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Music is way too powerful to just be used as an entertainment tool. There should be a healthy balance between entertainment and empowerment. In the spirit of Bob Marley, it would be rewarding for many generations to come if musicians and artists employ songs filled with encouragement, hope, and positivity.
We’ve compiled a list of songs that embody those exact sentiments. Songs that are odes to the strength and power of Black women. Rap songs that are a refreshing break from the misogynistic lyrics that have defined this genre of music for decades. In these records, we hear ourselves being called queens and our natural beauty celebrated. From Common to Lauryn Hill, take a look at these 13 songs that sent the message that Black girls rock and let us know which is your favorite Hip-Hop song that celebrates Black women.
Most of us fell in love with Common in the year 2000 when he released “The Light.” Over a smooth beat the then 28-year-old rapped about love, called us queens and made it a point to recognize his lover as his equal. The music video featured a young Erykah Badu.
“I’ll never call you my b*tch or even my boo, there’s so much in the name and so much more in you.”
Talib Kweli and Mos Def joined forces to create a group called BlackStar. Together they made an amazing record called “Brown Skin Lady” celebrating natural beauty and brown skin girls. We couldn’t love it anymore.
“My brown lady creates environments for happy brown babies, I know it sounds crazy but your skin is the inspiration for cocoa butter.”
The funky rap group praised all natural women on their 1992 single “Natural” encouraging us to be our natural selves.
“Hair is natural, lips are natural, your face wins first place.”
Over an addictive beat, De La Soul used metaphors to let us know they were in love with their lady and had nothing but respect for her. Sex wasn’t important.
“Sex is a mere molecule, in this world of love that I have for you.”
We are all thankful for Nas at times, especially when he cuts records like “Daughters.” Nas expressed regrets and questioned his own parenting but overall he made sure to let everyone know how important our daughters are “not saying our sons are less important.”
“I’m not trying to mess your thing up, but I just want to see you dream up”
Remember her? In true west coast fashion, rapper Yo-Yo came on the scene in 1991 and started a movement that she called I.B.W.C (Intelligent Black Woman’s Coalition.) Alongside her peers Queen Latifah and MC Lyte she demanded respect for women.
“The I.B.W.C is made up of women, intelligent black women in that matter to create a different outlook on all men.”
Lauryn Hill made it clear, women were not sitting around waiting for men to make records about us. The then 23-year-old schooled women on realizing their true potential and to be their authentic self, “don’t be a hard-rock when you really are a gem.”
“Girls, you know you better watch out, some guys some guys are only about, that thing, that thing, that thing.”
Queen Latifah held it down in the 90’s for women alongside Monie Love, putting ladies first.
“We are the ones to give birth to a new generation of prophets because it’s ladies first.”
On this record Tupac demonstrated that he understood the struggle of women and our hard-work. Our strength didn’t go unnoticed. Tupac rapped “I wonder why we take from our women, why we rape our women, do we hate our women? I think it’s time to kill for our women, time to heal our women, be real to our women.”
“When he tells you, you aint nothing don’t believe him and if he can’t learn to love you, you should leave him, cause you don’t need him.”
On this record Kanye West made a lot of promises to his mother. He too understood the hard-work of all mothers and talked about his unconditional love for his mama. He even shouted out legendary poets Maya Angelou and Nikki Giovanni.
“Mommy I’m going to love you to you don’t hurt no more.”
Method Man ft Mary J. Blige “You’re All I Need”
This two helped tell a story of a beautiful romance. Method Man was in love and clearly understood the bond between man, woman and child.
“Nothin’ make a man feel better than a woman. Queen with a crown that be down for whatever.”
In 2002, KRS One released “Womanology” where he highlighted independent women while acknowledging our power.
“Begin with the heart, our sisters is a living art.”
Right at the turn of the century, another beautiful love story came from The Roots.
“Peep this Ethiopian queen from Philly taking classes aboard.”
