This is a special one for me, as the topic of my playlist this month is “Hope”. Naturally, my top 10 “Picks of the Month” are all about hope, love and strength; about using the energy we have to pick ourselves back up again. As we embrace new music and cultures, we also try our best to understand and respect the old. I have chosen a wide range of music from old reggae and soul classics to new house and disco releases that can hopefully lift your spirit up. As a classically-trained and jazz-influenced DJ and producer, I like to take inspiration from music before my time. Now that we live in a time in which most information has become readily available to us, we can learn from our past and understand the culture and struggles of others before us no matter how different they are. So many hopeful messages have been expressed through music over the years, and listening to them now can instantly transport us back to that same feeling of empowerment. I also like to showcase music that I’ve just discovered recently, so I have included some new releases to keep you updated.
Kanye West – Ultralight Beam (Explicit)
Released in 2016 as part of Kanye’s seventh studio album The Life Of Pablo, Ultralight Beam is a soul and gospel-inspired song that features well-known artists Kelly Price, The-Dream, Chance The Rapper, gospel legend Kirk Franklin and a ten-piece choir. Gospel has long been an important part of black tradition. I remember when I was in high school, I sang in my school’s gospel choir and we covered many songs by Kirk Franklin. The spirit of gospel is not just about having faith in God, but also about empowerment through love and acceptance, knowing that things will turn out alright in the end. You do not need to be Christian to feel the powerful message of hope in this song. Ultralight Beam was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2017 and listed by Pitchfork and Rolling Stone as the one of the best songs in the 2010s.
Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come
This legendary song played a major role in symbolising the mindset of the civil rights movement in America. It was inspired by Sam Cooke’s personal experience of getting turned away at a whites-only motel in Louisiana. In the song, he writes “It’s been a long time coming, but a change is gonna come.” This shows the strength of mind, that despite the struggles that many African-Americans had to face during that time, many people remained positive and hopeful that a change would come eventually. The chilling vocals and the somber orchestration by René Hall make it incredibly moving and powerful for me.
Bob Marley & The Wailers – One Love/People Get Ready
This is a very old song from 1977. Reggae icon Bob Marley released this with his former band The Wailers and it became one of his biggest hits. Originally released in 1960, this particular version is special because it includes a unique interpretation of The Impressions’ song People Get Ready, which was written by Curtis Mayfield. Mayfield also wrote the well-known songs Keep On Pushing and Move On Up. This song in particular was featured in blockbuster movie Marley & Me and was also re-recorded by Antonia Banderas for the animated film Shrek Forever After. The song embodies the reggae spirit of, quite literally, one love for all – that everyone should love and be loved equally no matter who they are or where they come from.
The Roots, Raheem DeVaughn – Tomorrow
Questlove’s iconic group The Roots is one of my favourite bands of all time, and this song, recorded in collaboration with Raheem DeVaughn, is definitely my favourite song from the list, because without containing any political meaning whatsoever, it is simply a pure soul song about living in the moment and hoping for tomorrow. The genius of the song lies in its simple and sparse arrangement – one super soulful vocal supported by chiming piano chords and distant echoes. My absolute favourite part is towards the end of the song where the seemingly monotonous chorus breaks into a jazzy, uplifting piano progression. Good vibes all the way!
Yussef Dayes, Alfa Mist, Mansur Brown – Love Is The Message
Yussef Dayes, Alfa Mist and Mansur Brown Love Is The Message
Music doesn’t always have to contain lyrics to express a message. This is a good example of a song that you can listen to and feel loving warmth without it having to be explicitly verbalised in text. Yussef Dayes is a talented UK-based drummer who plays regularly with jazz musician and producer Alfa Mist. I experienced an Alfa Mist show live in London last year at the Boiler Room Festival, and was blown away by the level of artistry and musicianship these London-based artists exhibited. The energy was felt throughout the whole room and the place was packed with swooning music lovers!
2Pac – Keep Ya Head Up [Explicit]
Written by rapper Tupac Shakur in 1993, Keep Ya Head Up is almost 27 years old and still remains one of Hip-Hop’s most iconic odes to black women. As a child, Tupac was raised by women and claimed that he held great respect for the women in his life. Sadly, his life ended only 3 years after the release of the song.
“Hope” Pick Of The Month – Full Playlist
- Kanye West – Ultralight Beam [Explicit]
- Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come
- Bob Marley & The Wailers – One Love/People Get Ready
- The Roots, Raheem DeVaughn – Tomorrow
- Yussef Dayes, Alfa Mist, Mansur Brown – Love Is The Message
- 2Pac – Keep Ya Head Up [Explicit]
- Oscar Jerome – Sun For Someone
- RFX (a.k.a. Romain FX) – Lift Your Spirit Up (RFX Edit)
- Dele Sosimi, Medlar – Full Moon
- Omar S – You Want The Best
Editor
Olivia Dawn
