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 Unity, here are 7 songs that resonate with Umoja that we hear often. This countdown is in no particular order, because I love them all!
#1: We Are One: Maze & Frankie Beverly
The croon of this tune feels like an outcry to humanity to check the way that we treat one another. The possibilities are endless for us all when we remember that we are all connected, no matter what we do.
#2: Black Men United- You will Know
From the motion picture soundtrack, Jason’s Lyric, This song is a collaboration of many black male vocalists that were hot in the 90’s, and still are now. This song deeply resonates with Umoja…especially granted all that is being done to keep black men at each other’s throats. I wonder why Bobby Brown wasn’t on it…
#3: Sister Sledge – We are Family
This song is pretty self-explanatory when it comes to Unity. Its uplifting beat and groove helps us to relax and come together! Remembering a family-like essence can really help us to be more unified in our daily walks of life.
#4: Freedom – Various Artists
The Black Panther Soundrack was a powerful collection of music, released in 1995. Speaking of sisters, this song is to this day one of, if not the, most powerful female collaboration known to music. It has a rap, and song version. Like black men, black women are constantly pitted against each other. To see this collaboration emerge is truly powerful in the face of that.
#5: Headed for Self Destruction – Various Artists
There is nothing a musical collaboration and warning in the same ball of wax. This UNITY song brought just that. It delivers the true essence of what hip-hop is all about…using one’s power and influence to create harmony and talk sense into its listeners.
#6: Wake Up Everybody – Various Artists
This unified music collaboration definitely gave the original rendition by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes rendition justice. The lyrics of it encourage us to do our parts with what we have to make the world a better place. The selection of singers really gave it new light for a new generations.
#7: Maxwell – I’m You: You Are Me And We Are You
This one was an unorthodox selection, but very necessary. It speaks to inner and outer unity, to remember that what we do to others, we do to ourselves. It also speaks to the unity between Self and The Divine…listen to the lyrics carefully. You’ll love it!
Umoja. Unity. To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
In order for one to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race, one must first find unity with self, and the God/ess within, in both the light and the shadow self. 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 Windsdaily blog, The Malbec Planetarium, for the Kujichagulia Playlist! Beam Up!
Ase in Love,
iiiYansaje T. Muse
The Blaq Madonna of the Airwaves
