Black Pride

When it comes to crafting a black-pride soundtrack, no one ever threw the ball straighter across the plate than James Brown, who urged brothers and sisters everywhere to feel the funk he was laying down — to “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud).” Aretha Franklin might not have said it in the same way, but she was speaking for all her sisters when she demanded “Respect,” spelling it out in no uncertain terms. Of course, Aretha’s Stax soulmates the Staple Singers put their own spin on the idea with the gospel-funk grooves of “Respect Yourself,” reminding black America that you’ve got to feel good about the face in the mirror first and foremost.

Soul-jazz sermons and the strength of sisterhood are part of our black-pride journey, in Next Steps.

Before making its way out into the world, black pride — like most good things — begins at home. That’s why the vibrant voices of Sister Sledge sing out with such unbridled joy on the ’79 smash “We Are Family,” celebrating the kind of togetherness that comes from growing up under the same roof, and then extending their embrace outward. The churning funk of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” pulses with the power of people reaching deep inside themselves for world-changing strength. And soul-jazz giants Les McCann & Eddie Harris offer up the voice of the African-American everyman trying to shake some sense out of an absurd world on “Compared to What.”

Let the spirit move you, as black pride taps into some eternal truths in Deep Cuts.

Black pride is a state of mind, but it comes from deep down in the soul. In 1968, Kim Weston gave an R&B-gospel flavor to the uplifting message of the African-American National Anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,”and donated the single’s proceeds to the United Negro College Fund. Roberta Flack took a different approach to Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” toning down its gospel touches but focusing on the feeling of giving spiritual salvation to those with heavy hearts. And the Godfather of Soul — who got us started on this whole journey — conjured up a place where “every man would be as free as a bird” on “If I Ruled the World.” But it’s no pipe dream — pay attention as James sings “my world is such a beautiful place” — for as long as the song lasts, that world is his, yours, and everyone’s.

No matter the hard knocks delivered by history, African-Americans have never put their pride aside — and that pride is the source of some of the most soulful songs ever recorded. It’s a feeling that has inspired anthems all across the stylistic spectrum, from Bob Marley’s reggae rebel-rouser “Get Up Stand Up” to Sly & The Family Stone’s soul-rocking anthem of equality “Everyday People” and N.W.A.’s funk-fueled hip-hop message from the heart, “Express Yourself.” We’ve combed through decades of dazzling tracks, from the worlds of blues, gospel, R&B, jazz, and beyond, to bring you the best, the biggest, the boldest sonic statements of black pride. In the immortal words of McFadden & Whitehead, “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.”