Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library Associate Melanie and features some music with an Afrofuturism aesthetic.
Afrofuturism
Afrofuturism is a genre that centers Black history and culture and incorporates science-fiction, technology, and futuristic elements into literature, music, and the visual arts. Often using current social movements or popular culture as a backdrop, Afrofuturism focuses on works that examine the past, question the present, or imagine an (often) optimistic future, and are meant to inspire a sense of pride in their audience.
From Sun Ra‘s cosmic jazz to Beyoncé‘s homage to her roots in “Black Parade” to Janelle Monáe‘s sci fi themes of identity and liberation and beyond, afrofuturistic music highlights Black imagination, storytelling, and resilience. So enjoy some out of this world grooves by Black artists!
Parliament – “Mothership Connection (Star Child)”
Pharoah Sanders – “Astral Traveling”
Public Enemy – “Welcome to the Terrordome”
Janelle Monáe (feat. Erykah Badu) – “Q.U.E.E.N.”
Stevie Wonder – “Higher Ground”
Earth Wind and Fire – “Getaway”
Janelle Monáe (feat. Big Boi) – “Tightrope”
Kendrick Lamar – “Black Panther”
Betty Davis – “They Say I’m Different”
Afrika Bambaataa and The Sonic Force – “Planet Rock”
Grace Jones – “Slave to the Rhythm”
A Tribe Called Quest – “Electric Relaxation”
Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexgVaxF7DIz4bnYkKqf04go&si=PBZ_AkQFoPRYipiy
And here it is on Spotify: