Music has played an important role in movements of today and the past by bringing us together and expressing feelings that words cannot. Here on The Current, we’ll honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, work and legacy by playing the music that was and is the soundtrack for equality, justice, respect and civil rights. We’ll also feature insights from leaders in the local community and beyond, including actor and playwright Kim Hines, history professor Mahmoud El-Kati, radio host and writer Ray Richardson, and the Reverend Al Sharpton. And of course, we will hear excerpts from the speeches of Dr. King himself. You can listen to the program on The Current on Monday, Jan. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central; you can also stream the complete program using the audio player above.

Throughout American history, Black citizens have had to push our democracy towards the righteous side of justice. The battle waged by Martin Luther King Jr. for justice and equality came at a cost: his life. MLK inspired others to take bold actions; athletes like Muhammad Ali and Kareem Abdul Jabbar, they gave us pride. The outspokenness of Nina Simone and political activist Angela Davis, they gave us the audacity. And the music of Sam Cooke and James Brown — well, that gave us inspiration to keep fighting for justice. And that fight continues to this day. And today's artists, entertainers and athletes, you would make MLK proud, so keep speaking up and keep speaking out.

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Program Playlist

Celebrating MLK Day on The Current with inspiring music, conscious music and music with a message.

Part 1

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

Part 2

The Winans – It's Time
The Sounds of Blackness – Optimistic
Arrested Development – People Every Day
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 Monáe – 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

Additional Resources

The King Center - official site

Black History Milestones: Timeline - History Channel

The Montgomery Bus Boycott - History Channel

Dr. Martin Luther King’s Chicago Campaign - Stanford University

Emmett Till Interpretive Center - official site

Lynching In America - Equal Justice Initiative

The Evolution of Conscious Hip Hop - Capital News Service