Black Artists You Should Listen to Now | #NowWatching
As protests against a government built on systemic racism, police brutality, and the unjust murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless black men and women continue to erupt across the world, we have been forced to reevaluate how we can all do better. For us, that constitutes staying true to what we believe in and taking our fight to the streets.
This past week we have largely not covered any new music, as much of our staff has been out protesting and making their voices heard. And as Friday, a day typically reserved for new music releases and playlisting, rears its head, we wanted to approach our weekly #NowWatching playlist different.
This week's #NowWatching playlist is not dedicated to seeking out who is trending or what is likely to break in the next odd month or two; it is dedicated to the wealth of innovative black artists. While consisting of only a small fraction of the revolutionary black artists who continue to make strides across a range of genres, we hope that this playlist can reignite a love for an old favorite or help you discover a new one. Because the best way you can help black artists right now is to fight for both their lives and livelihood.
Follow along on Spotify and Apple Music, and while you're at it, consider donating to Black Lives Matter.
TRACKLIST:
Childish Gambino - "This Is America"
Gil Scott-Heron - "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"
N.W.A. - "Fuck Tha Police"
Jorja Smith - "Blue Lights"
Jean Dawson - "POWER FREAKS"
UMI - "Remember Me"
Kevin Abstract - "Georgia"
KennyHoopla - "how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway?//"
Noname - "Blaxploitation"
Mustafa - "Stay Alive"
Kenny Mason - "Angelic Hoodrat"
Grip - "No Mà¡s!"
Kamasi Washington - "Street Fighter Mas"
Deante’ Hitchcock, Miguel, St. Beauty - "Flashbacks"
Jelani Aryeh - "Stella Brown"
JPEGMAFIA - "1539 N. Calvert"
Injury Reserve - "S on Ya Chest"
Little Simz - "might bang, might not"
Loyle Carner - "Loose Ends"
Adot - "Reflection"
BROCKHAMPTON - "SUGAR"
Giveon - "THE BEACH"
Doja Cat - "Say So"
Duckwrth - "Start a Riot"
Choker - "Juno"
Tierra Whack - "Hungry Hippo"
Rico Nasty - "Lightning"
Leikeli47 - "Girl Blunt"
Your Grandparents - "My Only One"
Swavay - "Yaya"
Kevin Holliday - "Every Single Time"
Orion Sun - "Trying"
Arlo Parks - "Black Dog"
Hope Tala - "Lovestained"
Dijon - "rock n roll"
Cautious Clay - "Erase"
Dominic Fike - "Phone Numbers"
Bakar - "Big Dreams"
Baby Keem - "ORANGE SODA"
$NOT - "PRESSURE"
Channel Tres - "Topdown"
binki - "Heybb!"
Kota the Friend - "Long Beach"
Celeste - "I Can See The Change"
Lianne La Havas - "Paper Thin"
Mahalia - "I Wish I Missed My Ex"
Kiana Ledé, Ari Lennox - "Chocolate."
Lucky Daye - "Roll Some Mo"
Spencer. - "Hold It Down"
Masego - "Black Love"
Saba - "Photosynthesis"
Dua Saleh - "umbrellar"
Nilufer Yanya - "In Your Head"
rum.gold, Jamila Woods - "Waiting For"
Earl Sweatshirt - "Chum"
Chiiild - "Back To Life"
Q - "Lavender"
EARTHGANG, JID - "Meditate"
Jordan Ward - "Okok (Hibachi)"
Smino, Bari, Jay2 - "Z4L"
Brandon - "Weep"
Art Blakey, The Jazz Messengers - "On the Ginza"
snny - "Somewhere in Brooklyn"
Berhana - "Janet"
Leven Kali - "MADE 4 U"
Ric Wilson - "Chicago Bae"
Elujay - "Starchild"
Caleborate - "4 Willem"
RAY BLK - "Run Run"
RMR - "RASCAL"
GOON DES GARCONS* - "A24"
Kaash Paige - "Love Songs"
Lute, Earthgang, Cam O'bi - "Premonition"
070 Shake - "Guilty Conscience"
The Last Artful, Dodgr - "Hot"
Summer Walker - "Girls Need Love"
SAINt JHN - "Roses"
DaniLeigh, DaBaby - "Levi High"
Victoria Monét - "Ass Like That"
Samm Henshaw, EARTHGANG - "Church"
Mereba, JID - "Sandstorm"
Kyle Dion - "Brown"
ODIE - "Slowly"
ilyTOMMY - "Tunnel of Love"
Jany Green - "Little"
BLACKSTARKIDS - "SOUNDS LIKE FUN"
bLAck pARty - "Bloom"
Amindi, Kari Faux - "Love Em Leave Em"
Phony Ppl, Megan Thee Stallion - "Fkn Around"
Collard - "Stone"
Sudan Archives - "Nont For Sale"
KAYTRANADA - "CHANCES"
Amber Mark - "Lose My Cool"
Pip Millett - "Heavenly Mother"
Ravyn Lenae, Steve Lacy - "4 Leaf Clover"
Jamila Woods - "Blk Girl Soldier"
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah - "K.K.P.D."
TeaMarrr, Raedio - "Temperature"
Childish Major - "For You"
Chloe x Halle - "Do It"
mwami - "rektless"
VanJess, GoldLink - "Through Enough"
Mick Jenkins - "Carefree"
Kendrick Lamar - "Alright"
