Growing up there were a lot of Black women beauty movements, but not many Black men movements. Grammy-winning Black Folk/Soul artist, Ben Harper created his single “Black Beauty” on ANTI-Records for the Peacock film, Black Boys (an examination of gender and systemic racism from the perspective of young Black males in America by Sonia Lowman.) Performing it recently at President Biden’s We the People concert, Harper also spoke to Forbes and shared that he was brought into the project late, and in meeting with the director had “three hours of dialogue around the film, around culture and around what progress means in the name of race, and all things really, but race in particular for Black boys” along with the director. When I was a child, I was taught at an early age that Black was every shade of brown and beige from “high yella to deep mahogany,” that we were all God’s “rainbow children” and “red and yellow, black and white, they’re all precious in his sight.” This song reminds us, and the next generation of cocoa hued elegant boys and beautiful girls, that we all radiate Black beauty from within us. Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Erykah Badu - “Afro Blue”Īn amazing retelling of the classic “Afro Blue” by several revered artists including Brown/Santamaria, The Robert Glasper Experiment and another soul icon - Grammy-winning Motown artist, Erykah Badu. We must understand and acknowledge previous atrocities while celebrating the many obstacles we have overcome.ģ. Often times, “This land is YOUR land” really rings true, and “This land is MY land” may sound good in a soundbite, but is it true for everyone? In Africa we were “kings and princes” and in America we were slaves. I feel that no matter how affluent or successful you become, especially for a Black man in America now raising a son, those fears never completely go away, especially after George Floyd and the BLM movement. And D’Angelo closes the album talking about his son, Michael Archer, Jr., (with fellow R&B songstress Angie Stone), which ended up as a dedication to history, Africa, and God. On the highly critically acclaimed sophomore album, Voodoo, by R&B crooner D’Angelo, songs like “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” showcases a different type of Black beauty in that unforgettable video. in her song when she protests “it's not what's on your head, it's what's underneath.” I concur. When The CROWN Act (Create A Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) passed, I was very encouraged as it protects people of color against hair discrimination in schools and the workplace, but it has only been enacted in 12 of the 50 states, so there are still many miles to go with this movement, but progress is being made.Īrie echoes Martin Luther King, Jr. After receiving my MBA from Pepperdine, where I was the only Black student in my cohort, I was told by career counselors and coaches that I had to cut off all of my hair in order to rise in corporate America. 'Cause success didn't come till I cut it all off” 'Cause corporate wouldn't hire no dreadlocks…
Grammy award-winning artist, India Arie and Motown have pioneered countless songs promoting Black beauty including Arie’s song, “Brown Skin” that precedes “I Am Not My Hair.” I really enjoy her personal explanation of her journey on this track, highlighting the internal struggles in the Black community about what defines “good hair” versus “bad hair,” while also underscoring White America’s misconceptions of Black, ethnocentric hairstyle stereotypes. India Arie – “I Am Not My Hair (Featuring Akon)”
This year, I am taking the opportunity to highlight six songs by Black musical artists that help redefine Black beauty for a new generation of listeners.ġ. In addition to overseeing Beautytap’s digital operations, Cliff Beach is also an award-winning musician.Īs a Black musician/radio DJ and a beauty industry veteran now at Beautytap, bridging the worlds of Black and Beauty for this spotlight during February’s all too short Black History Month is sweet music to my ears. Walker (the inventor of popular hair products) and the hardest working man in show business, James Brown exclaiming “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” while quieting would be riots in Boston after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, the struggle for Black beauty has always been real.
Featuring India Arie, Akon, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Ben Harper, Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile, Robert Glasper, and…īefore the days of the self-made, Black, female millionaire, Madame C.J.
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