There is no way to have a celebration without “Celebration,” so take it away, Kool & the Gang.
We have some ideas about music Kamala likes—she has posted several playlists in the past, so today I’m sampling a few from one she posted for Black Music Month back in 2017, well before she ran for President.
“No matter where you are from or what you look like, music is a bond that can bring us all together.”
In honor of African-American Music Appreciation Month, which is recognized in June, Harris released a public playlist on the music-streaming service Spotify that includes some of the most talented and influential black musicians.
“Our nation has an indelible soundtrack, songs that have become anthems recognized across the world,” Harris said in a statement to HuffPost. “Much of that soundtrack is inspired and informed by the vast contributions of African-American artists in jazz, R&B, rap, hip-hop, and beyond.”
The playlist features 45 songs from timeless artists like Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone and Prince, as well as hits from more contemporary artists like Andra Day, Janelle Monae and Chance The Rapper. There are popular rap songs by hip-hop artists like Migos and soulful slow jams from songstresses like Aretha Franklin ― whatever the mood, Harris’ playlist has you covered.
I grinned when I saw Ray Charles’ “Hit The Road, Jack” on her list, since it has recently been a tune folks have used to usher Donald Trump out of the White House, creating “Hit the Road, Trump” parodies.
Not on her playlist, this blues jam deserves to be played at our party; hat tip to Black Kos Editor JoanMar for posting it.
Back to Harris’ playlist, which included “One Nation Under a Groove,” by Parliament-Funkadelic, a group we covered in an earlier installment of this series. This version, by The Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences Choir, is proof that new generations will carry the music forward.
In 2019, MVP Harris shared her “Mood Mix” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
From that list, here’s “The Sun is Shining,” from Bob Marley and the Wailers, which evokes her Jamaican ancestry.
“Sun is shining, weather is sweet nowMake you wanna move your dancing feet, yeah”
Our MVP isn’t just “Madame Vice President.” In the estimation of her hometown basketball team, the Golden State Warriors, she is the MVP of their hearts, as James Dator reported for SBNation.
Harris was born in Oakland, and spent the early part of her legal career as an assistant attorney general to Alameda County, before ascending to senator of California, and now to the White House.
The Warriors presented Harris with a signed No. 49 jersey to commemorate her being the 49th vice president of the United States. It came along with a message from Steph Curry, encouraging her to display the jersey in her office in the White House, which she said she plans to do proudly.
Grab the Kleenex if you haven’t seen this yet.
She may be an Oakland homegirl, but Harris and Joe Biden have been taken into the hearts of so many people across the United States.
The inauguration had its own playlist, which included Kamala Harris’ walk-out song, “Work That,” by Mary J. Blige, which she used at both the Democratic National Convention and for her first speech as vice president-elect.
Blige spoke with Andy Cohen about the moment that she learned Harris had chosen one of her songs.
The lyrics clearly resonated with Harris, and it’s easy to see why.
There’s so many girls I hear you been runningFrom the beautiful queen that you could be becomingYou can look at my palm and see the storm comingRead the book of my life and see I’ve overcome it(I don’t want the drama, get lost)Just because the length of your hair ain’t longAnd they often criticize you for your skin toneWanna hold your head high ’cause you’re a pretty womanGet your runway stride on and keep goingGirl, live your life
What a great milestone for Blige, 30 years after her first album, What’s the 411?, was released.
The “Dance Across America” segment of the Inaugural Celebration, was choreographed by Kenny Ortega, to the music of Martha and the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street.” It’s an anthem of the 1960s that still gets folks of all ages up and moving.
I really enjoyed this segment, and I’m sittin’ here, dancin’ in my seat along with it now. I was moved by the diversity of just who we are displayed in each frame. Vice President Kamala Devi Harris is a living, breathing symbol of that diversity.
Okay, that’s enough from me. What songs are you playing to celebrate our new MVP?
Let’s party!