Juneteenth is a national holiday celebrating the freedom of African Americans from slavery in the U.S. Its name comes from the words “June” and “nineteenth.”

On June 19, 1865, U.S. Army Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and slavery was abolished, two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

It’s the oldest nationally celebrated holiday recognizing the end of slavery in the U.S. — our real Independence Day.

As we look to celebrate this date this year following a slew of unjust murders and social unrest, here’s a playlist celebrating all of our melanin magic, because brown skin is not a crime and in the words of brother Kendrick Lamar, “We gon’ be alright!”

Click HERE to Follow the Juneteenth Playlist on Spotify

Click HERE to Follow the Juneteenth Playlist on Apple Music

Juneteenth Vibes: A Family-Friendly Playlist Celebrating Blackness

was originally published “Alright” – Kendrick “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” – James “The People” – “Lovely Day” – Bill “Live My Life” – The Walls I’ll Take You There – The Staple Get Up Stand Up – Bob “Unstoppable” – Koryn “Brown Skin Girl” – Beyonce ft. Blue Ivy, Wizkid SAINt “Set Me Free” – Lecrae ft. YK “Shea Butter Baby” – Ari “Melanin” – Ciara ft. Lupita Nyong’o, Ester Dean, City Girls, “Crooked Smile” – J. “Rosa Parks” – “Summertime” – Will “Freedom” – Beyonce ft. Kendrick “Black Woman” – Danielle “Feel the Vibe” – BJ The Chicago Kid ft. Anderson “Love Again” – Brandy Daniel “A Long Walk” – Jill “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” – Michael “Keep Ya Head Up” – “Happy” – “I Want to Thank You” – Alicia “Friends” – “Love of My Life” – Erykah Badu ft. “Brighter Day” – Kirk “Outstanding” – The Gap “Do It Again” – Disturbing Tha “Shackles” – Mary “Optimistic” – August Greene ft. “Never Too Much” – Luther “Before I Let Go” – Frankie Beverly And “Better” – Hezekiah “Steady Love” – “Talk” – “Wake Up Everybody” – Harold Melvin The Blue “Made It” – Teyana “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” – McFadden “Family Reunion” – The “Why Don’t We Fall In Love” – “Q.U.E.E.N.” – Janelle Monae ft. Erykah “Brown Skin” – “Changing Your Story” – Jekalyn “Wobble” – V.I.C.

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