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These 47 Songs Are Cultural Anthems, And Knowing Them Will Definitely Get You Invited To The Next Cookout

FYI, music is an essential part of Black history and certain songs that have transcended generations are regarded as cultural anthems of the Black community.

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If you want to find out where all the Black college graduates are in the room, throw on one of these songs and they will step out of the woodwork in perfect choreographed precision.

1. Boosie Badazz’s “Wipe Me Down” featuring Foxx and Webbie is a smooth anthem that activates any fraternity, sorority, or college student to get real nice with it.

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2. Meek Mill’s “Dreams and Nightmares” will either be the soundtrack of a sports highlight video or have every student in the room proudly shouting the lyrics.

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3. Fast Life Yungstaz’s “Swag Surfin'” will get any HBCU or college football game crowd rocking and swaying with pride for their campus.

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If the scenario involves getting rowdy before a sporting event or a playful brawl, these songs will get you in the right mindset. 

4. Bone Crusher’s “Never Scared (feat. Killer Mike, T.I.)” is the perfect anthem to get your team pumped up, whether that team is playing sports or fighting in the streets.

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5. Crime Mob’s “Knuck If You Buck” featuring Lil’ Scrappy is an anthem that has the same power as classic jock jams like Queen’s “We Will Rock You” or 2 Unlimited’s “Get Ready For This.”

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These songs speak power to the people who were denied equal rights and had to defend their humanity decades after their people were freed from bondage in the United States of America.

6. Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” is a true anthem for Black revolutionaries, and every sentence reminds you of the plight of Black America.

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7. Public Enemy’s “Fight The Power” is an anthem of civil unrest because of the unfair or unequal treatment toward the Black American communities, which has lasted since the inception of this country.

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8. James Brown’s “Say It Loud – I’m Black, and I’m Proud” is a feel-good song that doubles as an anthem for mobilizing the Black community in the face of oppression.

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If you want to holler at a lil’ hottie, these background tracks will set the mood and let everybody know you’re interested.

9. Tevin Campbell’s “Can We Talk” is one of the most iconic ’90s jams that had everyone falling in love with his voice and each other.

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10. 112’s “Cupid” is the anthem you play when you’re confident you could be a better partner than their ex-flame.

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11. Nelly and Kelly Rowland’s “Dilemma” had the teenage crushes in a chokehold with this girl/boy next door anthem.

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Words matter and these songs and their lyrics ignite change, inspire movements, and librate people with their message.

12. Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” became an anthem back when Black Americans were denied their most basic rights, and even though it caused a political stir, he didn’t back down.

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13. Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions “People Get Ready” is an anthem that energizes the culture to be proud of who we are, where we came from, and where we’re going.

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14. Like Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday’s defiance in the face of injustice and oppression keeps “Strange Fruit” an important anthem in the history of Black America.

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Family and friends gather around the barbecue grill, creating memories under the summer sun with these songs playing in the background.

15. The O’Jays’ “Family Reunion” makes it very clear when and where this cultural anthem should be played.

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16. Maze featuring Frankie Beverly’s “Before I Let Go” is the pinnacle of Black anthems and the number one hit at every Black American function.

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Beyoncé released a version in 2019; you can listen to it here.

17. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime” can hit up a few categories, but regardless of what season your family is hosting a cookout, this song is getting played.

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The party anthems are the first songs the DJ will play if they want to get the room moving and off the wall, picking their nose.

18. Montell Jordan’s “This Is How We Do It” featuring Wino is the one party song I can count on everyone knowing the lyrics of.

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19. DMX’s “Party Up (Up in Here)” is 100% a party anthem in every culture, and I will battle anyone who disagrees.

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If you want to reminisce about the good times when life was young and free, these songs will transport you back to simpler times.

20. Kool & The Gang’s “Summer Madness” has no lyrics, but the funky jazz instruments are all the sound needed to have you looking back at your life and saying, “Oh Lord.”

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21. Ahmad Lewis’s “Back in the Day” will have any Gen Xer or millennial sitting on the porch watching the kids play, thinking to themselves, “Damn, I grew up too fast.”

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22. The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy” is a flashback of when the triumphs of today are a direct result of your past struggles.

