Black Awareness Day: 10 albums to celebrate the date [LISTA]

O National Zombie and Black Consciousness Day is one that seeks to honor the leader of Palmares, who died on November 20, 1695. Known for being at the head of what was once the largest quilombo in Brazil during the colonial period, Zombie became a symbol of the resistance of the black and anti-racist struggle.

In music we have several examples of artists who used their voice to echo these ideals, and remember the importance of this cause. As “Tribute to Martin Luther King”, immortalized in the voice of Wilson Simonalor “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, composition of J. Rosamond Johnson It is James Weldon Johnson.

To celebrate this day, we have listed 10 iconic albums below that remind us of the importance of this day:

Woman at the End of the World (2015), Elza Soares

Launched almost 10 years ago, Woman at the End of the World is already born a classic and reminds us why Elza became known as the voice of the millennium. Not only does the singer present us with impeccable vocals, but she also deals with complex themes with the ease that only a true music star can do. The track that gives the album its name is definitely one of the strongest lyrics ever sung by the artist.

Solar: Sun Ra in Brazil (2023)

A project that pays homage to the work of Sun Ramusician and philosopher from Alabama, this project by Red Hot Organizationmerges the artist’s compositions with the well-defined percussion of the Afrosymphonic Orchestra. The songs take us through themes such as spirituality, ancestry and Afrofuturism. Everything gets even more interesting with the artists chosen to be part of the album: Xênia França, Tiganá Santana, Max de Castro, Metá Metá, E d g a r, Munir Hossn, Hamilton from Holland, Fabrício Boliveira It is BNegão.

Lemonade (2016), Beyoncé

2016 was definitely one of the most important years of Beyonce. Already established as one of the greatest in pop music, the singer presents us with a new facet: politics. In Lemonade we met for the first time a Beyonce concerned with social issues. The video for “Formation” is one of the most complete audiovisual works of the artist’s career. Queen B. It is also worth highlighting the singer’s participation in the presentation of the Super Bowl of Coldplayin which she and the dancers made references to Michael Jackson and to black Panthers.

Africa Brazil (1976), Jorge Ben Jor

Launched in 1976, Africa Brazilis a milestone in the career of Jorge Ben Jor — at the time, still known as Jorge Ben. The singer was already one of the biggest names in Brazilian music when he released the album, what’s new here is the way the artist plays with musical elements such as adopting the electric guitar instead of the guitar. The album also features iconic songs like “Taj Mahal”, “African spearhead” It is “Africa Brazil (Zumbi)“.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), Lauryn Hill

The only solo album from one of the greatest voices of the generation, The Miseducation of Lauryn HillIt would be a success if it were released today, as it was 25 years ago. She is already known for being one of the members of Fugees, the singer reaches her peak in her parallel work. The album also highlights a rare moment and exposes problems in the music industry: Lauryn Hill was the last black woman to win a Grammy album of the year.

About Kids, Hips, Nightmares and Homework… (2015), Emicide

Emicidal teaches in a 52-minute album that talks about his relationship with his mother, a love song in partnership with Caetano Veloso and a trip — or was it a return home? – in “Mufete”, one of the most beautiful songs of the artist’s career. In “Good Hope”, the rapper says everything we would like to say, but which sometimes gets stuck in our throat. The clip is also a work of art in itself.

Nothing Like a Day After Another Day Vol. 1 & 2 (2002), Racionais MC’s

One of the biggest names in national hip hop, Rational They bring some of the most interesting lyrics to their third studio album. Great hits by rappers are part of the tracks on this album. Songs like “Vida Loka pt. 1” It is “Black Drama” mark generations and bring, in the lyrics, verses that live in the collective imagination of national music lovers.

Indigo Butterfly Indigo (2021), Liniker

In the first verses of his first solo album, Liniker is already moving with a tribute to his pet dog. “Claus” is not only one of the singer’s most beautiful lyrics, but a foreshadowing of what follows in the album’s next tracks: delicious complex melodies, combined with impeccable vocals, remind us that we are witnessing the evolution of a great artist. Liniker became the first transgender artist to win a Grammy and last week it was immortalized in Brazilian Academy of Culture — the first transvestite to hold the position. Many reasons to be proud of Lili.

Makeba Sings! (1965), Miriam Makeba

One of the biggest names in South African music, Miriam Makeba She had a soft yet powerful voice. The singer whose biggest hit is “Pata Pata” (it’s worth listening to the version of Wilson Simonal), shows all his versatility on this album. In Makeba Sings!the singer presents us with songs like “Cameroon” and an unmissable version of “Rain”.

Refavela (1977), Gilberto Gil

If in Refazenda (1975) Gil turns to its northeastern roots, in Refavela the artist focuses on African ancestry to offer us songs like “Ilê Ayê”, “Nanny Alapalá” It is “Balafon”. In 1977, Gil participated in the 2nd World Festival of Black Art and Culture (FESTAC 77) in Lagos, Nigeria. The event brought together more than 50 thousand artists of African descent and the diaspora. From there the singer brings the Afrobeat influences that we heard on this album, as well as the sound of blocks like Ilê Aiye It is Gandhi’s children.

“If I weren’t black, I have no idea what artist I would be. Being black, culturally black, gives me a relationship with music, with rhythm, with the religious world, with everything, in short, that I wouldn’t have if I weren’t black, therefore I wouldn’t be the artist that I am. It would be another… pic.twitter.com/tOU2K5FnNG

— Gilberto Gil (@gilbertogil) November 20, 2023