Celebrate Juneteenth with music from Solange, Bob Marley, Kendrick Lamar and more

Listen and reflect on June 19
Solange Knowles
Photo credit Scott Barbour/Getty Images
By , Audacy

Derived from the words “June” and “nineteenth,” Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States. It's also known to some as Emancipation Day and Black Independence Day.

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Juneteenth commemorates the official end of slavery (June 19, 1865) when the Emancipation Proclamation reached the last of enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas. The nationally celebrated holiday became legally observed in 2021. It is acknowledged with concerts, parades, parties, and street fairs – many of which include music and food. Juneteenth is also a time for rest and reflection.

To commemorate Juneteenth, we curated a playlist of songs that symbolize Blackness, freedom and liberation.

Almeda - Solange

“These are Black-owned things.”

Brown Skin Girl - Beyoncé ft. Blue Ivy Carter, Wizkid, SAINt JHN

“But your skin, it glow like diamonds.”

Brighter Day - Kirk Franklin

“It's gonna be a brighter day, brighter day.”

Keep Your Head Up - 2Pac

“And even though you're fed up, huh, you got to keep ya head up.”

Alright - Kendrick Lamar

“Do you hear me, do you feel me? We gon' be alright.”

Get Up, Stand Up - Bob Marley and The Wailers

“Get up, stand up, stand up for your right.”

We Are - Jon Batiste

“We are, we are, we are, we are the golden ones.”

Lift Every Voice and Sing - Tasha Cobbs Lenord

“Lift every voice and sing. Till earth and heaven ring. Ring with the harmonies of liberty.”

Amazing Grace - Aretha Franklin

“'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.”

Golden - Jill Scott

“Livin' my life like it's golden.”

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