The Badass Black Girl Playlist

“Don’t let anyone steal ya joy! There’s always someone miserable trying to bring you down…you just wish them well and proceed on enjoying your life.”

—Missy Elliott, American rapper, singer, songwriter, dancer, and record producer

Dear Badass Black Girl,

Celebrate all the badass Black girls in your life—including yourself. We, Black girls, have a voice that deserves to be heard. Here's a playlist to help you love and empower yourself, and lift up other Black girls. May these girl power anthems fuel your inner warrior goddess.

Tell me what's your favorite! Is anything missing from this list?

1. “Independent Woman” by Destiny’s Child

2. “Melanin” by Secrett

3. “I Am Light" by India.Arie

4. “Don’t Touch My Hair” by Solange

5. “R. E. S. P. E. C. T.” by Aretha Franklin

6. “You Gotta Be” by Des’ree

7. “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys

8. “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae

9. “Run the World [Girls]” by Beyoncé

10. “Control” by Janet Jackson

11. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor

12. “Bossy” by Kelis

13. “Overcomer” by Mandisa

14. “Shackles (Praise You)” by Mary Mary

15. “Wonder Woman” by Lion Babe

16. “Dance or Die” by Janelle Monáe

17. “Ooh Child” by The Five Stairsteps

18. “Black Truck” by Mereba

19. “Kolobi” by Tiwa Savage

20. “Black Woman” by Danielle Brooks

21. “Young, Gifted and Black” by Aretha Franklin

22. “Encourage Yourself” by Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers

23. “Grown Woman” by Beyoncé

24. “Pieces of Me” by Ledisi

25. “Blk Girl Soldier” by Jamila Woods

26. “Due West” by Kelsey Lu

27. “Way Back” by Amber Mark

28. “Black Girl Magik” by Sampa the Great feat. Nicole Gumbe

29. “I Owe You Nothing” by Seinabo Sey

30. “I am not my hair” by India.Arie feat. Akon

31. “New Agenda” by Janet Jackson

32. “Freedom” by Beyoncé

33. “Ladies First” by Queen Latifah feat. Monie Love

34. “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone

35. “Q. U. E. E. N.” by Janelle Monáe

36. “Unpretty” by TLC

37. “Black Girl Pain” by Talib Kweli

38. “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross

39. “Womanifesto” by Jill Scott

40. “Hero” by Mariah Carey

41. “Good Woman Down” by Mary J. Blige

42. “Superwoman” by Alicia Keys

43. “Kelly” by Kelly Rowland

44. “Video [Because I’m a Queen]” by India.Arie

45. “River” by Ibeyi

46. “Masterpiece” by Jazmine Sullivan

47. “Pretty Girl Rock” by Keri Hilson

48. “Bag Lady” by Erykah Badu

49. “Do My Thing” by Estelle

50. “Proud” by Heather Small

51. “Closer” by Goapele

52. “A Beautiful Day” by India.Arie

53. “Higher Than This” by Ledisi

54. “No Regrets” by Elisabeth Withers

55. “Strength, Courage and Wisdom” by India.Arie

56. “Black Gold” by Esperanza Spalding (feat. Algebra Blessett)

57. “Star People” by Fertile Ground

58. “Brown Skin Girls” by Beyoncé

From Badass Black Girl: Quotes, Questions, and Affirmations for Teens 

Publishers Weekly Select Title for Young Readers ─ A Daily Dose of Inspiration for Badass Black Girls

Explore the many facets of your identity through hundreds of big and small questions. MJ Fievre tackles topics such as family and friends, school and careers, body image, and stereotypes in this journal designed for teenage girls. By reflecting on these topics, readers confront the issues that can hold them back from living their lives.

Embrace authenticity and celebrate who you are. Finding the courage to live as you are is not easy, so here’s a journal designed to help readers nurture their creativity, self-motivation, and positive self-awareness. This journal celebrates girl power and honors the strength and spirit of black girls.

Change the way you view the world. This journal provides words of encouragement that seek not just to inspire, but to ignite discussion and debate about the world. Girls, especially, are growing up in a world that tries to tell them how to look and act. MJ Fievre encourages readers to fight the flow and determine for themselves who they want to be.

Reading Badass Black Girl: Quotes, Questions, and Affirmations for Teens will help you:

• Build and boost your self-esteem with powerful affirmations.

• Learn more about yourself through intensive and insightful journaling.

• Resist the mold that outside opinions have put into place, and become comfortable and confident in embracing your authentic self.