Through the years many artists have leveraged their voice and platform to address the growing unrest of social issues in America. From Nina Simone’s timeless classic “Strange Fruit” to Childish Gambino’s “This Is America,” music has offered an antidote to embolden, enlighten and entertain disenfranchised listeners.
To help carry on the tradition of Black Music Month, Baller Alert has decided to highlight 25 of our favorite “WOKE” songs of all-time. Let us know your personal favorites in the comments section below.
Kendrick Lamar – Alright
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-48u_uWMHY[/embedyt]
Childish Gambino – This Is America
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYOjWnS4cMY[/embedyt]
KRS – Black Cop
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAl4lFHu6bE[/embedyt]
Gil Scott Heron – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnJFhuOWgXg[/embedyt]
Beyonce & Kendrick Lamar- Freedom
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFKo95dMzro[/embedyt]
Stevie Wonder – Living For The City
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99gNYaz6YaM[/embedyt]
A Tribe Called Quest – We The People….
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO2Su3erRIA[/embedyt]
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On / What’s Happening Brother
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppvBWIzvPvU[/embedyt]
Nas – Not For Radio
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvCd1AN9cVw[/embedyt]
Amiri Baraka – Who Will Survive America
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJtlzcxBXBo[/embedyt]
Queen Latifah – U.N.I.T.Y.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8cHxydDb7o[/embedyt]
Leon Bridges – Bad Bad News
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cztfyj1dVgk[/embedyt]
J. Cole – Be Free
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VzpCmRtCL0[/embedyt]
Curtis Mayfield – We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm8lcTTDp0o[/embedyt]
JAY-Z – The Story of O.J.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM7lw0Ovzq0[/embedyt]
James Brown – Say It Loud, I’m Black And I’m Proud
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBVVztMA4CQ[/embedyt]
Kanye West – New Slaves
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SoKFycTmVU[/embedyt]
Common – Black America Again
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMNyCNdgayE[/embedyt]
Public Enemy – Fight The Power
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj9SeMZE_Yw[/embedyt]
Donny Hathaway – Someday We’ll Be Free
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv1B0ejhFVE[/embedyt]
Tupac – Changes
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXvBjCO19QY[/embedyt]
Lalah Hathaway – Little Ghetto Boy
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-WGgB4pI1I[/embedyt]
Nina Simone – Strange Fruit
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-WGgB4pI1I[/embedyt]
Bob Marley – War
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XHEPoMNP0I[/embedyt]
The Temptations – Ball of Confusion
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQLdDfU_FNk[/embedyt]
