Black History Month Playlist

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28 February, 2025

This February, KCSB-FM’s Executive Committee has come together to craft a playlist commemorating Black History Month. It cannot be adequately expressed how much black musicians have contributed to the musical world. This playlist is by no means comprehensive, but is meant to highlight some personal favorites. Read on for a mix of classics, newer releases, and some recommendations from our Assistant Music Director Kai!

Give it a listen here!

PARKER’S RECS 

  • “Voyager” by Slauson Malone 1

– I can’t think of a musician I’ve given more praise to than Jasper Marsalis, former member of experimental group Standing On The Corner and currently operating under the moniker Slauson Malone 1. “Voyager” comes off of his 2023 release EXCELSIOR, and takes the listener on a sonic adventure through its strange assortment of sounds and distorted vocals. The fragile, glassy notes at the beginning of the song create a very peaceful atmosphere, which is very shortly interrupted by electronic-industrial clanking. A drumroll guides the listener out of the chaos and into Marsalis’ poetic ramblings. Something about his voice scratches an itch in my brain that no other voice can, it’s unexplainable. “The Wake Pt. 3 & 2” is another beautiful song from him, I strongly recommend giving it a listen. 

– Though his discography is very small, Wicked Witch’s archival compilation Chaos 1978-86 showcases some of the most bizarre and intriguing funk songs I’ve ever heard. “Vera’s Back” is my favorite, it’s a twelve minute long psychedelic odyssey with strange chanting vocals, soaring synths and guitars, and a powerfully charged rhythm section. The whole album sounds like it’s covered in a layer of filth, and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard. Check out “Fancy Dancer” and “Electric War” if this track draws you in. 

  • “FK” by Pink Siifu

– “FK” is a left turn in Pink Siifu’s discography, a loud and abrasive industrial punk song rather than abstract hip-hop. The crunchy bass, eerie synths, and lo-fi drums sound like a giant, rusty machine pulverizing everything in sight. Pink Siifu’s screaming vocals add even more energy to the song, which gives way to a distorted sound collage. 

– This entire album is filled with incredibly lush and laid-back spiritual jazz, and this track in particular is one I enjoy a lot. On this song, Coltrane utilizes an array of instruments hardly found in jazz, including an off-kilter organ and a beautiful string arrangement. It’s an entrancing experience, I strongly recommend it to anybody interested in strange jazz music.  

– Created as a tribute to bluesman Blind Willie Johnson, jazz guitarist Sonny Sharrock takes a different, not very jazzy route on this tune. His guitar has an incredibly beautiful and raw tone, and Sharrock’s quiet but audible breathing throughout the song gives it a new layer of intimacy. 

 

MAYA’S RECS

– Rooted in the screamo and post-hardcore tradition, Foxtails blends piercing violins, chaotic guitars, and visceral lyricism to create a soundscape both beautiful and brutal. The lyrics wrestle with trauma, memory, and self worth, delivering an intimate portrayal of suffering that refuses to be ignored.

– Minimalist, hypnotic, and effortlessly cool, “Money Don’t Grow on Trees” by Sneaks turns repetition into rhythm and commentary into groove. The track’s stripped-down production – built on a steady beat and deadpan delivery – gives it a magnetic, almost mantra-like quality. Eva Moolchan, or Sneaks, blends elements of post-punk, hip-hop, and art-pop, creating music that’s both confrontational and playful. The lyrics touch on financial realities with a detached irony, reminding us that nothing comes easy, even as the beat keeps moving along.

– Explosive, unapologetic, and razor-sharp, “Woke Jokes and Pot Smoke” by The Muslims is a defiant punk anthem that takes aim at hypocrisy, bigotry, and fragile egos. With a blistering mix of distorted guitars, pounding drums, and ferocious vocals, the track embodies the raw, rebellious energy of punk’s best traditions – while centering the often underrepresented voices of black and brown artists who have catapulted the scene forward.

– Merging crushing hardcore riffs with reggae-infused rhythms and spoken-word intensity, this track channels both anger and pride into a sound that refuses to be ignored. The lyrics speak to exclusion, survival, and the undeniable presence of black culture, demanding recognition and respect. 

