Optimistic Afrofuturism Mixtape

 Lyndsey Martin 

English 2016-45498 

Dr. Jaleesa Harris 

November 25, 2024 

Optimistic Afrofuturism Mixtape  

People across all cultures and races turn to music to either tell stories of the past, their present, or the future they wish for the next generations to come. And in that, music is the hopes, desires, and  dreams of past for themselves as well. Most of the time these songs have a very uplifting beat and inspirational lyrics to lift your spirit and spark determination to build a better future and to  be optimistic about whatever challenges you are facing.  

Some songs that are in my mixtape that have those uplifting tones is “Enye Woa” (2018) by Pat  Thomas, and though the lyrics are in Ghanaian, it is still clear front the beat and tone in the singer’s voice that the song is positive and gives off a good vibe. Similarly, “Hour of Parting”  (1959) by Sun Ra and “Butterfly” (1974) by Herbie Handcock do not have any lyrics at all but  you can tell from the their jazzy beats and the way the songs start off slow, climb and hit these  loud peaks then fall do you feel push and pulled with emotions that just make you feel good. Then there are songs like “Overcome” (2016) by Laura Mvula and Nile Rodgers having those inspirational R&B beats and lyrics like, “Take your broken feet and run. With the world up on  your shoulders, nowhere left to hide, keep your head up, carry on. It ain’t no time to die. Even  though we suffer, come together, be brave. Round the mountain, all God’s children run.” The  title being a summary of the song itself saying to overcome whatever is keeping you down we all  are God's children with our own mountains to either climb or go around. There are also songs  with optimism for your own future, not just a group. The song “St. Chroma” (2024) by Tyler the  Creator and Daniel Caesar has a solder stomp that is prominent in the beat and the lyrics and  sung almost at a hush, “I built a path to freedom cause them words that he said give a **** about  traditions stop impressing the dead....I’m gon make it out...can you feel the light inside? Can you  feel that fire?” This refers to personal perseverance despite what society says or might think of  you. Both the songs “St. Chroma” and “Overcome” have repeating lyrics at the end of the songs.  This could have some significance in letting the listener know that those lyrics have a deeper  meaning to them. Another song from the list “Good Days” (2020) by SZA is another example of 

Martin 1 

an optimistic song about having a future for yourself and to be better than your past. With lyrics  like, “Gotta let go of weight, can’t keep what’s holdin’ me, choose to watch while the world  break up and fall on me, all the while I’ll await my armored fate with a smile” and “Half of us  layin’ waste to our youth, it’s in the present.” And this song also has a very calming and an  alternative R&B groove to it.  

So whether the song is about building a more positive future for yourself or for the future of  people, there will always be music to inspire you to push forward no matter what.  

Mixtape List:  

Hour of Parting (1959)- Sun Ra 

Butterfly (1974)- Herbie Handcock 

Triune (1995)- George Clinton 

Overcome (2016)- Laura Mvula, Nile Rodgers 

Enye Woa (2018)- Pat Thomas 

Almeda (2019)- Solange 

Meet Me At Our Spot (2020)- THE ANXIETY, WILLOW, Tyler Cole 

Good Days (2020)- SZA 

Selfish Soul (2022)- Sudan Archives 

WHAT NOW (2022)- Eva Alordiah 

In The Room (2024)- Maverick City Music, Annatoria 

TEXAS BLUE (2024)- Quadeca, Kevin Abstract 

St. Chroma (2024)- Tyler the Creator, Daniel Caesar 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6E8K8qcLLNzFOxBbPo1OwN?si=spMy141rQaup8eSudqb8G w 

(a link to the Spotify playlist)

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