Your dose of mixtape is brought to you by Samiyah Herbert, incredible writer at The Tempest and fearless Twitter personality. She brings everything to you as it is: raw, open and limitless. We’re all about the mix she provides here: the perfect playlist to love and celebrate yourself.
1. “Formation” || Beyoncé
This is the PERFECT carefree black girl anthem, it makes me feel proud to be a black woman. It reminds me that I slay. And it makes me wanna take my man to Red Lobster.
2. “Put Your Records On” || Corinne Bailey Ray
This is an all time favorite of mine. It assures me that it’s okay to make mistakes, tells me it’s okay to be myself, reminds me that everything will be okay.
3. “Tears Dry On Their Own” || Amy Winehouse
“I should just be my own best friend, not fuck myself in the head with stupid men.” This is the story of my LIFE.
4. “Smile” || Lily Allen
This song got me through a lot of breakups. It’s that song you listen to right when you’ve gotten over the person who broke your heart. Like, “I’m completely over you, now I just smile.”
5. “Shake It Out” || Florence + The Machine
Florence Welch is one of my favorite singers and songwriters, her lyrics are so powerful. Shake It Out got me through a lot of anxiety attacks. Shake it out, shake it out.
6. “Video” || India.Arie
Video was my favorite song when I was a little girl, I would sing it to myself all the time. It was one of the first songs that helped me learn to love myself. It reminds me of simpler times when I loved who I was because I was myself.
7. “Da Baddest B***h” || Trina
This song taught me firsthand what it meant to be a bad bitch. Trina always represented for bad bitches who aren’t afraid to say what they want and be themselves. She helped me find my confidence.
8. “Milkshake” || Kelis
This SONG!!!!! The first time I heard this was when I was 8 and I watched Mean Girls for the first time. I was in love. This song is so iconic, I’ll be 70 and my milkshake will STILL bring all the boys to the yard.
9. “Bird Set Free” || Sia
This song means so much to me. Even though I have anger and pain inside me, I don’t need to keep it inside to myself. It’s okay for me speak up and express myself.
10. “Sex With Me” || Rihanna
Sexxxx wit me so amaaazzzin!!!! No lies, sis. No lies.
We’re all about highlighting the best of music that you don’t really hear on the radio: music by underrepresented voices, tunes by your best friend you believe really needs to be out there, what you’re convinced will be the next big underground hit (or maybe it’ll be above ground – we don’t discriminate!). If you’re musically inclined and want to see your suggestion maybe featured in a future mixtape, we want you to throw your song(s) in the hat. All suggestions go – except for shitty top 40 music, stuff that makes the neighbors vomit over how lame it is, or music that’s just hateful against a group of people (unless they’re oppressive, in which case it’s a little different).
SO, THROW IT IN. RIGHT HERE. SUPER EASY.
Because we love you, we compiled all your new favorite songs in one playlist. Enjoy!
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