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The second these records hit, it’s clear that your intentions are quality “adult time” or trying to make a baby.

23. The Isley Brothers’ “Between The Sheets” is so synonymous with love-making that I think it’s best to wear protection whenever the song comes on — just in case.

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24. Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” is pretty on the nose with the fact it’s meant for getting your significant other or one-night fling in the mood.

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25. Roger Troutman and Zapp’s “Computer Love” is sonic foreplay that’s up there with chocolate-covered strawberries, candles, and incense.

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When your heart is in a million pieces, these songs are the first step for picking up your sorrows from the ground.

26. Boyz II Men’s “End Of The Road” is used so often that people forget it’s not about a funeral or falling in love but the complete opposite — a breakup.

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27. Fugees featuring Ms. Lauryn Hill’s cover of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” is the perfect track for when you’re down bad and feeling pitiful.

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28. Keyshia Cole’s “Love” is the song you belt out alone in the shower and car when you let a good one get away.

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The dance steps are simple, but these songs will get any wallflower up for an electric slide, or a Soul Train line.

29. Marcia Griffiths’s “Electric Boogie” is the blueprint for the electric slide.

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30. Marvin Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up – Part 1” is the go-to for Soul Train lines at family functions, weddings, and backyard barbecues.

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31. Cameo’s “Candy” is another song perfect for the electric slide if you want to add a little spice and a good slap to the dance floor.

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Any gospel song can channel a spirited response, but these songs are universal staples of joy, faith, and praising the Lord.

32. Mary Mary’s “Shackles (Praise You)” is the song you want to play when your prayers have been answered, or you’re feeling blessed and highly favored.

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33. Kirk Franklin & God’s Property’s “Stomp” started a revolution by blending hip-hop and gospel music, and it brought together generations of believers everywhere.

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34. Lauryn Hill, Whoopi Goldberg, and the cast of Sister Act 2’s rendition of “Joyful, Joyful” is a nostalgic bop that low-key celebrates faith.

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Once these songs start, something takes over, and the booty must absolutely pop, lock, drop, and most importantly, grind.

35. Chaka Demus & Pliers’ “Murder She Wrote” can turn a light-hearted dance party into a sex party.

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36. Experience Unlimited’s “Da’ Butt” is a college jam that will have the entire dance floor throwing that ass in a circle.

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37. Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up” featuring Manny Fresh and teenage Lil’ Wayne is the ultimate shake-your-booty beat.

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Teenage lovebirds or the seasoned couple celebrating their 40th anniversary use these songs as a testament to their love for each other.

38. Heatwave’s “Always and Forever” is perfect for wedding dances, second dates, and rainy nights sitting by the window in each other’s embrace.

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39. Rick James and Teena Marie were in their bag with “Fire and Desire,” the “please take me back” song that brought my older brother into the world.

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40. Goapele’s “Closer” is a song for when things are going really well and you just want to kick back with boo and think about your future together.

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41. Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” has reunited couples on the verge of separation or indifference for decades.

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Whether it’s an official paycheck or you came into some coin by happenstance, these songs celebrate sufficient funds.

42. The O’Jays’ “For the Love of Money” is a song for every occasion involving money, whether its a paycheck, a bank robbery with social activist undertones, or hitting the lottery.

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43. Johnny Kemp’s “Just Got Paid” is bar for bar, the most legitimate theme song for any payday just before the weekend.

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44. Diddy’s “It’s All About the Benjamins” featuring The Notorious B.I.G., Lil’ Kim, The Lox, and Stevie J is the perfect background track for when you know that tax return is about hit any day now.

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When family and friends have died, these songs help us hold onto their memory and allow us the space to grieve.

45. Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey’s “One Sweet Day” is a ’90s classic that is probably one of the most popular modern-day funeral songs.

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46. Diddy’s “I’ll Be Missing You” featuring Faith Evans and 112 took The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” and turned it into an anthem that honored the lost lives of family, friends, and The Notorious B.I.G.

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47. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s “Tha Crossroads” is not an easy song to sing along to because of the group’s impressive lyrical skill and the heartbreaking message behind the words.

What are some of your favorite cultural anthems?

Let me know in the comments.

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Logan Perrin