10 R&B Songs of Encouragement & Uplifting

As Black History Month 2020 comes to an end, we wanted to spotlight some uplifting songs of encouragement.

Since the 60s, blues and soul artists such as Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye released some of the most known uplifting songs for the black experience.

Many artist have continued their mission throughout the decades. Today‘s society is at a place where hope at times, seems impracticable.

We’ve created a list of our Top 10 R&B Songs of Encouragement.

As a reminder to us all, that life is what we make it. Change is a reality only held up by those who want to always do better and make a difference in this world.

Here’s our list of songs that have touched us, over the past three decades.
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10. Angie Stone – “My People” Feat. James Ingram
From her 2007 Release “The Art of Love & War”

“My people, hold your head up
My people, don’t get fed up
My people rise, my people fight
My people do alright
My people walk with pride and
We’re marchin’ side by side and
My people laugh, my people cry
My people ride and die”

9. En Vogue – “Part Of Me”
From their 1990 Debut Release “Born To Sing”

“It’s a shame that peace and respect
Have been replaced with money and power
The children, they are the future
So teach them how to love themselves
And they will love others
Don’t you see, love – that’s the key”

8. Intro – “New Life”
From their 1995 Release “New Life”

“You won’t be living here too long
Moving on, to a new life for the living
Everybody’s got a new song
Now let me sing it
Everybody needs a new life
Once in awhile”

7. Whitney Houston – “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”
From her 2009 Release “I Look to You”

“Found hope in my heart,
I found the light to life
My way out the dark
Found all that I need
Here inside of me”

6. Tevin Campbell – “Tomorrow (A Better You, Better Me)”
From Quincy Jones 1989 album “Back on the Block”

“If tomorrow is light in a place where there is none
Then know that now is the time to have faith in us all
Ya know we’re all in this world and we all can belong
We gotta get up, get out, get over it, get it on to be strong”

5. Janet Jackson – “New Agenda” feat. Chuck D
From her 1993 Release “janet”

“Because of my gender
I’ve heard “no” too many times
Because of my race
I’ve heard “no” too many times
But with every “no” I grow in strength
That is why
African american women
I stand tall with pride”

4. August Alsina – “American Dream”
From his 2015 Release “This Thing Called Life”

“Nobody ever told you, you could live up
To anything you want, don’t give up
They rather tell you, you’re destined for failure
That’s what they tell you
But you just say
What about Martin?
What about Garvey?
What about Rosa?
What about Malcolm?
What if somebody told them they would never be nothin’
And they believed this, think about the outcome”

3. Sounds of Blackness – “Black Butterfly”
From their 1994 Release “Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum”

“Black Butterfly, you can do most anything your heart desires
Freedom comes from understanding who you are
It’s time to reclaim your place among the stars
Spread your wings and fly
Awaken a genius that’s been asleep too long
A people with a beauty rich and strong
A heritage that rates second to none
Original, equality does not change them to fit in”

2. Stevie Wonder – “These Three Words”
From his 1991 Release “Jungle Fever”

“When was the last time
That they heard you say
Sister or brother, I love you
And when was the last time
That they heard you say
Darling or best friend, I love you

The one for whom you’d give your very life
Could be taken in the twinkling of an eye
Through your tears you’d ask why did you go
Knowing you’d didn’t always show
Just how much you loved them so”

1. Michael Jackson – “Man In The Mirror”
From his 1997 Release “Bad”

“I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change”

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