Listen: Martin Luther King, Jr., Day special
January 18, 2021
This Monday, observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with The Current. Throughout the day, we'll spin songs from iconic Black artists. Then, from 8 p.m. to midnight (Central), catch a special hosted by Derrick Stevens, who will explore socially conscious music from the Civil Rights Movement through 2020's uprisings here in the Twin Cities.
"On this MLK Day of 2021," Stevens says, "I'm looking forward to revisiting some classic protest songs from the past that still hold weight today and sharing music made by Twin Cities artists after the killing of George Floyd."
In the first hour of the special, we'll spotlight the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and hear music from the 1960s Civil Rights movement from artists like Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone and Sam Cooke.
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In hour two, Derrick features music that came after the death of Dr. King, spotlighting how Black artists and Black music became more socially conscious after the Civil Rights movement. Listen for music by Marvin Gaye, the Isley Brothers, Gil-Scott Heron and more.
Hour three brings protest music from the 1990s and 2000s, by artists including Kendrick Lamar, Common, and John Legend.
"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
And in hour four, we'll hear all Minnesota artists — including Chastity Brown, NUR-D and Maria Isa — with the music that was inspired after the killing of George Floyd.
"Justice is indivisible; injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. through music — on The Current.
Program Playlist
Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday
Mahalia Jackson - Take My Hand, Precious Lord
Josh White - Trouble
Sam Cooke - A Change is Going to Come
The Staple Singers - Freedom Highway
Nina Simone - Mississippi Goddamn
J.B. Lenoir - Alabama Blues
Blue Mitchell - March On Selma
Aretha Franklin - Respect
John Lee Hooker - The Motor City Is Burning
The Impressions - This Is My Country
James Brown - Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud
The Temptations - Ball of Confusion
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
The Staple Singers - I'll Take You There
Bob Marley and the Wailers - Get Up Stand Up
Donny Hathaway - Someday We'll All Be Free
Gladys Knight and the Pips - This Child Needs Its Father
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes - Wake Up Everybody
The Isley Brothers - Fight The Power (Part 1)
The O'Jays - Give the People What They Want
McFadden and Whitehead - Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five - The Message
Prince - Sign O' The Times
Public Enemy - Fight The Power
The Winans - It's Time
The Sounds of Blackness - Optimistic
Arrested Development - People Everyday
Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y.
Dr. Dre - Lil Ghetto Boy feat. Snoop Dogg
Jay-Z - Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
Prince - When Will We B Paid?
Common and John Legend - Glory
Kendrick Lamar - Alright
Janelle Monae - Hell You Talmbout
Childish Gambino - This Is America
Beyoncé - Black Parade
Maria Isa - Como Duele (Bomba 4 Big Floyd)
Muja Messiah - Not On My Watch
Dua Saleh - Body Cast
André Cymone - Black Man In America
Chastity Brown - Golden
Nur-D - 8:46
ZULUZULUU - What's the Price
MFELLAZ - Tired
Sounds of Blackness - Sick and Tired
Kashimana Ahua - Mama
Longshot - I'm Saying
UPRISING - Are You Really Down?
Various Artists - Faded/We the People feat. Sarah White, I Self Devine, MMYYKK, Great Grease, and Errybody
External Links
The King Center - official site
Timeline of African American History
State of Black America - National Urban League
Black Lives Matter - Wikipedia
Know Their Names: Black people killed by the police in the U.S.
The Evolution of Conscious Hip-Hop
