The Best Black Girl Anthems of ALL Time

Originally published on December 11, 2018

Top ten songs created for us. By us.

     1.  I Am Not My Hair by India.Arie 

Let's be honest. This list couldn't exist without at least one India.Arie song. "I Am Not My Hair" reminds Black women that we don't have to be limited by our physical attributes.

 2. Appletree by Erykah Badu

  "Appletree" is 4 minutes and 25 seconds of life advice. It stresses that knowledge is infinite, knowledge is crucial and that knowledge is to be shared.

   3. That's Alright by Laura Mvula

This song makes me feel as though I'm on top of the world. The rhythms are powerful and help to create a statement, an anthem. Laura Mvula uses "That's Alright" not as a cry to be accepted but as a dismissal of any societal norms that try to restrict her.

     4. Don't Touch My Hair by Solange

Because they don't understand what it means to us. But Solange does. And this song makes us feel heard.

5. U.N.I.T.Y by Queen Latifah

UNITY! This song is a declaration. Queen Latifah is not letting anyone call her out of her name and neither should we.

6. Electric Lady by Janelle Monáe

Not only does this song make you want to dance but it affirms the importance of being satisfied with and acknowledging just how excellent and electric you are, she is, and we all are.

7. Me, Myself and I by Beyoncé

Sometimes it gets hard. Breakups, heartache, whatever the struggle may be. That's when you put on "Me, Myself and I" and let Bey remind you just how important it is to be there for yourself.

8. Unpretty by TLC

Let's take it back to the 90s, shall we. "Unpretty" was an assertion of knowing one's self worth. You can conform all you want and change your appearance as much as possible. But in order to truly reach a higher level of contentment we have to be in tune with ourselves.

9. Pretty Girl Rock by Keri Hilson

Ladies put this song on whenever you know you ARE the s**t. Put this on before an interview, a performance, anything daunting and remind yourself that you do not need any body and are enough on your own.

10. Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae.

This song is both calming and uplifting. Listening to "Put Your Records On" will leave you feeling serene and secure in the fact that you are enough. To the strums of an acoustic guitar Corinne Bailey Rae encourages us and reminds us that it's okay to let our hair down from time to time.

Did you love this list but think that 10 songs weren't enough? Check out our extended "Glow n Grow Sis" playlist with the links below.