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Womanist Mixtape

I created a Spotify playlist “Womanist Mixtape” of some of my favorite songs that empower, inspire, are righteous rage, Black power, vulnerable, confident, loving, romantic/sensual/sexual, friendship, fun and more. Some are on specific topics such as domestic violence and labor, for example. This isn’t me labeling the artists; they can self-identify. These are songs that speak to Black women/femme lived experiences and the knowledge obtained from them. These are songs that make me happy, and joy is an aspect of my womanism; “wholeness of entire people…” and such.

Songs in initial playlist:

“Respect” - Aretha Franklin

“Control” - Janet Jackson

“U.N.I.T.Y.” - Queen Latifah

“Q.U.E.E.N.” - Janelle Monáe

“I’m Every Woman” - Chaka Khan

“Ladies First” - Queen Latifah ft. Monie Love

“Electric Lady” - Janelle Monáe ft. Solange

“I’m Every Woman” - Whitney Houston

“***Flawless” - Beyoncé

“Milkshake” - Kelis

“Nobody Knows When You’re Down and Out” - Bessie Smith

“Alright” - Ledisi

“Closer” - Goapele

“Didn’t Cha Know” - Erykah Badu

“Work Song” - Nina Simone

“Ghetto Woman” - Janelle Monáe

“Workin’ Woman Blues” - Valerie June

“Bitch Better Have My Money” - Rihanna

“Money Money” - Lady Saw

“She Works Hard For The Money” - Donna Summer

“Lost Ones” - Lauryn Hill

“Independent Women” - Destiny’s Child

“Bossy” - Kelis

“Queen of The Pack” - Patra

“Conceited” - Remy Ma

“Run The World (Girls)” - Beyoncé

“She’s A Bitch” - Missy Elliott

“Many Moons” - Janelle Monáe

“Cold War” - Janelle Monáe

“Sally Ride” - Janelle Monáe

“Superpower” - Beyoncé

“Strange Fruit” - Nina Simone

“No More Auction Block For Me” - Sweet Honey In The Rock

“Brotha” - Angie Stone

“To Be Young, Gifted and Black” - Nina Simone

“Greatest Love of All” - Whitney Houston

“Be Real Black For Me” - Roberta Flack ft. Donny Hathaway

“Rhythm Nation” - Janet Jackson

“My People” - Erykah Badu

“Unpretty” - TLC

“Pretty Hurts” - Beyoncé

“Don’t Take It Personal” - Monica

“Love Is Blind”  - Eve

“Love Don’t Love You” - En Vogue

“Single Ladies” - Beyoncé

“Ex-Factor” - Lauryn Hill

“Tyrone” - Erykah Badu

“Not Gon’ Cry” - MJB

“No Scrubs” - TLC

“Irreplaceable” - Beyoncé

“Houng Dog” - Big Mama Thornton

“You Can’t Play With My Yo-Yo” - Yo-Yo ft. Ice Cube

“Roxanne’s Revenge” - Roxanne Shante

“Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops)” - Blu Cantrell

“My Lovin’ (Never Gonna Get It)” - En Vogue

“Why Does It Hurt So Bad” - Whitney Houston

“Sittin’ Up In My Room” - Brandy

“How Can I Ease The Pain” - Lisa Fischer

 “Unbreak My Heart” - Toni Braxton

“I Care” - Beyoncé

“Deep Sea Diver” - Angel Haze

“Epiphany (I’m Leaving)” - Chrisette Michele

“Dirty Laundry” - Keli Rowland

“Caught Out There” - Kelis

“Shotgun” - Valerie June

“What’s Love Got To Do With It” - Tina Turner

“Man Down” - Rihanna

“A Rose Is Still A Rose” - Aretha Franklin

“Golden” - Jill Scott

“I Will Survive” - Gloria Gaynor

“***Flawless” (Remix) - Beyoncé ft. Nicki Minaj

“Feeling Myself” - Nicki Minaj ft. Beyoncé

“Towards The Sun” - Rihanna

“Sing To The Moon” - Laura Mvula

“Diamonds” - Rihanna

“Masterpiece (Mona Lisa)” - Jazmine Sullivan

“Let’s Talk About Sex” - Salt-N-Pepa

“Oops (Oh My)” - Tweet

“Blow” - Beyoncé

“One Minute Man” - Missy Elliott ft. Ludacris

“Worker Man” - Patra

“Love Me Thru The Night” - Diana King

“Rocket” - Beyoncé

“Push It” - Salt-N-Pepa

“Rain” - SWV

“Work It” - Missy Elliott

“Veins” - Jazmine Sullivan

“Last Days” - Goapele

“Kissing You” - Total

“If” - Janet Jackson

“Keep On, Keepin’ On” - MC Lyte ft. Xscape

“I’m Your Baby Tonight” - Whitney Houston

“Count On Me” - Whitney Houston ft. CeCe Winans

“What About Your Friends” - TLC

“Best Friend” - Brandy

“Best Friends” - Missy Elliott ft. Aaliyah

“That’s What Friends Are For” - Dionne Warwick ft. Gladys Knight

“Together Again” - Janet Jackson

“Next Lifetime” - Erykah Badu

“Heaven” - Beyoncé

“Open My Heart” - Yolanda Adams

“Order My Steps” - GMWA Women of Worship

“Long As I Got King Jesus” - Vickie Winans

“Black Synagogue” - Angel Haze

“What Is Love” - V. Bozeman

“A Long Walk” - Jill Scott

“Lions, Tigers & Bears” - Jazmine Sullivan

“Dangerously In Love” - Beyoncé

“Love Me Today” - Zhané

“For Real” - Amel Larrieux

“Other Side Of The Game” - Erykah Badu

“Gloomy Sunday” - Billie Holiday

“Can’t Live Without Your Love” - Janelle Monáe

“Sending My Love” - Zhané

“It’s A Pity” - Tanya Stephens

“I Wanna Be Down” - Brandy

“Yoga” - Janelle Monáe 

“Escapade” - Janet Jackson

“Dance Apocalyptic” - Janelle Monáe

“Get Me Bodied” - Beyoncé

I’ve seen similar playlists in the past so I don’t seek to steal anyone’s thunder, but I cannot find them; I have too many “likes” on Tumblr to find stuff anymore. Womanists/Black feminists, feel free to reblog and write songs (below my text, as to not confuse people with what is already on the list) that you think I should add and I’ll consider; this playlist is just a start; I just made it today.