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 cooperative economics, here are 7 songs that resonate with Ujamma that we hear often. This countdown is in no particular order, because I love them all!
#1: Aloe Blacc – I Need a Dollar
This song gets right to the point…literally down to business. They say closed mouths don’t get fed, so this song can help express financial need. Needs outwardly expressed are better manifested.
#2: Billy Paul – Let the Dollar Circulate
This song keeps in mind the importance of supporting black businesses…cooperative economics in action!
#3: Paid in Full – Eric B. & Rakim
This song can’t help but stimulate the hustle energy of anyone who listens to it. Cooperative economics starts with having economics to cooperate with. Those of us running our own show have to hustle…hard. This song is key in that soundtrack.
#4: Tell it Like It Is – Ludacris
This is another hustle hard song about getting your dreams off of the ground and translating it into hustle. It banishes laziness and gives the game and in one slammin’ track! Another one on the hustle hard soundtrack!
#5 Micheal Jackson – Working Day & Night
Cooperative Economics does require hard work, just remember rest time! That’s all for this one.
#6: Ojays – For the Love of Money
This song by The Mighty O’jays is about the dangers of doing the wrong things and taking the wrong attitudes towards money. The things described in the songs lyrics are the antithesis of what the Kwanzaa principle of Ujamma is all about. It serves as a good reminder.
#7: Prince- Money Don’t Matter Tonight
This is a song about keeping money in its proper place spiritually. It speaks of making sure your soul stays straight as you secure the bag.
To keep our economics cooperating, it is ideal to keep hustle and fairness in mind in equal measure. From there, we can assess, and use what we have to bring the challenges around us to positive balance. 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 Saturndaily blog, The Jester’s Intersection for the Nia Playlist! Beam Up!
Ase in Love,
iiiYansaje T. Muse
The Blaq Madonna of the Airwaves
