The 7 principles of Kwanzaa are ones who should be magnified, normalized, and kept year round. For me, nothing does that better that the powerful spiritual medium of music. So, In light of the Kwanzaa principle of creativity, here are 7 songs that resonate with Kuumba that we hear often. This countdown is in no particular order, because I love them all!
#1: Outkast – Chonomentrophobia
From the Idlewild soundtrack, this tune brings a creative twist to clocks and time. There is a smooth vocal and a hard rap verse from none other that Andre 3000. Anything with him on it is bound to be creative, and this song is an off the wall jam! While you guys are at it, Check out his New Blue Suns Album, a meditative album that features his masterful wooden flute work.
#2: Nina Simone- See Line Woman
Everything about this tune drips creativity. From the High Priestess of Soul, she paints a creative picture of a woman who can be heaven and hell in the same ball of wax!
#3: Eagles – Hotel California
I love the creativity of this song because it flirts with the fine line between mirage and reality. By the end of the song, the listener is left wondering if the narrator had and actual experience…or if it was all in his mind. Very Creative!
#4: Jimi Hendrix- Voodoo Child
Form the guitar licks to the menacing lyrics, this song vibrates creativity in a way that conjures the magic from within…hence being a voodoo child. Those types of children are creative by nature…I would know!
#5: Tom Browne – Funkin’ for Jamaica
Take it to the cosmos!!! The ad lib in the beginning of this song says. Between the bassline, the groove, and the vocals, it is hard to keep your seat. What ever the “funk” is, you definitely want to let it get into you!
#6: Faze-O: Ridin’ High
This groove is a whole outer body experience! The energy of this song is soooo creative in its composition. It takes you on a ride whenever or where ever you hear it. Creativity on a higher level, so to speak. Get this song in your life!
#7: Mothership Connection: Let Me Ride
Funk, space, and an old negro spiritual combined…..how much more creative can a song get? It’s no wonder this is the theme song for the radio station, 222.9 The Mothership! Let’s ride!
To stay creative, we have to groove to jams that stimulates thinking outside the box! In dong this, we stir up our own creative vibes. These are but a few songs you can vibe to to keep this principle in your rotations year ’round! I’ve also written a book, Kwanzaa in Orbit, Kwanzaa Beamed Up to deeper explore more spiritual ways to observe and keep the Nguzo Saba. As always, my radio station, 222.9 The Mothership Internet Radio, is dedicated to keeping soul-feeding music like this infused with spiritual teachings in 24/7 rotation…just for you! Join me on my Moondaily blog, Mother Blu Hues for the Imani Playlist! Beam Up!
Ase in Love,
iiiYansaje T. Muse
The Blaq Madonna of the Airwaves