– Blending elements of gqom, house, and gospel, the track honors the fearless women in Desire Marea’s life who reclaimed male-dominated spaces as their own. The lyrics – sung in isiZulu – call for liberation, urging listeners to embrace their power. Paired with a striking music video that pays homage to queer South African icons like Lebo Mathosa, “Tavern Kween” is a love letter to resilience, a sacred ritual of self-expression, and a reminder that existence itself can be an act of resistance.

 

MACK’S RECS

– In this track by the wonderful Aretha Franklin, she talks about being in a relationship she has previously left, but she is unsure if she has the strength to permanently leave or if she will fall into bad habits and resume her relationship.

– This song discusses finding love, with the passionate voice of Etta James discussing how after such a long time, she has finally found the love she has been yearning for her whole life.

– This track by Dionne Warwick discusses her breakup from her former lover, as she tells him to simply walk on by, not to pout, not to dwell on their former relationship, and to simply move on.

 

AVERY’S RECS

– When I think of Toro y Moi, I think of his electronic or ”chillwave” hits, but this track off of 2023’s Sandhills is surprisingly folky. The lyrics remind me of the restlessness that comes along with how relaxing summertime is. Aside from producing and making music, Chaz Bear has a degree in graphic design (from the University of South Carolina – his home state, which is brought up a few times in this song). I’m looking forward to seeing his act at the upcoming Just Like Heaven festival!

– This is a tender folk song that expresses the longing and emotional connection between two people separated by distance. An openly gay, black, and atheist musician in the 1970s, Siffre faced barriers in a society shaped by white supremacy and religious conservatism, which hindered his recognition and success. Folk history is often distorted, erasing the pivotal role of Black musicians, who were essential in the creation and evolution of American folk music. 

– JER is a musician who does ska-editions of punk songs under the name Skatune Network. This cover of Constant Headache is a great starting point, but you could check out their volumes of Ska Goes Emo to hear MCR, Weezer, American Football, and many more iconic covers. JER does a lot of the ska instrumentals for Jeff Rosenstock’s albums, and a couple times when I’ve seen Jeff, JER has randomly walked out and ripped a crazy saxophone solo. His music makes commentary on the politics of the punk/ska scene, apparent in song titles like “Breaking News! Local Punk Doubts Existence of Systemic Racism” or “Ska Has Progressed Past the Need for Incels”.

– “Wilson Rag” by Elizabeth Cotten is a lively and intricate instrumental piece that showcases her unique fingerpicking guitar style (she was left-handed but taught herself to play a guitar strung for right-handed players upside-down!). Composed in the early 1900s, the song reflects Cotten’s deep connection to the folk and blues traditions, blending rhythmic complexity with expressive melody.

– This is a smooth, introspective track that blends elements of R&B, pop, and electronic music. Hynes has been involved in numerous side projects, from his solo work as Blood Orange to collaborations with artists like Solange, FKA Twigs, and Carly Rae Jepsen. 

 

KAI’S RECS 

– A rather underappreciated genre nowadays, drum and bass/jungle would not be where it is today without the efforts of LTJ Bukem. I’ve been getting into his music more lately and “Coolin Out” is definitely one of his best. The atmospheric synths paired with a smooth bassline on top of amazing drum breaks make this song super nice to vibe to.

– Easily one of my favorite hip hop artists of all time, Charizma’s music is overflowing with a playful personality with a flow thanks to the amazing instrumentals from PeanutButterWolf. Like many of his songs, “Bless You” tells stories of fictional antics caused by sneezing (I think) which keeps the song feeling lighthearted. Charizma’s flow paired with PeanutButterWolf’s insanely good production makes this a song you don’t want to pass up on.

– This is a song I discovered through KCSB’s Library Committee! This song exudes a smooth, chill vibe throughout with Younge’s immaculate jazz production that makes it feel like you’re flying far above a city in a private jet. Younge’s instrumentation is not alone as Samantha Schmutz provides her beautiful and soothing vocals that make this song such a vibe.

