For Black people, Juneteenth is a big deal.
The event commemorates when roughly 250,000 Black individuals enslaved in Galveston, Texas, were told life-changing news on June 19, 1865: They were finally free. While former President Abraham Lincoln had officially emancipated slaves two years prior, those in Galveston were kept in the dark — until Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived, at long last, to share the good news.
Though many years have passed, the event remains deeply meaningful for Black Americans, as it is a reminder of the cruelties they’ve overcome since slavery. It also acknowledges the fact that there remains a great deal of work to do. To celebrate the wins, and to energize everyone for the work that lies ahead, we’ve crafted a Juneteenth playlist. In it, we’ve included songs that spark feelings of joy, pride, strength and freedom.
Because, in the words of grassroots activist Tanesha Grant: “Juneteenth is for us… Juneteenth symbolizes the hope that my children and grandchildren will be free. It’s Black Joy and Black tenacity to survive.”
“Formation” – Beyoncé
In this trap bounce song, the Queen Bee encourages women to get their “paper” while she honors her deep southern roots made up of Creole (people mixed with French, African, and other ethnic groups) on her mother’s side, and Alabamian from her father’s side. (Hence the lyrics: “You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas ‘bama.”) While proudly boasting her heritage, she also embraces her Black features: “I like my baby heir with baby hair and afros / I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils.” She even highlights traumas that have plagued New Orleans — including the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina — along with the broader scourge of police brutality. After its release in 2016, the music video sparked backlash from conservatives, who condemned it as being anti-police. But in an interview with Elle Magazine, Beyoncé silenced the critics: “I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe,” she said. “But let’s be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things.”
“Video” – India Arie
R&B Neo-soul singer India Arie released “Video” in 2001, a meaningful song of self-love and expression for Black women everywhere. With deep brown skin and natural hair, Arie acknowledges she may not fit into society’s far-whiter beauty standard. Yet she loves every part of herself nonetheless — including every freckle on her face, each one exactly “where it’s supposed to be,” she sings. In one compelling scene from the video, Arie is shown standing in a line-up among model-esque women. But instead of comparing herself to them, she embraces her own beauty and sends a message about not conforming to the world’s expectations. (“I’m not the average girl from your video / My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes.”) But most importantly, she sees the beauty in herself and knows that she is enough — a message all women need to take in. “I learned to love myself unconditionally,” she sings. “Because I am a queen.”
“U.N.I.T.Y.” – Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah has one question for men: “Who you calling a b***h?” In this 1993 hit single, the Newark, New Jersey, native tells the misogynistic men of the world that women can do what they want, and that women are equally as valuable. While her feminist lyrics are both feisty and fun, they also send a powerful message: We’re better together than we are divided. Whether she’s riding on a motorcycle or, you know, rapping in an era where female rappers were scarce, Latifah shows over and over again that she’s fearless — and encourages other women to similarly take risks and stand up for themselves. Like Latifah raps, “You got to let him know / infinity to infinity! (You ain’t a b***h or a ho.)”
“Golden” – Jill Scott
For Neo-soul singer Jill Scott, living her best life is the only thing she’s focused on in her single “Golden.” Released in 2007, the music video follows a jubilant Scott — with her glowing skin, wide smile and authentic afro — riding a bike through her neighborhood as she passes by Black people also enjoying their own moments of joy. Whether it’s a couple finding fun in each other, or an overworked woman enjoying dreams of becoming a dancer, the song encourages people to do what makes them happy. Scott’s video also contains positive affirmations like “Never stop dreaming,” while simultaneously highlighting the importance of community — like a father showing love to his son, a girl pretending to drive her dad’s car, or other people simply spending time with friends and family. “I’m taking my freedom, putting it in my car,” she sings. “Wherever I choose to go, it will take me far.”
“Freedom” – Beyoncé
Another hit from her Lemonade album, Beyoncé’s single, “Freedom,” embodies Black empowerment. In the song, she raises issues that have plagued Black people for decades, from older wrongs like slavery to modern-day systemic racism. The single is a collaboration with rapper Kendrick Lamar, who has also been known to express pro-Blackness through his songs, such as “Alright.” In “Freedom,” Beyoncé encourages Black people to take control of their futures and persevere through the social ills that try to hold them back. “Freedom, where are you?” she sings. “’Cause I need freedom, too. I break chains all by myself / Won’t let my freedom rot in hell. Hey! I’ma keep running / ‘Cause a winner don’t quit on themselves.”
“Juneteenth Celebration” – Sounds of Blackness
In this 2022 music video, the three-time Grammy award winning group Sounds of Blackness turns Juneteenth into a party. The vocal and instrumental ensemble from Minnesota exhibit the joy the formerly enslaved must have felt after learning they were free — shown through the group’s lively voices and exuberant dancing. The group’s vibrant energy and harmonies also mimic the sort of praise and worship experience found in many Black churches — another important staple of African-American culture. By the time the song gets to the chorus, it will make listeners “everywhere throughout the nation” join in on the “Juneteenth celebration,” the group sings. “Let’s all celebrate Juneteenth!”
(This article, first published June 18, 2024, has been updated for 2025.)