This month of June is Black Music Month, which has celebrated the musical contributions of African Americans since 1979.
For those of us working on our summer figures, what about checking out the following artists who have made a strong impact on Black music and the culture? These artists have blessed us with some energetic songs that will motivate us to keep moving, whether it be music we listen to while taking our morning walk or the dance routines we make up for our Zumba workout.
The challenge with choosing a song by Queen Bey is deciding on which one, so why not select any of the ones where she keeps your feet moving?!
From “Crazy in Love” and “Freakum Dress” to “Diva” and “7/11”, the heart-hitting bass and beats will keep your head held up high as you move along to the beat.
There should not be a dance music list without the King of Pop on it, who most likely has been an influence for the majority of everyone on this list.
You can go back as far to his days as part of the Jackson 5 and The Jacksons, but some of his dance hits as a solo artist and phenomenon include “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”, which will inspire you to get your dancing shoes on.
RELATED: Black Music Month: 47 Best Songs To Keep You Moving
You can’t leave baby sister off the list either…Janet (Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty!) has dominated the charts since the 80s with dance music, and the routines to match – haven’t we all have tried our hand at performing some of them in front of the television?
Some of her hits to jog to on the treadmill include “The Pleasure Principle”, “Miss You Much”, “If”, “Together Again”, “All for You”, “Feedback”, and “Dammn Baby” – songs dating back as early as 1986 up to as recent as 2015, proving to us that Ms. Jackson has successfully kept us moving for decades.
Some may need to look up his videos and music online to get acquainted (or reacquainted) with “the Hammer”, but once you do, you will see why this hit rapper and dancer from Oakland, California made the list.
“Turn This Mutha Out”, “Let’s Get It Started”, “Pump It Up (Here’s the News)”, and “Pumps and a Bump” will get you on your feet. You will get a good sweat in just from dancing to his videos in front of your television!
The Princess of Crunk&B from the South is another dancing machine with hits to keep your energy level up, including the songs “One, Two Step”, “Lose Control” (both with Missy Elliott), and of course “Level Up”.
Sidenote: I wouldn’t try these on the treadmill if you think you might have trouble keeping up with the beat! These are great music picks for the runners though.
Many love “The Purple One” for his musicianship, vocals, and range of music, which also includes some jams that showcased his ability to keep up with the others when it came to dancing.
Check out “1999”, “Let’s Go Crazy”, “Erotic City”, “Black Sweat”, “America”, and “Baby I’m a Star” – watching the live performances of these while exercising gives you an even better workout.
For the adult and more mature music listeners, I had to include this rapping “Hot Girl” to the list even if it’s just for the title of this one song – “Hot Girl Summer”.
We all want a hot girl summer, don’t we? Whether we want to be the hot girl or look at the hot girls, turn this up in your headphones while you get your steps in!
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