– I randomly discovered this song when looking for new jazz rap and this entire album is insanely good. This song in particular has such a chill beat with amazing string samples on top of a nice rhythm. J. Live is providing the vocals for this track and he maintains the flow of the song that it would definitely not be the same without it (especially since his vocals pair with the instrumentals so well). Such a vibe

– An amazing standout song in indie/alt rock that deserves all the recognition it can get! It’s hard to explain how good this song is but it follows Strange’s worries about how he was at his greatest point in his life while many others around him were suffering (COVID being a huge factor), leading to a “heavy heart.” Strange’s vocals carry a lot of emotion but the instrumentation also does as well with the percussion driving a loud rhythm throughout, guitars sounding as if they are crying out to the world, and a lot of background instrumentation that all swell together and make this song so good and I wish it was more popular. 

Fun fact: I discovered this song on the radio stations in Fortnite during a custom game

 

DAWN’S RECS 

– The clutch that Twig’s new album ‘Eusexua’ has had on me the past few weeks is unprecedented. Walking to class? Put on Girl Feels Good. Making dinner? Put on Girl Feels Good. Thinking about thinking about stuff? Put on Girl Feels Good. Three times this month I’ve walked into my house to see FKA music videos on the living room tv and I’ve never felt so welcomed into my own home. Being in collective awe over the music and choreography with my queer roommates has become a core college memory that I hope to never forget

–  Fire and Desire will burn my heart until I’m fully charred. This. Song. Kills. Do not take my word for it, if you somehow have not heard the FANTASTIC vocal performances from Rick James and Teena Maria, you simply have not lived. James breaks from the opening monologue with a vibrato that sets the tone for what to expect in the next 6 minutes. Despite the tone being set, Teena’s entrance baffles me still every listen. Halfway through the song we begin to hear the other character’s perspective, which slowly turns into a duet between Rick and Teena, showcasing their, frankly, inhuman ability to control their voices. Even writing this review now, after listening to this song countless times, I cannot stop tears forming in my eyes at the 4 and 5 minute marks. I don’t think I can type explicits here, but it’s simply _______ incredible. 

– I’ve always really enjoyed Sade’s discography. Some of the bass lines and guitar parts are a fun challenge to learn and so I’ve had to listen to her a lot. I was really touched to read that her latest release, ‘Young Lion’ was about her son dealing with the struggles of being a trans man. Sade’s influence is wide reaching, when she talks about transgender people, especially one so close to her heart, it has the potential of breaking down harmful stereotypes of trans people to a huge audience. Having connected with Sade through her beautiful vocals and memorable instrumentation, I felt proud to see her voice support for the my community, and I know I’ll be replaying her for songs for years to come.

 

ISABELLE’S RECS 

– This hardcore track off the album Diaspora Problems seamlessly transitions between fast-paced screamo breakdowns and hip-hop inspired beats. “I would say the main themes in my writing are self-analysis, mental illness, racism, interpersonal violence, state violence, abuse, capitalism – living under it,” said lead singer Pierce Jordan on the album. 

– “Your Girl,” opens with a stolid bassline that siphons into a killer guitar riff. Tamar-kali’s voice shines through — “I want to be your girl that you love

(A natural woman),” she proclaims. 

– Yaphet Kotto is a band that has some roots close to home — while they were based in Santa Cruz, they were signed to Ebullition Records, a label that operated out of Goleta. The band itself is hardcore punk with screamo/emo influences, and touched on political topics in a very explicit way that is rare for screamo bands. Anti-capitalist themes and class solidarity rings true throughout the song — “I work too hard // to deal with this,” and “They’ll never take us all alive,” are some standout lyrics to me. 

– “Bernie Mac Attack (Reverse,” by Girlfriends is a particularly interesting track to me — Girlfriends has released a sum total of two albums — one titled “Girlfriends” and one titled “Girlfriends (Reverse),” which is exactly what you think it is. The math rock-y, angular, electronic backing track of this song translates well to being reversed. I would recommend you give both albums a listen through to compare!

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