bling”
Junglepussy
This song is full of attitude, sass, and no bullshit, unapologetic praise of independent black womxn. Full of clever wordplay and yelling at men, it’s a queen anthem, best for listening to when you are 100% done with your partner’s bullshit.
“Been on my Grind”
Dej Loaf
This R&B-esque track is from bisexual rapper Dej Loaf, who sings/raps about the struggles of working really hard to achieve what you must as a black womxn. A dope track about growth, self love, hard work, and bossin up.
“Invincible”
Dreezy
A trap jam by Dreezy, a Chicago MC, about being black, educated, and zealous. The confident, inspiring track you want to listen to before doing something extremely ballsy.
“Carry On”
Tkay
With a feature from Killer Mike, this “idgaf” song is the perfect youthful, reckless rap song for revolutionary millennial black womxn, who are over caring about what everyone has to say about us.
“Whip It”
BIA
This is a heavy 808 trap song about cars, drugs, and womxn. Basically it’s like a Gucci cut, but by a gay female rapper who is 1000 times more lit than Gucci will ever be.
